Have your say on the Great Barrier Reef

Posted on December 12, 2013

Invitation for comment until 31 January 2014

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Draft strategic assessment documents

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Queensland Government are currently seeking public comment on their draft strategic assessment and program reports for the Great Barrier Reef Region and adjacent Coastal Zone. The public comment period closes on 31 January 2014.

The public comment process is an opportunity for all members of the community to have a say on the future management of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and adjacent coastal zone.

For copies of the draft strategic assessment reports and program reports and information on how to provide comments, please go to www.reefhaveyoursay.com.au

Independent Review

The Queensland Government draft strategic assessment and program reports were independently reviewed. The review's findings are now available in full:

Great Barrier Reef Long-Term Sustainability Plan

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The Australian and Queensland governments are also working together to develop a Long-Term Sustainability Plan for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The Plan will be informed by the outcomes of the comprehensive strategic assessment and guide the protection and management of this iconic World Heritage Area to 2050.

An information sheet describing the broad elements of the Plan is available for comment:

Great Barrier Reef Long-Term Sustainability Plan – Information Sheet (PDF- 2.58 MB) | (DOCX- 6.32 MB)

If you would like to provide comment to inform development of the Plan please do so through the strategic assessment public comment process by 31 January 2014

The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's most extensive coral reef ecosystem and arguably one of the best managed marine areas in the world. At 348,000 square kilometres, the reef is one of the richest and most diverse natural ecosystems on Earth. The unique qualities of this property were recognised in 1981 when it was inscribed on the World Heritage List.

Comprehensive Strategic Assessment and Long-Term Sustainability Plan

The Australian Government and the Queensland Government are undertaking a comprehensive strategic assessment of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and adjacent coastal zone in accordance with section 146 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

Why is a strategic assessment being undertaken?

The Australian and Queensland governments are committed to ensuring the Great Barrier Reef retains the values for which it was declared a World Heritage Area and that it continues to be one of the best managed marine protected areas in the world.

The comprehensive strategic assessment will help identify, plan for and manage existing and emerging risks to ensure ongoing protection and management of the unique environmental values of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and adjacent coastal zone. This will be achieved by:

  1. investigating the adequacy of the existing management arrangements for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, and
  2. assessing current and future development policies and planning in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and the adjacent coastal zone and analysing likely direct, indirect and cumulative impacts.

How is the assessment being carried out?

The comprehensive strategic assessment has two key components- a marine component and a coastal component.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is leading the marine component and the Queensland Government is leading the coastal component.

The assessment will examine whether the appropriate planning processes and management arrangements are in place to ensure development occurs sustainably and does not impact unacceptably on matters of national environmental significance, including the outstanding universal value of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Great Barrier Reef Long-Term Sustainability Plan

The Australian and Queensland governments are working together to develop a Long-Term Sustainability Plan for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

The Plan will inform future development by drawing together the marine and coastal components of the comprehensive strategic assessment, providing an over-arching framework to guide the protection and management of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area from 2015 to 2050. It will target the identified areas of action from the strategic assessments and seek to address gaps important for future management of the Area.

An information sheet on the proposed scope of the Long-Term Sustainability Plan has been developed by the Australian and Queensland governments.

Great Barrier Reef Long-Term Sustainability Plan – Information Sheet (PDF- 2.58 MB) | (DOCX- 6.32 MB)

If you would like to provide comment to inform development of the Plan please do so through the strategic assessment public comment process by 31 January 2014.

What are the next steps?

After the public comment period, the GBRMPA and the Queensland Government will consider all public comments received and finalise their respective strategic assessment and program reports.

Once finalised, the GBRMPA and the Queensland Government will each submit a final program report and strategic assessment report to the Australian Government for a endorsement decision. In making the decision, the Minister will consider comments made during the public comment period.

The outcomes of the comprehensive strategic assessment will inform development of the Long-Term Sustainability Plan for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, which will be implemented through the Great Barrier Reef Ministerial Forum.

Related strategic assessment documents

Research reports

The Australian Government has invested in new research to inform the comprehensive strategic assessment of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and adjacent coastal zone. This research was funded by the Sustainable Regional Development program and complements the wide variety of established research and literature also informing the strategic assessment.

The research has been targeted to address key information gaps relating to the future management of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. It will provide valuable input to the Long-Term Sustainability Plan for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area that has been requested by the World Heritage Committee.

The funded projects build on the substantial research investment the Australian Government is making through the National Environmental Research Program Tropical Ecosystems Hub.

Strategic assessment agreements

Section 146 Agreement- Commonwealth of Australia and State of Queensland (PDF- 441.55 KB) | (DOCX- 121.15 KB)

Section 146 Agreement- Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (PDF- 484.65 KB) | (DOCX- 132.21 KB)

Terms of Reference

On 30 August 2013 the Australian Government environment minister approved the terms of reference for the comprehensive strategic assessment of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and adjacent coastal zone.

The approved terms of reference take into account public comments received on the draft terms of reference, the World Heritage Committee's decision of 6 July 2012, the report of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre- International Union for Conservation of Nature reactive monitoring mission, and consultations with GBRMPA and the Queensland Government.

Terms of Reference:

Independent Review of the Port of Gladstone

As part of the Australian Government's response to the 2012 decision of the World Heritage Committee regarding the ongoing protection and management of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage property, the Australian Government commissioned an Independent Review of the Port of Gladstone.

The review is focussed on the port of Gladstone but may result in findings that are relevant to other ports adjoining the Great Barrier Reef. The outcomes of the review is informing the comprehensive strategic assessment.