Public consultation on marine parks

The Australian Government has finalised the details of its national marine reserve network after considering the information it received through consultations and submissions on the draft proposals as part of the public consultation process, together with detailed socio-economic assessments.

The Director of National Parks has released a notice inviting public comment on the proposed proclamations of commonwealth marine reserves. The 60-day public comment period closes on Monday 10 September 2012.

Comments sent during this period will be collated and analysed in preparing a report to the Minister by the Director of National Parks, together with the Director's comments on the issues raised. The Minister is required to consider this report before deciding whether to recommend to the Governor General that the reserves be proclaimed.

The proclamation process defined by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 does not allow the proposed marine reserves to be varied as a result of comments received. If proposals were to be varied, the proclamation process, including the public comment period, would need to start again.

There are two ways to provide comment on the proposed Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network:

1.Email your comments with any additional information to proclamationcomments@environment.gov.au
2.Post your comments with any additional information free of charge to:
Commonwealth Marine Reserves Proclamation Comments
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
Reply Paid 787
Canberra ACT 2601

Comments must be sent by Monday September 10, 2012. Comments sent after that date or to addresses other than those above cannot be considered in the final report to the Minister from the Director of National Parks.

Photo of diver at Rowley Shoals, WA, courtesy of Unreel Adventures.