Announcement of the Final Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network Proposal

via email:

This morning the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, the Hon. Tony Burke, released the final Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network proposals for the South-west, North-west, North, Coral Sea and Temperate East Marine Regions.

The final marine reserves network proposals reflects revisions made as a result of the recent public consultation process conducted in each marine region and the assessment of potential socio-economic impacts undertaken in parallel with the public consultation.

In the coming weeks, the Director of National Parks will release a public notice inviting comment on the proposed proclamation of the final Commonwealth marine reserves. Once the notice has been published in the Commonwealth Government Gazette, the public will have 60 days to provide comment to the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.

Information on the final Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network proposal can be found at www.environment.gov.au/marinereserves

National Map: http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/mbp/reserves/pubs/map-national.pdf

Kimberley map: http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/mbp/reserves/nw-kimberley.html

North-west Marine Bioregional Plan submissions close 28 November

Submissions to the draft North-west Marine Bioregional Plan and proposed marine reserves network close 28 November.

The draft Marine Bioregional Plan and marine reserves network proposal for the North-west marine region were launched by the Federal Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Tony Burke, on  23 August 2011.

Copies of these documents and other supporting materials are available at www.environment.gov.au/coasts/mbp/north-west/index.html

 Everyone with an interest in this process is encouraged to make a formal submission to the department before the conclusion of the 90 day consultation period on 28 November 2011.  Submissions can be made online at http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/mbp/north-west/consultation/index.html#submissions

If you would like to contact the team with responsibility for the North-west marine bioregional planning process, please email: Northwest.MarinePlan@environment.gov.au