Lord Howe Island Marine Park zoning plan review
The current zoning plan for Lord Howe Island Marine Park commenced in 2004 and has been reviewed as required by the Marine Parks Act 1997.
On 27 January 2011, the Marine Parks Authority announced the outcomes of the zoning plan review for Lord Howe Island Marine Park.
On the basis of the review report and comments from the Lord Howe Island Marine Park Advisory Committee, the Minister for the Climate Change and the Environment and the Minister for Primary Industries have directed the Marine Parks Authority to:
- continue with the current zoning plan for Lord Howe Island Marine Park
- explore opportunities for addressing issues identified in the review report with the Lord Howe Island Marine Park Advisory Committee.
Review report
- Media release
65 Kb - Executive summary – Lord Howe Island Marine Park zoning plan review report 355Kb
- Executive summary – Appendix 3: Summary of consultation and submissions 55Kb
- Full report – Lord Howe Island Marine Park zoning plan review report 1.9Mb
- Full report – Appendix 3: Summary of consultation and submissions 858Kb
The review report including a summary of consultation and submissions were provided to the Lord Howe Island Marine Park Advisory Committee for comment. The review report, summary of consultation and submissions, and comments from the advisory committee, were then provided by the Marine Parks Authority to the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment and the Minister for Primary Industries for consideration.
Community consultation
An information package on the zoning plan review was released on 23 June 2010 together with a call for submissions; this included public notices in the Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Telegraph and local media. A total of 14 stakeholder meetings and community information sessions were held on Lord Howe Island and in Sydney during the consultation period, which ended on 8 September 2010 after more than two months.
A total of 169 submissions were received on the review. Approximately 34% of submissions received were from Lord Howe Island, 30% from Sydney, 20% from other parts of NSW, 10% from Queensland and 6% from elsewhere in Australia.
Submissions, input from community information days and stakeholder meetings, and advice from the local Advisory Committee were considered in drafting the review report.
The Advisory Committee for Lord Howe Island Marine Park provided comments on the zoning plan review report which were submitted to the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment and the Minister for Primary Industries for consideration along with submissions and the review report itself.
Next steps
The current zoning plan will continue. Under the Marine Parks Act 1997 zoning plan reviews are required initially after five years and then at ten year intervals.
The Marine Parks Authority will explore opportunities for addressing issues identified in the review report with the Lord Howe Island Marine Park Advisory Committee.
Any changes to activities in the park, such as fish feeding, will be developed with the local Advisory Committee and publicised prior to implementation.
Background information
The zoning plan review determined whether the plan remained appropriate for meeting the objects of the Marine Parks Act which are to conserve biodiversity, and provide opportunities for ecologically sustainable use, public appreciation, enjoyment and understanding of marine parks.
A set of 11 criteria were used to assess the zoning plan (see the guide to the review). The criteria were updated from previous zoning plan reviews and based on the national and state criteria for zoning marine protected areas.
Research and monitoring has continued to provide new information on the marine park. Projects have investigated its biodiversity, habitats and ecosystems, as well as ways in which it is used by the local community and visitors. The research has allowed more detailed maps of the marine park to be developed, including updated maps of habitats in the marine park.
New information shows that most habitats in the marine park are well represented in sanctuary zones. More research is needed on the mapping of Balls Pyramid shelf, the relict reef, inner-shelf rocky reef and the extent of the reef slope of the Lord Howe Island lagoonal fringing reef, the ecology and distribution of threatened, protected and endemic species and the impacts of eutrophication on the marine environment.
The following information package was available during the review which provides more detailed information on the marine park and the review process.
- a guide to the review of the Lord Howe Island Marine Park zoning plan
- habitat maps
- a summary of the natural values of the marine park
- a summary of the social, cultural and economic uses of the marine park
- a summary of research and monitoring in the marine park
- a summary of management of the marine park
- frequently asked questions
- Natural values of Lord Howe Island Marine Park
- Lord Howe Island Marine Park attitudinal report
- Lord Howe Island Marine Park visitor and expenditure survey
Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters) review
The Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters) Management Plan that sets out the management objectives for the Commonwealth Park came into effect in September 2002 and expired in September 2009. The management plan is being reviewed to assess its effectiveness in achieving its objectives and goals. The Australian and NSW governments jointly conducted community consultation for both reviews.
In addition, the Australian Government will conduct an extensive consultation process on the development of the East Marine Bioregional Plan, which will also inform the development of a new management plan for the Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters). Information on the Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters) Management Plan review and the East Marine Bioregional Plan can be found at the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities website.
More information
Please contact Lord Howe Island Marine Park for more information on the zoning plan review.