Port Stephens – Great Lakes Marine Park – Consultation and Management
THE INFORMATION ON THIS WEBPAGE MAY BE OUT OF DATE AND WILL BE UPDATED.
Consultation
Public urged to have their say on Halifax Point/Fly Point sand buildup.
Since the declaration of Port Stephens–Great Lakes Marine Park there has been extensive consultation with the local community, commercial and recreational fishers, tourism operators, conservation groups and the general public.
The draft zoning plan for the Marine Park was on public exhibition from 8 May to 23 September 2006. 43,000 draft zoning plans were distributed and 75 stakeholder meetings and information sessions held during this time. 4,399 submissions were received from a wide range of interest groups and are summarised in the Summary of Submissions report 
220 Kb.
Port Stephens–Great Lakes Marine Park Advisory Committee
Name |
Representing |
|---|---|
Clr John Nell |
Port Stephens Council (Chair) |
Mr Daniel Aldrich |
Tourism industry |
Professor David Booth |
Marine science |
Mr Peter Chappelow |
Other (boating industry) |
Mr John Clarke |
Recreational fishers |
Mr Dallas Davies |
Recreational fishers (spearfishers) |
Mr Darrell Dawson |
Marine conservation |
Mr Ross Fidden |
Commercial fishers |
Mr Allan Freihaut |
Recreational fishers |
Mr Frank Future |
Tourism industry |
Assoc. Professor Bill Gladstone |
Marine science |
Clr Karen Hutchinson |
Great Lakes Council |
Mr Christian Patteson |
Marine conservation |
PSGLMPAC Meetings
Wider consultation
The Marine Parks Authority holds local public meetings on important issues relating to Port Stephens –Great Lakes Marine Park and conducts public surveys from time to time. Both are widely advertised.
Members of the public are welcome to contact the marine park office.
Management
The zoning plan
- Zoning plan user guide - 1.3 Mb
Note: Percentages for zones may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
The Marine Parks Authority finalised a zoning plan for the park after extensive community consultation and input from the Port Stephens–Great Lakes Marine Park Advisory Committee. The zoning plan, which commenced on 21 April 2007, establishes:
- sanctuary zones - 17.6 % of the total park area. These zones provide the highest level of protection by allowing only activities that do not harm plants, animals or habitats. Sanctuary zones allow for guided tours, boating, surfing, snorkelling and diving.
- habitat protection zones - 34.4% of the total park area. These zones protect habitat by reducing high impact activities while allowing recreational fishing, some types of commercial fishing, tourist activities and fishing competitions. A special habitat protection zone east of Broughton Island allows for seasonal trolling for surface fish.
- general use zones - 47.75% of the total park area. These zones provide for a wide range of activities including both commercial and recreational fishing.
- special purpose zones - 0.25% of the total park area. These zones provide for the management of specific areas or activities such as aquaculture, marinas and research facilities.
The operational plan
The Marine Parks Authority has developed an operational plan for the marine park with input from the Port Stephens - Great Lakes Marine Park Advisory Committee. The operational plan outlines how the Authority will manage the marine park in a sustainable way to meet the objectives of the Marine Parks Act 1997.
The operational plan explains the role and priorities of the Marine Parks Authority and other organisations in the management of the marine park including threats to its natural, cultural and economic values. Management actions have been organised under the following strategies to deliver on the key marine park objectives.
- Identification and adaptive management of threats to marine biodiversity and habitats
- Protection of threatened species and endangered ecological communities
- Assessing developments in and affecting the marine park to minimise impacts
- Maximising voluntary compliance with the marine park zoning plan
- Ecologically sustainable management of commercial activities
- Delivering an ecological, social, cultural and economic research and monitoring program
- Promotion of sustainable tourism and recreational uses
- Ensuring management is consistent with the cultural aspirations of Aboriginal people
For more information see the Stephens - Great Lakes Marine Park Operational Plan.