Whitsundays Plan of Management 1998 (Cth)
Whitsundays Plan of Management 1998
made under the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
Compilation No. 3
Compilation date: 2 August 2017
Includes amendments up to: F2017L00932
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Whitsundays Plan of Management 1998 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 2 August 2017 (the compilation date).
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register ( The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.
Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Editorial changes
For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.
Self-repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
Foreword
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority acknowledges the continuing sea country management and custodianship of the Great Barrier Reef by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owners whose rich cultures, heritage values, enduring connections and shared efforts protect the Great Barrier Reef for future generations.
The Great Barrier Reef is recognised internationally as a World Heritage Area under the World Heritage Convention, and nationally as having 6 of the 7 matters of national environmental significance listed in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. These matters are: World Heritage properties, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, National Heritage places, Commonwealth marine areas, listed migratory species and listed threatened species and ecological communities.
The legislative and planning framework protecting these significant values and managing use within the Planning Area sits primarily in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (the Act). This Plan regulates some matters mentioned in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan 2003 (the Zoning Plan), but does not otherwise affect the Zoning Plan.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (the Authority) has prepared the Whitsundays Plan of Management 1998 (the Plan) to protect and conserve the values of the Whitsunday Planning Area (the Planning Area) while allowing for a range of experiences and reasonable opportunities for access and use. The Planning Area includes the marine area around the Whitsunday Island Group and the offshore Hardy Reef Unit within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The Planning Area is geographically described in Schedule 1.
Traditional Owners have recognised the outstanding value of the Great Barrier Reef since it formed 8,000 to 12,000 years ago. Across the Planning Area, Traditional Owners maintain their connection to land and sea country including the coast on the adjacent mainland, island areas, the Great Barrier Reef and its natural resources. The recorded sightings of Traditional Owners by James Cook in 1770 and the distinct Aboriginal rock art near Nara Inlet enrich Australia’s history and heritage for this unique region.
The Planning Area makes up 1% of the total area of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Recognised as a significant presentation area for Great Barrier Reef world heritage values, it is a showpiece tourism destination for Queensland. Receiving more than 40% of all visitors who travel to the Great Barrier Reef, over 1,000,000 tourists visited the Planning Area in 2016.
Visitors are attracted by the spectacular scenery of the numerous islands (most of which are State‑managed national parks), fringing inshore reefs and offshore reefs. The reefs and islands support a diverse range of animal and plant life. These include protected species such as humpback whales, marine turtles, beach stone‑curlews and Proserpine rock‑wallabies. The Planning Area and its adjacent islands hold pre‑recorded history of traditional use by Traditional Owners as well as sites of importance in the history of European presence, including several historically significant shipwrecks.
Tourism and recreation are the major uses of the Planning Area. The Whitsundays tourism industry supports a broad range of operation types with most visitors travelling on crewed vessels including day trips and overnight sailing operations. Other tourism use includes bareboats (uncrewed), scenic aircraft flights and cruise ships. The area is very popular for recreational sailing, snorkelling, fishing and accessing adjacent islands. An indication of its popularity is the continuing growth in recreational vessel registrations for the adjacent coastal communities. The area is also used for commercial fishing, research, education and traditional uses.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and particularly the Planning Area is facing increased pressures which can impact on the resilience of the ecosystems and the services and values they provide to the community. One of the key objectives of the Plan is to balance the protection of a wide range of significant values with ongoing ecologically sustainable use by multiple users. The Plan is intended to reduce or eliminate threats to the values of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, including the following values:
(a) nature conservation values;
(b) cultural and heritage values;
(c) community (including scientific) values.
Part 1 of the Plan outlines the values, issues and management strategies. Part 2 contains the enforcement provisions to enact key strategies. These are considered within the context of managing the entire Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Effective management is achieved through review of the Plan in response to new information and changing uses. To date, the Plan has been amended in 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2017. The key considerations in the 2017 amendments are:
(a) updating the Part 1 provisions to better align with current strategic management; and
(b) increasing flexibility of access for user groups, particularly superyachts (more than 35 metres to less than 70 metres in overall length) and motorised water sport users, while maintaining a range of experiences for all visitors (i.e. remote to developed); and
(c) expanding regular seaplane landing areas to address practicality concerns for take‑off and landings and increased opportunities for daily scenic flights; and
(d) ceasing reef walking as a permitted activity.
The Authority will continue to make amendments to the Plan as required, subject to statutory requirements.
Successful management is achieved through ongoing partnerships. Traditional Owners, all levels of government (particularly the Joint Field Management Program arrangements with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service), the tourism industry, other industries and the local community all contribute to the continued recognition and management of the Planning Area. To ensure use of the Planning Area can occur without threatening the values of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the Authority encourages the Plan to be complemented by widespread use of responsible reef practices and cooperative working arrangements.
Contents
Foreword i
Part 1—Management of the Whitsunday Planning Area 1
Division 1—Preliminary 1
1.1......... Name of this Plan.......................................................................................................... 1
1.2......... Application of this Plan................................................................................................. 1
1.3......... Intent of this Plan.......................................................................................................... 1
1.4......... Interpretation................................................................................................................. 2
Division 2—Overview of values of the Planning Area 3
1.5......... Overview....................................................................................................................... 3
Division 2A—Nature conservation values 5
Subdivision 1—Overview of nature conservation values 5
1.6......... Overview....................................................................................................................... 5
Subdivision 2—Water Quality 5
1.7A...... Values........................................................................................................................... 5
1.7B...... Issues............................................................................................................................ 5
1.7C...... Strategies....................................................................................................................... 6
Subdivision 3—Corals and associated biota 7
1.8A...... Values........................................................................................................................... 7
1.8B...... Issues............................................................................................................................ 8
1.8C...... Strategies....................................................................................................................... 8
Subdivision 4—Seagrass meadows, dugong and marine turtles 9
1.9A...... Values........................................................................................................................... 9
1.9B...... Issues.......................................................................................................................... 10
1.9C...... Strategies..................................................................................................................... 10
Subdivision 5—Whales and dolphins 11
1.10A.... Values......................................................................................................................... 11
1.10B.... Issues.......................................................................................................................... 11
1.10C.... Strategies..................................................................................................................... 11
Subdivision 6—Birds 12
1.11A.... Values......................................................................................................................... 12
1.11B.... Issues.......................................................................................................................... 13
1.11C.... Strategies..................................................................................................................... 13
Division 2B—Cultural and heritage values 14
Subdivision 1—Overview of cultural and heritage values 14
1.12....... Overview..................................................................................................................... 14
Subdivision 2—Traditional Owner cultural heritage 14
1.13A.... Values......................................................................................................................... 14
1.13B.... Issues.......................................................................................................................... 15
1.13C.... Strategies..................................................................................................................... 15
Subdivision 3—Historic heritage 15
1.14A.... Values......................................................................................................................... 15
1.14B.... Issues.......................................................................................................................... 16
1.14C.... Strategies..................................................................................................................... 16
Subdivision 4—World Heritage and National Heritage 17
1.15A.... Values......................................................................................................................... 17
1.15B.... Issues.......................................................................................................................... 17
1.15C.... Strategies..................................................................................................................... 17
Subdivision 5—Scenic amenity including aesthetics 18
1.16A.... Values......................................................................................................................... 18
1.16B.... Issues.......................................................................................................................... 18
1.16C.... Strategies..................................................................................................................... 19
Division 2C—Community values (including scientific values) 20
1.17A.... Overview..................................................................................................................... 20
1.17B.... Issues.......................................................................................................................... 20
1.17C.... Strategies..................................................................................................................... 21
Division 3—Monitoring the effectiveness of management 23
1.18....... Reef 2050 Integrated Monitoring and Reporting Program Strategy............................ 23
Division 4—Use of the Planning Area 24
Subdivision 1—Overview 24
1.21....... Values......................................................................................................................... 24
1.22....... Issues.......................................................................................................................... 24
1.23....... Strategies..................................................................................................................... 25
Subdivision 2—Sensitive sites 26
1.24....... Setting 5 (protected) areas........................................................................................... 26
1.25....... Site plans..................................................................................................................... 28
Subdivision 3—Moorings and tourist facilities 28
1.26....... Policy overview—moorings and tourist facilities........................................................ 28
1.27....... New permissions for private moorings....................................................................... 29
1.28....... Limit on tourist facilities (other than moorings)........................................................... 30
Subdivision 4—Limits on activities 30
1.29....... Aerobatics, motorised water sports and high‑speed vessels........................................ 30
1.30....... No permissions for reef walking................................................................................. 31
Subdivision 5—Management of tourist programs 31
1.31....... General........................................................................................................................ 31
1.32....... Types of tourism operations—access rights and operational requirements.................. 31
1.33....... Bookings..................................................................................................................... 35
1.34....... Permissions for tourism operations—policy overview................................................ 36
1.35....... Tourism permissions that are capped........................................................................... 36
1.36....... Granting new permissions for regional tour operations............................................... 36
1.37....... Fishing or collecting as part of a tourist program........................................................ 37
1.39....... Harvest fishing and aquaculture operations................................................................. 37
1.40....... Permission replication and splitting............................................................................. 37
1.41....... Conversion between bareboat and crewed vessel (regional tour operation) operations 38
1.42....... Conversion between tourism operations...................................................................... 39
1.43....... Further permissions..................................................................................................... 39
1.44....... Special tourism permissions for which only certain persons may apply...................... 39
Part 2—Enforcement provisions 41
Division 1—Preliminary 41
2.1......... How many people on a vessel..................................................................................... 41
2.3......... When this Part does not apply..................................................................................... 41
2.3A...... Permissions must be consistent with this Plan............................................................ 41
2.3B...... Permissions for conduct with no or low adverse impact on values of Planning Area. 43
Division 2—General restrictions on the operation of vessels and aircraft 44
2.4......... Vessels not to be operated in certain setting areas....................................................... 44
2.5......... Operation of tourism operations in the Planning Area................................................. 46
2.5A...... Passenger transport operations.................................................................................... 46
2.5B...... Support service operations.......................................................................................... 47
2.7......... Limits on operation of aircraft..................................................................................... 47
2.8......... Other limits on use of vessels...................................................................................... 47
Division 3—Wildlife protection 50
2.11....... Activities near significant bird sites............................................................................. 50
2.12....... Protecting coral............................................................................................................ 50
Division 4—Other activities 51
2.14....... Certain commercial activities....................................................................................... 51
Schedule 1—The Planning Area 52
Part 1—Geographic description of area 52
1............ Area 1—Gloucester, Molle, Whitsunday, Repulse and Lindeman Units..................... 52
2............ Area 2 – Hardy Unit.................................................................................................... 52
Part 2—Map of area 53
Schedule 2—Setting areas 54
Part 1—Setting 1 (intensive) areas 54
1............ Daydream and West South Molle Islands setting 1 (intensive) area............................ 54
2............ Dingo Beach setting 1 (intensive) area........................................................................ 54
3............ Earlando Resort setting 1 (intensive) area.................................................................... 55
4............ East Mid Molle and South Molle Islands setting 1 (intensive) area............................. 55
5............ Hamilton Island and Dent Passage setting 1 (intensive) area....................................... 56
6............ Happy and Palm Bay Resorts, Long Island setting 1 (intensive) area......................... 57
7............ Hayman Island Resort setting 1 (intensive) area.......................................................... 57
8............ Hook Island Observatory and Resort setting 1 (intensive) area................................... 58
9............ Lindeman Island Resort setting 1 (intensive) area....................................................... 58
10.......... Paradise Bay Resort, Long Island setting 1 (intensive) area........................................ 58
Part 2—Setting 2 (high use) areas 60
11.......... Black Island setting 2 (high use) area.......................................................................... 60
12.......... Cid Harbour, Cid and Whitsunday Islands setting 2 (high use) area........................... 60
13.......... Hardy, Hook and Line Reefs setting 2 (high use) area................................................ 61
14.......... Southern Whitsunday Island setting 2 (high use) area................................................. 61
15.......... Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island setting 2 (high use) area................................. 62
Part 3—Setting 3 (moderate use) areas 63
16.......... Bluff Point setting 3 (moderate use) area..................................................................... 63
17.......... Cateran Bay, Border Island setting 3 (moderate use) area........................................... 63
18.......... Clarke’s Cove setting 3 (moderate use) area................................................................ 64
19.......... Eastern Border Island setting 3 (moderate use) area.................................................... 64
20.......... Hook, Line and Barb Reefs Complex setting 3 (moderate use) area............................ 64
21.......... Kennedy Sound, Lindeman, Seaforth and Shaw Islands setting 3 (moderate use) area 65
22.......... Langford/Black Islands Complex setting 3 (moderate use) area.................................. 66
23.......... Line Reef setting 3 (moderate use) area....................................................................... 66
24.......... Mackerel Bay, Hook Island setting 3 (moderate use) area........................................... 67
25.......... Molle Channel setting 3 (moderate use) area............................................................... 67
26.......... North Hook Island setting 3 (moderate use) area........................................................ 69
27.......... Pandanus Bay, Long Island setting 3 (moderate use) area........................................... 69
28.......... Roberta Bay, Shaw Island setting 3 (moderate use) area............................................. 70
29.......... Saba Bay, Hook Island setting 3 (moderate use) area.................................................. 70
30.......... South Hook Island setting 3 (moderate use) area........................................................ 70
31.......... South Whitsunday Island setting 3 (moderate use) area.............................................. 71
32.......... South‑eastern Whitsunday Island setting 3 (moderate use) area.................................. 73
33.......... Tongue Bay, Whitsunday Island setting 3 (moderate use) area................................... 74
34.......... Woodwark Bay setting 3 (moderate use) area............................................................. 74
Part 4—Setting 4 (low use) areas 76
35.......... Armit Island setting 4 (low use) area........................................................................... 76
36.......... Border and Deloraine Islands Complex setting 4 (low use) area................................. 76
37.......... Burning Point and Shaw island setting 4 (low use) area............................................. 77
38.......... Double Cone Island setting 4 (low use) area............................................................... 77
39.......... East Hayman and North West Hook Islands setting 4 (low use) area......................... 77
40.......... East Hook Island setting 4 (low use) area................................................................... 78
41.......... East Whitsunday Island setting 4 (low use) area......................................................... 79
42.......... Eshelby Island setting 4 (low use) area....................................................................... 80
43.......... Gloucester Island and Manta Ray Island setting 4 (low use) area............................... 80
44.......... Grassy Island, Double Bay and Grimston Point setting 4 (low use) area.................... 81
45.......... Gulnare Inlet, Whitsunday Island setting 4 (low use) area.......................................... 82
46.......... Harold and Edward Islands setting 4 (low use) area................................................... 83
47.......... Haslewood Islands complex setting 4 (low use) area.................................................. 83
48.......... Lady Island setting 4 (low use) area............................................................................ 84
49.......... Lindeman Island complex setting 4 (low use) area...................................................... 85
50.......... Long Island setting 4 (low use) area............................................................................ 86
51.......... Middle Island setting 4 (low use) area......................................................................... 86
52.......... North Molle Island setting 4 (low use) area................................................................ 87
53.......... Petrel Islet setting 4 (low use) area.............................................................................. 87
54.......... Puritan Bay, Round Head, Genesta Bay, Cape Conway, Defiance Island setting 4 (low use) area 88
55.......... Rattray Island setting 4 (low use) area......................................................................... 89
56.......... Repulse Islands setting 4 (low use) area...................................................................... 89
57.......... Saddleback, Olden and Gumbrel Islands complex setting 4 (low use) area................. 90
58.......... South Molle Island setting 4 (low use) area................................................................ 91
59.......... South‑west Hook Island setting 4 (low use) area........................................................ 91
60.......... West Whitsunday Island setting 4 (low use) area........................................................ 92
Part 5—Setting 5 (protected) areas 93
61.......... Cow and Calf Islands setting 5 (protected) area.......................................................... 93
62.......... Deloraine Island setting 5 (protected) area................................................................... 93
63.......... Double Bay East setting 5 (protected) area.................................................................. 93
64.......... Eshelby Islands setting 5 (protected) area.................................................................... 94
65.......... Haslewood and Lupton Islands setting 5 (protected) area........................................... 94
66.......... Hill Inlet, Whitsunday Island setting 5 (protected) area............................................... 95
Schedule 3—Locations 96
1............ Almora Islet Location.................................................................................................. 96
2............ Anchorage Bay, Shaw Island Location....................................................................... 96
3............ Andersons/Woodcutter Bays Location........................................................................ 97
4............ Anne Island Location.................................................................................................. 97
5............ Apostle Bay, Whitsunday Island Location.................................................................. 98
6............ Armit Island Location.................................................................................................. 98
7............ Armit Islets (No 1) Location....................................................................................... 98
8............ Bait Reef Location....................................................................................................... 99
9............ Bauer Bay, South Molle Island Location..................................................................... 99
10.......... Baynham Island Location.......................................................................................... 100
11.......... Beach 25, Whitsunday Island Location..................................................................... 100
12.......... Billbob Bay, Shaw Island Location........................................................................... 100
13.......... Bird Island Location.................................................................................................. 101
14.......... Black Island Location................................................................................................ 101
15.......... Blue Pearl Bay, Hayman Island Location.................................................................. 102
16.......... Bluff Bay Location.................................................................................................... 102
17.......... Boat Port, Lindeman Island Location........................................................................ 102
18.......... Border Island Location.............................................................................................. 103
19.......... Brush Island Location............................................................................................... 103
20.......... Butterfly Bay/Maureen’s Cove, Hook Island Location............................................. 104
21.......... Calf Island Location.................................................................................................. 104
22.......... Cane Cocky’s Cove Location.................................................................................... 105
23.......... Cape Rock Location.................................................................................................. 105
24.......... Catseye Bay, Hamilton Island Location..................................................................... 105
25.......... Chance Bay, Whitsunday Island Location................................................................. 106
26.......... Chrome Rock Location.............................................................................................. 106
27.......... Cid Harbour, Cid and Whitsunday Islands Location................................................. 107
28.......... Coconut Bay, Lindeman Island Location................................................................... 107
29.......... Cole Island Location.................................................................................................. 108
30.......... Comston Island Location........................................................................................... 108
31.......... Cow Island Location................................................................................................. 109
32.......... Daydream Island Location......................................................................................... 109
33.......... Defiance Island Location........................................................................................... 109
34.......... Defiance Reefs Location............................................................................................ 110
35.......... Deloraine Island Location.......................................................................................... 110
36.......... Denman Island Location............................................................................................ 111
37.......... Dent Island West Location........................................................................................ 111
38.......... Dent Passage, Dent and Hamilton Islands Location.................................................. 111
39.......... Dingo Beach Location............................................................................................... 112
40.......... Double Bay East Location......................................................................................... 113
41.......... Double Bay West Location........................................................................................ 113
42.......... Double Cone Island Location.................................................................................... 113
43.......... Double Rocks Location............................................................................................. 114
44.......... Driftwood Bay, Hamilton Island Location................................................................ 114
45.......... Dugong Inlet, Whitsunday Island Location............................................................... 115
46.......... Dumbell Island Location........................................................................................... 115
47.......... Dungurra Island Location.......................................................................................... 115
48.......... Earlando Coast Location............................................................................................ 116
49.......... East Repulse Island Location..................................................................................... 116
50.......... East Rock Location.................................................................................................... 117
51.......... Edward Island Location............................................................................................. 117
52.......... Edwin Rock Location................................................................................................ 117
53.......... Eshelby Islands Location........................................................................................... 118
54.......... Esk Island Location................................................................................................... 118
55.......... Fairlight Rock Location............................................................................................. 119
56.......... Fish and Palm Bays, Long Island Location............................................................... 119
57.......... Fitzalan Island Location............................................................................................. 119
58.......... Fitzalan Passage, Whitsunday Island Location.......................................................... 120
59.......... Funnel Bay Location................................................................................................. 120
60.......... Gap Beach, Lindeman Island Location...................................................................... 121
61.......... Genesta Bay Location................................................................................................ 121
62.......... Gloucester Island Location........................................................................................ 122
63.......... Grassy Island Location.............................................................................................. 123
64.......... Gulnare Inlet, Whitsunday Island Location............................................................... 123
65.......... Gumbrell Island Location.......................................................................................... 123
66.......... Hamilton Island East Location................................................................................... 124
67.......... Happy Bay, Long Island Location............................................................................. 125
68.......... Hardy Reef Location................................................................................................. 125
69.......... Harold Island Location.............................................................................................. 126
70.......... Haslewood Island South Location............................................................................. 126
71.......... Hayman Island East Location.................................................................................... 127
72.......... Hayman Island Resort Location................................................................................ 127
73.......... Henning Island Location........................................................................................... 128
74.......... Hill Inlet, Whitsunday Island Location...................................................................... 128
75.......... Homestead Bay, Cid Island Location........................................................................ 129
76.......... Hook Island Reef (No 1) Location............................................................................ 129
77.......... Hook Island Reef (No 2) Location............................................................................ 130
78.......... Hook Island Reef (No 5) Location............................................................................ 130
79.......... Hook Reef Location.................................................................................................. 131
80.......... Hunt Channel, Cid and Whitsunday Islands Location............................................... 131
81.......... Ireby Island Location................................................................................................. 132
82.......... Jester Rock Location................................................................................................. 132
83.......... Keyser Island Location.............................................................................................. 133
84.......... Lagoon Rock Location.............................................................................................. 133
85.......... Langford Island/Spit Location................................................................................... 133
86.......... Lindeman Island East Location.................................................................................. 134
87.......... Line Reef Location.................................................................................................... 134
88.......... Little Grassy Island Location..................................................................................... 135
89.......... Little Lindeman Island Location................................................................................ 135
90.......... Long Island Reef (No 6/No 7) Location.................................................................... 136
91.......... Long Rock Location.................................................................................................. 136
92.......... Low Island Location.................................................................................................. 136
93.......... Low Rock Location................................................................................................... 137
94.......... Luncheon, Manta Ray and Pinnacle Bays, Hook Island Location............................. 137
95.......... Lupton Island East Location...................................................................................... 138
96.......... Mackerel Bay, Hook Island Location........................................................................ 138
97.......... Macona Inlet, Hook Island Location......................................................................... 139
98.......... Maher Island East Location....................................................................................... 139
99.......... Maher Island West Location...................................................................................... 140
100........ Mansell Island Location............................................................................................ 140
101........ Martin Islet, Haslewood Island Location................................................................... 141
102........ May’s Bay, Whitsunday Island Location.................................................................. 141
103........ Mid Molle Island Location........................................................................................ 142
104........ Middle Island Location.............................................................................................. 142
105........ Moon Island Location............................................................................................... 142
106........ Nara Inlet, Hook Island Location.............................................................................. 143
107........ Neck Bay East, Shaw Island Location....................................................................... 143
108........ Neck Bay West, Shaw Island Location..................................................................... 144
109........ Nellie Bay Location................................................................................................... 144
110........ Nicolson Island Location........................................................................................... 145
111........ North Molle Island Location..................................................................................... 145
112........ North Repulse Island Location.................................................................................. 146
113........ Olden Island Location............................................................................................... 146
114........ Pandanus Bay, Long and Pelican Islands Location................................................... 146
115........ Paradise Bay, Long Island Location.......................................................................... 147
116........ Pentecost Island Location.......................................................................................... 147
117........ Perseverance Island Location.................................................................................... 148
118........ Peter Bay, Whitsunday Island Location..................................................................... 148
119........ Peter Head East, Whitsunday Island Location........................................................... 149
120........ Petrel Islet Location................................................................................................... 149
121........ Pig Bay, Haslewood Island Location........................................................................ 149
122........ Pine Island Location.................................................................................................. 150
123........ Pioneer Rocks Location............................................................................................. 150
124........ Plantation Bay, Lindeman Island Location................................................................ 151
125........ Planton Island Location............................................................................................. 151
126........ Puritan Bay Location................................................................................................. 152
127........ Queen Margrethe Bay, Shaw Island Location........................................................... 152
128........ Rattray Island Location.............................................................................................. 153
129........ Repair Island Location............................................................................................... 153
130........ Repulse Bay East Location........................................................................................ 153
131........ Ripple Rocks Location.............................................................................................. 154
132........ Roberta Bay, Shaw Island Location.......................................................................... 154
133........ Rooper Inlet Location................................................................................................ 155
134........ Saba Bay, Hook Island Location............................................................................... 155
135........ Saddleback Island Location....................................................................................... 156
136........ Sandy Bay, Long Island Location............................................................................. 156
137........ Sawmill Bay, Whitsunday Island Location................................................................ 157
138........ Seaforth Island Location............................................................................................ 157
139........ Shaw Island Reef (No 5) Location............................................................................ 157
140........ Shaw Island Reef (No 6) Location............................................................................ 158
141........ Shoal Bay Location................................................................................................... 158
142........ Shute Harbour Location............................................................................................ 159
143........ Shute Island Location................................................................................................ 159
144........ Sidney Island Location.............................................................................................. 160
145........ Sillago Island Location.............................................................................................. 160
146........ Sinker Reef Location................................................................................................. 161
147........ South Molle Island East Location.............................................................................. 161
148........ South Molle Island West Location............................................................................ 162
149........ South Repulse Island Location.................................................................................. 162
150........ Spitfire Rock Location............................................................................................... 163
151........ St Helen Rock Location............................................................................................. 163
152........ Steen’s Beach, Hook Island Location........................................................................ 163
153........ Stockyard Beach, Haslewood Island Location.......................................................... 164
154........ Stonehaven Anchorage, Hook Island Location......................................................... 164
155........ Surprise Rock Location............................................................................................. 165
156........ Swamp Bay Location................................................................................................ 165
157........ Tancred Island Location............................................................................................ 166
158........ Teague Island Location.............................................................................................. 166
159........ Thomas Island Location............................................................................................ 167
160........ Tongue Bay, Whitsunday Island Location................................................................. 167
161........ Trammel Bay Location.............................................................................................. 168
162........ Triangle Island Location............................................................................................ 168
163........ Turtle Bay, Whitsunday Island Location................................................................... 169
164........ Unnamed Island (20‑059) Location........................................................................... 169
165........ Unnamed Island (20‑023), Armit Islets (No 1) Location.......................................... 170
166........ Unnamed Reef (20‑025a/b, 20‑622) Location........................................................... 170
167........ Unnamed Reef (20‑628) Location............................................................................. 170
168........ Volskow Island Location.......................................................................................... 171
169........ White Bay, Haslewood and Lupton Islands Location................................................ 171
170........ White Rock Location................................................................................................. 172
171........ Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island Location....................................................... 172
172........ Whitsunday Island Reef (No 1/No 18), Whitsunday Island Location....................... 173
173........ Whitsunday Island Reef (No 5), Whitsunday Island Location.................................. 173
174........ Whitsunday Island Reef (No 16/No 17), Whitsunday Island Location..................... 174
175........ Whitsunday Island Reef (No 19/No 20), Whitsunday Island Location..................... 174
176........ Windy Bay, Haslewood Island Location................................................................... 175
177........ Wirrainbeia Island Location....................................................................................... 175
178........ Woodwark Bay North Location................................................................................ 176
179........ Woodwark Bay South Location................................................................................ 176
180........ Workington Island Location...................................................................................... 177
181........ Yellow Rock Location............................................................................................... 177
182........ Yvonne’s Coves, Whitsunday Island Location......................................................... 177
Schedule 4—Designated motorised water sports areas 179
1............ Hayman Island and Arkhurst Island Complex designated motorised water sports area 179
2............ North Molle Island and Daydream Island Complex designated motorised water sports area 179
3............ Fitzalan Passage designated motorised water sports area.......................................... 180
Schedule 6—Significant bird sites with restriction periods 181
Schedule 7—Regular aircraft landing areas 182
1............ Hardy Reef regular aircraft landing area.................................................................... 182
2............ Bait Reef regular aircraft landing area........................................................................ 182
3............ Daydream Island regular aircraft landing area........................................................... 182
4............ Bauer Bay and Mid Molle Island regular aircraft landing area.................................. 183
5............ Cid Harbour, Sawmill Bay, Hunt Channel and Dugong Inlet regular aircraft landing area 183
6............ Whitehaven Beach regular aircraft landing area......................................................... 184
7............ Chance Bay and Moon Island regular aircraft landing area....................................... 184
8............ Happy Bay and Fish and Palm Bays regular aircraft landing area............................. 185
9............ Dent Passage and Dent and Hamilton Islands regular aircraft landing area............... 185
10.......... Plantation Bay and Seaforth Island regular aircraft landing area................................ 186
11.......... Hayman, Langford and Black Islands regular aircraft landing area........................... 186
Schedule 9—Definitions 187
Endnotes193
Endnote 1—About the endnotes 193
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key 194
Endnote 3—Legislation history 195
Endnote 4—Amendment history 196
Endnote 5—Editorial changes 204
Part 1—Management of the Whitsunday Planning Area
Division 1—Preliminary
1.1 Name of this Plan
This Plan is the Whitsundays Plan of Management 1998.
1.2 Application of this Plan
This Plan applies to the area of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (the Marine Park) inside the Whitsunday Planning Area (the Planning Area).
1.3 Intent of this Plan
(1) The intent of this Plan, in conjunction with other management mechanisms, is to protect and conserve identified values, and world heritage values, of the Marine Park and Planning Area, while allowing for reasonable opportunities to access and use the Planning Area having regard to the precautionary principle.
Note 1: For world heritage values, see section 528 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (which is relevant because of subsection 3(1A) of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 and subsection 13(1) of the Legislation Act 2003).
Note 2: For precautionary principle, see subsection 3(1) of the Act (which is relevant because of subsection 13(1) of the Legislation Act 2003).
(2) Section 39Y of the Act sets out the following objects of plans of management:
(a) to ensure, for particular areas of the Marine Park in which the Authority considers that nature conservation values, cultural and heritage values, or scientific values, are, or may be, threatened, that appropriate proposals are developed to reduce or eliminate the threats;
(b) to ensure management for the recovery and continued protection and conservation of species and ecological communities that are, or may become:
(i) extinct; or
(ii) extinct in the wild; or
(iii) critically endangered; or
(iv) endangered; or
(v) vulnerable; or
(vi) conservation dependent;
(c) to ensure that activities within areas of the Marine Park are managed on the basis of ecologically sustainable use;
(d) to provide a basis for managing the uses of a particular area of the Marine Park that may conflict with other uses of the area or with the values of the area;
(e) to provide for the management of areas of the Marine Park in conjunction with community groups in circumstances where those groups have a special interest in the areas concerned;
(f) to enable people using the Marine Park to participate in a range of recreational activities.
(4) The Authority does not intend that this Plan will impair or extinguish any native title rights in the Planning Area.
1.4 Interpretation
(1) Unless the contrary intention appears, a term defined in Schedule 9 has the meaning given by that schedule.
(2) A reference in this Plan to a reef or other place, followed by an identification number (for example, “Bird Island 20‑019a”), is a reference to the reef or place depicted and numbered in:
(a) the map titled MPZ10—Whitsundays, published by the Authority in April 2011; or
(b) the map titled Special Edition—Whitsunday Group, published by the Authority in September 2011.
(3) There are discrete boundaries for Locations described in Schedule 3.
(5) If part of the boundary of a Location extends beyond the Planning Area, the Location boundary is taken to be the boundary of the Planning Area.
(6) In this Plan, all geographic coordinates are expressed in terms of the Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994 (GDA94), published in Gazette No GN 35 of 6 September 1995.
Note 1: The intertidal areas and most of the islands are managed by the Queensland Government.
Note 2: The Commonwealth island of Eshelby Island 20‑012 and the southern part of Dent Island 20‑058c, and their intertidal areas, are managed by the Authority.
Division 2—Overview of values of the Planning Area
1.5Overview
(1) For the purposes of the Plan, the values of the Planning Area have been grouped into 3 categories:
(a) nature conservation; and
(b) cultural and heritage; and
(c) community (including scientific).
Note: Although the values have been grouped into 3 categories, it is noted that the values are interrelated and overlap. Values constantly evolve over time and are not static. Values (a) and (b) align with the objects of plans of management within the Act and value (c) has been incorporated and termed community values consistent with a broader range of objectives in the plan of management and the Act.
(2) This Division and Divisions 2A, 2B and 2C outline the values and associated issues specific to the Planning Area, as well as the management strategies to address them to ensure ecologically sustainable use.
(3) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owners have continuing connections to traditional clan estates which are areas of great importance historically, culturally, socially and economically. This connection has been maintained despite a dynamic environmental shift during the last significant sea level rise (between 12,000 and 8,000 years ago), an altered state of living since European occupation and the modern use of marine and coastal environments. The Authority recognises that as custodians Traditional Owners have unique responsibilities, shared conservation interests and contrasting perspectives for some of the values and uses in the Planning Area.
(4) Climate change, land‑based run‑off, coastal development and some remaining impacts from fishing present threats to the Planning Area at a broader scale. Strategies for managing these threats are presented in the Reef 2050 Long‑Term Sustainability Plan (the Reef 2050 Plan).
(5) Increased visitation from vessels that have travelled internationally also presents the potential for increased biosecurity risks. Australia’s National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest Incursions (including the Biosecurity Act 2015) aims to prevent new marine pests arriving, guide responses when a new pest does arrive and minimise the spread and impact of pests already established in Australia.
(6) The Planning Area is a complex natural system with multiple uses that is subject to successive and combined impacts on the environment (direct harm to marine life, reduced water quality and scenic amenity). This can also lead to adverse impacts on reef‑dependent enterprises. Managing the cumulative impacts presents a challenge requiring a strategic approach with practical decision‑support tools and methods together with supporting policy mechanisms (relating to offsets and net benefits) and stewardship.
Note: The Reef 2050 Plan’s Draft Cumulative Impact Management Policy, Draft Net Benefit Policy and Draft Offset Guideline for the Great Barrier Reef provide a systematic and consistent approach to achieve overall net benefit to the Great Barrier Reef.
Division 2A—Nature conservation values
Subdivision 1—Overview of nature conservation values
1.6 Overview
(1) Nature conservation values of the Planning Area that the Authority considers are, or may be, threatened include the following:
(a) water quality;
(b) corals and associated biota;
(c) habitats and marine animals;
(d) birds nesting or roosting in, or adjacent to, the Planning Area.
(2) To reduce or eliminate the threats to nature conservation values in the Planning Area, areas of unique or outstanding value have been assigned high levels of protection and, in some cases, access is limited in some areas.
Subdivision 2—Water Quality
1.7A Values
(1) The Authority has identified the following values relating to water quality in the Planning Area.
(2) Water in the Planning Area has long been a natural resource of significance to Traditional Owners, their spirituality and their physical health. From prehistoric to contemporary times saltwater areas and freshwater sites are regarded for their diversity in use and value. This includes language and place names, songlines, storylines, intimate traditional ecological knowledge, social enjoyment, historic travel and trade routes, access and use of coastal fishing places, fish traps, hunting grounds and traditional estates.
(3) Good water quality is essential for the optimal functioning and resilience of the ecological systems and the marine life they support.
(4) The clarity of water has supported the growth of a substantial tourism industry. Reef dependent industries receive direct economic benefits from a healthy reef ecosystem that is dependent upon good water quality.
(5) Water clarity is important for the enjoyment of, and satisfaction with, the environment. It is also important for safety, particularly diver safety.
1.7B Issues
(1) The Authority has identified the following issues relating to water quality in the Planning Area.
(2) Changes to water quality may affect the cultural and spiritual values held by Traditional Owners, the way they interact with water and how they use the natural resources that depend on it.
(3) Reduced water quality impacts on the condition of physical, chemical and ecological processes.
(4) Reduced underwater visibility can adversely impact on tourism operators and visitor experience.
(5) Broadly, factors adversely impacting on the water quality are as follows:
(a) land‑based run‑off;
(b) extreme weather events;
(c) coastal development;
(d) direct use from activities including the following:
(i) tourism;
(ii) use of ports;
(iii) shipping;
(iv) fishing;
(v) agricultural activities;
(vi) development.
(6) The Proserpine River directly influences water quality in the Planning Area. Nearby O’Connell, Pioneer, Plane, Burdekin and Fitzroy rivers also influence the water quality in the Planning Area. Potential sources of pollution from these river catchments include sediment, agricultural chemicals and fertilisers, discharge of treated sewage, marine debris and other chemicals including antifouling paint and fuel residues.
(7) There are potential impacts to marine life from the Planning Area’s complex hydrodynamics which can cause settled sediments to re‑suspend.
(8) The exchange of ballast water has the potential to impact on water quality.
Note 1: The acceptable area for ballast water exchange is 12 nautical miles from the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef under the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ballast Water and Sediments.
Note 2: Further information on ballast water exchange is available in the Australian Ballast Water Management Requirements Version 6 available at Strategies
(1) Work in partnership with Traditional Owner groups whose sea country includes the Planning Area to formalise their aspirations for sea country relating to water quality.
(2) Encourage investigation of the complex hydrodynamics in the Planning Area including the retention and resuspension of turbid water.
(3) Encourage investigation into the impacts of anchoring including chain swing at high‑use sites within and adjacent to the Planning Area.
(4) Encourage investigation of the effectiveness of current marine monitoring sites within the Planning Area.
(5) Monitor the water quality parameters identified in the Water Quality Guidelines for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and promptly respond where trigger values are exceeded.
Note: The Water Quality Guidelines for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park are available at (6) Monitor and improve management practices and the quality of water entering the Planning Area, and the Marine Park, under the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan 2013 through partnerships with the Commonwealth and Queensland governments, the Regional Natural Resource Management body and agricultural industries as part of the commitment.
(7) Apply the Dredging and Dredge Spoil Material Disposal Policy for the management of dredging and disposal of dredge spoil material in the Marine Park.
Note: The Dredging and Dredge Spoil Material Disposal Policy is available at (8) Encourage education and community awareness, stewardship and best practice for protecting or improving water quality through partnerships with the Commonwealth, Queensland and local governments, land holders and industry groups.
(9) Encourage vessel operators to obtain up‑to‑date management guidance and comply with inspection requirements to prevent and manage incursions from marine pests in Australia prior to entering the Planning Area.
Note: Information on Australia’s National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest Incursions is available at (10) Encourage the management of vessels and movable structures within the Planning Area in a manner that avoids the accumulation of biofouling.
Note: Information on the National biofouling management guidelines and the Anti‑fouling and in‑water cleaning guidelines is available at and associated biota
1.8A Values
(1) The Authority has identified the following values relating to corals and associated biota in the Planning Area.
(2) Corals and associated biota are of great cultural, spiritual and social importance especially to Traditional Owners.
(3) The relatively clear waters of the northern part of the Planning Area have allowed for the growth and development of extensive and diverse reef structures and corals that are uncommon on fringing reefs.
(4) Coral reefs vary considerably from fragile hard and soft coral communities to species‑poor muddy reefs. The reefs significant for larval dispersal include but are not limited to those adjacent to Harold, Haslewood, Lindeman and Shaw Islands.
(5) A previously undescribed coral species (Goniastrea sp.) has been recorded at Double Bay, and a species of sponge (Rhabderemia sorokinae) has been recorded at Deloraine Island reef. They are believed to have a limited geographic distribution.
1.8B Issues
(1) The Authority has identified the following issues relating to corals and associated biota in the Planning Area.
(2) Fringing reefs around islands are limited throughout the Marine Park and are well represented in the Planning Area.
(3) The accessibility of fringing reefs make them vulnerable to degradation from excessive human use, including but not limited to anchoring, fin damage from diving and snorkelling, reef walking and collecting.
(4) The slower rate of coral recovery following natural disasters suggests recruitment and recovery from any future disaster may be reduced or take a long time.
(5) Coral and associated biota health is diminished with poor water quality influenced by land‑based run‑off, coastal development and intensified adjacent marine traffic.
(6) Outbreaks and high densities of the native predatory crown‑of‑thorns starfish and Drupella marine snails can cause significant coral damage and have a negative impact on the ecological composition of species representation.
(7) Coral and associated biota health has been affected by coral bleaching in the past and this is predicted to increase in the future.
(8) Coral disease is being increasingly observed and is predicted to increase in the future.
1.8C Strategies
(1) Work in partnership with Traditional Owner groups whose sea country includes the Planning Area to formalise their aspirations for sea country relating to coral and associated biota.
(2) Identify and prioritise coral reefs when determining management responses.
(3) Monitor the health and resilience of corals and associated biota and modify and/or implement management measures as required.
(4) Cease the activity of reef walking as part of a permitted activity.
(5) Continue to establish no‑anchoring areas at sites susceptible to anchor damage and where possible delineate the boundaries of these areas with reef protection markers (see subclause 2.12(3)).
Note: No‑anchoring area locations are detailed in the Regulations.
(6) Continue to provide public moorings where appropriate.
Note: Locations of public moorings are available at (7) Anchor with due care to avoid damaging coral and to use moorings when and where they are available.
Note 1: Private moorings can be used with prior agreement of the owner. Location and permittee details of private moorings are available at 2: Information about responsible reef practices for anchoring and mooring is available at (8) Prohibit a person from damaging coral in the Planning Area (see clause 2.12).
(9) Restrict large vessels and large ships to specific anchorage areas (see clause 2.4).
(10) Cap the number of relevant permissions for tourism operations that can anchor daily in the Planning Area.
(11) Manage and limit areas for high‑speed vessels and motorised water sport to minimise potential impacts with coral reef (see subclauses 2.8(1) to (4)).
(12) Discourage drifting of vessels to avoid potential impacts with coral reefs.
(13) Continue to have harvest fisheries and aquaculture operations occur outside the Planning Area.
(14) Encourage tourism operations to apply for permissions to assist with controlling outbreaks of predatory marine species such as the crown‑of‑thorns starfish and Drupella marine snails.
(15) Provide guidance about dredging coral reef habitat to persons who are operating a facility or carrying out works for the development of marine infrastructure.
Note: The policy Dredging coral reef habitat ‑ operating a facility or carrying out works for the development of marine infrastructure is available at (16) Require a relevant permission for the taking of coral under the Zoning Plan.
Note: Taking coral (including damaging or collecting coral) requires a relevant permission under the Zoning Plan. See the definition of taking in the Zoning Plan available at meadows, dugong and marine turtles
1.9A Values
(1) The Authority has identified the following values in relation to seagrass meadows, dugong and marine turtles in the Planning Area.
(2) Dugong, marine turtles, their habitats and lifecycles are of significant cultural, spiritual and social importance, especially to Traditional Owners.
(3) The Planning Area includes seagrass meadows at Repulse Bay, bays surrounding Whitsunday Island such as Tongue Bay, and mainland coastal bays such as Shoal Bay. Seagrass meadows are important habitats for dugong and green turtles as they provide a critical food source and important nursery habitat for a variety of marine life.
(4) Several threatened species of marine turtles inhabit the Planning Area.
1.9B Issues
(1) The Authority has identified the following issues relating to seagrass meadows, dugong and marine turtles in the Planning Area.
(2) Seagrass meadows throughout the Marine Park are facing increased pressure from poor water quality, and habitat loss and modification, resulting from increased land‑based run‑off, coastal development, marine traffic, intensity of extreme weather events, sea surface temperature and sea level rise.
(3) Dugong and marine turtles are adversely impacted (injury and death) by underwater noise, vessel strike, incidental capture or ingestion of marine debris.
(4) Marine turtle nesting sites adjacent to the Planning Area are vulnerable to human interference and hatchlings can be impacted by artificial light sources both on land and in the water when trying to access the ocean and navigate away from the beach.
1.9C Strategies
(1) Work in partnership with Traditional Owner groups whose sea country includes the Planning Area to formalise their aspirations for sea country relating to seagrass meadows, dugong and marine turtles.
(2) Enforce the Zoning Plan requirements for taking of protected species.
Note: Section 5.3 of the Zoning Plan refers to the entry to zones for the purpose of taking protected species. See the definition of taking in the Zoning Plan available at (3) Enforce the limits in the Zoning Plan and Regulations on netting and bait netting activities by commercial fishers particularly within the Species Conservation (Dugong Protection) Special Management Areas (Repulse Bay and Edgecumbe Bay).
(4) Encourage the use of responsible reef practices around dugong and marine turtles.
Note:Information about responsible reef practices around turtles is available at (5) Ensure the conditions of a permission for any new private mooring require the mooring to be designed, placed and installed in a way that assists the surrounding habitat and its ecological process to be maintained (see subclause 1.27(6)).
(6) Continue to provide public moorings where appropriate.
Note: Locations of public moorings are available at (7) Encourage the community to minimise the source and occurrence of marine debris in the Great Barrier Reef through education, clean‑up activities and the development of source reduction plans.
(8) Manage and limit areas for high‑speed vessels and motorised water sport to minimise potential impacts with dugong and marine turtles (see subclauses 2.8(1) to (4)).
Subdivision 5—Whales and dolphins
1.10A Values
(1) The Authority has identified the following values relating to whales and dolphins in the Planning Area.
(2) Whales and dolphins, and their habits and life cycles, are of significant cultural, spiritual and social importance, especially to Traditional Owners.
(3) The Planning Area is an important calving ground for humpback whales which migrate north from the Southern Ocean during winter.
(4) Several species of dolphins inhabit the area, including the protected Australian snubfin dolphin and the Australian humpback dolphin.
1.10B Issues
(1) The Authority has identified the following issues relating to whales and dolphins in the Planning Area.
(2) Whales and dolphins may be disturbed by vessels and aircraft at close range.
(3) Whales and dolphins are occasionally injured by vessels.
(4) Ingestion of marine debris and entanglement in fishing nets are threats to whales and dolphins.
1.10C Strategies
(1) Work in partnership with Traditional Owner groups whose sea country includes the Planning Area to formalise their aspirations for sea country relating to whales and dolphins.
(2) Encourage the use of responsible reef practices around whales and dolphins.
Note:Information about responsible reef practices around whales and dolphins is available at (3) Protect whales from approaching vessels and aircraft by enforcing the restrictions under the Regulations on the operation of vessels and aircraft near whales, including the restrictions that apply in the Whitsunday Whale Protection Area (which includes most of the Planning Area).
(4) Manage and limit areas for high‑speed vessels and motorised water sport to minimise potential impacts with whales and dolphins (see subclauses 2.8(1) to (4)).
(5) Encourage the community to minimise the source and occurrence of marine debris in the Great Barrier Reef through education, clean‑up activities and the development of source reduction plans.
(6) Apply the Authority’s operational policy to address the interaction of vessels, aircraft and people, with whales and dolphins.
Note: The Authority’s Operational Policy on Whale and Dolphin Conservation in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is available at Values
(1) The Authority has identified the following values relating to birds nesting, feeding or roosting in the Planning Area.
(2) Birds and their nesting, feeding and roosting areas are of significant cultural, spiritual and social importance, especially to Traditional Owners.
(3) Many migratory seabirds and shorebirds that visit the Planning Area and adjacent islands are recognised internationally under the Japan‑Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (the JAMBA), the China‑Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (the CAMBA) and the Republic of Korea—Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (the ROKAMBA).
(4) The following species are particularly important:
(a) beach stone‑curlew (Esacus magnirostris);
(b) eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis);
(c) black‑naped tern (Sterna sumatrana);
(d) bridled tern (Onychoprion anaethetus);
(e) crested tern (Thalasseus bergii);
(f) lesser crested tern (Thalasseus bengalensis);
(g) eastern reef egret (Egretta sacra);
(h) pied cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius);
(i) pied imperial pigeon (Ducula bicolor);
(j) osprey (Pandion haliaetus);
(k) white‑bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster).
(5) Birds are particularly plentiful from October to March, when thousands of waders and seabirds migrate to the Planning Area to nest.
(6) There are a number of significant bird sites in the area (see Schedule 6).
1.11B Issues
(1) The Authority has identified the following issues relating to birds nesting, roosting, or feeding in the Planning Area.
(2) Seabirds nesting in colonies and roosting on sand spits, and shorebirds feeding at mudflats, are susceptible to disturbance from human activity.
(3) Ingestion of, and entanglement by, marine debris are threats to seabirds and shorebirds.
1.11C Strategies
(1) Work in partnership with Traditional Owner groups whose sea country includes the Planning Area to formalise their aspirations for sea country relating to birds and their nesting, roosting, and feeding areas in the Planning Area.
(2) Encourage use of responsible reef practices when visiting islands and observing seabirds.
Note 1: Significant bird sites are identified in Schedule 6 and restrictions on activities at these sites are set out in clause 2.11. These restrictions are consistent with the Guidelines for Managing Visitation to Seabird Breeding Islands available at 2: Details of responsible reef practices around bird watching are available at (3) Continue to monitor and develop bird conservation measures within the Planning Area.
(4) Protect shorebirds and migratory birds within significant bird sites from approaching vessels and aircraft, particularly during vulnerable periods (see clause 2.11 and Schedule 6).
Note: The strategies developed in this Plan support the Wildlife Conservation Plan for Migratory Shorebirds, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the JAMBA, the CAMBA and the ROKAMBA. These can be found at (5) Encourage the community to minimise the source and occurrence of marine debris in the Great Barrier Reef through education, clean‑up activities and the development of source reduction plans.
Division 2B—Cultural and heritage values
Subdivision 1—Overview of cultural and heritage values
1.12 Overview
(1) Heritage values in the Planning Area are the following:
(a) Traditional Owner cultural heritage;
(b) historic heritage;
(c) World Heritage and National Heritage;
standard tour operation means an operation that:
(a) is part of a tourist program; and
(b) comprises activities permitted under one relevant permission; and
(c) at any one time, uses only one primary vessel or aircraft; and
(d) if using a vessel—uses a vessel that has an overall length of less than 70 metres; and
(e) if using a vessel—may use the vessel in the Planning Area for up to 50 days with a booking each year; and
(f) if using an aircraft—may use the aircraft in the Planning Area for up to 50 days with a booking each year.
superyacht has the same meaning as in the Regulations.
superyacht anchorage has the same meaning as in the Regulations.
support service operation means an operation that:
(a) is part of a tourist program; and
(b) comprises activities permitted under one relevant permission; and
(c) uses a vessel or aircraft to service another vessel or aircraft (the supported vessel or aircraft) to enable the supported vessel or aircraft to continue operating safely and effectively; and
(d) does not operate in continuous association with the supported vessel or aircraft; and
(e) does not remain associated with the supported vessel or aircraft for longer than is necessary to provide the support service; and
(f) at any one time, uses only one primary vessel or aircraft.
Note: The following are examples of the types of services that a support service operation may offer:
(a) delivering spare parts or equipment;
(b) landing torn sails for repair;
(c) medivac support;
(d) assisting in pollution control.
taking has the same meaning as in the Zoning Plan.
tourism operation means any of the following:
(a) a bareboat operation;
(b) a Bowen operation;
(c) a craftless operation;
(e) a hire operation;
(ea) a large ship operation;
(f) a long range roving operation;
(g) a non-motorised operation;
(h) a passenger transport operation;
(i) a regional tour operation;
(j) a standard tour operation;
(k) a support service operation.
tourist facility has the meaning given by subsection 3A (4) of the Act.
tourist program has the same meaning as in subsection 3A (3) of the Act, modified so that the reference to a zoning plan in that subsection is a reference to a plan of management.
Traditional Owner has the same meaning as traditional owner has in the Act.
Traditional Owner group, in relation to a site or area of the Marine Park, means the group of Traditional Owners who, in accordance with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custom, speak for the site or area.
transiting has the meaning given by the Regulations.
vessel has the meaning given by subsection 3 (1) of the Act.
Whitsunday Planning Area means the area:
(a) circumscribed by the geographical coordinates in Part 1 of Schedule 1; and
(b) depicted generally in the map in Part 2 of Schedule 1.
year means a period of 365 consecutive days.
Zoning Plan means the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan 2003 as in force at the commencement of Schedule 1 to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment (Whitsundays Plan of Management) Instrument 2017.
Endnotes
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.
The following endnotes are included in every compilation:
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Abbreviation key—Endnote 2
The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.
Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4
Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.
The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.
The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.
Editorial changes
The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.
If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
Misdescribed amendments
A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.
If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation “(md not incorp)” is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
| ad = added or inserted | o = order(s) |
| am = amended | Ord = Ordinance |
| amdt = amendment | orig = original |
| c = clause(s) | par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s) |
| C[x] = Compilation No x | /sub‑subparagraph(s) |
| Ch = Chapter(s) | pres = present |
| def = definition(s) | prev = previous |
| Dict = Dictionary | (prev…) = previously |
| disallowed = disallowed by Parliament | Pt = Part(s) |
| Div = Division(s) | r = regulation(s)/rule(s) |
| ed = editorial change | reloc = relocated |
| exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have | renum = renumbered |
| effect | rep = repealed |
| F = Federal Register of Legislation | rs = repealed and substituted |
| gaz = gazette | s = section(s)/subsection(s) |
| LA = Legislation Act 2003 | Sch = Schedule(s) |
| LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003 | Sdiv = Subdivision(s) |
| (md) = misdescribed amendment can be given | SLI = Select Legislative Instrument |
| effect | SR = Statutory Rules |
| (md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment | Sub‑Ch = Sub‑Chapter(s) |
| cannot be given effect | SubPt = Subpart(s) |
| mod = modified/modification | underlining = whole or part not |
| No = Number(s) | commenced or to be commenced |
Endnote 3—Legislation history
| Title | Registration | Commencement | Application, saving and transitional provisions |
| Whitsundays Plan of Management | 22 June 1998 (Gaz 1998, No S292) | 22 June 1998 | |
| Whitsundays Plan of Management Amendment 1999 (No 1) | 12 Oct 1999 (Gaz 1999, No S481) | 12 Oct 1999 | — |
| Whitsundays Plan of Management Amendment 2002 (No 1) | 6 June 2002 (Gaz 2002, No S179) | 6 June 2002 Pt 2: 7 June 2002 | — |
| Whitsundays Plan of Management Amendment 2005 (No 1) | 15 Nov 2005 (F2005L03456) | 16 Nov 2005 | — |
| Whitsundays Plan of Management Amendment 2008 (No 1) | 15 Dec 2008 (F2008L04591) | s 1–3: 16 Dec 2008 Schs 1 and 2: 18 Dec 2008 (see s. 2 (b)) | — |
| Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment (Whitsundays Plan of Management) Instrument 2017 | 19 July 2017 (F2017L00932) | Sch 1: 2 Aug 2017 (s 2(1) item 2) Sch 2–4: awaiting commencement (s 2(1) items 3–5) | — |
Endnote 4—Amendment history
| Provision affected | How affected |
| Foreword........................... | am 2005 No 1 |
| rs 2008 No 1; F2017L00932 | |
| Part 1 | |
| Part 1................................. | rs 1999 No 1; 2008 No 1 |
| Division 1 | |
| c 1.1.................................. | rs 1999 No 1; 2008 No 1 |
| c 1.2.................................. | rs 1999 No 1 |
| am 2002 No 1 | |
| rs 2008 No 1; F2017L00932 | |
| c 1.3.................................. | rs 1999 No 1 |
| am 2002 No 1 | |
| rs 2008 No 1 | |
| am F2017L00932 | |
| c 1.4.................................. | rs 1999 No 1 |
| am 2002 No 1; 2005 No 1 | |
| rs 2008 No 1 | |
| am F2017L00932 | |
| Division 2 | |
| Division 2.......................... | rs F2017L00932 |
| c 1.5.................................. | rs 1999 No 1 |
| am 2005 No 1 | |
| rs 2008 No 1; F2017L00932 | |
| Division 2A | |
| Division 2A....................... | ad F2017L00932 |
| Subdivision 1 | |
| c 1.6.................................. | rs 1999 No 1 |
| am 2002 No 1; 2005 No 1 | |
| rs 2008 No 1; F2017L00932 | |
| c 1.7.................................. | rs 1999 No 1 |
| am 2002 No 1; 2005 No 1 | |
| rs 2008 No 1 | |
| rep F2017L00932 | |
| Subdivision 2 | |
| c 1.7A................................ | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.7B................................ | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.7C................................ | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.8.................................. | rs 1999 No 1 |
| am 2005 No 1 | |
| rs 2008 No 1 | |
| rep F2017L00932 | |
| Subdivision 3 | |
| c 1.8A................................ | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.8B................................ | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.8C................................ | ad F2017L00932 |
| c. 1.9................................. | rs 1999 No 1 |
| am 2002 No 1; 2005 No 1 | |
| rs 2008 No 1 | |
| rep F2017L00932 | |
| Subdivision 4 | |
| c 1.9A................................ | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.9B................................ | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.9C................................ | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.10................................ | rs 1999 No 1 |
| am 2002 No 1; 2005 No 1 | |
| rs 2008 No 1 | |
| rep F2017L00932 | |
| Subdivision 5 | |
| c 1.10A.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.10B.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.10C.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.11................................ | rs 1999 No 1 |
| am 2002 No 1 | |
| rs 2008 No 1 | |
| rep F2017L00932 | |
| Subdivision 6 | |
| c 1.11A.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.11B.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.11C.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| Division 2B | |
| Division 2B....................... | ad F2017L00932 |
| Subdivision 1 | |
| c 1.12................................ | rs 1999 No 1; 2002 No 1; 2008 No 1 |
| rs F2017L00932 | |
| c 1.13................................ | rs 1999 No 1 |
| am 2002 No 1 | |
| rs 2008 No 1 | |
| rep F2017L00932 | |
| Subdivision 2 | |
| c 1.13A.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.13B.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.13C.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.14................................ | rs 1999 No 1 |
| am 2002 No 1 | |
| rs 2008 No 1 | |
| rep F2017L00932 | |
| Subdivision 3 | |
| c 1.14A.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.14B.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.14C.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.15................................ | rs 1999 No 1; 2008 No 1 |
| rep F2017L00932 | |
| Subdivision 4 | |
| c 1.15A.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.15B.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.15C.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.16................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| rep F2017L00932 | |
| Subdivision 5 | |
| c 1.16A.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.16B.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.16C.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.17................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| rep F2017L00932 | |
| Division 2C | |
| Division 2C....................... | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.17A.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.17B.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| c 1.17C.............................. | ad F2017L00932 |
| Division 3 | |
| Division 3.......................... | rs F2017L00932 |
| c 1.18................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| rs F2017L00932 | |
| c 1.19................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| rep F2017L00932 | |
| c 1.20................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| rep F2017L00932 | |
| Division 4 | |
| Subdivision 1 | |
| c 1.21................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| c 1.22................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| am F2017L00932 | |
| c 1.23................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| am F2017L00932 | |
| Subdivision 2 | |
| c 1.24................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| am F2017L00932 | |
| c 1.24A.............................. | ad F2017L00932 (Sch 2 item 1) |
| c 1.25................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| rs F2017L00932 | |
| Subdivision 3 | |
| c 1.26................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| am F2017L00932 | |
| c 1.27................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| rs F2017L00932 | |
| c 1.28................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| rs F2017L00932 | |
| Subdivision 4 | |
| c 1.29................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| rs F2017L00932 | |
| c 1.30................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| rs F2017L00932 | |
| Subdivision 5 | |
| c 1.31................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| am F2017L00932 | |
| c 1.32................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| am F2017L00932 (Sch 3 item 1) | |
| ed C3 | |
| c 1.33................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| am F2017L00932 | |
| c 1.34................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| c 1.35................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| am F2017L00932 | |
| c 1.36................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| am F2017L00932 | |
| c 1.37................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| am F2017L00932 | |
| c 1.38................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| rep F2017L00932 | |
| c 1.39................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| am F2017L00932 | |
| c 1.40................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| am F2017L00932 | |
| c 1.41................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| c 1.42................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| c 1.43................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| c 1.44................................ | ad F2017L00932 |
| Part 2 | |
| Heading to Part 2............... | rs 1999 No 1 |
| Part 2................................. | rs 1999 No 1 |
| Note 1 to Part 2.................. | rs 1999 No 1 |
| Note 2 to Part 2.................. | rs 1999 No 1; 2005 No 1; F2017L00932 |
| Division 1 | |
| Heading to Div. 1 of Part 2 | ad 1999 No 1 |
| c 2.1.................................. | rs 1999 No 1; 2008 No 1 |
| am F2017L00932 | |
| c 2.2.................................. | rs 1999 No 1 |
| rep 2008 No 1 | |
| c 2.3.................................. | rs 1999 No 1 |
| am 2002 No 1; 2005 No 1; 2008 No 1 | |
| c 2.3A................................ | ad 2008 No 1 |
| am F2017L00932 | |
| c 2.3B................................ | ad F2017L00932 |
| Division 2 | |
| Heading to Div. 2 of Part 2 | ad 1999 No 1 |
| c 2.4.................................. | rs 1999 No 1 |
| am 2002 No 1 | |
| rs 2008 No 1 | |
| am F2017L00932 | |
| c 2.5.................................. | rs 1999 No 1; 2002 No 1 |
| am 2008 No 1 | |
| rs F2017L00932 | |
| c 2.5A................................ | ad 2002 No 1 |
| c 2.5B................................ | ad 2002 No 1 |
| c 2.6.................................. | rs 1999 No 1 |
| rep 2008 No 1 | |
| c 2.7.................................. | rs 1999 No 1 |
| am F2017L00932 (Sch 3 item 2) | |
| c 2.8.................................. | rs 1999 No 1 |
| am 2002 No 1; 2005 No 1; 2008 No 1 | |
| rs F2017L00932 | |
| Division 3 | |
| Heading to Div. 3 of Part 2 | ad 1999 No 1 |
| c 2.9.................................. | rs 1999 No 1 |
| rep 2005 No 1 | |
| c 2.10................................ | rs 1999 No 1 |
| am 2002 No 1 | |
| rep 2008 No 1 | |
| c 2.11................................ | ad 1999 No 1 |
| am 2008 No 1 | |
| rs F2017L00932 | |
| c 2.12................................ | ad 1999 No 1 |
| am 2002 No 1; 2005 No 1; F2017L00932 | |
| Division 4 | |
| Div. 4 of Part 2.................. | ad 1999 No 1 |
| Heading to c. 2.13.............. | rs 2002 No 1 |
| c 2.13................................ | ad 1999 No 1 |
| am 2002 No 1 | |
| rs 2005 No 1 | |
| rep F2017L00932 | |
| c 2.14................................ | ad 1999 No 1 |
| am 2002 No 1; F2017L00932 | |
| c 2.15................................ | ad 1999 No 1 |
| am 2002 No 1; 2008 No 1 | |
| rep F2017L00932 | |
| Div. 5 of Part 2.................. | ad 2002 No 1 |
| rep 2008 No 1 | |
| c 2.16................................ | ad 2002 No 1 |
| rep 2008 No 1 | |
| c 2.17................................ | ad 2002 No 1 |
| rep 2008 No 1 | |
| c 2.18................................ | ad 2002 No 1 |
| rep 2008 No 1 | |
| c 2.19................................ | ad 2002 No 1 |
| rep 2008 No 1 | |
| c 2.20................................ | ad 2002 No 1 |
| am 2005 No 1 | |
| rep 2008 No 1 | |
| rep 2008 No 1 | |
| c 2.21................................ | ad 2002 No 1 |
| rep 2008 No 1 | |
| c 2.22................................ | ad 2002 No 1 |
| rep 2008 No 1 | |
| c 2.23................................ | ad 2002 No 1 |
| am 2005 No 1 | |
| rep 2008 No 1 | |
| c 2.24................................ | ad 2002 No 1 |
| am 2005 No 1 | |
| rep 2008 No 1 | |
| c 2.25................................ | ad 2002 No 1 |
| rep 2008 No 1 | |
| c 2.26................................ | ad 2002 No 1 |
| rep 2008 No 1 | |
| c 2.27................................ | ad 2002 No 1 |
| am 2005 No 1 | |
| rep 2008 No 1 | |
| c 2.28................................ | ad 2002 No 1 |
| am 2005 No 1 | |
| rep 2008 No 1 | |
| Map................................... | rep 2008 No 1 |
| Schedule 1 | |
| Heading to Schedule 1....... | rs 1999 No 1; 2002 No 1; 2005 No 1; 2008 No 1 |
| Schedule 1......................... | am 1999 No 1 |
| rs 2002 No 1; 2008 No 1 | |
| am F2017L00932 | |
| Schedule 2 | |
| Heading to Schedule 2....... | rs 2005 No 1; 2008 No 1 |
| Schedule 2......................... | am 1999 No 1 |
| rs 2002 No 1; 2008 No 1; F2017L00932 | |
| ed C3 | |
| Schedule 3 | |
| Heading to Schedule 3....... | rs 2005 No 1; 2008 No 1 |
| Schedule 3......................... | rs 2002 No 1 |
| am 2005 No 1 | |
| rs F2017L00932 | |
| Schedule 4 | |
| Heading to Schedule 4....... | rs 2005 No 1; 2008 No 1 |
| Schedule 4......................... | am 1999 No 1 |
| rs 2002 No 1; 2008 No 1; F2017L00932 | |
| Schedule 5 | |
| Heading to Schedule 5....... | rs 2005 No 1; 2008 No 1 |
| Schedule 5......................... | am 1999 No 1 |
| rs 2002 No 1; 2008 No 1 | |
| rep F2017L00932 | |
| Schedule 6 | |
| Schedule 6......................... | rs 1999 No 1 |
| rep 2002 No 1 | |
| ad 2008 No 1 | |
| rs F2017L00932 | |
| Schedule 7 | |
| Heading to Schedule 7....... | rs 2005 No 1; 2008 No 1 |
| Schedule 7......................... | rs 2002 No 1; 2008 No 1; F2017L00932 |
| Schedule 8 | |
| Schedule 8......................... | rs 1999 No 1; 2002 No 1; 2008 No 1 |
| Schedule 9 | |
| Note to Schedule 9............. | rs 2005 No 1; F2017L00932 |
| Schedule 9......................... | rs 1999 No 1 |
| am 2002 No 1; 2005 No 1; 2008 No 1; F2017L00932 (Sch 2 items 2, 3, Sch 4 items 1, 2) |
Endnote 5—Editorial changes
In preparing this compilation for registration, the following kinds of editorial changes were made under the Legislation Act 2003.
Subclauses 1.32(7) and (8)
Kind of editorial change
Renumbering and reordering of provisions
Details of editorial change
Schedule 1 item 41 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment (Whitsundays Plan of Management) Instrument 2017 instructs to repeal and substitute subclause 1.32(7).
Subclauses 1.32(4)-(16) are ordered alphabetically by a subclause heading.
The above amendment results in subclauses 1.32(7) and (8) appearing out of alphabetical order.
This compilation was editorially changed to renumber subclause 1.32(7) as 1.32(8) and subclause 1.32(8) as 1.32(7), and move the subclauses into numerical order.
Clauses 22 and 28 of Schedule 2
Reordering of provisions
Details of editorial change
Schedule 1 item 157 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment (Whitsundays Plan of Management) Instrument 2017 instructs to repeal Schedules 2, 3, 4 and 5 and substitute Schedules 2, 3 and 4.
The newly inserted clause 22 heading in Schedule 2 refers to the “Langford/Black Islands Complex setting 3 (moderate use) area”.
The newly inserted subclause 28(2) in Schedule 2 refers to the “Langford/Black Islands Complex setting 3 (moderate use) area”, whereas the clause 28 heading refers to the “Roberta Bay, Shaw Island setting 3 (moderate use) area”.
This compilation was editorially changed to reorder subclause 28(2) to subclause 22(2) in Schedule 2.
0
0
0