EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Christmas Island National Park Management Plan 2014-2024
Christmas Island National Park
Christmas Island is an isolated oceanic island, approximately 135 square kilometres in area, located in the eastern Indian Ocean. The island geology consists of porous limestone derived from ancient coral reefs overlaying volcanic basaltic rock. There are few islands at similar latitudes with similar floral and faunal components and/or of comparable rainforest and marine ecosystem integrity. Christmas Island’s geographical isolation, geological history and faunal assemblage, particularly its land crabs, have resulted in the development of distinct tropical rainforest ecosystems that support many endemic animals and plants.
Christmas Island National Park was declared in four stages between 1980 and 1989 under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 which was replaced by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) in July 2000. It continues as a Commonwealth reserve under the EPBC Act, pursuant to the Environmental Reform (Consequential Provisions) Act 1999, which deems Christmas Island National Park to have been declared for the preservation of the area in its natural condition and the encouragement and regulation of the appropriate use, appreciation and enjoyment of the area by the public.
Christmas Island National Park now covers approximately 85 square kilometres (64 per cent) of the island’s land area. In addition to this, the park includes a marine area extending 50 metres seaward of the low water mark and incorporates much of the island’s fringing coral reef system. The park is the only declared nature conservation area on Christmas Island and performs an important role preserving examples of the natural features of the island.
Under this management plan, a stronger emphasis is placed on the importance of taking an island wide/regional and collaborative approach in the management of the park, acknowledging that it is part of a much larger natural, cultural and social landscape and that the plan only applies to the park. Significantly, the plan incorporates relevant conservation activities in response to recommendations made in the 2010 Final Report of the Christmas Island Expert Working Group on the biodiversity of Christmas Island. Activities include:
- expanded research and monitoring of the park’s biodiversity, currently supported by the extremely successful Island-Wide Surveys
- expanded emphasis on threatened species management including through conservation programs for native reptiles and invasive species management, particularly yellow crazy ants, black rats and feral cats
The management plan also takes into account the content of the Christmas Island Biodiversity Conservation Plan (recovery plan) that is being prepared by the Department of the Environment in accordance with Section 270 of the EPBC Act. The biodiversity conservation plan will combine nine existing recovery plans applying to 10 individual species and will provide an integrated, holistic approach to the conservation and recovery of the island’s threatened native species. The draft biodiversity conservation plan is expected to be available for public comment in early 2014.
More strategic and enabling language has been used for the policies and actions contained within the plan. This allows for reasonable responses to maintain or enhance park values in the face of new evidence and unforeseen circumstances, for instance, to provide an adaptive framework to deal with the uncertainties of climate change and other threatening processes and their implications for the management of the park over the life of the plan.
There is a greater emphasis on the importance of sustainable nature-based tourism and visitor experiences in the plan including developing new tourism opportunities. This includes actions to support establishing low impact, unobtrusive eco-accommodation and the preparation of a visitor experience plan.
There is also strong emphasis on the need for partnerships, collaboration and whole of government approaches. Under this plan, Parks Australia will work with stakeholders, government agencies and partners and the community on a range of projects, including: working with research organisations on natural heritage research and management programs; improving the destination branding of the island through promotion of a range of nature based recreational/visitor experiences and working with the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development and Phosphates Resources Ltd to rehabilitate abandoned mining areas through the Christmas Island Mine Site to Forest Rehabilitation Program.
Overview of the Legislative Instrument
The Director of National Parks prepares management plans for Commonwealth reserves in accordance with Section 368 of the EPBC Act. The purpose of this management plan is to describe the philosophy and direction of management for Christmas Island National Park for the next ten years in accordance with the EPBC Act. The plan enables management to proceed in an orderly way, helps to reconcile competing interests, and identifies priorities for the allocation of available resources.
The EPBC Act and associated Regulations prohibit certain activities from occurring in Christmas Island National Park and other Commonwealth reserves. The management plan for the Park is an enabling document. It allows management activities to occur that would otherwise be restricted under EPBC legislation, and enables certain management, recreational and commercial activities to occur.
Consultation
On 12 December 2007, consistent with s. 368 (1) (a) of the EPBC Act, a notice was published in the Australian Government Gazette, the Australian newspaper, the local newspaper for Christmas Island and placed on the Department of the Environment website, inviting comments on the proposal to prepare a draft management plan. A Have Your Say brochure was also circulated to stimulate awareness of the planning process and the opportunity to contribute to the plan.
Following consideration of these submissions, the Director prepared a draft plan in accordance with s.368 (1) (b) of the EPBC Act, which was released for public comment from 28 March 2012 until 11 May 2012.
Invitations to comment on the draft plan were again published in the Australian Government Gazette, the Australian newspaper, the local newspaper for Christmas Island and placed on the Department of the Environment website. Draft plans were sent to stakeholders with an invitation to comment (including those who provided comments towards the preparation of the draft plan). Copies of the draft plan were made available from the Park Headquarters, from the Department’s website and through the Department’s Community Information Unit free of charge.
There were 11 written submissions in accordance with s.368 (1) (e) of the EPBC Act. The Director considered these submissions when finalising the plan and amended the plan where appropriate.
Period of operation
This management plan will come into operation, following approval by the Minister under s.370 of the EPBC Act, at the beginning of the day after it is registered under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. The plan will cease to have effect ten years after commencement, unless revoked or amended earlier by another management plan.
Regulation Impact Statement
This management plan has been written to encourage greater access to visitors and improved management of the natural and cultural values of the park. It does not place any new restrictions upon individuals or businesses. The Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) advised that a Regulatory Impact Statement was not required for this management plan (OBPR reference: ID 2013/15153).
Mark Taylor
Acting Director of National Parks
10 February 2014