COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Subsection 368(5)
INVITATION TO COMMENT
DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE NORTH COMMONWEALTH MARINE RESERVES NETWORK
The Director of National Parks has prepared a draft management plan under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) for the Commonwealth reserves in the North Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network. The draft management plan sets out how the North Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network will be managed for a period of ten years.
The North Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network came into effect on 17 November 2012. The reserves of the Network are:
Joseph Bonaparte Gulf Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Arafura Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Arnhem Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Wessel Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Limmen Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Gulf of Carpentaria Commonwealth Marine Reserve
West Cape York Commonwealth Marine Reserve
Members of the public are invited to comment on the draft management plan. Comments may be made in relation to the management plan generally, or as it relates to individual reserves or particular activities within the Network.
All comments received will be considered and the draft management plan may be revised accordingly. To ensure your comments are clear and concise please:
- list your points in order, numbered according to the relevant sections or prescriptions (strategies and actions) of the draft plan
- state whether you agree or disagree with prescriptions and give your reasons
- if you disagree, suggest alternatives
- include any matters relevant to management of the reserves in the North Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network that are not covered by the draft plan.
Comments must be sent to either:
1) Postal address-
North Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network Draft Management Plan
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
Reply Paid 787
Canberra ACT 2601
2) Email address - North.draftplan@environment.gov.au
Comments on the draft management plan for the North Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network must be sent by Thursday 14th February 2013. Comments that are sent after that date or to addresses other than those above cannot be taken into account in finalising the North Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network management plan.
Please note that all comments may be treated as public documents and may be made public on the department’s website.
Copies of the draft management plan and further information is available at www.environment.gov.au/marinereserves or by contacting the Community Information Unit of the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities on freecall 1800 069 352.
Signed this day of 14th January 2013.
SIGNED
Charlton Clark
Assistant Secretary
Commonwealth Marine Reserves Branch
Marine Division
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
Delegate of the Director of National Parks