Staying up to date
Staying up to date on marine bioregional planning
Staying up to date with the marine bioregional planning process
The aim of marine bioregional planning is to improve the way our oceans are managed and help to ensure they remain healthy and productive so we can continue to use and enjoy them into the future. Marine planning is focusing on the management of whole marine ecosystems, including the interactions of people and industry with our marine environment.
The Australian Government is committed to a clear and transparent marine bioregional planning process that provides opportunities for input by any individuals or groups with an interest in the process. Formal consultations occurred throughout 2011 and provided an important opportunity for people to provide feedback on draft Marine Bioregional Plans and marine reserve network proposals.
There are many ways of staying up to date with the marine bioregional planning process.
How to keep up to date
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Subscribe to receive up to date information about marine bioregional planning.
- Regularly visit this marine bioregional planning website for updates and new information.
- Read answers to our Frequently asked questions.
- Send us an email:
- South-west Marine Region - Southwest.MarinePlan@environment.gov.au
- North-west Marine Region - Northwest.MarinePlan@environment.gov.au
- North Marine Region - North.MarinePlan@environment.gov.au
- East Marine Region - East.MarinePlan@environment.gov.au
- South-east Marine Region - Southeast.MarinePlan@environment.gov.au
Providing feedback
Draft Commonwealth marine bioregional plans and regional marine reserve network proposals have been released for the South-west, North-west, North, and East (Temperate East and Coral Sea). The public consultation periods on these drafts has now closed.
As each draft marine bioregional plan and Commonwealth marine reserve network proposal was released publicly, the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (the department):
- advertised their release (and provided information on how to submit feedback) in the media and on this website
- made the drafts and all supporting information available on this website and in CD format
- provided printed copies to people who have limited or no access to the internet
- provided a feedback form on this website to assist you prepare your submission
- allowed at least 90 days for people to make a submission
- met with stakeholder groups to discuss the draft Plan and Commonwealth marine reserve network proposals and answer any questions.
What will happen to your feedback?
Now that the formal consultation periods have closed:
- every submission received is being considered
- the draft Plan and Commonwealth marine reserve network proposal may be altered in response to information provided through the formal consultation period
- all comments will be treated as public documents and may be made public (along with your name/organisation) on the department's website (unless a request for confidentiality has been received and agreed to).
What happens next?
Final marine bioregional plans and final Commonwealth marine reserve network proposals will be released after public submissions have been considered and the Commonwealth Environment Minister has approved them.
Once the final marine reserve network proposal has been released a separate process to declare the marine reserve networks under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 will commence. This process will include a formal statutory consultation period of at least 60 days. People will have two further opportunities to provide feedback on the preparation of management plans after the marine reserve networks have been proclaimed.
Further detail on these consultation processes will be made available on this website as it becomes available.
Find out more
About marine bioregional planning
Marine bioregional planning is being implemented in five large marine regions.
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