Director of National Parks
Christmas Island National Park management plan released for public comment
28 March 2012
Download the Media Release
- Christmas Island National Park management plan released for public comment (PDF - 142KB) - an html version of this release is below
Christmas Island National Park today released its draft management plan for public comment.
Christmas Island National Park manager Mike Misso said everyone was welcome to provide their thoughts on the draft plan which applies only to the national park.
“We’re inviting everyone to provide their comments on this draft plan. We want to get as many written submissions as possible to help us shape the future direction of this unique national park, which makes up such a large part of our island,” Mr Misso said.
“This management plan will guide all our activities in the park for the next 10 years - from looking after the natural values of this beautiful place to providing the best experiences we can for park visitors.
“This plan is different from the recovery plan being developed for Christmas Island. While its objectives and actions for managing threatened species will link closely to the recovery plan, this management plan is specific to the national park and covers a range of other issues, particularly tourism and visitor use of the park.”
The draft plan also takes on board recommendations from the Expert Working Group that was appointed to consider actions to protect the island’s biodiversity - including conservation activities such as the captive breeding program for native reptiles as well as a range of control programs for invasive species such as crazy ants, black rats and feral cats.
The plan recognises the park’s pivotal role in Christmas Island’s fledgling tourism industry, and so includes actions to improve recreational and visitor activities, such as developing a visitor experience plan.
From today people will have six weeks to go through the plan and email or send in their written comments. The period for public comment closes on Friday 11 May 2012.
The plan is available online at parksaustralia.gov.au/publications or you can ask for a hard copy by ringing the park on 08 9164 8700.
People can email their written comments to ChristmasIslandPlan@environment.gov.au or post them to the Park Manager, Christmas Island National Park, PO Box 867, Christmas Island, Indian Ocean 6798.
For a copy of the draft management plan visit: environment.gov.au/parks/publications/christmas/draft-management-plan.html
For more information visit parksaustralia.gov.au/christmas
Media contact: Karen Markwort on 02 6274 2655 or 0439 582 686