Marine park users continue input into zoning plan review
Published Thursday, 09 August, 2007 at 03:04 PM
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Local knowledge will play a major role in workshops being run by the Environmental Protection Agency to discuss sites of interest for greater protection in Moreton Bay Marine Park, Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said today.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the independent scientific advice received in June provided the starting point to guide teh EPA in developing a draft zoning plan.
“This advice has been used to identify sites within Moreton Bay Marine Park that are worthy for consideration for greater protection, based on their environmental significance, and taking into account what people have told us about their use of particular areas,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Now further discussion can occur with key marine park user groups to refine and prioritise these sites and the level of protection needed.
“During August, we are working with representatives from stakeholder groups to share knowledge about the special sites in Moreton Bay, and achieve a comprehensive understanding of what increased protection of these areas might mean for various groups.
“We will ask our workshop attendees to provide more information about the values of the areas they use and to identify the impacts greater protection may cause and ways to potentially minimise impacts.”
Ms Nelson- Carr stressed that not all sites of interest would become ‘no-take’ areas.
“While some sites may be identified as requiring protection, this may not necessarily restrict the activities which people undertake at these spots.
“I have said from the outset of the review process that when we prepare a draft zoning plan we have choices about what types of zones are created and where.
“These workshops will enable us to make informed choices by giving us localised information,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“This is in line with our aim to deliver a draft zoning plan that conserves the wonderful marine environment within Moreton Bay Marine Park while minimising the impacts on people using this great area.”
While attendance at this workshop is limited to nominated stakeholder representatives, the general public can continue to provide information to the survey at the EPA website, by visiting www.epa.qld.gov.au
People will also have the chance to provide submissions on the draft zoning plan when it is released later this year.
Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004
Ms Nelson-Carr said the independent scientific advice received in June provided the starting point to guide teh EPA in developing a draft zoning plan.
“This advice has been used to identify sites within Moreton Bay Marine Park that are worthy for consideration for greater protection, based on their environmental significance, and taking into account what people have told us about their use of particular areas,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Now further discussion can occur with key marine park user groups to refine and prioritise these sites and the level of protection needed.
“During August, we are working with representatives from stakeholder groups to share knowledge about the special sites in Moreton Bay, and achieve a comprehensive understanding of what increased protection of these areas might mean for various groups.
“We will ask our workshop attendees to provide more information about the values of the areas they use and to identify the impacts greater protection may cause and ways to potentially minimise impacts.”
Ms Nelson- Carr stressed that not all sites of interest would become ‘no-take’ areas.
“While some sites may be identified as requiring protection, this may not necessarily restrict the activities which people undertake at these spots.
“I have said from the outset of the review process that when we prepare a draft zoning plan we have choices about what types of zones are created and where.
“These workshops will enable us to make informed choices by giving us localised information,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“This is in line with our aim to deliver a draft zoning plan that conserves the wonderful marine environment within Moreton Bay Marine Park while minimising the impacts on people using this great area.”
While attendance at this workshop is limited to nominated stakeholder representatives, the general public can continue to provide information to the survey at the EPA website, by visiting www.epa.qld.gov.au
People will also have the chance to provide submissions on the draft zoning plan when it is released later this year.
Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004