The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is advised on management issues about the Marine Park at a local level by voluntary community-based committees called Local Marine Advisory Committees (LMACs).

Established in 1999, LMACs enable local communities to have effective input into managing the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and provide a community forum for interest groups, government and the community to discuss issues around marine resources.

The purpose of LMACs is to:

• Improve the involvement and support of local communities in the management, the ecologically, socially and economically sustainable use, and the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (World Heritage Area).
• Advise the GBRMPA and other World Heritage Area Agencies on issues and policies relating to specific activities, conservation, environment, public information and public education concerning their local catchment, marine and coastal region.
• Facilitate communication between user groups in the local community.
• Promote the exchange of information about, and raise awareness of, issues impacting on the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem between communities, the GBRMPA and other Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area agencies.

This helps the GBRMPA and other management agencies to keep in touch with marine and coastal issues at a local level and understand the use of the Marine Park. LMACs provide both an advisory and a communication role between the community and the GBRMPA.

The current 12 LMACs are:

• Cape York
• Douglas
• Cairns
• Cassowary Coast
• Hinchinbrook
• Townsville
• Bowen / Burdekin
• Whitsunday
• Mackay
• Capricorn Coast
• Gladstone
• Burnett

How to become involved?

Participants at LMAC meetings include LMAC members, GBRMPA, management partners, presenters and observers. Stakeholders interested in presenting to, or observing an LMAC meeting should contact the relevant LMAC Chair (refer to LMAC webpages on this site for contact details).

Stakeholders who are interested in becoming a member, should contact the LMAC Coordinator (details below).

More information

For further information please contact the LMAC Coordinator:

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
LMAC Coordinator
PO Box 1379
TOWNSVILLE QLD 4810
Ph: (07) 4750 0700
Fax: (07) 4772 6093
Email: lmac@gbrmpa.gov.au