Townsville (population 150,000+) is the primary administrative and industrial centre of North Queensland and has an international reputation for marine research and management. It boasts the Centre of Excellence for Marine Research at James Cook University (JCU), Museum of Tropical Queensland, Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and the head office of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

The manufacturing and public administration sectors provide the strongest contributions to the economy. Major industries include beef processing, grazing, and mineral refining. There are zinc, copper and nickel refineries.

Townsville is home to Lavarack Barracks Army Base, which is the largest facility in Australia. JCU has its largest campus in Townsville where around 11,000 students study. Townsville has a wide range of state and private schools. Defence, education, and other government personnel, make up almost 20 per cent of the Townsville workforce.

The region includes the Palm Island, Townsville, Burdekin and Charters Towers Local Governments.

Townsville LMAC Region

The Townsville Local Marine Advisory Committee (LMAC) is concerned with the coastal and inland area extending from Balgal Beach in the north to Cape Upstart in the south and includes the City of Townsville (with its northern beach suburbs and Magnetic Island) and smaller towns of Ayr and Home Hill.

Representation

Members of the Townsville LMAC represent a diversity of interest groups including: Landcare, commercial and recreational fishing interests, boating clubs, Burdekin cane growers, conservation groups, community progress associations, Port Authority and local councils. Government officers from the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management, Primary Industries and Fisheries and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority are also represented on the committee.

Current issues

• Coastal development
• Water quality
• Climate change
• Supporting 'Reef Guardian Schools' in the district
• Reducing the use of plastic bags.

Achievements

• Providing a successful link between community, industry and the decision-makers
• Production of local boating guide
• Submissions on various coastal development proposals
• Input to Inshore Fin Fish Management Plan.

More information

For further information on Local Marine Advisory Committees, please contact:

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Northern Regional Office
PO Box 1379
TOWNSVILLE QLD 4810

Tel: (07) 4750 0700
Fax: (07) 4772 6093

Email: northern.region@gbrmpa.gov.au