20 June 2012 - Cairns

Overview

1.   The agenda for this meeting included the Great Barrier Reef Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2012, the Authority's Climate Change Action Plan 2012-2017, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Strategic Plan 2012-2016 and the Authority's External Process for Policy Development. There were also reports to the Authority about the International Coral Reefs Initiative annual conference to be held in Cairns in July, and a decision to create a 12th Local Marine Advisory Committee.

Establishment of Local Marine Advisory Committee Bowen / Burdekin

2.    The Authority unanimously endorsed an out of session proposal to establish a new Local Marine Advisory Committee for the Bowen – Burdekin area. The new group resolves a problem that for some communities the previous arrangement left them out of touch with the work of the Authority.

Decision MPA 2012-220A-1 (19/04/2012): The Authority approved Out of Session the establishment of a Bowen – Burdekin Local Marine Advisory Committee (LMAC) to commence with the July 2012 – June 2015 LMAC term.

Great Barrier Reef Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan

3.    The Authority considered the draft Great Barrier Reef Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan 2012-2017 and the draft Climate Change Adaptation – Outcomes from the Great Barrier Reef Climate Change Action Plan 2007-2012.

Decision MPA 2012-221-9 (20/06/2012): The Authority approved the Great Barrier Reef Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action plan 2012-2017.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Strategic Plan 2012-2017

4.    The Authority discussed the draft Annual Operating Plan and noted that the key deliverable this year is the Strategic Assessment of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Decision MPA 2012-221-10 (20/06/2012): The Authority endorsed the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Strategic Plan 2012-2016 and endorsed the following protocol for future endorsement of the Authority's Strategic Plan:

1. Reporting to the Authority on work progress will follow the structure of the Strategic plan.
2. Major review undertaken at the conclusion of the Strategic Plan life cycle (that is, every four years) are to be endorsed by the Authority, and
3. Minor reviews undertaken annually (to take into account changes to environmental conditions, progress against stated outcomes, new or altered policy directions and identified risks and challenges) are to be endorsed by the Chairman of the Authority.
   

Annual Regulatory Plan 2013-2014

5.    The Authority discussed the Annual Regulatory Plan.

Decision MPA 2012-221-11 (20/06/2012): The Authority approved the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Annual Regulatory plan 2012-2013 and delegated to the Chairman of the Authority the power to approve finalised regulatory changes that are developed in accordance with the proposals set out in the Annual Regulatory Plan 2013-2014.

Informing the Outlook for the Great Barrier Reef Coastal Ecosystems

6.    The Authority considered the Technical Report Informing the Outlook for Great Barrier Reef Coastal Ecosystems

Decision MPA 2012-221-12 (20/06/2012): The Authority approved the release of the Report over the web, subject to final editing and formatting, to provide information and background for management agencies for their activities, such as the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area Strategic Assessment and the preparation of the Outlook Report 2014.

Next meeting

The next meeting is scheduled to be held in August 2012.

Members of the Authority

• Dr Russell Reichelt FTSE [Chairman]
• Miss Melissa George
• Mr Daniel Gschwind
• Mr Tony Mooney AM

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About the GBRMPA Board Report: Commencing after meeting 219 November 2011, a summary document is prepared after each meeting of the Marine Park Authority as a public record. Enquiries should be referred to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.