Terms of Reference

The Indigenous Reef Advisory Committee (or IRAC) has the following Terms of Reference:

1. Advise the Authority on matters relating to the implementation of various programs and strategies that impact Indigenous¹ communities in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area including, but not limited to, the Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2009 and the Caring for Our Country Reef Rescue Program and other initiatives.
2. Advise the Authority on ways to facilitate partnerships, build capacity and engage with Traditional Owners² to manage biological and cultural marine resources in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
3. Advise the Authority on innovative and best practice communications approaches that facilitate information exchange between Indigenous people, managers and Reef stakeholders, and build a better understanding of the rights and interests of Traditional Owners in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
4. Advise the Authority on application of world's best practice principles to sea country planning and implementation.
5. Advise the Authority on appropriate mechanisms to manage traditional use of marine resources, including Traditional Use of Marine Resource Agreements (TUMRAs), across the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
6. Interact with other Reef Advisory Committees on matters of joint interest towards achieving the GBRMPA’s Corporate objectives.
7. As necessary for the purposes of carrying out the function of providing advice, undertake specific tasks and projects that support the aspirations of Traditional Owners and the obligations and requirements of the GBRMPA.
8. To make available, for broad distribution, information about and a record of the IRAC’s activities and outcomes.

______

¹The term 'Indigenous' refers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia, and is used in acknowledgement of the definition and reflective meaning of the two inclusive cultural identities.

²In the GBRMPA's Zoning Plan, the term 'Traditional Owner' refers to a person of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who (a) is recognised in the Indigenous community or by a relevant representative Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander body (i) as having spiritual or cultural affiliations with a site or area in the Marine Park, or (ii) as holding native title in relation to that site or area; and (b) is entitled to undertake activities under Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custom or tradition in that site or area.  Further, 'Traditional Owner group', in relation to a site or area of the Marine Park, refers to the group of Traditional Owners who, in accordance with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custom, speak for the site or area.

Who’s on the Committee

The IRAC is a competency-based committee with members providing a cross-section of stakeholder expertise and interests in areas relevant to the management of matters that relate to Indigenous Partnerships in the Great Barrier Reef. There is an independent Chairman. The Committee is appointed for a three-year period. The Committee is supported by the GBRMPA's General Manager, Environment and Sustainability and Director, Indigenous Partnerships Group (and any other relevant Director), who attend each meeting.