Establishment of Management Arrangements for the Marine Park – The Emerald Agreement and other documents
The arrangements for sharing powers and complementary management between Commonwealth and Queensland governments concerning the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park had their genesis in the Emerald Agreement, which was entered into by the Australian Prime Minister and the Premier of Queensland on 14 June 1979. This agreement provided for both governments to continue to manage the islands, reefs and waters of the Great Barrier Reef in a co-operative and complementary way. More specifically, it provided for day-to-day management of the Marine Park to be carried out by Queensland agencies.
Documents available for download
Actual agreement signed in Emerald, Queensland by both the Australian Prime Minister and the Queensland Premier, including personal signatures. [ 
Acrobat Format 259.01KB ]
Emerald Agreement (actual text only)
Full text of actual agreement signed in Emerald, Queensland by both the Australian Prime Minister and the Queensland Premier, without signatures. [ Acrobat Format 31.03KB ]
Great Barrier Reef Statement by the Prime Minister: Press Release concerning the Emerald Agreement (by the Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, 14 June 1979) [ Acrobat Format 313.39KB ]
The following 3 documents make up the formal agreement:
The Basis of Agreement (endorsed on 1 August 1980)
This is the original document setting out the arrangements and responsibilities under which day-to-day management has operated since 1980. It originally applied to the Capricornia Section and now applies to the whole Marine Park. [ Acrobat Format 1206.45KB ]
The Main Agreement (signed on 10 May 1988)
This document formalises the intentions of both Governments and the Authority and formally applies the Basis of Agreement to the whole Marine Park. It reiterates the basic principles in the Basis of Agreement and clarifies financial arrangements and the responsibility of the Authority for establishing policies. This document is not intended to be legally enforceable. [ Acrobat Format 610.16KB ]
Deed of Agreement (signed on 10 May 1988)
This document provides for the use management and disposal of assets created by funding under the Basis of Agreement and Main Agreement. [ Acrobat Format 1008.13KB ]
Other important documents between Commonwealth and Queensland governments:
Memorandum of Understanding: Fishing and Collecting in the …Marine Park (signed on 22 July, 28 July and 15 September 1988)
This document covers fishing and collecting in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It is a MOU between GBRMPA, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, and Queensland Fish Management Authority. [ Acrobat Format 1933.71KB ]
Do you wish to read more about these issues?
Your Library holds several books concerning the establishment of the GBRMPA, and the importance of these initial agreements. Click Emerald Agreement to see what books are listed in the catalogue.
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