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Douglas Local Marine Advisory Committee (Douglas LMAC)

Port Douglas is located on the coast 68km north of Cairns. As the heart of the Douglas Shire it has a resident population of approximately 4,000 while the total population of the Shire is between 9,700 (usual residents) and 14,590 (including visitors to the area).

Mossman is inland of Port Douglas and is the administrative centre for the region. Up to 80% of the Shire is World Heritage Listed. The Daintree to Cape Tribulation and Bloomfield River encompasses some of the most pristine and unique rainforest in the world.

The Shire is a popular destination for domestic and international visitors who experience the wonders of the Daintree rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.

Port Douglas became a popular tourist destination for international visitors with the opening of the Sheraton Mirage Resort in 1988. Tourism is now the largest industry in the region, due largely to proximity of the World Heritage listed Daintree rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Port Douglas has a busy marina with many tourist boats departing for the Great Barrier Reef. It is also the closest departure point for a visit to Low Isles.

Douglas LMAC region

The Douglas LMAC represents the area extending from Obree Point in the north (Cook Shire) to Buchan Point in the south (Douglas Shire) and includes the towns of Port Douglas, Mossman, Daintree and some Cairns northern beach suburbs.

Who is represented on the Douglas LMAC?

Members of the Douglas LMAC represent a diversity of interest groups including: regional dive operators, long range operators, the local boating club, Low Isles preservation society, Agforce, catchment management groups, recreational fishing interests and local council. Government officers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA)are also represented on the committee.

What are some of the current issues the LMAC is concerned with?

  • Water Quality Monitoring – stormwater discharge, sediment run-off, agriculture and vessel sewage
  • Reef Guardian Schools program
  • Foreshore redevelopment
  • Management of Low Isles
  • Compliance and self-regulation
  • Vessel sewage disposal
  • The dredging of Dickson Inlet at Douglas marina
  • Plan of Management amendment proposals

What the LMAC has accomplished?

  • Recommended to local councils that they request developers install silt prevention devices before development work begins
  • Submission made on the Cairns Area Plan of Management amendments
  • Submission on the GBRMPA moorings draft policy
  • Ongoing liaison with tourism and catchment groups
  • Facilitated information about the Representative Areas Program to community
  • Strong involvement with schools participating in the Reef Guardians School program

Further information about LMACs

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

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Far Northern Regional Office
PO Box 6091
CAIRNS   QLD   4870

Tel:  (07) 4051 7132
Fax: (07) 4051 1265

Email: far.northern.region@gbrmpa.gov.au

Public Comments

If there is a local issue that concerns you, please contact the Chair or Secretary of the committee.

Chair:             Doug Baird     Email: dougie@quicksilver-cruises.com
Secretary:     Paul Freeman Email: pablotwo@msn.com
Website:        http://www.douglaslmac.info

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