The Capricorn Coast, named for its position on the Tropic of Capricorn, is a 30 minute drive from Rockhampton in central Queensland. The major towns on the Capricorn Coast are Yeppoon and Emu Park. Not far off the coast is a group of islands popular for visitors, known as the Keppel Islands.

Inland of the Capricorn Coast, the city of Rockhampton sits astride Queensland’s largest river, the Fitzroy. The population of the Rockhampton Regional Council area is over 109 000.

Rockhampton is known as the beef capital of Australia, with on average, a regional cattle population of up to three and a half million head per season. Rockhampton exports cattle to world markets with both meatworks and saleyards operating in the region. The saleyards conduct some of Australia’s largest sales of stud and commercial cattle.

Mining is the main industry of inland central Queensland but crops including grain, cotton, fodder, citrus and grapes are also grown in areas near Rockhampton. Crops grown on the Capricorn Coast include pineapples, pawpaws, bananas, custard apples, and other fruit and vegetables for the local and southern markets. The Coast also has large pine forests, producing timber for local mills.

Capricorn Coast LMAC region

The Capricorn Coast LMAC, based in Yeppoon, concerns itself with the coastal and inland area extending from Arthur Point in the north to the northern point of Curtis Island in the south. It includes the coastal towns of Emu Park and Yeppoon as well as the Byfield National Park, Stanage Bayand the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area.

Who is represented on the Capricorn Coast LMAC?

Members of the Capricorn Coast LMAC represent a range of interest groups including: research, Fitzroy catchment management group, commercial and recreational fishing interests, surfing club, Indigenous, spearfishing, scuba diving, aquarium fishand 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. Members originate from the Yeppoon, Emu Park and Rockhampton areas.

What are some of the current issues the LMAC are concerned about?

• Coastal development including coal exporting facilities
• Increasing use of Keppels and Keppel Bay
• Rebuilding links with local government after amalgamation of councils
• Climatic changes and its effects on reef areas
• Water quality issues in the Fitzroy River Catchment and Keppel Bay

What has the LMAC accomplished to date?

• Produced and distributed popular local zoning and information brochure
• Initiated the Keppels Collaborative Management Framework
• Requested and advised GBRMPA on the location of Reef Protection Marker locations (for no anchoring areas) in the Keppel Islands
• Advised and assisted GBRMPA with Reef Guardian Councils program

Further information on LMACs

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

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Southern Regional Office
PO Box 301
ROCKHAMPTON  QLD  4700

Tel:  (07) 4921 4055
Fax: (07) 4921 4034

Email: southern.region@gbrmpa.gov.au