Tuesday May 18 2004

Thanks to recent changes to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority website as well as the release of an upgraded CD ROM it will now be easier to find the new Marine Park zone co-ordinates.

“The maps and the co-ordinates which went to Parliament have been available electronically since December last year and thousands have been downloaded but this most recent innovation, will make them even more informative and useful to park users,” said John Tanzer, Executive Director of the Marine Park Authority.

Due to improvements in mapping technology, GPS co-ordinates for all green and pink zones in the Marine Park will now appear on the new zoning maps available on the website and CD Roms.

“This is part of our continuing program of improvement on earlier mapping products and allows the many users with a variety of electronic mapping products to accurately fix their position at all times.”

“We currently have some 378,000 hard copy maps in production which will be publicly available mid-June. This will ensure that everyone who uses the Marine Park will have access to maps to allow them to safely and legally use the park for recreational or commercial pursuits,” Mr Tanzer said.

The new printed zoning maps along with detailed information brochures will be made available through a network of 140 community access points along the GBR coast – predominantly bait & tackle stores, QPWS offices and the like.

The July 1 commencement date for the new zoning is currently being extensively advertised along the GBR coast. New boat ramp signs will also be in place for July and another round of Community Information Sessions will take place along the GBR coast to ensure all users have the opportunity to ask further questions of the GBRMPA staff.

“For those who have trouble downloading the maps and co-ordinates from the GBRMPA website (www.gbrmpa.gov.au) a CD is available from the GBRMPA by calling 1800 990 177.”