Management Planning and Community Involvement

The Management Planning Strategy

As a first stage in the management planning process, a Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries Management Strategy has been prepared. Drawing on State legislation and policy, and best practice principles and guidelines for the management of highly protected marine areas, the Strategy provides a consistent, state-wide approach for the management of our Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries. It seeks to ensure that management priorities, objectives, strategies and programs are developed and coordinated to realise the benefits to marine conservation, and meet public expectations.
The scope of the Strategy was prepared with the participation of a Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries Reference Group, comprised of representatives from 15 community groups with significant interest in the management of Victoria's marine environment. Through a formal consultation process, the wider community was also provided the opportunity to comment on the draft Strategy and raise additional opportunities for community involvement in the future planning, management and research of the Marine National Parks system.

Strategy for Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries 2003-2010 (PDF, 3.63MB)

For further information on the Strategy or on marine protected area management planning, contact Parks Victoria on 13 1963.

The Planning Process

Over the next three years, Parks Victoria will be encouraging community participation and involvement from interested individuals and groups. This will involve refinement of local and / or regional issues and management actions based on consultation and input from local communities, stakeholders, government agencies, and interested individuals.

Parks Victoria will engage with the community in a variety of ways, including scheduled meetings, formation of a small number of Management Plan Advisory Groups, consultation and collaboration with specific interest groups, and formal submission processes. Production of individual draft and final management plans will follow the planning and consultation period.

Parks Victoria's management planning process involves:

• Establishing a detailed public consultation process;
  
• Establishment of a small number of Regional Advisory Groups to provide for regional representation and advice on local
• Marine National Park and Sanctuary planning issues;
  
• Establishing a vision for each Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary;
  
• Identifying all values, resources and uses;
  
• Identifying and resolving key issues and challenges through public consultation;
  
• Publishing Draft Management Plans and seeking public comment; and
  
• Considering all submissions when finalising and publishing Approved Management Plans.

The development of management plans for the 24 Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries is a significant undertaking. The production of these plans has been staggered over the three year planning period, however Parks Victoria encourages input on management planning for all Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries at any time.

The first five draft management plans for seven of Victoria's 24 Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries have been released for public comment.

The system of 13 parks and 11 sanctuaries, which has been in place for just over two years, protects 5.3 percent of Victoria's coastal waters, safeguarding important marine habitats and species, significant natural features, cultural heritage and aesthetic values.

The first five draft plans for these areas, which are out for public comment until 16 February 2005, seek to ensure the long term protection of a variety of marine environments while providing for appropriate recreation, and include:

	Draft Management Plan	Text Only Version
Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park (15,550 ha)	1.8 M	555 KB
Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park (3,580 ha)	4.0 M	551 KB
Point Addis Marine National Park (4,600 ha), and Point Danger (25 ha) and Eagle Rock (17 ha) Marine Sanctuaries	1.4 M	528 KB
Corner Inlet Marine National Park (1,550 ha)	1.5 M	515 KB
Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary (115 ha)	787 KB	491 KB

Submissions to the Draft Management Plans close on 16 February 2005.

A Submission Form provides further information about making your submission effective. For further information or to obtain a copy of the above draft management plan/s please contact the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963.

The timing for production of the remaining management plans is outlined below:

Prior to production of approved management plans, staff will be guided by a Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary Interim Management Statement, which outlines interim arrangements for managing and responding to identified issues, in addition to the Statewide Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary Management Strategy.

Community and Stakeholder Involvement in Management Planning

Ten Community-based Advisory Groups have been formed for Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries along Victoria's coast. Advisory Groups are also being established for Discovery Bay Marine National Park and Marengo Reefs, Point Cooke and Jawbone Marine Sanctuaries. The purpose of these groups is to provide information, opinion and advice on local management planning issues. These Advisory Groups have been formed using consistent selection criteria (with a view to incorporating the diversity of views, skills and interests in the community), and will operate within agreed terms of reference.

If you are interested in participating in one of these groups, please contact the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963 to express your interest.

Additionally, there are many other opportunities to input into the planning process, including one on one meetings with planners, attending public meetings and making written submissions on draft management plans.

More information can be obtained by contacting the relevant Parks Victoria Marine Planner on 13 1963:

Statewide: Sonia Lloyd
Eastern Coast: Ty Caling
City & Bays: Angeline Tew or Kate McMahon
West Coast: Barry Hayden

Friends Groups

For more information or assistance with participating in or establishing a Friends group, contact Geoff Durham, Friends Network Liaison Officer on Ph: 9523 5559.