The Cape York Local Marine Advisory Committee (LMAC) region extends from Bloomfield River in the south to the top of Cape York. It includes the catchments of the Endeavour and Annan Rivers and the Normanby, Morehead and North Kennedy Rivers (which drain into Princess Charlotte Bay), Stewart, Lockhart, Pascoe and Olive Rivers.

Regional focus

With an east coast focus, the Cape York LMAC provides a forum for individuals and local groups with an interest in managing the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.  

Cooktown is the administrative centre for the large Cook Shire; however, there are a number of smaller but significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities within the Cape York LMAC region, including Wujal Wujal, Hopevale, Laura, Coen/Port Stewart, Lockhart River and communities in the Northern Peninsula Area (Bamaga, Injinoo and Seisia).

The Cape York region is renowned for its vast, spectacular natural landscapes and remoteness. The region contains areas of exceptional conservation value, including relatively intact and extensive coastal dune fields, wetlands, rainforests, heathlands, and river and marine ecosystems.

Much of the east coast of Cape York is under Aboriginal ownership or management and contains large and significant national parks. Indigenous Land and Sea Management Programs and centres have been established at Cooktown, Coen/Port Stewart, Lockhart River, and the Northern Peninsula Area.

Local Marine Advisory Committee members

• Chair - Jessie Price-Decle - Catchment community
• Cameron Bourne - Recreational boating 
• Russell Bowman - Business 
• David Clarke -  Local government
• Cal Clarke - Recreational fishing
• Kathy Lawfer - Catchment community
• Alice Liddy - Traditional Owner
• Trevor Meldrum - Traditional owner
• Kathrina Southwell - Local government
• Kylie Goodall - Queensland Government
• Nick Davidson - Tourism 
• Lee Hess - Queensland government
• Jenni James - Education / research
• Helen Penrose - Conservation
• Lachlan Ryall - Queensland government
• Harry James - Natural resource management
• Kiley Hanslow - Local Government 
• Sarah Frew - Local Government 

The Douglas region includes the traditional land and sea country of the Kuku Yalanji, Yirrganydji and Djabugay peoples.

Regional focus

It is a rich cultural landscape of great significance to Traditional Owners who have lived in and cared for this country for many thousands of years. The region’s rainforests and reefs form part of the Traditional Owners’ identity. Today, Traditional Owners remain actively involved in managing their country, including the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef.

These World Heritage-listed places make the Douglas region a world-renowned tourist destination. Its rainforest-clad mountains, coral reefs, unspoilt beaches, freshwater rivers and coastal lowlands are outstandingly beautiful and biodiverse.

Tourism is the largest industry in the region, with Port Douglas being the central hub for people visiting the reef and rainforest. With an 80 per cent economic reliance on tourism, the Douglas Shire is ranked as the most tourism-dependent region in Australia.

The sugar industry is the second largest contributor to the local economy. Mossman sugar mill was built in 1894 and has operated continuously since that time. Most agricultural land in the region is used for sugar production, and cane fields are a key feature of the area’s rural lowlands. European settlers to the Douglas region occurred in 1876 when a port was established to service inland goldfields.

Port Douglas was eventually eclipsed by the port of Cairns, but the Douglas region continued to develop into a diverse community.

The Douglas Local Marine Advisory Committee’s focus is on building community resilience and delivering positive outcomes for the Great Barrier Reef and its catchment. The health of these places is critically linked to the health and well-being of the Douglas community.

Local Marine Advisory Committee members

• Chair - Josh Gibson - Conservation
• Secretary - Ren Musson - Catchment community
• Rana Dadpour - Education / research
• Ian Davison - Ports/shipping
• Simon Hawse - Recreational user
• Julia Leu - Catchment community
• Evelyn Matthews - Agriculture
• Didge McDonald - Conservation
• Jason Mills - Recreational fishing
• Melissa Mitchell - Local government
• Lisa Scomazzon - Local government
• Brian Singleton - Traditional Owner
• Jenny Edmondson - Education/research
• Nicholas Milford - Tourism
• Tina Alderson - Queensland government
• Lachlan Ryall - Queensland government

The Cairns Local Marine Advisory Committee (LMAC) covers Buchan Point in the north (Cairns Regional Council) to Flying Fish Point in the south (Cassowary Coast Regional Council) and includes the Cairns northern beach suburbs, Gordonvale and Babinda.

Regional focus

Cairns is one of Australia's most popular holiday destinations. More than two million visitors a year are attracted by the tropical city's easy access to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and rainforest.

The natural environment and relaxed lifestyle also attract a steady stream of new residents, providing Cairns with one of Australia's fastest urban growth rates.

Most of the region's population of 130,000 is concentrated in the city, northern beaches and a southern growth corridor extending to Gordonvale.  The rest of the coastal plain is cultivated mainly for sugar cane.

Local Marine Advisory Committee members

• Chair - Jim Newman - Commercial fishing
• Secretary - Jacob Matysek - Indigenous community
• Daniel Beard - Natural resource management
• Graham Cuff - Recreational fishing
• Terry Cummins - Diving/snorkelling
• Adam Fletcher - Ports/shipping
• Jennie Gilbert - Conservation
• Sam Gray - Tourism
• Yasserie Smith - Traditional Owner
• Dan Walton - Local government
• Nicole Hitchcock - Queensland government
• Boyd Lenne - Natural resource management
• Skye McKenna - Education/research
• Brett Olds - Local Government
• Andy Ratter - Diving/snorkelling
• Evan Rees - Education/research
• Tony Rossi - Catchment community
• Shannon Bredson - Conservation 
• Tony Loader - Queensland government

The Hinchinbrook - Cassowary Coast Local Marine Advisory Committee (LMAC) covers Flying Fish Point north of Innisfail to Balgal Beach in the south and includes the towns and surrounds of Innisfail, Mission Beach, Tully, Cardwell, Ingham and Lucinda.

Regional focus

This is arguably the wettest and greenest place in Australia and grows 80 per cent of the nation’s bananas, lush cane, tropical fruits and fat cattle.

It includes the catchments of the mighty Johnstone, Tully, Murray and Herbert Rivers. Visitors are attracted to the region's green mountains, sleepy beachside villages and offshore islands, especially the outstanding Hinchinbrook Island.

Local Marine Advisory Committee members

• Chair - Jeff Baines - Local government
• Secretary - Carmen Walker - Conservation
• Mick Acheson - Recreational fishing
• Paul Marbelli - Agriculture
• James Epong - Traditional Owner
• Ben Murray - Commercial fishing
• Carolyn Osterhaus - Natural resource management
• Michael Nash - Local government
• Adele Pile - Tourism
• Peter Rowles - Conservation
• Dan Schaper - Queensland government
• Frank Sciacca - Agriculture
• Damon Sydes - Local government
• Melissa Ball - Traditional Owner

The Townsville Local Marine Advisory Committee (LMAC) covers coastal and inland areas extending from Balgal Beach in the north to Haughton River in the south and includes the city of Townsville (with its northern beach suburbs and Magnetic Island) and Palm Island.

Regional Focus

Townsville is the primary administrative and industrial centre of North Queensland and has an international reputation for marine research and management. It boasts the Centre of Excellence for Marine Research at James Cook University, Museum of Tropical Queensland, Australian Institute of Marine Science and the head office of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

The manufacturing and public administration sectors provide strong contributions to the economy. Major industries include beef processing, grazing, and mineral refining. Population and development continue to grow.

The city's strong defence presence supports the region's development and population growth. Defence, education, and other government personnel make up a large percentage of the Townsville workforce.

Local Marine Advisory Committee members

• Chair - Sharon Marks - Agriculture
• Secretary - Julia Zivanovic - Conservation
• Craig Bambling - Queensland government
• Brittany Butler - Natural resource management
• Josh Cinner - Education/research
• Jon Day - Conservation
• Mick Bishop - Queensland government
• Crystal Falknau - Conservation
• Elaine Glen - Ports/shipping
• Danielle Hornsby - Sailing/kayaking
• Patrick Centurino - Queensland government
• Cherie Malone - Business
• Adam Smith - Marine consultant/scientist
• Dave Stewart - Charter boat/fishing guide
• Louisa Tomas Engel - Education/research
• Craig Turner - Conservation
• Natasha Rodwell - Catchment Community
• Chris Manning - Catchment community
• Geoff Collins - Recreational fishing
• Adam King - Local government 
• Kara-Mae Coulter-Atkins - Natural resource management 
• Fran Rudischhauser - Conservation 

The Bowen-Burdekin Local Marine Advisory Committee (LMAC) extends from Haughton River to Yeates Creek and includes Giru, Ayr and Bowen communities.

Regional focus

The Bowen-Burdekin region is diverse, and its prosperous economy is based on agriculture, fishing, tourism, and mining. The Burdekin region is labelled the sugar capital of Australia.

Local farms are drought-proof because of the Burdekin River, the reserves of the Burdekin Falls Dam and an underground aquifer that lies just 10 metres below the surface.

Just north of Bowen is the Abbot Point coal loading port. Coal is mined inland of Bowen in the Bowen Basin and is brought by rail to a deepwater pier to be loaded on bulk carriers.  

The Bowen-Burdekin region is a mecca for fishing and is well-known for its barramundi, mud crabs, other estuary species and off-coast reef fishing. The region has one of the highest rates of boat ownership per head of population.

Local Marine Advisory Committee members

• Chair - Michael Detenon - Local government
• Deanna Vierling - Secretary
• Craig Bambling - Queensland government
• Brad Callcott - Aquaculture
• Ben Collison - Commercial fishing
• Scott Fry - Natural resource management
• John Furnell - Catchment community
• Ivan Garrod - Conservation
• Scott Hardy - Local government
• Lyn McLaughlin - Local government
• Gary Simpson - Local government
• John Maloney - Aquaculture
• Jeremy Thompson - Queensland government
• Kay Kunze - State government 
• Melissa Boulter - Agriculture 
• Luke Galea - Ports and shipping

While the Whitsundays Local Marine Advisory Committee (LMAC) typically meets at Airlie Beach, it covers the coastal and inland area extending from Yeates Creek in the north to Midge Point in the south and includes the coastal towns of Proserpine, Airlie Beach and numerous island and beachside settlements.

Regional focus

The Whitsunday Region supports the towns of Proserpine, Airlie Beach and surrounding communities. Whilst Tourism is a significant industry in the Whitsundays, attracting over 700,000  visitors to the region each year, the sector also incorporates fishing, aquaculture and agriculture activities. Sugar cane production is the main agricultural activity in the Proserpine area.

Local Marine Advisory Committee members

• Chair - Olivia Brodhurst - Conservation
• Secretary - Deanna Vierling
• Brie Sherow - Education/research
• Craig Boxer - Queensland government
• Adrian Bram - Tourism
• Brent Chatterton - Charter boat/fishing guide/master reef guide
• Browyn Clemenston/Calder - Commercial fishing
• Cass Hayward - Natural Resource Management
• Tony Fontes - Conservation
• Darren Foster - Ports/shipping
• Luke Galea - Ports/shipping
• Scott Hardy - Local government
• Amelia Keynes - Tourism
• Crystal Lacey - Diving/snorkelling/master reef guide
• Charlie Morgan - Natural resource management
• Tim Pugh - Education / research
• Trevor Rees - Tourism
• Nicole Rosser - Charter boat/fishing guide
• Melissa Tellegen - Queensland government
• Jeremy Thompson - Queensland government
• James Unsworth - Charter boat/fishing guide
• Sue West - Indigenous community
• Kylie Davies - Aquaculture
• Clay Bauman - Local government 

The Mackay Local Marine Advisory Committee covers one of the longer expanses of the coast of all the Local Marine Advisory Committees in the Great Barrier Reef, extending from Midge Point in the north to Broadsound in the south. It includes the three coastal shires of Mackay, Sarina and Broadsound.

Regional focus

Located midway between Brisbane and Cairns, Mackay is on the coast where the Pioneer River meets the Coral Sea. The economy is based on sugar cane, mining and beef cattle.  

Today, the Mackay region is increasingly popular as a holiday destination for travellers seeking an unspoiled, friendly contrast to the more developed tourist areas elsewhere. Coal mining has also flourished in the region.

Local Marine Advisory Committee members

• Chair - Philip Jeston - Natural resource management
• Secretary - Nicki Stokes - Ports/shipping
• Jason Britton - Queensland government
• Chayne Carter - Recreational fishing
• Kylie Dunlop - Queensland government
• John Eden - Agriculture
• Steve Fisher - Education/research
• Brandon Ford - Aquaculture
• Asher Telford - Tourism
• Max Corte - Local government
• Beth Thompson - Commercial fishing
• Chayse Tilley - Queensland government
• Caitlin Davies - Catchment community
• Sacha Taylor - Queensland government
• Leah Scoble - Conservation

The Capricorn Coast Local Marine Advisory Committee (LMAC) covers 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, the Byfield National Park, Stanage Bay, and the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area.

Regional focus

The Capricorn Coast, named for its position on the Tropic of Capricorn, is a 30-minute drive from Rockhampton in central Queensland. Not far off the coast is a group of islands famous for visitors, known as the Keppel Islands.

The city of Rockhampton sits astride Queensland's largest river, the Fitzroy. 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 meatworks and sale yards operating in the region.

Mining is the primary industry of inland central Queensland, but agriculture is also vital, with crops of grain, cotton, fodder, citrus and grapes grown near Rockhampton.

Crops grown along the coast include pineapples, pawpaws, bananas, custard apples, and other fruit and vegetables for the local and southern markets. The region also has extensive pine forests, producing timber for local mills.

Local Marine Advisory Committee members

• Chair - Bob Muir - Federal government
• Sam Appleton - Diving/snorkelling/master reef guide
• Kylie Dunlop - Queensland government
• Mark Edmistone - Tourism
• Nicole Flint - Education/research
• Mac Hansler - Natural resource management
• Maggie Inglis - Conservation
• Alison Jones - Education/research
• Rider Graham - Emmerson - Queensland Government
• Clint Swadling - Local government
• Mallo Mann - Traditional Owner
• Shelley McArdle - Natural resource management
• John McGrath - Conservation
• Tim Price - Charter boat/fishing guide
• Maryanne Smith - Conservation
• Jo Stoyel - Recreational fishing
• Donna Kirkland - Local government
• Karen Pomfrett - Marine rescue 

Gladstone Local Marine Advisory Committee (LMAC) covers the coastal and inland area extending from Curtis Island in the north and Rocky Point in the south. This includes the city of Gladstone and the coastal towns of Boyne Island, Tannum Sands, Agnes Water and Town of 1770.

Regional focus

Named initially Port Curtis by Matthew Flinders in 1802, Gladstone is sheltered by Curtis and Facing Islands and was given its name in 1853 to honour British statesman Sir William Gladstone. The region increased with the establishment of meatworks and gold rushes in the west. In the 1960s, Gladstone underwent significant industrial expansion, which continues today.

The region's principal city, Gladstone, is Queensland's premier port city and boasts several of Australia's most significant industries in an area of thriving trade, commerce and investment. For example, two of the world's largest alumina refineries are located here.

Tourism and primary production (particularly beef, cattle and timber) provide an essential economic contribution to the community.

Marine activities, including fishing and crabbing, plus several national parks and historical sites, provide the community with abundant recreational activities.

Local Marine Advisory Committee members

• Chair - David Kopelke - Recreational boating
• Secretary - Jess Cooke - Tourism
• Daniel Aeschlimaann - Diving/snorkelling
• Ian Anderson - Marine Rescue
• Adam Balkin - Tourism
• Jake Bulow - Indigenous community
• Kylie Dunlop - Queensland government
• Megan Ellis - Ports/shipping
• Linda Fahle - Conservation
• Karl French - Catchment community
• Michael Gabriel - Education/research
• Dan Godoy - Conservation
• Emma Jackson - Education/research
• Hannah Russel - Conservation
• Jodi Jones - Conservation
• Stuart Kininmonth - Education/research
• Natalia Muszkat - Local government
• Dave Orgill - Queensland government
• Luke Truant - Charter boat/fishing guide
• Kim van Oudheusden - Conservation
• Rebecca Hendry - Local government
• Ali Moore - Local government
• Codey Stow - Indigenous community 

The Burnett Local Marine Advisory Committee (LMAC) extends from the Burnett and Bundaberg regions, and the coastal and inland area extends from Rocky Point north to Burrum Heads south.

Regional focus

The Burnett area is also known as the Coral Coast and is a popular tourist destination due to its close proximity to Fraser Island and Hervey Bay. The largest centre is the city of Bundaberg, which is the most southerly access point to the Great Barrier Reef. The city lies on the Burnett River.

The area is an important sanctuary for humpback whales on their northern winter migration to breed. The coastline hosts a number of significant sea turtle breeding and nesting grounds.

The main industries in the region comprise facets of the sugar industry, including distilling and cane harvester manufacturing, as well as horticulture of small and tree crops such as macadamias, forestry, grazing, fishing and marine, light aircraft manufacturing, metal casting, machining and tourism.

Local Marine Advisory Committee members

• Chair - Daniel Kimberley - Aquaculture
• Kylie Dunlop - Queensland government
• Brett Gamlin - Recreational fishing
• John Gatley - Conservation
• Don Gilson - Commercial fishing
• Dale Holliss - Agriculture
• Steve Hoseck - Queensland government
• Ron Hutchesson - Diving/snorkelling
• John Johnston - Recreational boating
• Brett Lakey - Tourism
• Mark Mergard - Tourism
• Mike Middleton - Recreational boating
• Mike Moller - Catchment community
• Tracy Olive - Conservation
• Tim Smith - Education/research
• Judith Stutchbury - Education/research
• Wayne Honor - Local council
• Greg O'Neill - Local government