Long-term sustainability, resilience and conservation will be the focus of a new plan of management for the southern Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Consultation on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park’s Southern Plan of Management is open.

Developed in collaboration with Traditional Owner groups and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, the Plan will be designed to protect, conserve and enhance the resillience of the Marine Park's values, provide for multiple uses, and ensure its long-term future.

The plan will cover the area offshore from just south of Midge Point, to the southern boundary of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, focusing on the unique environmental, cultural, and management opportunities.

Together with Darumbal, Port Curtis Coral Coast, Woppaburra and Yuwi Traditional Owners, the Reef Authority is calling on local communities, visitors and those who love the Reef, to have a say on their use of the Marine Park, what they value most, and the threats they see to these values. 
 
Ian Walker, General Manager for the Reef Authority’s Major Projects, said the Great Barrier Reef is a national and global icon, and it is our collective responsibility to safeguard its future.

“Your participation in the consultation process is vital in ensuring that the Southern Plan of Management effectively balances conservation, enhances resilience, sustainable use, and the diverse needs of the community," said Mr Walker.

"We look forward to your valuable contributions, which will help shape a brighter and more sustainable future for the southern Great Barrier Reef Marine Park."

Insights from this initial round of public consultation will inform the development of the Southern Plan of Management. This will be followed by a second round of public consultation once the plan is drafted.

The Southern Plan of Management will be a legislative document under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.

To stay informed and engage with the process, interested parties are encouraged to visit the Southern Plan of Management webpage for detailed information.