MAYORS UPDATE

KEEPING THE COMMUNITY INFORMED

MARINE PARK DRAFT PLANS AND THE NORFOLK The Director of National Parks on 21 July 2017 released the Marine Park Draft Plans for public comment. To quote the Director of National Parks Sally Barnes – ‘This is your chance to influence how we’ll manage a large area of our marine environment over the next 10 years. We want to hear from you, all of you. It’s your passion that will make marine parks work for everyone.’ There are five draft plans to manage 44 over the next 10 years and these can be accessed at www.parksaustralia.gov.au/marine. A Fact Sheet for the proposed which is in the draft Temperate East Network Management Plan 2017 at https://parksaustralia.gov.au/marine/pub/factsheets/factsheet-temperate-east-norfolk-marine-park-draft- management-plan-july-2017.pdf. We have also made it accessible on Council’s website www.norfolkisland.gov.nf and you will find it at the top of the front page.

By way of back ground In 2012 all Norfolk Island waters within the Norfolk Island box (The Box) were zoned multiple use. In 2016 the Review Panel recommended that 98.5% of the area inside The Box be rezoned a habitat protection zone; a recommendation that was not supported by Council or the Norfolk Island Fishing Association. Consequently in October last year Council made a submission to the Director of National Parks requesting that the current traditional fishing activities remain legal in waters surrounding Norfolk Island up to the limits of the 40nm x 67nm box.

ABOUT THE NORFOLK MARINE PARK Quoting from the Norfolk Marine Park Fact Sheet – ‘There are eight Australian Marine Parks that make up the Temperate East Network. The Norfolk Marine Park is one of those parks. The Norfolk Marine Park is popular for fishing, snorkelling, diving and boating. The marine park supports fishing and tourism, which contribute to economic growth, employment and social wellbeing on Norfolk Island. The marine park includes habitats such as canyon and slope seafloor habitat, seamounts, the Norfolk Ridge key ecological feature and the Tasman Front and Eddy Field. The marine park includes important habitat for seabirds and humpback whales and has high levels of species richness and diversity.’ ‘I strongly encourage stakeholders who use Norfolk Island waters to take the time to familiarise yourselves with the Plan for the Norfolk Marine Park and have your say if you feel moved to do so’, Mayor Adams said. You can have your say by – 1. Filling in a feedback form available at www.parksaustralia.gov.au/marine 2. Emailing [email protected]; 3. Writing (free of charge) to: Australia Marine Parks Management Planning Comments Department of the Environment and Energy Reply Paid 787 Canberra ACT 2601

We have been advised today that the Marine Parks team will be visiting Norfolk Island in August 2017 to answer all questions in person regarding the draft plan. We will have more details in the coming week.

Robin Adams MAYOR 28 July 2017

T: (+6723) 22444 | W: www.norfolkisland.gov.nf