Marine Parks
Marine parks are established over tidal lands and waters to protect and conserve the values of the natural marine environment while allowing for its sustainable use.
Multiple-use management allows for many different activities in marine parks. Zoning plans set out the kinds of activities that can occur within each area.
Marine parks protect a range of habitats including mangrove wetlands, seagrass beds, mudflats, sandbanks, beaches, rocky outcrops and fringing reefs.
Marine park boundaries can be established over tidal lands and waters up to the highest astronomical tide. They include the subsoil below and airspace above the boundaries. The plants and animals within the boundary are also part of the marine park.
Queensland 's marine parks can surround islands, or lie next to mainland or island national parks. Australia's first marine park was established in 1937 at Green Island off the Queensland coast. In 1974, the second was declared over Heron and Wistari Reefs. In 1982, the Marine Parks Act was passed. Parliament replaced the Marine Parks Act 1982 in 2004. The new Marine Parks Act 2004 commenced on 31 August 2006 along with the new Marine Parks Regulation 2006 and Marine Parks (Declaration) Regulation 2006.
Our largest and best-known marine park is the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) — a Commonwealth marine park jointly managed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. A new Commonwealth zoning plan for the GBRMP commenced on 1 July 2004.
The three State marine parks in Queensland are the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park, Great Sandy Marine Park and the Moreton Bay Marine Park. The Moreton Bay Marine Park Zoning Plan is currently being reviewed. Further information can be accessed from the Moreton Bay Marine Park zoning review.
Last updated: 22 February 2007
