Consultation
Consultation on the Moreton Bay Marine Park Zoning Plan review
Stage 1
In the first “information-gathering” stage of the review process the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) undertook a variety of consultation activities. These activities helped marine park users provide valuable input that, along with more than 200 data sets, the EPA used to develop the draft zoning plan.
Consultation activities included:
- mail outs to more than 3000 marine park users
- meetings with community members and key user groups
- workshops with stakeholder reference group
- meetings with expert advisory panel
- public displays in ten south-east Queensland locations
- displays at community events such as Brisbane Tinnie and Tackle Show, Gold Coast Boat Show and Brisbane International Boat Show
- around 4000 copies of current zoning plan map and information sheets distributed
- establishing an online survey to seek input from the community
- more than 75 face-to-face meetings with key stakeholders to receive input and help develop the draft zoning plan;
- nine stakeholder workshops with more than 100 participants to discuss and refine the EPA’s candidate areas for higher protection;
- community service advertisements on radio and in community newspapers;
- community service announcements featuring high-profile racing driver Dick Johnson on all major television stations
How the community accessed information and provided feedback:
- free calls and emails received: over 400
- online surveys completed: over 6500
- public display session attendance: over 450
- one-on-one meetings: over 75
How the feedback was used:
- Information from stakeholder groups was combined with more than 200 datasets to identify 35 areas of interest for greater protection within the marine park.
- Key stakeholder groups provided advice on the extent of activity within and adjacent to areas of interest and their views on values attributed to the areas, which helped to develop the draft zoning plan.
Stage 2
During the second stage of the zoning plan review, the EPA prepared and released the draft zoning plan for public submissions. The draft zoning plan was released for comment on 2 Dec 2007, with the public submission period closing three months later on 7 March 2008.
Consultation activities have included:
- six public displays in south-east Queensland attended by more than 800 people;
- receiving and responding to more than 300 emails, over 250 letters, and more than 1100 phone calls;
- distributing around 2000 printed submission forms;
- establishing an online submission form to receive electronic submissions on the draft zoning plan;
- distributing more than 24,000 information postcards to local bait and tackle, fishing and boating suppliers;
- community service announcements on radio and in community newspapers;
- more than 30 face-to-face meetings with stakeholder groups; and
- meetings with community members and key user groups.
How the community accessed information and provided feedback:
- mail outs to more than 3000 marine park users
- free calls received: over 1100
- letters and emails received: over 500
- public display session attendance: over 800
- one-on-one meetings: over 30
Where to from here?:
Submissions will be assessed in line with the 13 Scientific Guiding Principles being followed for the design of the zoning plan. The final zoning plan is expected to be released in late 2008.
Email moreton.bay@epa.qld.gov.au or free call 1800 105 789 for further information.
Last updated: 07 March 2008
