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Review of the 2018 Australian Marine Park management plans

A green turtle swimming over hard corals. Photo by Nigel Marsh

A green turtle swimming over hard corals. Photo by Nigel Marsh

Parks Australia is reviewing management plans for 4 Australian Marine Park networks – Temperate East, North, North-west, and South-west – and the Coral Sea Marine Park. These plans expire on 30 June 2028 and cover 44 marine parks in total. 

The review process involves: 

  • Independent evaluations of the 2018 management plans, including:
    • assessing implementation against intended objectives and outcomes 
    • interviews with First Nations peoples and key stakeholders to provide their views on the current management plans and implementation. 
    • ORIMA Research is undertaking the independent evaluation. The final reports are anticipated in late May 2026 
    • an example of a recent independent evaluation for the first South-east Marine Parks Network Management Plan can be found at: South-east review 2022-2024.
  • The statutory management planning process, includes public consultation on:
    • the proposal to prepare new management plans – seeking feedback on what should be considered in the new plans 
    • the draft management plans – seeking input on areas such as proposed zoning and the broader approach to management. 
  • If needed, the statutory proclamation process to expand marine parks, involves public consultation on proclamation proposals.

Key directions for the review

Ensure 30% of Australia’s ocean is highly protected

The Australian Government has committed to protecting 30% of Australia’s ocean in highly protected zoning (IUCN 1a and II) by 2030, in support of global targets for biodiversity conservation. The review of Australian Marine Park management plans for 4 Australian Marine Park networks and the Coral Sea Marine Park is the platform to achieve this target.

To achieve the target, we need to add at least 523,980km2 of highly protected areas to the existing 2.2 million km2. For more information, visit Achieving 30 by 30 - DCCEEW.

To achieve the 30% high protection goal, activities will include targeted boundary expansions and science-based zoning refinements within existing boundaries. No new parks have been identified at this point, and the Government is not entering into the Review with an intention to create new parks. However, new areas have not been ruled out if a strong case emerges.

Limiting intensive activities

The Australian Government is proposing to limit intensive activities where feasible. This is consistent with the management approach adopted in the South-east Network in 2025 but will be subject to analysis across each of the 4 marine parks networks and the Coral Sea Marine Park. Intensive activities are not compatible with highly protected zones.

Sequencing of management plans

We are working to complete all reviews in-line with expiry of current management plans. However, the Temperate East Network and Coral Sea Marine Park management plans will be prioritised if not all management plans can be completed before their expiry in mid-2028.

First Nations engagement

The Review provides an opportunity to strengthen the integration of First Nations perspectives and values in the management of Australian Marine Parks. We support targeted place-based and national engagement.

We have established a national Australian Marine Parks First Nations Reference Group. The purpose is to ensure that First Nations advice is considered in a manner that is independent, transparent, and accountable, and that engagement processes reflect the principles of self-determination, partnership, free, prior and informed consent, and cultural integrity.

Sector engagement

We will engage with peak national and state-based bodies throughout the review process, as well as through the statutory management planning and/or proclamation processes.

We will also engage with relevant agencies and fishing industry organisations in relation to possible fisheries business assistance measures.

Background on Australia’s Marine Protected Areas commitment

Over 2 decades ago, all governments in Australia committed to a National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas (NRSMPA). The primary objective of the NRSMPA is to establish and manage a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of marine protected areas.

The NRSMPA comprises 60 Australian Marine Parks managed by the Director of National Parks, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve, and over 250 marine protected areas managed by state and territory agencies.

The 60 Australian Marine Parks managed by Parks Australia cover around 43%, or 3.8 million km2, of Australia’s marine environment. The 10-year statutory management plans under the EPBC Act set out Parks Australia’s approach to manage these marine areas.

Contact

To find out more about the broader review, contact: marineparksreview@dcceew.gov.au.