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South-east review 2022-2024

South-east Network Management Plan consultation
South-east Network Management Plan consultation

The first management plan for the South-east Marine Parks Network, South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network Management Plan expired on 30 June 2023.

From 2022 to 2024, the Director of National Parks reviewed the management arrangements for the South-east Marine Parks Network, which included three phases:

  1. an independent evaluation of the previous management plan
  2. a proposal to expand Macquarie Island Marine Park
  3. the preparation of a new management plan for the network, informed by two periods of statutory consultation.

1. Evaluation of the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network Management Plan 2013-2023

Parks Australia engaged consulting firm Sustineo to evaluate our implementation of the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network Management Plan 2013-23. The evaluation was independent, broad in scope and included a technical audit. The evaluation assessed the first 8 years of implementing the South-east Management Plan, noting that the current plan expired on 30 June 2023. This is the first evaluation of any Australian Marine Park management plan.

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2. Expansion of Macquarie Island Marine Park - 2023

Between 20 March 2023 to 22 May 2023, the Director of National Parks sought public comment on a proposal to expand Macquarie Island Marine Park.

Public consultation proposal

Submissions

The Director received a total of 14,736 submissions. This included 41 unique submissions from a range of organisations and individuals, and 14,695 campaign submissions facilitated by the conservation sector.

DNP Report

The Director of National Parks considered all comments received through the public consultation process and provided a report to the Minister for the Environment and Water in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Following consideration of this report, the Minister for the Environment and Water endorsed the final marine park design recommended by the Director of National Parks.

On 1 July 2023, the Macquarie Island Marine Park was expanded to cover a total area of 475, 465 square kilometres, close to a 300% increase from the previous marine park area.

The Governor-General proclaimed the expanded Macquarie Island Marine Park on 19 June 2023, registered to come into effect from 1 July 2023.

3. Preparation of a new South-east Marine Parks Network management plan

Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, two periods of public consultation are required to prepare a new management plan.

The first public comment period, called a ‘notice of intent to prepare a draft management plan’, was held between 20 March 2023 to 22 May 2023.

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Submissions

A total of 13,529 campaign submissions and 40 unique submissions were received.

The second public comment period was conducted between 11 October to 14 November 2024, where the Director of National Parks sought comment on a draft South-east Marine Parks Network Management Plan.

Consultation documents

Submissions

In response, the Director received a total of 18,490 submissions. This included 90 unique submissions from a range of organisations and individuals, and 18,400 campaign submissions facilitated by the conservation sector.

DNP Report

The Director of National Parks (DNP) considered all comments that were received through the public consultation process and provided a report to the Minister for the Environment and Water in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999.

The DNP consultation report outlines changes made to the management plan in response to the comments received including zoning changes at 4 marine parks; Zeehan, Flinders, Freycinet and Beagle. Other changes were included in response to submissions from First Nations and Tasmanian Aboriginal organisations.

Following consideration of this report, the Minister for the Environment and Water approved the final management plan recommended by the Director of National Parks. The final plan came into effect on 13 February 2025.

For more information about the new plan and changed management arrangements, please visit South-east Network Management Plan.