Media Release - State Government Launches Marine Park

Published on Thursday, 7 November 2024 at 3:39:00 PM

The WA State Government’s South Coast Marine Park (SCMP) came into effect on Tuesday 5 November, when it was published in the Government Gazette. This means the management plans and outer boundaries are now active, with plans to be created and the sanctuary zones expected in 2026. The maps for the marine park were released and Councillors were briefed by Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) on their work, and amendments to the final design.

During the briefing Council were talked through changes made to the park design after the DBCA's public consultation period earlier this year, with DBCA officers describing what was implemented from Shire feedback around:

  • A consistent 200m buffer adjacent to all sanctuary zones, to be applied across the entire park to reduce confusion and maintain uniformity for residents and visitors
    • This was applied across a majority of the park
  • Review of sanctuary zone size and positioning based on spatial data and catch rates, and work with industries and stakeholders that will be negatively impacted by the proposed sanctuary zones to achieve triple bottom line outcomes supportive of industry, stakeholder and conservation goals
    • Reviews were carried out as requested and some changes were made
  • The ability to continue the cherished and foundational coastal 4wd driving, fishing and camping recreational activities enjoyed by generations
    • With changes to the 200m buffer and some sanctuary zone changes, this was partially implemented.

 
After this update Shire President Ron Chambers said “we are still digesting the final design, and as part of that process will talk with our commercial fishers and other affected businesses and organisations about what this outcome means to them”.
 
“Once we have an idea of how the amended sanctuary zones will impact our professional fishers and what the marine park means to our tourism industry, our business and social partners and our community as a whole, the points we need to advocate on to the State Government will become clear.”
 
“What we do know is that the marine park is now on our doorstep; now is the time to determine what assets and resources the State Government will provide to compliment the opportunities they have given us, and what the advantages will be. This is now part of our landscape and the legacy our children will inherit, so let’s get the best out of it.”
 
“Rest assured, we will continue to advocate for appropriate resources to make this park a benefit to the region, rather than a burden.”
 
Along with the rest of the community, the Shire provided a detailed submission on the SCMP earlier this year, taking into account not only a diverse range of opinion expressed to Councillors by community members, but also vital information on how to best address marine park issues where the park abuts Shire managed land along the coast. The gazetting of the SCMP is not the end of the Shire’s work for the community regarding the park; recommendations that were made in the Shire’s submission will now become part of Shire and Council advocacy.
 
Shire CEO Shane Burge pointed out that the Shire’s submission on the SCMP was sent to DBCA and the State Government with a strong message; that the final design of the park must be informed by the triple bottom line of economic, social and environmental impacts and considerations. He continued on this topic, saying “in our meeting with the Minister for Environment, we again strongly urged the State Government to immediately undertake a third-party independent Opportunity Analysis.”
 
“It’s incumbent on the State Government to support their world-quality marine park with a detailed, world-standard analysis as a vital resource for the community they are impacting”, he said. “This is a requisite if they’re serious about helping all affected parties and stakeholders to better understand investment prospects, how to offset possible impacts, and identify viable opportunities the Marine Park may bring to the Esperance region”.
 
An independent Opportunity Analysis is crucial to sustain local business and the community during the transition period to full marine park regulations. Detailed analysis will provide vital data, knowledge and projections to support decision making during the shift to changed conditions and business models that the sanctuary zones will require for many businesses and organisations; not just commercial fishing license holders, who will undeniably be negatively impacted by the park's establishment.
 
In the coming weeks the Shire and Council will have more to say to our community about our advocacy on their behalf. In the meantime, to read the points made in the Shire’s SCMP submission check the link at the end of May’s media release when Council endorsed the submission. The Report to Council on the SCMP submission may also be of interest (Item 12.4.3).
 
While the gazetting of the SCMP brings no immediate changes to the use of the area covered by the park, questions around the issue may be directed to the Esperance office of the DBCA.

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