Strategic assessment - Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the world's most extensive coral reef ecosystem and arguably one of the best managed marine areas in the world. At 348,000 square kilometres, the reef is one of the richest and most diverse natural ecosystems on Earth. The unique qualities of this property were recognised in 1981 when it was inscribed on the World Heritage List.
The Australian Government and the Queensland Government have formally agreed to undertake a comprehensive strategic assessment of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and adjacent coastal zone. The strategic assessment will be undertaken in accordance with section 146 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
Strategic assessments enable a 'big-picture' approach to environment and heritage protection that provides certainty in the long term, by determining the areas to be protected from development and areas where sustainable development can go, the type of development that will be allowed and the conditions under which development may proceed.
Strategic assessment agreements:
- Section 146 Agreement - Commonwealth of Australia and State of Queensland (PDF - 442 KB) | (Word - 121 KB)
- Section 146 Agreement - Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (PDF - 485 KB) | (Word - 132 KB)
Why is a strategic assessment being undertaken?
The Australian and Queensland governments are committed to ensuring the Great Barrier Reef retains the values for which it was declared a World Heritage Area and that it continues to be one of the best managed marine protected areas in the world. Therefore, the two governments are working together to undertake a comprehensive strategic assessment of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and the adjacent coastal zone.
The comprehensive strategic assessment will help identify, plan for and manage existing and emerging risks to ensure ongoing protection and management of the unique environmental values of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and adjacent coastal zone. This will be achieved by:
- investigating the adequacy of the existing management arrangements for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, and
- assessing current and future development policies and planning in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and the adjacent coastal zone and analysing likely direct, indirect and cumulative impacts.
How will the assessment be carried out?
The Great Barrier Reef strategic assessment has two key components - a marine component and a coastal component.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) will lead the marine component which will look at the arrangements in place to manage and protect the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area.
The Queensland Government will lead the coastal component which will look at coastal development such as planning for urban, industrial and port development.
The assessment will examine whether the appropriate planning processes and management arrangements are in place to ensure development occurs sustainably and does not impact unacceptably on matters of national environmental significance.
Terms of Reference
Public comment period
In February 2012 the Queensland Government and GBRMPA sought public comment on draft Terms of Reference for the strategic assessment of the Great Barrier Reef. The public comment period closed on 30 April 2012.
Public comment reports:
- Queensland Government: Terms of Reference Consultation Report (PDF - 290 KB)
- GBRMPA: Terms of Reference Submissions Report (PDF - 4.9 MB) | (Word - 19.0 MB)
Final Terms of Reference
On 30 August the Australian Government environment minister approved the terms of reference for the comprehensive strategic assessment of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and adjacent coastal zone.
The approved terms of reference take into account the public comments received, the World Heritage Committee's decision of 6 July 2012, the report of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre - International Union for Conservation of Nature reactive monitoring mission, and consultations with GBRMPA and the Queensland Government.
Terms of Reference:
What are the next steps?
GBRMPA and the Queensland Government will undertake the comprehensive strategic assessment which will take approximately 12 months to complete.
There will be further opportunities for the public to provide input, including on the draft strategic assessment reports.
The Australian Government environment minister will be provided with all comments received during the public comment periods when considering whether or not to endorse the overall strategic assessment.
Independent Review of the Port of Gladstone
As part of the Australian Government's response to the 2012 decision of the World Heritage Committee regarding the ongoing protection and management of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage property, the Australian Government has committed to an Independent Review of the Port of Gladstone.
The review is focussed on the port of Gladstone but may result in findings that are relevant to other ports adjoining the Great Barrier Reef. The outcomes of the review are expected to inform the comprehensive strategic assessment currently underway.
- Great Barrier Reef strategic assessment fact sheet (PDF - 427 KB) | (Word - 349 KB)
- Great Barrier Reef general reference map (PDF - 1.7 MB)
- Strategic assessments under the EPBC Act – brochure