A communique is prepared after each scheduled official meeting of the twelve Local Marine Advisory Committees (LMACs) to inform
relevant stakeholders, including the public, of the business of the LMAC. The document forms part of the records of the meeting and its
content is limited to matters raised in the meeting. Any enquiries should be referred to the relevant LMAC email address or
[email protected].
WHITSUNDAY
LOCAL MARINE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
12 July 2016 – Jubilee Pocket
COMMUNIQUE
Members of the Whitsunday Local Marine
Advisory Committee (LMAC) met in Jubilee
Pocket on 12 July 2016 as part of their official
meeting schedule for the 2015–2018 LMAC
term.
Welcome
Tony Fontes welcomed members and
observers to the meeting.
Update on Whitsundays Plans Of
Management
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s
(GBRMPA) Planning Officer, Laura Johannesen,
gave a presentation about the latest
delevopments on the Whitsunday Plan of
Management.
In her presentation, she spoke about the
milestones that have been achieved to date
and that all of the proposed ammendments
have been approved by the Marine Park
Authority board.
The next steps involve: the drafting process,
public consultation, site assessments for new
anchorages, reviewing of the submisssions,
drafting changes and approvals.
It has been suggested that the plan uses
coordinate-based settings rather than the
current 1500 metre coastal linebuffers. Using
coordinate-based settings would make it
easier for both the user and compliance staff
and would match up with the method used for
the zoning plan.
Spearfishing
Although not part of the Whitsundays Plans of
Management (WPoM), Laura mentioned that a
spearfishing map is being produced for the
region.
The LMAC members agreed that this will be
very beneficial and suggested numerous ways
of distributing the map to the local
community.
Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership
Charlie Morgan, the Executive Officer for the
partnership, spoke to the group about the
program.
In her presentation, she outlined who the
partners were and the benefits of being a
partner. She also shared the vision of the
group and their objectives.
She gave an overview of the 2014 report card
and outlined the key results and the
stewardship assessments that were industry
specific. She also offered to speak to the
organisations represented on the LMAC to
inform them and to engage with the
community.
The LMAC members were told about what the
program is intedning to go from here and of
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what was going to be included in the 2015
report card.
Stickers
The Whitsunday LMAC has produced some
stickers with the phrase ‘Go Slow For Those
Below’ and printed the 1300 ANIMAL. These
were given the the members to distribute in
the community.
Go Slow for Those Below
Jacquie Shiels has put together a youtube
video encouraging boaties to go slow over
shallow sea grass areas areas. She requested
support from the LMAC members to fine tune
the video and help promote it once
completed.
Raine Island
It was suggested that the stickers be displayed
at boat ramps and given to the local bait and
tackle shops.
Online Stranding Training
There is now an online course available for
volunteers to become trained in handling
stranded animals.
There has been an increase of 60% of
indigenous and community members who are
now trained with these skills and this has
enabled the National Parks staff to have more
time to complete other duties.
LMAC Membership
Members
Paul Ellis (Secretary)
Tony Fontes (Chair)
Tony Hinschen (Member)
Charlie Morgan (Member)
Trevor Rees (Member)
Jacquie Sheils (Member)
Sandra Williams (Member)
Conservation
Tourism
Agriculture
Conservation
Tourism
Education
Conservation
Management Partners
Matt Goodall
Carolyn Thompson
Laura Johannesen
Jeremy Thomson
Damien Head
Apologies
Robyn Bell (Member)
Olivia Brodhurst (Member)
Ross Courtenay (Member)
Eileen Davies (Member)
Libby Edge (Member)
Kevin Kane (Member)
Cherry Muddle (Member)
Murray Sandman (Member)
Steve Ward (Member)
Sue West (Member)
Damien Head showed some video footage
taken by a drone at Raine Island. The drone
can fly closer to nesting birds and not distrurb
them an as such it has been able to film in
areas that have previously been difficult to get
video footage of.
Next meeting
The next official meeting of the Whitsunday
LMAC will be held in Jubilee Pocket on 6
September 2016. This will be the seventh
meeting of the 2015–2018 term.
Whitsundays Online
OUCH
Independent
Healthy Rivers To Reef
Whitsunday Escape
Independent
Independent
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol
National Parks, Sport and Racing
Conservation
Conservation
Charter Boat
Conservation
Conservation
Ports & Shipping
Conservation
Tourism
Tourism
Traditional Owner
Independent
Reef Catchments
Independent
Whitsunday Residents Against Dumping
Eco Barge Clean Seas
North Queensland Bulk Ports
Australian Marine Conservation Society
Dingo Beach Association
Whitsunday Jet Ski Tours
Traditional Owner Reference Group
Observers
Chloe Densley
Emily Wood
Nick Milum
Tim Pugh
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