AusLeisure

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has advised that proposals for new management arrangements for John Brewer Reef, located offshore from Townsville, are intended to ensure the site continues to be enjoyed by everyone.

Allowing multiple users to continue to use John Brewer Reef while maintaining the site’s natural, cultural and social values is a key focus of the draft site plan.

The Plan was prepared after close consultation with Traditional Owners, Museum of Underwater Art and regular users of the site.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s assistant director of planning Sally Harman said “John Brewer Reef is a large coral reef north-east of Townsville and is a favourite spot for many of the city’s residents.

“The Authority has worked closely with representatives from Manbarra Peoples from Palm Island as well as other stakeholders including tourism operators and recreational, commercial fishers and the Museum of Underwater Art.

“We have taken on board their feedback and these discussions have helped inform the development of the draft plan.

“To help us achieve this balance the Authority is proposing a small, structure free area, a limit on the number of private moorings and an upper limit for tourism visitation.

“I encourage anyone interested to review the draft plan and provide comment.”

Richard Cassady, a Traditional Owner and representative from the Manbarra Elders Counsel advised “John Brewer Reef is part of the Manbarra stingray dreaming story. Through this dreaming story there is a cultural responsibility to care for our land and sea country. In this day and age this means engaging with the Authority through this site planning process.

“The draft plan helps us to maintain the area’s cultural values and that’s really important to us.”

The draft site plan is open for public comment until 21st December 2020.

Documents and information on how to submit comments are available on the Marine Park Authority’s website 

Following public consultation, all submissions will be reviewed and the site plan finalised.

Image of Museum of Underwater Art's greenhouse

Related Articles

20th August 2020 - North Queensland Museum of Underwater Art receives additional funding for completion in 2021

15th June 2020 - North Queensland Museum of Underwater Art now ready for divers

31st December 2019 - Museum of Underwater Art sculptures submerged off Townsville

8th October 2020 - Census launched to help inform Great Barrier Reef key management decisions

30th September 2020 - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority responds to illegal fishing on the Reef

14th September 2020 - Gladstone Regional Council renews its commitment to guarding the Great Barrier Reef

8th September 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society welcomes Federal Government intervention into protecting Great Barrier Reef wildlife

16th June 2020 - Great Barrier Reef campaigners deliver message of Reef-safe recovery

5th June 2020 - Great Barrier Reef Foundation announces Australia’s first integrated Reef Restoration Hub

13th May 2020 - Great Barrier Reef tourism operators to receive additional financial assistance

7th March 2020 - Underwater ‘reefsuites’ now welcoming guests on the Great Barrier Reef

5th March 2020 - Great Barrier Reef tourism operators highlight the distressing impacts of coral bleaching 

2nd November 2019 - Great Barrier Reef island reborn as eco-friendly luxury holiday destination

30th August 2019 - Great Barrier Reef status downgraded to very poor for first time

21st July 2019 - Great Barrier Reef’s Heart Island opened up for helicopter excursions

26th June 2019 - Research shows Great Barrier Reef visitors understand climate threat

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.