GREATBARRIER REEF MARINE PARK AUTHRITY CorporatePlan2014–2019
CorporatePLAN2014–2019
©CommonwealthofAustralia2014
Published bytheGreatBarrierReefMarine ParkAuthority
ISBNNo978 1 922126 56 6
Formoreinformation:
email:one:(07)4750 0700
Contents
FromtheChairman
THEGREATBARRIERREEFMARINEPARKAUTHORITY
Ourvision
Ourmission
Ourgoals
Ourvalues
OUROPERATINGENVIRONMENT
Ourlegislativeenvironment
ConditionandtrendoftheReef
FactorsinfluencingtheReef
Reef2050 –Long-TermSustainability Plan
Deregulationagenda
Ourapproach
OURCOMPREHENSIVEMANAGEMENTPROGRAM
Strategy 1:Implementinganoutcome-basedadaptivemanagement framework
Strategy 2:Ensurethebestavailableknowledgeis capturedandused toinformmanagement decisions
Strategy 3:Effectiveandefficientenvironmental regulation
Strategy 4:Strengthenengagement
Strategy 5:Maintain ahigh performingorganisation
IMPLEMENTATION
Riskmanagement
Table1: Implementationofmeasurestostrengthenmanagement
GREATBARRIER REEF MARINE PARK AUTHRITY CorporatePlan2014–2019
FROMtheChairman
AsanAustralianstatutoryauthority,theGreatBarrierReef MarinePark
Authority’sobjectiveisthelong-termprotectionoftheGreatBarrierReef.
Asthetrusteesofthisnaturalwonder,wemustensuretheReef remainsahealthyecosystem— onethat enrichesthelivesoffuturegenerationsjustas
ithasforustoday.Wemustnow respondstronglytoourrecentassessments thatshowthesystemisunder pressure.
Ourwork overthepast40 yearsinmanagingtheMarineParkisrecognisedasworld-leadingandhasseta benchmarkforourfutureefforts.
This CorporatePlanidentifiesourkeyprioritiesforthenextfiveyearsinrespondingtothechallengeof improvingthehealthoftheGreatBarrierReef,whilemanaging
amultiple-usearea.Theseprioritieswillshape thewayouragencyoperatesintothefuture.
ThisplanisinformedbythefindingsoftheOutlookReport2014 andtheGreatBarrierReefRegion StrategicAssessmentReport. Thesereportsarethelargestandmostup-to-datebodyofwork abouttheReef.Itwillimplementandoperationaliseour25-year managementplanoutlinedintheGreatBarrierReefRegionStrategicAssessmentProgramReport.
ThisplansitswithinabroaderframeworkofcooperationbetweentheAustralianandQueensland governments,theGreatBarrier ReefIntergovernmentalAgreement.The agreementbeganin1979 andwasupdatedin2009. Itrecognisesthatkeypressuresonthe Reef,suchasclimatechangeimpacts,catchmentwaterqualityandcoastaldevelopmentcannotbeeffectivelyaddressedbyeither governmentontheirown.
Anoverarchinglong-termsustainabilityplan,jointlydevelopedbytheAustralianandQueensland governmentsalsoprovides directionandguidancefororganisationsandindividualswhoseactionsareimportantinsustainingthehealthoftheReef.This includesthepublic,industry,researchers,Indigenouspeople,governmentsanddecisionmakers.
This CorporatePlanwillbereviewedandadjustedeachyeartotakeaccountofnewinformation,emergingissuesandprogress onimplementingkeyinitiatives.
AmajorreviewwillbeundertakeneveryfiveyearsinlinewiththeAuthority’s five-yearly
OutlookReport.
RussellReichelt
Chairman
GREATBARRIER REEF MARINE PARK AUTHRITY CorporatePlan2014–2019
THEGreatBarrierReefMARINEPARKAUTHORITY
TheGreatBarrierReef MarineParkAuthority(theAuthority)isanAustralianGovernmentstatutoryagencyresponsibleforprotectingand managingtheenvironment,biodiversityandheritagevaluesoftheGreatBarrierReefRegion.
WereporttotheAustralianGovernmentMinisterfortheEnvironmentandadvisetheMinisteronthemanagementoftheGreatBarrierReefMarine Park.
OUR vision
A healthyGreatBarrierReef forfuturegenerations.
TheGreatBarrierReef isaspecialplacethatpeoplevalueandrelyupon.
Itisavastandremarkabletropicalecosystem— supportingthousandsofspecies.ThebreathtakingbeautyandextraordinarydiversityoftheGreatBarrier Reef isasourceofjoyandawetopeoplearoundtheworld.
Itisaplaceofinspiration,tranquillityandexcitementformillionsof visitorseachyearwho marvelattheworldthatunfoldsbelow,andthemarine creaturesthatdependonitshabitats.Itishometogreatspectaclesof natureeachandeveryday,providinglastingmemoriesforthosewho experienceit.
TheReef’s watersanditsshoresarehometovibrant,productive,innovativeanddiverseindustriesthatdrivecoastaleconomies,and Indigenousconnectionsthatstemback tensofthousandsofyears.
Itsrichnaturalandculturalheritagesupportsamyriadofbenefitswhichsustainhumanneedsandwellbeing.
Weareitstrustees.Itisincumbentuponallofustoensurethisnatural wonderremainsahealthyecosystem— onethatenrichesthelivesof futuregenerationsjustasitdoesforustoday.
GREATBARRIER REEF MARINE PARK AUTHRITY CorporatePlan2014–2019
OUR mission
Thelong-termprotection,ecologicallysustainableuse,understandingandenjoyment oftheGreatBarrierReef forallAustraliansandtheinternational communitythroughthecareandmanagementoftheMarinePark.
OUR goals
Toachieveourmissionandmakeourvisionareality,theAuthoritywillfocusitsmanagementonachievingfourgoals:
ProtectandrestoretheReef’secosystemhealthandbiodiversity
ManyofthevaluesthatunderpintheReef’shealthandbiodiversityremainingood condition,buttheirconditionisdeclining.Ofparticularconcernisthe conditionofcoralreefsandseagrassmeadows— fundamentalhabitatsintheReefecosystem.HavingahealthyGreatBarrierReef intothefuturerequires continuedprotectionofall itsnaturalvaluesaswellasrestorationofthosethathavedeclined.
SafeguardtheReef’s heritage
FromongoingIndigenousculturalconnectionstoarichmaritimehistory,theGreatBarrierReef’sheritagevaluesareanintrinsicpartofthestronglinksthat communitieshavetotheRegion.The futureofthesevaluesisstronglyintertwinedwiththehealth andresilienceoftheReefitself.
Ensureecologicallysustainableuseandbenefitsforcurrentandfuturegenerations
TheGreatBarrierReef haslongbeenamultiple-useareathatsupportsindustries andcoastalcommunities— providingawiderangeofbenefits.Two important
partsofhavingahealthyReef intothefuturewillbeensuringthatuseoftheRegion istoastandardthatreflectsthearea’sglobalsignificanceand fosteringpeople’sunderstanding,enjoymentandappreciationoftheReefandallitsvalues.
Reducecumulativeimpacts
TheimpactsaffectingtheReef’svaluesarisefromanumberofsources,both withintheRegionandbeyonditsboundaries.Theyareactingincombination toaffect,sometimesseriously,thevaluesoftheRegion.AchievingahealthyandresilientReef intothefuturerequiresanexplicitand concertedfocusonreducingallimpactsonit.
GREATBARRIER REEF MARINE PARK AUTHRITY CorporatePlan2014–2019
OUR values
GuidedbyAustralianPublicServiceValuesandCodeofConduct,wewillendeavourtofosteraworkplaceculturethatdemonstrates:
leadership— leadbyexample,strivingforinnovationandexcellence
integrity— toact honestlyandtransparentlyandbeaccountableforourwork
partnership— engageandcollaboraterespectfullywithotherssoweareresponsiveanddiligent.
GREATBARRIER REEF MARINE PARK AUTHRITY CorporatePlan2014–2019
OURoperatingenvironment
OURlegislativeenvironment
OurlegislativeoperatingenvironmentisshapedbytheGreatBarrierReef MarinePark Act 1975, thePublicGovernance,PerformanceandAccountabilityAct 2013, thePublicServiceAct 1999, theGreatBarrierReefIntergovernmentalAgreementwiththeStateofQueensland,andarangeofmemorandaof understanding.
TheGreatBarrierReef MarineParkAct 1975 providesforthelong-termprotection
andconservationoftheenvironment,biodiversityandheritagevaluesoftheRegion.Itallowsforecologicallysustainableuseandencouragesstakeholder engagementintheprotectionandmanagementoftheRegion.The Act setsoutourroleand,throughitsobjects,providesthefundamentalbasisfor managementoftheRegion.
ConditionandtrendoftheReef
TheAuthority’sGreatBarrierReefOutlookReport2014 andStrategic
AssessmentReportfoundthat,while theoutstandinguniversalvalueoftheWorldHeritageArearemainslargely intact,theoverallhealthoftheReefecosystem,especially inshorein thesoutherntwo-thirdsoftheRegion,has declinedsignificantly.Habitatsin thenorth,furtheroffshoreandin deeper waterhavebeensubjecttofewer impacts.
Traditional OwnerswithconnectionstotheRegionmaintain their culturalpracticesandcustoms.However, because Indigenous heritagevaluesarecloselytiedtoland andseacountry,many havedeterioratedas changes in the
environmentreverberatethroughtheir culture.Some historicheritagevaluessuchashistoricshipwrecksand structureshavebeenidentifiedandrecorded.Theywereassessedasbeingin goodcondition,thoughmany will deterioratewiththepassageoftime.
TheGreatBarrierReefretainstheamazingnaturalbeautyforwhichitis famous.However, itsunderwaterhealth andaestheticvaluehasbeen reducedalong itssouthernandinshoreareas— largelyasa result ofdeclines in waterquality,coralandseagrass.
GREATBARRIER REEF MARINE PARK AUTHRITY CorporatePlan2014–2019
FactorsinfluencingTHEREEF
AnumberoffactorsinfluencetheconditionoftheRegion’senvironment.Thesefactorsareaffectedbybroad scaledriversofchange.
ThemajorthreatstothefutureoftheReefareclimatechange,poor waterqualityfromland-basedrunoff,impactsfromcoastaldevelopmentandsome remainingimpactsfromfishing.Thesefactorshavebeendrivenbyeconomicandpopulationgrowth,particularly fromwithintheGreatBarrierReef Region andadjacentcatchments.Technologicalchangehascontributedtothisgrowthbutalsobringssignificantpotentialtodevelopinnovativenewsolutionsto addressthechallengesfacingtheReef.
SomeofthechallengestoaddressingthethreatstotheReefinclude:
•the spatial and longer temporal scale of threats facing the Great Barrier Reef
•the social biophysical and jurisdictional complexity of the Region and its management
•the multiple and compounding effects of impacts
•the diversity of stakeholders and sometimes conflicting interests
•many of the key impacts affecting the health of the Reef originate from regionsoutsidetheAuthority’s jurisdiction.
Reef2050 –LONG-TERMSUSTAINABILITY PLAN
TheAustralianandQueenslandgovernmentsareworkingtogethertodevelopaLong-TermSustainabilityPlanforthe GreatBarrierReef WorldHeritageArea.Itdrawstogether theoutcomesoftheGreatBarrierReef comprehensive strategicassessmenttoprovideanoverarchingframeworktoguidetheprotectionandmanagementoftheReeffrom
2015 to2050, includingthefuturework programoftheAuthority.
GREATBARRIER REEF MARINE PARK AUTHRITY CorporatePlan2014–2019
DeregulationAGENDA
The AustralianGovernmentrecognisestheimpactthatinefficientregulationcanhaveonbusinessandthecommunity.Asaresult,theGovernmenthasset atargettoreducethecost ofregulationby$1 billioneachyear.
ApriorityfortheAuthoritywillbetofindopportunitiestostreamlineourregulatorytoolsandprocesseswhileensuringthathighstandardsaremaintained fortheprotectionofbiodiversity,heritagevaluesandtheenvironmentand,inparticular,mattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance.
OUR approach
TheGreatBarrierReef Regionisamultiple-usearea,wherebiodiversityandheritagevaluesareprotectedaswellasthesocialandeconomicaspects oftheenvironment.
TheAustralianandQueenslandgovernmentswork inalong-termpartnershiptoprotect andmanagetheRegion.The FieldManagementProgramisa jointly-funded,cooperative partnershipbetweenthetwogovernments.Itundertakesoperationsandroutineday-to-daymanagementactivitiesinthe MarinePark,theadjacentQueenslandGreatBarrier ReefCoastMarineParkandonnationalparkislands.
The AuthorityworksinpartnershipwithTraditionalOwnersonarangeofseacountryprogramstoconservebiodiversityandIndigenousheritage values,andpromotesustainableuse.
Managementisalsoenhancedthroughpartnershipsandstewardshiparrangements withGreatBarrierReefstakeholders,suchasindustry associations,scientists,local governmentandcommunitygroups.
ThroughanetworkofReefAdvisoryCommitteesandLocalMarineAdvisoryCommittees,theAuthorityreceivestechnicalandstakeholderadviceon arangeofissuesassociatedwiththehealth,useandmanagementoftheGreatBarrierReef.
Informedbythebestavailablescience,theAuthorityworkstoensurelong-termprotectionoftheReefenvironment,recognisingtheneedsofcommunities andindustries thatrelyonahealthyMarineParkfortheireconomic,culturalandsocialwellbeing.
The Authorityusesanumberoftoolstoprotect andmanagetheRegion,includingzoningplans,plansofmanagement,permits,policiesandstrategies, formalagreementsandsitemanagementarrangements.Variousmanagementapproachesareemployedincludingeducation,planning,environmental impactassessment,monitoring, stewardshipprogramsandenforcement.
WithintheRegion,anumberofactivitiesarestrictlyprohibitedbylegislation(such asminingandoildrilling)andotheractivitiesarecarefullymanagedaccordingtotheprinciplesofecologicallysustainableuse.
The Authoritydoesnothavedirectmanagementresponsibilitiesforareasoractivities outsidetheMarinePark,exceptinafewspecificcircumstances. However,itrecognisestheinterconnectednessoftheterrestrialandmarinenaturalsystems,andthesignificant effectsthatland-basedactivitiescanhave ontheGreatBarrierReefecosystem.Consequently,theAuthorityactivelyworkswiththosegovernmentdepartments,industriesandcommunitieswhose actionshavethepotentialtoaffectthemarine ecosystem.
GREATBARRIER REEF MARINE PARK AUTHRITY CorporatePlan2014–2019
Our comprehensive MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
ThroughtheGreatBarrierReef MarineParkAct 1975, theAuthorityhasaclearandlong-standingresponsibilitytoprotect andmanagetheGreat BarrierReef.Overthepastthreedecades,theAuthorityhasestablishedastrongandcomprehensivesetofmanagementarrangementstoprotect the Reefandadaptedtheminresponsetoemergingissuesandimprovedunderstanding.
TheAuthority’scomprehensive managementprogrambuildsonthestrongfoundationalmanagementarrangementsalreadyinplacetoprotect biodiversity andheritage
valuesandprovideforecologicallysustainableuse.The Authoritywillcontinuethesearrangementsand,drawingontherecommendationsofthe StrategicAssessment Report,theAuthorityhascommittedtoadoptingasuiteofmeasurestostrengthenmanagement.The Authoritywill:
•Implement an outcome based adaptive management framework
•Ensure the best available knowledge is captured and used to inform
managementdecisions
•Deliver effective and efficient environmental regulation
•Strengthen engagement
•Maintain a high performing, organisation.
GREATBARRIER REEF MARINE PARK AUTHRITY CorporatePlan2014–2019
STRATEGY1
Implementinganoutcome-basedadaptive management framework
ThedynamicandcomplexnatureoftheGreatBarrierReefecosystem,thepaceofchangeinfactorsaffectingit,andimprovingknowledgeaboutboththeecosystemandits impactsmeanstheAuthorityneedstobeflexibleandadaptivein itsmanagementintothefuture.
TheAuthorityrecognisesthattoachieveitsoutcomesfora systemas dynamicandcomplex
as theGreatBarrierReef—inbothitsnaturalandhumandimensions—wemustcharta newcourse.
TheAuthoritywill:
AdoptclearoutcomesforthefutureoftheReef’svaluesandspecific,measureabletargetstoensureactionswithintheRegionandthecatchmentarefocusedonthedeliveryofoutcomescriticaltothehealthoftheGreatBarrierReef,andtherestoration,maintenanceandenhancementoftheRegion’svalues.
Developanintegratedmonitoringandreportingprogramtomeasureperformanceagainst theoutcomesandtargetsandtoguideadaptivemanagement.Theintegratedmonitoringandreportingprogramwillimprovetheinterfacebetweenknowledgeandmanagementandsupportperformanceevaluation.Atitshighestlevel,evaluationoftheeffectivenessofthemanagementprogramwillbethroughthestatutoryfive-yearOutlookreportingcycle.ThefindingsofeachreportwillinformtheAuthority’sfive-yearlyprioritiesandbetheprincipalguidetoadaptivemanagement.
Usethebestavailableinformationincludingscientificdata,expertopinionandTraditionalOwnerandstakeholder knowledgetoinformitsdecision-making.Decisionmakingwillbeconsistentwiththeattainmentofstatutoryobjectives,outcomesforthehealththeReefandprotectionofmattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance,andtheprinciplesofecologically sustainableuse.
GREATBARRIER REEF MARINE PARK AUTHRITY CorporatePlan2014–2019
STRATEGY2
Ensurethebestavailableknowledgeis capturedandused toinformmanagement decisions
Everydecisionmadein thepursuitofprotectingtheReefneedstobeunderpinnedbysound,reliableandtimelyknowledge.Wewillstrivetoreducecumulativeimpactsbybuildinga holistic understandingofecologicalprocessesoverdifferentscalesandtime.Thismeansaccessingandcapturingthebestavailablescienceandup-to-date datafromanetworkofscienceproviders,bothnationallyandinternationally.
Fillingkeyinformationgapsthroughtargetedresearchwillbecritical,whileintegratedmodellingwithpredictivecapacitywillbeneededtoprovidegreatercertaintyaboutcause-and-effectrelationships.
As wecontinuallybuildourunderstandingtoinformdecisionmaking,wewillalsodrawonotherformsofvaluableinformationacquiredovermanyyearsbythosewithstrongsocial,culturalandeconomicconnectionstotheReef.Thisincludestraditionalecologicalknowledgeandinformationfromthewidercommunity.
TheAuthoritywill:
Betterintegrateknowledgeintomanagementbyusinginformationfromtheintegrated monitoringandreportingprogramtoinformmanagementdecisions.
ImproveidentificationandunderstandingoftheRegion’s values,includingmattersofnationalenvironmentsignificance,throughmapping,andimproving communicationsoftheReef’svaluesandtheAuthority’smanagement.
IdentifyIndigenousheritagevalues,in collaborationwithTraditionalOwners,andimplementanIndigenousknowledgemanagementsystemtopromotetheuseoftraditionalecologicalknowledgeandcontributetoimprovedprotectionofIndigenousheritagevalues.
Developahistoric heritagedatabase ofplacesofhistoricsignificancetoimprovethe identificationandprotectionofhistoricheritagevalues.
Improveunderstandingofcommunitybenefitsbyworkingwithpartneragenciestoimplementa long-termsocio-economicmonitoringprogramtoimproveunderstandingandconsiderationofcommunitybenefitsderivedfromtheenvironmentindecision-makingprocesses.
Improvealignmentandcoordinationofresearchprioritiesidentifiedinthestrategicassessment andcontinuetoencourageandsupportresearchandinnovationthatimprovesthesustainabilityofactivitiesintheRegionandreducesimpactsontheRegion’svalues.
Increase emphasisontheuseofmodellingtoimproveunderstandingofcause-and-effectrelationshipsbetweendrivers,activities,impactsandtheReef’svaluesandthesuccessiveandcombinedeffectsofimpactsontheRegion’senvironment.
GREATBARRIER REEF MARINE PARK AUTHRITY CorporatePlan2014–2019
STRATEGY3
Effectiveandefficientenvironmentalregulation
TheAuthorityis theprimaryenvironmentalregulatorfortheprotectionoftheGreatBarrierReefRegion.Ourroleis tosetthestandardsnecessarytoachieveourgoalsandobjectives,andprovidecertaintyaboutwhereusesmayoccur,thetypesofactivitiesallowedandtheconditionsunderwhichactivitiesmayproceed.
Wewill continuetodothisbyusinga combinationofmanagementtoolsandapproachesincludingzoningplans,plansofmanagement,permits,economicmechanisms,education,compliance
andenforcement.TheAuthorityadoptsa risk-basedapproachwhencarryingoutitsregulatoryfunctions.
WecontinuetolookforopportunitiestostreamlineandreduceregulatoryburdenwhilemaintainingthehighenvironmentalstandardsrequiredtoprotecttheReef’soutstandinguniversalvalue.
TheAuthoritywill:
Streamline,harmoniseandenhanceregulatorytoolstoreduceunnecessaryburdenwhile maintainingstronglevelsofenvironmentalprotectionandenhancealignmentwithothersimilarorrelevantCommonwealthandQueenslandlegislation.
Reviewandupdateplansofmanagementtoensuretheyaddressissuesspecifictoanarea,speciesorcommunityin greaterdetailthancanbeaccomplishedbytheReef-wideZoningPlan.
EnhancealignmentofitspermissionsystemwiththeEnvironmentProtectionandBiodiversity
ConservationAct1999assessmentprocesses.
Developoffsetguidelinesandanetbenefitpolicy,as partoftheavoid-mitigate-offsethierarchyformanagingimpacts,toensureallresidualimpactsfromactivitiesareaddressedandadditionalmeasuresdeliveredtoachievenetimprovementstotheconditionoftheRegion’svalues.
Collaborativelydevelopregionally basedstandards forecosystemhealth,withpartneragencies,localcommunities,theprivatesectorandexperts.
ContinuetoworkwithTraditionalOwnersthroughtheimplementationofTraditionalUseofMarineResourceAgreementsandcooperativemanagementapproaches,includingagreementsunder39ZAoftheGreatBarrierReefMarineParkAct1975.
Improvecompliancewithzoningplansandotherregulations,adoptingmoreadvancedsurveillancetechnology,improvedcoordinationofcomplianceactivitiesandbystrengtheningpowerstodeterrepeatoffending.
Improve shipping incident response capacity byworkingwithotherresponsibleagenciestoimplementtheactionssetoutintheNorth-EastShippingManagementPlan.
Strengthenguidelinestoincludenewandrevisedstandardsforecosystemhealthanddevelopnewguidelinestocomplementexistingarrangements.Newandrevisedguidelineswill include cumulativeimpactassessmentguidelines,updatingandstrengtheningtheGreatBarrierReef
waterqualityguidelines,updatingtheGreatBarrierReefhydrodynamicmodellingguidelines fordredgingandspoildisposalin theregion,developinga guidelineontheassessmentandmanagementofunderwaternoiseimpactsonspeciesandtheinfluenceofshippingmovements.
Improve certainty inspecificareasaboutwhereactivitiesmayoccurandunderwhatconditionsincludingthroughsupportingtheimplementationoftheQueenslandPortsStrategyincludingportmasterplanning,facilitatethedevelopmentofawhole-of-governmentdredging anddredgematerialdisposal policyfortheGreatBarrierReefWorldHeritageArea.
Strengthenprotectionofheritage valuesincludingthroughupdatingtheGreatBarrierReefMarineParkHeritageStrategytomorecomprehensivelyaddressnatural,IndigenousandhistoricheritageandworkwithTraditionalOwnerstodevelopacomprehensivemanagementframeworktopromoteandcoordinatethecontributionsofTraditionalOwnerstothe managementof theGreatBarrierReef,andtoguidemanagementofIndigenousheritagevaluesin theRegion.
GREATBARRIER REEF MARINE PARK AUTHRITY CorporatePlan2014–2019
STRATEGY4
Strengthenengagement
WerecognisethatprotectionoftheGreatBarrierReefrequireslocal,nationalandinternationaleffort—wesimplycan’tdoitalone.Justas wesharethisnaturalasset,wemustalsoshareresponsibilityforitsfuture.Wewillcontinuetowork withTraditionalOwners,thecommunity,business,industryandgovernmenttoinfluencebestpracticeandfindpragmaticsolutionstoachievetheprimarygoaloflong-termprotectionoftheReef.Byestablishingongoingandcollaborativeworkingrelationships,weareabletoinstilasenseofcollectivestewardship.ThisapproachcreatesastrongfoundationformaintainingabalancebetweenprotectingtheReef,managingcompetingdemandsandsupportingsustainableuse.
TheAuthoritywill:
Implementa Reefrecovery program involvingtheadoptionofregionalisedandcooperativemanagementapproaches.Thiswillsupportlocalcommunitiesandencouragecooperationbetweengovernmentagencies,theprivatesectorandresearchinstitutionsinimplementingactionstoprotectandrestorebiodiversityhotspotsandsupportsustainableuse.
Implementthecrown-of-thorns-starfishcontrolprograminpartnershipwiththeAssociationof MarineParkTourismOperators.
Support bestpracticeandstewardshipbycontinuingtoworkwithlocalgovernment,volunteergroups,schools,tourismoperators,fishers,farmersandgrazierstostrengthenactivitiesaimed at:encouragingbestpracticesandinnovativeapproaches;reducingimpactsofactivities;andimprovingsustainability.
ImplementeducationandcommunityawarenessprogramstoinformvisitorsandthebroadercommunityabouttheGreatBarrierReef,itsprotectionandmanagement.
Continueinternational engagementandcapacity buildingtoshareexpertise,includingbestpracticesandsuccessstorieswithmarineparkandworldheritagemanagersfacingsimilarchallenges.
Improveourconsultation arrangementsbyworkingwithrelevantagenciestoadoptamorecoordinatedapproachtocommunityconsultationinrelationtotheassessmentofprojectproposalsandestablishingapeakGreatBarrierReefadvisorygroupmadeupofTraditionalOwners,scientific,conservationandindustryexpertstoprovidehighleveladviceonimplementingtheagency’scomprehensivemanagementprogram.
Strengthenandfocusourpartnershipandengagementactivitiestoinfluencedriversandactivitiesaffectingtheregionto:
•promoteawarenessoftheeffectsofachanging climate and to develop and implement
•climatechangeadaptationandReefresiliencemeasures
•improvecatchmentrun-off,includingactivelypromotingtheuptakeofimprovedland
•managementpractices,tomorerapidlyachieveReefPlantargets
•highlight the importance offunctioning coastal ecosystems to the health ofthe Reef and
•promoteawholeofecosystemapproachtomanagementoftheReefanditscatchment
•improvegovernance,strategicplanningandtheenvironmentalsustainabilityofport
•activitiesataReef-widescale
•improvemanagementofshippingwithintheRegion,includingthroughfinalisationand
•implementationoftheNorth-EastShippingManagementPlan
•buildonthesignificantprogressmadeinachieving better sustainability incommercialfishingtofurtheraddresstheremainingrisks,andensure thesustainabilityofrecreationalfishing.
GREATBARRIER REEF MARINE PARK AUTHRITY CorporatePlan2014–2019
STRATEGY5
Maintain ahigh performingorganisation
To realiseitsgoals,theAuthorityneedstoremaina highperformingorganisationthatcontinuouslyadaptstochangingpriorities.Thisrequiresa high-qualityworkforceandworkingenvironment
sotheskillsandcompetenciesofitsstaff continuetofosterinnovationandimprovement. StaffmembersoftheAuthorityneedtobesupportedintheirrolebyintegrated,efficientandeffectiveadministrativesystemsandmodern,safeandsustainableinfrastructure.
TheAuthoritywill:
Develop and implement ahumanresourcestrategicplantoattract,developandretainprofessionalswiththerequiredspecialistandinter-disciplinaryskillstodeliveritsmanagementprogram.
SeektoincreasecollaborationwithTraditionalOwners,researchinstitutionsandinternationalpartnerstopromote training,mentoringandstaffexchange opportunities.Thiswillinclude capacitybuildingin relationtoadaptingandrespondingtoclimatechangeandcross-culturaltraining.
Improveknowledgemanagementandadministrativesystemstosupportevidence-based decisionmakingandpromotetransparency,accountabilityandinformationsharing.
ImplementtheInformation,Communication,TechnologyStrategicPlantosupportcontinuousimprovementincomputingplatforms,networks,datastorageandinformationanalysiscapabilities;andextenditscommunicationreachthroughsocialmedia,interactivetechnologies,collaborationtoolsandwebportals.
Providesafeandsecure workenvironmentsandpromoteenergyefficiencythroughthesustainabledesignofnewfacilitiesandinvestmentsin energy-efficientbuildingsystemsandvesselfleets.
ImplementtheCorporateGovernanceActionPlantofacilitateanadaptive,efficientandeffectiveinternalenvironmentandsupporttheachievementofstrategicpriorities.
GREATBARRIER REEF MARINE PARK AUTHRITY CorporatePlan2014–2019
Implementation
This five-yearCorporatePlanisaccompaniedbytheAuthority’sAnnualOperational
Plan.
Table1 outlinestimeframesforimplementingtheCorporatePlanoverthenextfiveyears.Insomecases,measureswillbeimplementedasanongoing processofcontinuousimprovementtoourfoundationalmanagementactivities.
Ourprogresswillbereviewedannuallyandadjustedaccordingly,takingintoaccountemerginginformationandresultsfrommonitoringprograms.
RiskMANAGEMENT
The effectiveassessmentandmanagementofriskunderpinstheagency’sgovernanceframeworkandiscriticaltothecontrolenvironmentforwhichthe Accountable Authority (i.e.theChairmanhasresponsibilityunderthePublicGovernance,PerformanceandAccountabilityAct 2013. The principlesofriskmanagementaretobeapplied atalllevelsoftheagency(strategic,operationalandtactical,projectandindividualactivity).Managingriskisaprocessthataffectseveryemployee.Allstaff membersare responsibleforidentifyingandmanagingopportunitiesandrisk,inaccordancewiththeAccountable AuthorityInstructions.
Ourriskmanagementframeworkenablesrisksatalllevelstobevisibleto,andmanagedby,therelevantlayerofmanagement.Ourapproachtorisk andissuesmanagementisbasedontherelevantstandardsandpublicsectorguidance.As anAustralianGovernmentagency,wearerequiredtocomplywithvariousstatutoryobligationsandgovernmentguidelineswhichrequiresoundrisk management.
GREATBARRIER REEF MARINE PARK AUTHRITY CorporatePlan2014–2019
Table 1:Implementationofmeasurestostrengthenmanagement
Strategy / Commitmentstostrengthen / Within12 months / Withintwoyears / Within fiveyears / Ongoing
Strategy 1
Outcomesandtargets / 1 / 1
Adaptivemanagement–annualandfiveyearlyreviewcycles / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1
Integratedmonitoringandreportingprogram / 1 / 1
Strategy 2
Improvingalignmentandcoordinationofresearchpriorities / 1
Developing an historic heritage database / 1
Betterintegrationofknowledgeintomanagement / 1
ImprovingidentificationofIndigenousheritagevalues / 1
Improvingunderstandingofcommunitybenefits / 1
Increasingemphasisonuseofmodelling / 1
ImprovingidentificationandunderstandingoftheRegion’svalues / 1
Strategy 3
Measurestoenhancealignmentofpermissionsystemwith
EPBCActassessmentprocesses / 1
Offsetguidelinesandnetbenefitpolicy / 1
Cumulativeimpactassessmentguidelines / 1
Dredginganddredgematerialdisposalpolicy / 1
Streamlining,harmonisingandenhancingregulatorytools / 1
Strengthenedguidelines(e.g.waterquality) / 1
Regionallybasedstandardsforecosystemhealth / 1
Improvingcertaintyforplanningandmanagement / 1
Strengtheningprotectionofheritagevalues / 1
Improvingassessmentofmattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance / 1
Improvingcompliance / 1
Improvingincidentresponsecapacity / 1
Operationalactivitiesthatsupportrecoveryandbuildresilience / 1
Strategy 4
EstablishmentofapeakReefadvisorycommittee / 1
Improvingconsultationarrangements / 1
Reefrecoveryprogram(includingcrown-of-thorns starfishcontrol) / 1
Supportingbestpracticeandstewardship / 1
InfluencingdriversandactivitiesaffectingtheRegion / 1
Strategy 5
Develophumanresourcesstrategicplan / 1
Improveknowledgemanagementandadministrativesystems / 1
ImplementtheInformationCommunicationTechnologyStrategy / 1
Providesafeandsecureworkenvironments / 1
ImplementCorporateGovernanceActionPlan / 1