Under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, the Consultative Committee operates as an independent advisory body for both the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment.

The Committee represents a wide cross-section of interests including tourism, fishing, science, conservation, local government and Aboriginal communities.

The August meeting centred around two workshops, the first of which examined the 25-year Strategic Plan for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area from the perspective of each of the newly formed Critical Issue Groups.

The second workshop focused on the development of a work-plan for the Committee over the next three years and addressed the role of the Committee in the context of recent changes to the Authority's overall advisory structures.

Also considered were recommendations made in the report on 'The Outstanding Universal Value of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and its Application' and recent progress of programs concerning Community Rangers and moorings within the Marine Park.