A message from the Hon Dr David Kemp, Minister for Environment & Heritage

The Howard Government's new internationally acclaimed protection regime for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park will come into force on July 1.

A plan providing the highest possible level of protection for one third of the entire GBRMP passed through the Commonwealth parliament yesterday with bipartisan support.

“This is an historic moment for the Great Barrier Reef and for Australia,” he said. “The Great Barrier Reef is not only a treasure for Australia but for the world." Read more

IMPORTANT UPDATE: ------ On THURSDAY 1 JULY 2004 all zoning in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park will change; this may affect what you can do, and in some limited cases, where you can go.

Understanding the Representative Areas Program (PowerPoint - 9.8 Mb)
Overview of the Representative Areas Process (PDF - 1.3 Mb)
Frequently Asked Questions (PDF - 82 Kb)


Zoning documents:
Explanatory Statement (PDF - 46 Kb)
Zoning Plan (PDF - 1.8 Mb)
Regulatory Impact Statement (PDF - 340 Kb)
Amendment Regulations for the new Zoning Plan (due to commence 1 July 04)


View Zoning maps


Additional Information:
Summary Report - GBRMPA (2003)
(PDF - 240 Kb)

• P.D.P. Australia Report (2003)
  (PDF - 610 Kb)
• Bureau of Tourism Research Report (2003) (PDF - 1.55 Mb)
• Bureau of Rural Sciences Report (2003) (PDF - 2.6 Mb)

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