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Port Stephens – Great Lakes Marine Park

On the 1st December 2005 the NSW Government established the Port Stephens – Great Lakes Marine Park. 

The aim of the park is to preserve marine habitats, biological diversity and ecological processes.

The boundaries are from Cape Hawke Surf Life Saving Club near Forster to the Northern end of Stockton Beach.  It includes all of Port Stephens and all the creeks and tributaries to the limit of tidal influence.  This Marine Park is the largest in NSW covering 97,200 hectares.

Marine Park Authority Structure

The Authority is made up of representatives from Department of Primary Industries, Department of Environment and Conservation and the Premiers Department.  The Ministers responsible for the Authority are: the Minister for Primary Industries and the Minister for the Environment.

Planning Issues

The Marine Park Authority will have a planning role within the estuary.  In particular all Development Applications within the Estuary from now will need the concurrent approval of the marine Park Authority.  For example:  proposed wharves, jetties, aquaculture activities etc will need to be forwarded to the Authority for their approval.

Development Applications or other proposed activities adjacent to the Estuary that could have an impact on the park will need to be forwarded to the Authority for their comments. This will include any proposed drainage works that could impact on the estuary.

To help clarify some of the referral requirements, the Marine Park Authority is considering entering into an Agreement with Council. This Agreement will outline the sorts of proposals that need to be referred to the Authority for their comments or their approval. In the meantime however Section Managers should ensure that their staff are aware of these new reporting requirements.

The contact details for the new Authority are:

Port Stephens – Great Lakes Marine Park
Locked Bag 800
Nelson Bay NSW 2315
Phone 02 49163970
Fax 02 49163960

Email psglmp@mpa.nsw.gov.au

Web site www.mpa.nsw.gov.au

Permits

All commercial activities within the Marine Park will require a Permit to operate. 

This will include commercial fishers, tourist operators etc. Existing commercial operators will be granted permits as long as they make application to the Authority within 12 months from now. The permits will be issued at no cost to the operators.

Contact details
Port Stephens - Great Lakes Marine Park
psglmp@mpa.nsw.gov.au

© 2008 Port Stephens Council
This page: http://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/planning/89002/57020.html