GBR Coast Marine Park
Diving at a reef
The Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park (GBR Coast MP) is a State marine park that runs the full length of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) from just north of Baffle Creek (north of Bundaberg) to Cape York. It provides protection for Queensland tidal lands and tidal waters.
The GBR Coast MP supports the creation of a comprehensive and balanced zoning system within the GBRMP, providing protection of the Great Barrier Reef's unique biodiversity, while continuing to provide opportunities for the use of and access to the marine park.
The GBR Coast MP and Zoning Plan commenced on 5 November 2004.
Before the commencement of the GBR Coast MP, four Queensland marine parks existed in the GBR Region: the Mackay/Capricorn Marine Park; Townville/ Whitsunday Marine Park; Trinity Inlet/ Marlin Coast Marine Park; and the Cairns Marine Park. These marine parks have been amalgamated into the GBR Coast MP. The GBR Coast MP includes the rivers, creeks and mangrove areas that formed parts of these four marine parks.
In addition to these areas, there are new areas of the marine park that join the previous marine parks, for example, from Magnetic Island to Hinchinbrook Channel, or create a new management area, for example, along the far northern Queensland coast to Cape York. In these areas, the marine park does not include rivers, creeks and estuaries, and stops at the seaward edge of significant mangrove forests, for example, the marine park does not include Port Clinton, Burdekin River and Cape York rivers.
The GBR Coast MP complements the GBRMP through adopting similar zone objectives, and entry and use provisions. While the activities that can be carried out within the GBR Coast MP and GBRMP are generally the same, there are some Queensland-specific provisions that may apply.
Details on the zoning can be found on the detailed maps at the GBRMP Authority website.
Copies of the Marine Parks (Great Barrier Reef Coast) Zoning Plan 2004, the Marine Parks Regulation 2006 and the Marine Parks (Declaration) Regulation 2006 (which includes the marine park boundary description) can be obtained from the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel website.
Last updated: 14 February 2007