Independent Scientific Audit of
Marine Parks in NSW
PO Box H292, Australia Square NSW 1215
Email: Secretariat@marineparksaudit.nsw.gov.au
Web: www.marineparksaudit.nsw.gov.au
Interview 16d(i)
Summary
11.30am–12.40pm, Thursday 17 November 2011
Level 20, Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place
Sydney NSW 2000
Type of Meeting:
Face to face
Attendees:
Assoc Prof Bob Beeton, Chair
Mr Michael Wright, formerly with National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment,
Climate Change and Water
Ms Petrina Alcock, Secretariat Manager
Dr Fiona Powell, Secretariat
The views expressed at all interviews are those of the individual participants. They do not
necessarily reflect the views of the NSW Government, the views of all the workshop participants or
the views of the Audit Panel.
The Chair welcomed attendees, provided a background to the Audit and explained Audit
procedures. The following matters were then discussed:

history of the Marine Parks Authority, particularly the model of the Authority consisting of the
heads of Department of Primary Industries, the environment agency and the Department of
Premier and Cabinet

initial division of marine parks management between the environment agency and the
Department of Primary Industries, with southern marine parks generally being managed by
the environment department and northern parks generally being managed by the Department
of Primary Industries
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
establishment of the earlier marine parks in NSW, including the transfer of some areas from
aquatic reserve to marine park

the initial conservative approach to zoning where relatively small areas were zoned as
sanctuary

the setup of a state-wide Marine Parks Advisory Council and advisory committees for each
park

difficulties in getting all interest groups represented on park advisory committees

contentious issues around various NSW marine parks

the relatively short timeframe during which Batemans and Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine
Parks were negotiated and established

NSW Government buyback of commercial fishing licenses

NSW Cabinet's amendment to the Marine Parks Act to include a five year review of marine
park zoning following park establishment, and a review every 10 years after that

consultations for Jervis Bay and Solitary Islands zoning reviews, which each took place over
approximately two years

fish kills in the Clarence River due to water quality issues

other approaches to marine biodiversity protection, including the utilization of aquatic
reserves and land use planning instruments

the capacity of the NSW Coastal Panel

mechanisms for building community consensus for marine conservation and sustainability

improvement of fishing facilities and increasing fish stocks, including the general support of
the Marine Parks Authority for artificial reefs in Marine Park general use zones

the perception of agency scientists as not being independent

whether an independent scientific committee could improve management of marine parks.
The Chair concluded the interview at 12.40 pm.
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