On 6 June 2005, the former Minister for Environment and Planning issued a reference to the Commission to conduct an inquiry and make recommendations on the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Bruny Bioregion, in south-eastern Tasmania.
Within Tasmania, a Marine Protected Area is:
“an area of land and/or sea especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed through legal or other effective means.”
The Tasmanian Marine Protected Areas Strategy sets out key steps in the development and establishment of MPAs, including identification and selection criteria.
Opportunities were available for public input in the inquiry process by making submissions in response to the:
Background Report - submissions closed 31 July 2006
and by making presentations and providing exhibits at Commission hearings on the Background Report, and on the Draft Recommendations Report (held on 12-15 November 2007).
The Commission finalised its report and provided its recommendations to the Minister on 28 February 2008.
On 17 March 2008 the Minister for Primary Industries and Water released the Report and invited people to provide comment to the Department of Primary Industries and Water on the final recommendations provided by the RPDC.
The Report is available on the DPIW website at www.dpiw.tas.gov.au and the public comment period will be open for four weeks. Enquiries in relation to that process should be directed to DPIW.
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