Local Marine Advisory Committees – Mackay and Whitsunday

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is advised on Marine Park management issues at a local level by voluntary community-based committees called Local Marine Advisory Committees (LMAC). Established in 1999, the committees enable local communities to have effective input into managing the Marine Park and provide a community forum for interest groups, government and the community to discuss issues around marine resources. There is one LMAC in Mackay and one in the Whitsundays.

The purpose of the Local Marine Advisory Committees (LMACs) is to:
– improve the involvement and support of local communities in the managing the ecologically, socially and economically sustainable use, and the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
– advise GBRMPA and other World Heritage Area agencies on issues and policies relating to specific activities, conservation, environment, public information and education concerning their local catchment, marine and coastal region
– facilitate communication between user groups in the local community
– promote the exchange of information and raise awareness of issues impacting on the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem.

This helps GBRMPA and other management agencies keep in touch with marine and coastal issues at a local level and understand the use of the Marine Park. These committees provide both an advisory and a communication role between the community and GBRMPA.

Committees meet up to five times a year and after each meeting a communique is produced and posted on our website.
During the LMAC term, we will facilitate and sponsor a meeting to bring together chairs from each of the 12 LMACs. This meeting provides an opportunity to review the progress of LMAC work programs and to discuss issues of concern as well as the current priorities for the community and the agency.