South Coast Regional Marine Planning Advisory Group

South coast communities are being offered the chance to meet members of an advisory group helping to plan for the future of the unique south coast marine environment.

The South Coast Regional Marine Planning Advisory Group has so far met in Albany and Esperance as part of the Regional Marine Planning Initiative announced by the State Government in September last year.

"The group was formed in May to provide advice on a strategic plan to better integrate planning and management for marine uses," said group chairman Roger Lewis.

"The 15 members are drawn from a diverse range of marine users whose interests cover commercial and recreational fishing, aquaculture, marine conservation, tourism, the maritime industry, diving, boating, Aboriginal interests and petroleum exploration," he said.

The group's next meetings will be held in Augusta from 12 to 14 September and Denmark from 17 to 19 October.  During these meetings, local people with an interest in the future of the south coast marine environment will have an opportunity to meet members of the advisory group. Details will be published in local newspapers.

The third meeting of the advisory group was held in Esperance over three days last month, and included a public forum.  About 20 local people attended the forum at which they learnt about the regional marine planning process and had a chance to ask questions and talk to members of the advisory group.

"There will be other opportunities for people to get involved in this planning process," Mr Lewis said.

"Later this year we will be commencing a series of community information exchanges, at towns including Esperance, Hopetoun, Bremer Bay, Albany, Denmark, Manjimup and Augusta as well as in Kalgoorlie, Kojonup and Perth.

"We are also working on a website that will allow people to provide feedback and we aim to present a draft marine strategic plan to the Minister for the Environment in the middle of 2008.  The draft will subsequently be released for public comment."

Media contact:  Media Relations on 6467 5555