Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018C00019:front:0:p3
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018C00019
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 5450–8456

scenic aircraft flights and cruise ships. The area is very popular for recreational sailing, snorkelling, fishing and accessing adjacent islands. An indication of its popularity is the continuing growth in recreational vessel registrations for the adjacent coastal communities. The area is also used for commercial fishing, research, education and traditional uses.
  The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and particularly the Planning Area is facing increased pressures which can impact on the resilience of the ecosystems and the services and values they provide to the community. One of the key objectives of the Plan is to balance the protection of a wide range of significant values with ongoing ecologically sustainable use by multiple users. The Plan is intended to reduce or eliminate threats to the values of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, including the following values:
 (a) nature conservation values;
 (b) cultural and heritage values;
 (c) community (including scientific) values.
  Part 1 of the Plan outlines the values, issues and management strategies. Part 2 contains the enforcement provisions to enact key strategies. These are considered within the context of managing the entire Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
  Effective management is achieved through review of the Plan in response to new information and changing uses. To date, the Plan has been amended in 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2017. The key considerations in the 2017 amendments are:
 (a) updating the Part 1 provisions to better align with current strategic management; and
 (b) increasing flexibility of access for user groups, particularly superyachts (more than 35 metres to less than 70 metres in overall length) and motorised water sport users, while maintaining a range of experiences for all visitors (i.e. remote to developed); and
 (c) expanding regular seaplane landing areas to address practicality concerns for take‑off and landings and increased opportunities for daily scenic flights; and
 (d) ceasing reef walking as a permitted activity.
  The Authority will continue to make amendments to the Plan as required, subject to statutory requirements.
  Successful management is achieved through ongoing partnerships. Traditional Owners, all levels of government (particularly the Joint Field Management Program arrangements with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service), the tourism industry, other industries and the local community all contribute to the continued recognition and management of the Planning Area. To ensure use of the Planning Area can occur without threatening the values of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the Authority encourages the Plan to be complemented by widespread use of responsible reef practices and cooperative working arrangements.

Contents
Foreword
Part 1—Management of the Whitsunday Planning Area
Division 1—Preliminary
1.1 Name of this Plan
1.2 Application of this Plan
1.3 Intent of this Plan
1.4 Interpretation
Division 2—Overview of values of the Planning Area