APPROVED MANAGEMENT PLAN This Management Plan has been prepared under section 17D of the National Parks Act 1975 (Vic.) and is approved for implementation. PROF. LYNDSAY NEILSON Secretary to the Department of Sustainability and Environment The plan provides the basis for the future management of Cape Howe Marine National Park. It was finalised following consideration of the 18 submissions received on the Draft Management Plan. MARK STONE Chief Executive Parks Victoria
reflected in the park’s planning and management, in accordance with legislation and policies, and through strong cooperative working relationships with the relevant Indigenous communities. Historic relics and places including shipwrecks will be conserved by protecting them from damaging activities. Maritime and other cultural heritage will be interpreted off-site, with priority given to the historic theme ‘Shipping Along the Coast’. Visitors’ safety and their understanding and appreciation of the park’s natural and cultural values will be enhanced by information, interpretation and education programs, which will be integrated with management of the adjoining Croajingolong National Park (Cape Howe Wilderness Zone) and nearby Gabo Island Lighthouse Reserve. Visitors will be encouraged to minimal-impact techniques and to adhere to industry-developed standards appropriate to their activity. Opportunities for the community and other stakeholders to work together and with Parks Victoria to achieve common goals for the park will be promoted. Impacts of illegal harvesting will be minimised through information, education, interpretation and improved surveillance and enforcement. 1 This management plan adopts the spellings used by the Native Title Unit, Department of Justice. There are a number of alternative spellings and pronunciations. For the Bidwell these include: ‘Bidawal’, ‘Biduelli’, Bid doo wal’, ‘Bidwal’, ‘Biduell-mittang’, ‘Bidwilli’, ‘Bidwelli’, ‘Birtowell’, ‘Biddiwell’, ‘Birtowall’ and ‘Birdhawal’.
proposal for a Victoria – New South Wales marine protected area. The Victorian Government accepted these recommendations for Cape Howe Marine National Park with alterations, including the exclusion of an area incorporating the Iron Prince Reef (approximately 303 ha) from the park. In addition, commercial and recreational fishing was allowed to continue in the park until 1 April 2004 (Government of Victoria 2002). Policies and guidelines The park is managed in accordance with Parks Victoria’s operational policies and, as appropriate, consistent with other relevant policies and guidelines including: Victoria’s System of Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries Management Strategy 2003 – 2010 (Parks Victoria 2003a). Indigenous Partnership Strategy and Action Plan (Parks Victoria 2005a) Guidelines for Working with Aboriginal Communities and Protection of Cultural Sites (Parks Victoria 2002b) Victoria’s Biodiversity Strategy (NRE 1997a) National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia’s Biological Diversity (ANZECC 2001) National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development (COAG 1992) Heritage Management Strategy (Parks Victoria 2003b). The park is also managed within a broader context of a number of other plans and strategies, including: East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2005 (EGCMA 2005) Integrated Coastal Planning for Gippsland – Coastal Action Plan (GCB 2002) Nature Based Tourism – Directions and opportunities for Victoria 2000 – 2003 (Tourism Victoria 2000) Policy for Sustainable Recreation and Tourism on Public Land (NRE 2002) Victorian Coastal Strategy (VCC 2002) Victorian Heritage Strategy – Shipwrecks 2005 (Heritage Victoria 2000).