Ms McCARTHY - 2005-10-12
The draft Parks and Conservation Master Plan is being advertising quite extensively at the moment. Could you provide the House with an update on just where the plan is?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arnhem for her question. I had the pleasure of launching the draft Parks and Conservation Master Plan on 12 September 2005, which has now gone out for an eight-week public comment period. I acknowledge my predecessor, the member for Johnston, who had carriage of the Parks and Wildlife portfolio and had seen a lot of the work and development happen. As the minister who now has carriage, it has been great to realise this document which has been the result of our government’s commitment to develop a long-term plan for conservation in the Territory.
The draft master plan provides the future direction for conservation of the Northern Territory’s wonderful diversity of plant and animals, our biological diversity and for the continued development of our parks and reserves over the next 15 years. All relevant stakeholders, industry groups, as well as both the Northern and Central Land Councils were involved, not only with the development but also present at the launch. They have had quite extensive involvement over an 18-month period.
The master plan explores a full range of issues concerning the conservation of the Northern Territory’s biodiversity across all land tenure, including Aboriginal and pastoral lands as well as the marine environment. The draft master plan focuses on three key areas. The first is setting the priorities for biodiversity and conservation; establishing partnerships in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; and providing new directions for the Northern Territory’s parks and reserves.
Mrs Braham: Are you going to have public meetings?
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Member for Braitling, if you listen, I will get to the point of when the consultations close and how you can have input.
It is important that we ensure everyone in the community, as well as members, has access to the draft master plan, and they have their say on its content and the direction that we are taking. We have also undertaken an extensive advertising campaign. The members sitting opposite, as members on this side, would have seen the many advertisements on television, heard it on the radio, and seen the advertisements in the local newspapers. There have been displays at our shows, community forums, at council offices and individual and community group meetings. The member for Blain has also had quite an extensive briefing in my office on the parks master plan. There is also an informative web site that I would encourage all members to visit; that is www.parksmasterplan.nt.gov.au.
An informed and interested public is critical to the success of the master plan, because this is about leaving a legacy that will benefit Territorians and all generations to come by protecting our special environment. I encourage everybody in the House to contribute. Submissions close on 4 November, member for Braitling, and the draft master plan will be revised based on the many community consultations that we will have right throughout the Northern Territory - not only in the Top End because there are a lot of parks which I am sure the members in Central Australia will have a real interest in. I look forward to releasing the final master plan by the end of the year.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arnhem for her question. I had the pleasure of launching the draft Parks and Conservation Master Plan on 12 September 2005, which has now gone out for an eight-week public comment period. I acknowledge my predecessor, the member for Johnston, who had carriage of the Parks and Wildlife portfolio and had seen a lot of the work and development happen. As the minister who now has carriage, it has been great to realise this document which has been the result of our government’s commitment to develop a long-term plan for conservation in the Territory.
The draft master plan provides the future direction for conservation of the Northern Territory’s wonderful diversity of plant and animals, our biological diversity and for the continued development of our parks and reserves over the next 15 years. All relevant stakeholders, industry groups, as well as both the Northern and Central Land Councils were involved, not only with the development but also present at the launch. They have had quite extensive involvement over an 18-month period.
The master plan explores a full range of issues concerning the conservation of the Northern Territory’s biodiversity across all land tenure, including Aboriginal and pastoral lands as well as the marine environment. The draft master plan focuses on three key areas. The first is setting the priorities for biodiversity and conservation; establishing partnerships in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; and providing new directions for the Northern Territory’s parks and reserves.
Mrs Braham: Are you going to have public meetings?
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Member for Braitling, if you listen, I will get to the point of when the consultations close and how you can have input.
It is important that we ensure everyone in the community, as well as members, has access to the draft master plan, and they have their say on its content and the direction that we are taking. We have also undertaken an extensive advertising campaign. The members sitting opposite, as members on this side, would have seen the many advertisements on television, heard it on the radio, and seen the advertisements in the local newspapers. There have been displays at our shows, community forums, at council offices and individual and community group meetings. The member for Blain has also had quite an extensive briefing in my office on the parks master plan. There is also an informative web site that I would encourage all members to visit; that is www.parksmasterplan.nt.gov.au.
An informed and interested public is critical to the success of the master plan, because this is about leaving a legacy that will benefit Territorians and all generations to come by protecting our special environment. I encourage everybody in the House to contribute. Submissions close on 4 November, member for Braitling, and the draft master plan will be revised based on the many community consultations that we will have right throughout the Northern Territory - not only in the Top End because there are a lot of parks which I am sure the members in Central Australia will have a real interest in. I look forward to releasing the final master plan by the end of the year.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016