An officer from GBRMPA providing an update to Gladstone LMAC members about the 2016 mass bleaching event.
Multi-sectoral Advisory Committees
A field day attended by LMAC members helps them to learn about some of the environmental issues in their area.
3 different types of advisory committees support the management of the GBR, each with differing responsibilities:
• Local Marine Advisory Committees (LMACs): community-based committees at 12 major towns along the GBR coast. They provide a two-way flow of information between the community and the GBR managers, and advice at the local level. Managers are required to attend all meetings to hear community views and discuss local marine/coastal issues. LMAC members are voluntary and may represent a community or industry group or be independent.
• Reef Advisory Committees (RACs): expertise-based RACs provide expert-advice for critical issues facing the GBR (such issues as catchment and ecosystem management; Indigenous Partnerships; and tourism/recreation). RAC members are appointed for a three year term from stakeholders with expertise and experience in the critical issue. RACs meet formally with GBRMPA officers 2-3 times per year to assist in developing policy and provide strategic advice for GBR management; RAC Chairpersons also meet periodically with the GBRMPA Board.
•Reef 2050 Advisory Committee: formally advises the GBR Ministerial Forum, including strategic advice about implementation of the Reef 2050 Plan and GBR management.
• Having a clear objective in the Act that encourages “… engagement in the protection and management of the GBR by interested persons and groups, including Queensland and local governments, communities, Indigenous persons, business and industry” has proven to be very beneficial (see Section 2A (2b)).
• A comprehensive Charter of Operations provides clear guidance as to how LMACs and RACs must operate.
• The three differing types of committees cover a broad range of technical and geographical advice, thereby strengthening the overall legitimacy of that advice.
• A member of the GBRMPA Senior Management Team is allocated to each LMAC and must attend meetings with the dual aims to build rapport with the locals and report back to senior management.
• An independent Chair for each RAC and LMAC is appointed by the GBRMPA Chairman to help ensure effective committee meetings and outcomes.
• An annual meeting of all LMAC Chairs has proven useful for cross-fertilization of ideas and to facilitate interaction between the 12 LMACs.
• Sitting fees are not paid to any members to attend these committees; however, travel costs are covered for members to attend RAC and Reef 2050 meetings.
• Minutes of RAC meetings are not for public distribution; however a summary report is publicly-available after each RAC meeting summarising the major items discussed at the meeting (see ‘Resources’ below).