What is a plan of management?
Parks and reserves established under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 need to have a plan of management. The plan includes information on important park values and provides directions for future management. The plan of management is a legal document, and after the plan is adopted all operations and activities in the park must be in line with the plan. From time to time plans of management are amended to support changes to park management.
The National Parks and Wildlife Act sets out the matters that need to be considered when preparing a plan of management. These matters are addressed in the supporting Kamay Botany Bay National Park: Planning Considerations document. This document will be updated where appropriate; for example, to include new information on the values of the park (e.g. new threatened species) or new management approaches (e.g. a new pest management technique) or new park programs.
Why is the plan of management being updated?
The current plan of management was approved in 2002. Many things have changed in the last 16 years, so a new plan is needed. The draft plan has been substantially updated to take account of new information, listing of the park on the State Heritage Register, new conservation management plans for the park, and a range of projects undertaken in collaboration with the community. A draft master plan is also being prepared to guide the enhancement of the Kurnell precinct of the park.
The new draft plan of management supports implementation the master plan and sets out future management priorities for the whole park.
Consultation on the new plan of management and master plan is occurring at the same time, to ensure the community can comment on both planning processes at the same time.
What opportunities will the community have to comment on the draft plans?
Public consultation on the draft plan of management and draft master plan closed on 2 August 2018.