The Parks and Wildlife Service, together with Tasmanian consultancy firm Inspiring Place, invite public and interested parties input into the development of a new draft Maria Island National Park and Ile Des Phoques Nature Reserve Management Plan (the management plan) and draft Maria Island National Park Darlington Site Plan (the site plan).
Visitation to the island has grown substantially in recent years with visitors coming to learn about the rich human history of the island and its marine reserve, along with its pristine beaches and ever-present wildlife. Maria Island is also deeply etched in the Aboriginal history of Tasmania.
The current plans were created before the World Heritage listing of the Darlington Probation Station in 2010 so it is timely that we ensure that our management of this national park and World Heritage listed site are guided by contemporary plans.
Five Discussion Papers on the island's values and management challenges were released, each with a number of questions for the public to consider when providing input into the development of the draft management plan and site plan. A Background Information paper was also released. Links to these documents can be found in the Reference documents section below.
The pre-draft consultation period closed on 7 June 2021 (Stage 2) and the feedback received is now being analysed (Stage 3) and considered in the preparation of the draft management plan and draft site plan (Stage 4).
The draft plans will be released for public comment in early 2022.
Project stages
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| Stage 1 - Background research and preparation of discussion papers
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| Stage 2 - Consultation to inform the draft plans
- Release of discussion papers
- Call for input into the development of the draft plans
- Three public meetings - Triabunna, Launceston and Hobart
- Online feedback form
- Consultation with key stakeholders
- Analysis of feedback
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| Stage 3 - Preparation of the pre-draft consultation summary report for the management plan and site plan
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| Stage 4 - Preparation work on the Draft Maria Island National Park and Ile des Phoques Nature Reserve Management Plan and Draft Darlington Probation Station Convict World Heritage Site Plan
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| Stage 5 - Release of the Draft Maria Island National Park and Ile des Phoques Nature Reserve Management Plan and Draft Darlington Probation Station Convict World Heritage Site Plan for public comment. The pre-draft consultation summary report will also be released at this time.
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| Stage 6 - Consultation on the draft plans
- Call for representations on the draft plans
- Comment via written submission and online feedback survey
- Three public meetings - Triabunna, Launceston and Hobart
- Analysis of feedback
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| Stage 7a - Preparation of the Director's Report for the Draft Maria Island National Park and Ile des Phoques Nature Reserve Management Plan (the Director's Report)
- Analysis of submissions
- Preparation of proposed amendments to the draft management plan
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| Stage 7b - Preparation of the final Darlington Probation Station Convict World Heritage Site Plan
- Analysis of submissions
- Preparation of the final site plan for approval
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| Stage 8 - Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) review the Director's Report
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| Stage 9 - Preparation of the final Maria Island National Park and Ile des Phoques Nature Reserve Management Plan
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| Stage 10a - Approval of the final Maria Island National Park and Ile des Phoques Nature Reserve Management Plan
- Minister's approval
- Governor of Tasmania approval
- Australian Government approval
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| | | Stage 10b - Approval of the final Darlington Probation Station Convict World Heritage Site Plan
- Minister's Approval
- Australian Government approval
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Key dates
Release of discussion papers - Friday 23 April 2021
Call for input into the development of the draft plans - Friday 23 April 2021
- Public meetings
- Online
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Key stakeholder consultation
Close of comment period - 9.00am, Monday 7 June 2021
Release of draft plans for public comment - Early 2022
- Draft Maria Island National Park and Ile des Phoques Nature Reserve Management Plan
- Draft Darlington Probation Station World Heritage Site Plan
- the pre-draft consultation summary report will also be released at this time
Call for representations - Release of draft plans for public comment - Early 2022
- Public meetings - Triabunna, Launceston and Hobart
- Online feedback
Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) review - Early-Mid 2022
- TPC review of the Director's Report on the Draft Maria Island National Park and Ile des Phoques Nature Reserve Management Plan
Release of the approved site plan - Late 2022
- Release of the Darlington Probation Station World Heritage Site Plan
Release of the approved management plan - Late 2022
- Release of the approved Maria Island National Park and Ile des Phoques Nature Reserve Management Plan
Have your say
The pre-draft comment period has now closed. The submissions received are now being considered and the draft plans prepared for public release early in 2022.
There will be a further call for public comment on the draft plans at the time of their release.
Any questions about the project can be directed to the Project Manager at mariaislandplan@parks.tas.gov.au
Reference documents
Background Information about the revision of the Maria Island plans
(5Mb)
Discussion Paper - Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
(1Mb)
Discussion paper - Historic Heritage
(4Mb)
Discussion Paper - Natural Values
(5Mb)
Discussion Paper - Natural Marine Values
(3Mb)
Discussion Paper - Visitor Experience and Impacts
(4Mb)
Maria Island National Park and Ile Des Phoques Nature Reserve Management Plan 1998
(5Mb)
Maria Island National Park Darlington Site Plan 1998
(761Kb)
Maria Island Marine Reserve Brochure
(1Mb)