The islands and waters of the Hinchinbrook area are of world importance. The exceptional scenic and recreational values dominate the Cassowary Coast identity and lifestyle, attracting regional, national and international visitors.    These exceptional natural values are our secure economic future but only if they are treated with respect.  We also have an international responsibility now and for our future generations to treat this world heritage listed area carefully and give it the strongest protection. 

The HAIMMP (The Hinchinbrook And Islands Marine Management Plan) will determine the future of our 'front yard'

If you haven't yet commented on this combined national park/marine park management plan, or wish to make further comments, please read  this  WORD document which you can adapt to make your own personal submission. 



The Draft HAIMMP is generally a good plan. It builds on management practices already in place and has increased protection where it has been recognised there is an increased risk of impacts.  Positive measures have been suggested to reduce impacts and enhance the visitor experience. 

Here is a word document with a structured set of comments and explanations prepared by the Alliance to Save Hinchinbrook (ASH) which you can use directly as a submission – but please add your own comments too - even if it is just a few words.    
You can change or add to this document with your own covering letter then email it to parkplans@derm.qld.gov.au 
The deadline for comments is 9th December 2011
Here are what long term residents are saying about the HAIMMP Plan 
Just received from Daryl Dickson - her inspiring words to accompany the ASH suggestions
Dear Sir/Madam

Please find below my comments on the draft Hinchinbrook Area Island and Marine Management Plan (HAIMMP), covering four island national parks (Hinchinbrook, Goold, Family Group including Dunk) and the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park surrounding the islands.

I strongly support the conservation and rehabilitation purpose of national and marine park management and the international responsibility of presenting this beautiful and wild part of the world heritage area for the appreciation of its intrinsic (natural) qualities.

The coastal area around Hinchinbrook Island and this part of the tropical coast are my home. I have had limited time since cyclone Yasi to formulate in detail a personal response to the proposed plan so have greatly appreciated the assistance of briefing notes and I endorse, support and submit the list of recommendations, (encl) made by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and advice from North Queensland Conservation Council and the Alliance to Save Hinchinbrook (ASH) as a template for my remarks.

I wish to see the long term high standard protection appropriate to world heritage values. I wish to ensure that the protection “cardinal principle” of National Parks Management is used; that is to ‘provide, to the greatest possible extent, for the permanent preservation of the area’s natural condition and the protection of the area’s cultural resources and values’ (Nature Conservation Act 1992). I do not wish the plan to use any principle that looks at this area as a “resource” for us to “use” rather than to “protect”. I find the terms “sustainable use, and orderly management” totally inappropriate for this purpose. I want our plan to be guided by the Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993:

4 The Parliament recognises that Australia’s obligation under the convention is to ensure the protection, conservation, presentation, rehabilitation, and transmission to future generations, of the natural heritage of the area.

5 It is the intention of the Parliament that the area should be established and maintained as a world heritage area of the highest standard."

I also believe that 2011 is a year that has shown us all just how vulnerable our environment is to damage caused by natural disaster. Data being collected at present is indicating significant change and loss to sea grass beds; turtles and dugongs are dying. Damage to coral reefs and islands are still being assessed. Our land based habitats are clearly illustrating that our past land use has not offered enough protection to our fragmented endangered ecosystems and species. The limited connectivity offered by our meager retention of narrow riparian areas has been to a large extent, lost. Please, let this plan offer the best protection we can to this precious landscape!

Yours sincerely

Daryl Dickson