Legislative Council Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2) 51 2 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Answers to Questions Answers to Questions Encounter Marine Park ENCOUNTER MARINE PARK The Hon. M. PARNELL Legislative Council ENCOUNTER MARINE PARK 207 The Hon. M. PARNELL (6 March 2008). What is the timeline for the Encounter Marine Protected Area to be ratified? The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health ENCOUNTER MARINE PARK The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health): I am advised that: The Encounter Marine Park process has served as a 'pilot', which helped define how all South Australian marine parks should be created, and informed the development of the required legislation, which was passed by parliament in November 2007. Any further development of the Encounter Marine Park must follow the process set out in the new legislation. No step can be skipped and public comment is required along the way. The timeline for the Encounter Marine Park is: Step 1—August 2008 (anticipated): An outer boundary will be released for public comment. Step 2—Early 2009: Public information will be invited, to help prepare a draft management plan with zoning arrangements. Step 3—Late 2009: Broad public consultation on the draft management plan will be held. Step 4—2010: Management plan will be finalised. Only once these four steps have been completed the Encounter Marine Park will become operational.