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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-02-05 Daily Xml
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MARINE PARKS

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:49): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation a question relating to the marine parks advertising campaign.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: On the weekend, the minister announced a marine parks advertising campaign, which would involve television, cinema screen advertising, print, billboards, bus shelters and the internet. The controversial aspects of the marine park sanctuary zones do not come into effect until October next year. I ask the minister:

1. What is the total budget for the government's proposed marine parks advertising campaign?

2. Why does the government consider that it is timely to launch a multiplatform advertising campaign 18 months before the marine park sanctuary zones take effect?

3. Does the government's advertising campaign comply with all relevant government guidelines authorising government advertising?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:00): I thank the honourable member for his very, very important question on what will ultimately be the jewel in our parks' crown, our marine parks system in South Australia. The establishment of the marine parks program is one of the most significant and important conservation programs ever undertaken in our state.

Management plans for South Australia's 19 marine parks were finalised and adopted in November 2012. The establishment of a network of marine parks has been 10 years in the making and has been a major investment in the long-term future of our environment and the prosperity of our state. I understand that over 35,000 people have been involved in consultations over the past few years, but many other South Australians may not be aware of the changes that have been associated with marine parks. That is why we need to embark on a public education program, to ensure that the South Australian community is aware of our new marine parks, of why the parks are so important, and how they can best use and enjoy them.

The marine parks education program will include TV, print, digital and outdoor advertising as well as a range of educational resources and other online information. It will also include a range of community engagement activities, such as shopping centre information days and regional roadshows. The education program will help people understand that they can enjoy all their favourite activities in marine parks but that in the sanctuary areas of marine parks, which take up only about 6 per cent of state waters, fishing will not be permitted from October 2014.

The program will reassure people that they are still able to fish from all jetties, boat ramps and popular beaches, even next to sanctuary zones. We are confident people will do the right thing once they know where the sanctuary zones are and where they can fish. There is a range of resources available to show people where they can fish, including maps, brochures and the MyParks smartphone app, which can be downloaded from the marine parks website (and which I cannot do because I do not have a smartphone). In addition—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: Not smart enough to use one, that's the trouble.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: That's probably true, too. The Hon. Mr Ridgway says that he and I probably cannot use one. I see that he is trying to make sure that his works now, with no great success that I see from over here.

The PRESIDENT: You will ignore his interjections, minister.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: That's right, sir, I will. In addition, a recreational fishing magazine is being developed with RecFish SA and the Sunday Mail to help people get to know some of the best places to fish in marine parks. Sir, I understand that some of your favourite secret places might find their way into that publication as well—you probably should not have made a submission. Marine parks will provide protection for some of South Australia's—

The Hon. G.E. Gago interjecting:

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Knowing you, Mr President, you might have been misleading people as to your favourite places to fish! However, I should not be reflecting on the position of the Chair and I withdraw that unreservedly.

The PRESIDENT: I agree. Get back to the question, will you?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Marine parks will provide protection for some of South Australia's most iconic and ecologically important areas. Our marine parks are zoned for multiple uses, meaning that people can still enjoy their favourite pastimes and activities, whether it be swimming, diving, boating or fishing.

Sir, as an angler yourself you would understand how important it is to protect our fragile habitats and breeding sites of some of our best loved marine life. There is a great deal of evidence that tells us that global marine environments are under pressure from human activity. Marine life is increasingly under threat due to human population growth and the development that goes along with that, and pollution. Given that there is a greater variety of marine life, I am advised, in southern Australian waters than is present on the Great Barrier Reef, the state government recognises the importance of protecting and preserving this habitat for future generations. Here in South Australia it is important to consider that about 85 per cent of the marine plants and animals living in southern Australian waters cannot be found anywhere else on earth.

The state government expects that marine parks will bring many economic benefits to our state. Industries such as seafood, tourism and recreational fishing all rely on a healthy and sustainable marine environment. The creation of marine parks will support the long-term security of these industries. Where marine parks have been created elsewhere, we know that significant benefits to industry, local communities and economies have resulted. I am confident that the former minister for tourism, the Hon. Gail Gago, my leader, will agree the addition of marine parks to the South Australian landscape will only boost our already thriving tourism industry.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: That's why Qantas stopped the flights, is it? There are so many mixed messages today, so many mixed messages.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Ridgway!

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: I am sure the current minister in the other place would agree as well. As I said earlier, our marine parks are some 10 years in the making and the state government is confident that, through the extensive and thorough consultation with the community and stakeholders that has taken place, we have struck the right balance in protecting the environment and keeping our economy and regional communities strong.

We have ensured that recreational fishing is largely unaffected. As I have previously stated, you can still fish at all jetties, breakwaters and popular beaches—boat ramps, I should say—and the management plans for South Australia's 19 marine parks were adopted on 29 November 2012 and implementation of the marine parks is well underway. This is a fantastic outcome for our state, for all South Australians and will help to keep the South Australian habitats as beautiful, rare and unique, to be enjoyed by all of us.

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