The Head of the Australian Antarctic Division, as delegate for the Director of National Parks, is inviting comments on the Draft Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve Management Plan.
The Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) Marine Reserve is Australia’s most remote Commonwealth marine reserve.
Expanded in January 2025, the reserve protects 380,631 square kilometres of land and sea, including the World Heritage listed islands and their territorial sea.
Photo: Gemma Woldendorp
The previous Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve Management Plan expired on 14 October 2024. The Australian Antarctic Division has worked closely with stakeholders to prepare the Draft Management Plan.
This consultation period provides an opportunity for stakeholders, and the public to provide feedback on the draft plan. The Australian Antarctic Division will consider all comments when finalising the new management plan, which will guide management of the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve and contained World and National Heritage property over the next ten years.
To comment on the Draft Management Plan:
- make a submission through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) Have Your Say Portal at: https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/; or
- send written comments via post to:
Protected Areas, Territories and Heritage Section
Australian Antarctic Division
PO Box 385
KINGSTON
TAS 7050
The public consultation is open from Monday 28 September until 11.59 pm AEST on Wednesday 28 October 2026.
For more information, including resources and instructions on how to make a submission, visit the Have Your Say Portal.
