The Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Bill recently signed into law provides for the establishment of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA), a new state agency under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government which will be responsible for consenting and enforcement functions under the Act.
Following significant consideration of the matter, it was concluded by Government decision in 2019, that development and activities for which the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is the appropriate Minister will continue to be regulated under the Foreshore Act and are thus excluded from the scope of the new consenting regime outlined in the recent Maritime Area Planning Bill. This continues to enable an applicant to apply for both an aquaculture licence and relevant foreshore licence from one Government source.
My Department will continue to engage with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as the MARA is established to ensure provision is made for early, effective and ongoing engagement on any developments which may affect the marine areas utilised by the seafood sector.