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Northern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy - Have Your Say!
Ostrea angasi Oysters - Fact Sheet
Domestic Violence is NEVER ok.
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Decisions about land use shape where services are delivered, how industries operate, how communities grow, and how climate and environmental risks are managed. Which is why councils are seeking input from stakeholders across industry, community, government and the broader public to take part in an upcoming online information and consultation session on the development of the Northern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy (NTRLUS).

What is the Northern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy? The Northern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy is a long-term plan that will guide how our region grows and changes over the coming decades. It will influence decisions about housing, infrastructure, transport, jobs, environmental protection, climate resilience and liveable communities across Northern Tasmania. This strategy is about setting clear regional directions so that growth is well-planned, sustainable and reflects what matters most to the people, organisations and industries who live and work here.

How can I participate?

Attend an information session: Register for a free, online 30min information sharing and consultation session on Tuesday 27 January. Please also share and promote through your networks.

These sessions will:

explain what the Regional Land Use Strategy is and what it will do
outline the opportunities to influence its direction
invite your views on what matters most for Northern Tasmania’s future

Complete and/or share the short community input survey: NTRLUS – Community input survey

Write a submission: Industry groups, peak bodies, community groups and organisations are encouraged to consider making a written submission. This is the single opportunity to clearly articulate what’s important to your sector and to help shape the strategic directions that will guide Northern Tasmania into the future. You can email your submission directly to rlus@ntdc.org.au

If you would like to complete a hard copy of the survey or submit a paper version of a formal submission, please visit Council offices, where our Senior Planning Officer will be able to assist you.

Why should your organisation get involved?

Because land use planning affects everyone. It shapes where we live, how we move around, how communities grow, how businesses operate, and how we protect what makes Northern Tasmania special. This is the key opportunity to influence the Strategy before it is drafted.

Your feedback will help ensure the final Strategy:

reflects the diversity of Northern Tasmania
responds to real community and industry needs
supports sustainable growth and long-term resilience

More information about the project, submissions and engagement opportunities is available on the Shaping Tasmania website.

We look forward to hearing your perspectives and working together to shape a Strategy that genuinely reflects Northern Tasmania.

Consultation closes: 5pm, Sunday 15 February 2026

What’s Happening?

Georges Bay has some of the best remaining Ostrea angasi oyster reefs in Australia. These oysters were heavily harvested from these reefs around the nation in the past, reducing the extent of the reefs to less than 10% of what they used to be according to a recent report. Despite this, the oyster reefs in Georges Bay are still strong and healthy, even with regular boating, fishing, growth of St Helens and sustainably managed commercial harvesting of angasi oysters.

You can find a copy of the Draft Report Here: consultation_document_ostrea_angasi_oyster_reefs_sa

What’s the Issue?

A new report from the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water describes ‘Ostrea angasi oyster reefs of southern Australia’ as a marine ecological community. The report tentatively finds that the Georges Bay reef community meets criteria of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) for listing it as Critically Endangered.

This is because the extent of the six remaining communities in southern Australia represents around 3% of what it was in the past. Georges Bay likely has the biggest and best examples of these communities in the southern hemisphere. This is significant considering that Georges Bay also supports commercial and recreational fishing, aquaculture, boating, tourism, and is located right in the heart of the largest township on the East Coast of Tasmania, St Helens.

You can find a copy of the Draft Conservation Advice for Ostrea angasi oyster reefs of southern Australia report here.

Break O Day Council submission- Ostrea angasi oyster reefs of southern Australia draft listing assessment – EPBC Act

Council was asked to comment on the report and share its thoughts on:

The tentative assessment that the oyster reefs qualify for listing as a nationally threatened community.

Questions in the report about the reef community and its management.

If we had extra information that might help with the finalising the report.

What Happens Next?

Feedback, such as ours and additional information from other stakeholders will be used to finalise the report, which will be sent on to the Minister responsible for the EPBC Act for a final decision on listing the reefs.

In considering the draft report, Council organised an online briefing session with experts from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, with Councillors and relevant staff attended. The listing and draft report were presented and discussed at the Council meeting on 17 March, with Council agreeing to make a submission supporting the tentative assessment but also raised concerns that the Bay’s community benefits and activities should be allowed to continue. This was based on the fact that the angasi community in Georges Bay is still thriving despite the level activity already occurring. You can find a copy of the submission here.

Council’s Position & What It Means for our community

Council believes in balancing conservation with ongoing community activities and has made this clear in our letter to the Department. This is in line with our Strategic Plan which supports protecting nature while making sure people can still enjoy and use the Bay responsibly.

A Special Natural Environment: The Ostrea angasi reefs in Georges Bay are a unique and valuable part of our local marine environment. These reefs not only support marine biodiversity but also enhance water quality by filtering the bay’s waters. Their presence makes Georges Bay a special place, offering locals and visitors the chance to enjoy a pristine and ecologically significant waterway.

Living with Industry: The reefs have remained healthy with extensive oyster farming in the Bay, boating, fishing and the growth of St Helens. This demonstrates responsible industry, development and the conservation of the natural environment can work hand in hand, benefiting both the community and the local economy.

Sustainable Practices: The sustainably managed commercial harvesting of Ostrea angasi oysters from these reefs has provided valuable scientific data that helps researchers understand the nature and healthy condition of the reefs. This knowledge and experience is helping inform decisions about conservation efforts and ensuring the reefs continue to thrive and produce for years to come.

Will This Affect Boating & Fishing? If the reef community is listed as threatened under the EPBC Act, activities that significantly damage them—such as actions that reduce their extent or disrupt their natural processes—would have to be considered to manage them so the reef community is not pushed further towards extinction. Everyday activities like boating, fishing, and oyster farming, which have coexisted with the reefs for decades, are not expected to be affected in the short term. The listing would simply mean the Act requires us to do what we have been getting right, and continue looking after reefs in Georges Bay.

Looking Ahead: Protecting these reefs ensures that Georges Bay remains a thriving and healthy waterway for future generations. Conservation efforts would support the continued enjoyment of the Bay for recreation, tourism, and industry, making it an even more attractive destination. Council is committed to preserving this balance, ensuring the environment, community, and local economy all benefit from a sustainable future.

For more information:

You can find a video from the Nature Conservancy on the Georges Bay angasi Oyster reef below:

You can find the Draft report and more information from the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, and the Environment here: https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/ostrea-angasi-oyster-reefs-of-southern-australia.

And links for more information on

the EPBC Act,

it’s processes for listing of threatened biodiversityand

processes for things listed under the Act.

——————————————————————————————————-

https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/ostrea-angasi-oyster-reefs-of-southern-australia

https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/epbc

https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened/nominations

https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/epbc/approvals

FYI – in DCCEEW report with reef Pic: “Ostrea angasi oyster reef © Chris Gillies, The Nature Conservancy”

Did you know that almost 1 in 20 Tasmanian women have experienced violence? Or that 17% of Tasmanian women have experienced sexual
harassment? Even more worrying than these stats is that on average in Australia, one woman is killed every week by a current or former partner.

This is not good enough and we all must do more.

Break O’Day Council will not tolerate domestic violence in our community.

Domestic violence is defined by the Australian Government as including:
behaviour or threats that aim to control a partner by causing fear or threatening their safety.

Domestic and family violence can include:
• hitting;
• choking;
• denying essential money to the partner or family;
• isolating the partner from friends and family;
• insulting or constantly criticising the partner;
• forcing the partner to have sex; and
• threatening children or pets.

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, they are not alone and there are a range of support services available to help. You can find information and links to support services at www.staysafefromviolence.tas.gov.au.

We have also included some
quick link phone numbers below.
• If you are in immediate danger, Call the Police on 000

Support services include:
• Safe at Home Family Violence Response – 1800 633 937
• 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)
• Men’s Referral service to counsel men who use family violence –
1300 766 491
• LifeLine: 131114
• Kids Help Line: 1800 551 800

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