The Gulf Regional Planning Advisory Committee was first convened in December 1997 to oversee the preparation of the Gulf Regional Development Plan. It last met in July 2008 and is currently inactive. The committee comprises 22 members and an executive officer from the department.

Membership is drawn from:

• local government
• Aboriginal community councils
• state and federal government
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission
• Aboriginal land councils
• The Gulf Savannah Tourism Organisation.

Substantial effort has been made to give all communities and individuals the chance to understand and comment on proposals recommended in the Gulf Regional Development Plan.