When applying for a Marine Parks permit, make sure you have established that the environmental impacts of your proposed operations are acceptable. This is your responsibility.
Assessment criteria
There is a set of criteria that must be considered by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service when assessing your permit application:
- The objective of the zone to which access is required.
- The conservation of the natural resources of the Marine Park.
- The need to protect the cultural and heritage values held in relation to the Marine Park by traditional owners and other people.
- The likely effect of granting permission on future options for the Marine Park.
- The nature and scale of the proposed use in relation to the existing use and amenity, and the future or desired use and amenity of the relevant area and of nearby areas.
- The likely effects of the proposed use on adjoining and adjacent areas, and any possible effects of the proposed use on the environment and the adequacy of safeguards for the environment.
- The means of transport for entry into, use within, or departure from the designated area and the adequacy for aircraft or vessel mooring, landing, take off, parking, loading and unloading.
- In relation to any structure, landing area, farming facility, vessel or work to which the proposal relates:
- The health and safety aspects involved in relation to any structure, landing area, farming facility, vessel or work to which the proposal relates, including the adequacy of construction; and
- The arrangements for removal upon the expiration of the permission of the structure, landing area, farming facility or vessel or any other thing that is built, assembled, constructed or fixed in a position as a result of that use.
- The arrangements for making good any damage caused to the Marine Park by the proposed activity.
- Any other requirements for ensuring the orderly and proper management of the Marine Park.
- Any charge, collected amount or penalty amount that is overdue for payment by the applicant as the holder of a chargeable permission (whether or not the permission is in force) that is overdue for payment.
- Any late payment penalty that is payable by the applicant as the holder of a chargeable permission (whether or not the permission is in force).
- If the application relates to an undeveloped project - the cost of which will be large - the capacity of the applicant to satisfactorily develop the project.
World Heritage values
The Marine Parks are part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. This formally recognizes the Great Barrier Reef as an internationally significant natural area. While assessing your application, the effect of your proposal on the World Heritage values of the Marine Parks must be considered.
National significance
If your proposal is likely to have a significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance you may also be required to refer the project under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (see Related Links). This rarely happens with tourism applications.
Impacts on other users
If it is considered that your proposal may restrict reasonable use by the public of a part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, you may be required to undertake public notification of the proposal and invite public comments. The comments are then considered in assessing the application. Evidence of support from users who may be affected by your proposed operation will assist the application process.
Examples of proposals that may require public advertising include new pontoons and innovative structures or activities.
Native Title
Soon after an application is received, its details are provided to Representative Bodies and Native Title claimants. There is a period of up to 31 days to provide comment. Any comments received are considered in assessing the application. This is a requirement under the Native Title Act 1993.
