What is Environmental Impact Assessment? 

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a formal process for evaluating the likely possible risks or effect on the environment of a proposed activity or development. Common activities where a detailed EIA process is undertaken by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) include developments within the Marine Park such as pontoons, jetties, pipelines, dredging and marinas.

What are the benefits of Environmental Impact Assessment?

EIA is a process that allows information to be compiled to evaluate whether an approval (permit) or refusal will be in the best interest of the community. Assessment criteria include ecological, social, economic, Indigenous interests, as well as current and future use of the proposed location.

Risk management allows the systematic application of management policies, procedures and programs to identify, analyse, assess, treat and monitor risks. Risk management involves the acceptance of risks and taking actions to manage, reduce, transfer or eliminate them proportionate to the level of risk involved.

What is the process of Environmental Impact Assessment at the GBRMPA?

There are four main stages of EIA: scoping, assessment, implementation and audit. For more information view the Environmental Impact Management Policy.[900KB]

Applicants are invited to contact the GBRMPA at an early scoping stage to discuss their general proposal, its scale and proposed location. Applicants must also consider whether their proposal should be referred to the Commonwealth Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) under the provisions of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.

Where the grant of a permit may restrict the public's reasonable use of a part of the Marine Park, the GBRMPA may require that the applicant publish a notice to the public.

What is the process for public advertising? 

View the full process to conduct public advertising or submit comment on an application.

How much does an application cost and how long does it take?

Assessment costs for an application to the GBRMPA vary from approximately $650 to over $90 000. For complex developments a consultant(s) may need to be employed by the developer for specialist studies. If a permit is granted there may be additional costs associated with monitoring and supervising permit conditions. The GBRMPA has a policy of recovering these costs from the developer.

A major project will generally take between six months to three years for planning, assessment, construction and management. In some cases very large projects may continue to develop over ten years or more and require ongoing management by the GBRMPA.