What is public advertising?

Where the grant of a permit may restrict the reasonable use of part of the Marine Park by the public (for example, for developments such as pontoons, jetties, pipelines, dredging and marinas) the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) sometimes require the applicant to conduct public advertising of the proposal.

This process requires the applicant to advertise the proposal in a newspaper circulating generally in that part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park adjacent to the proposed development, and to develop information packages to be made available to the public during a defined public comment period. This provides an opportunity for members of the public to make informed comment on major permit applications. Comments are considered by the GBRMPA when making its decision on whether to grant the permit.

I am a permit applicant. What steps should I follow to conduct public advertising?

Here are the steps that you should follow to conduct public advertising in accordance with your obligations (note: the GBRMPA will notify you in writing when public advertising is required):

1. Prepare an information package for public use. Information packages can include:

• A project introduction/words about the company applying for the permit
• An overview of works or program to be undertaken, including, if relevant, construction, works and/or operation facts and timelines
• A description of how environmental impact will be managed
• Maps of the proposed location, showing relevant site management arrangements (zoning, settings etc) and if relevant, a drawing of the proposal
• How the proposal will impact access by other users
• Frequently Asked Questions, relevant policies and contact details.

2. Draft a public notice advertisement (following the standard format) to be published in a local Queensland newspaper circulating in the area adjacent to the location of your proposal (e.g. Whitsunday times, Townsville Bulletin, Cairns Post...). Contact the local newspaper to arrange a suitable publishing date (at your expense), preferably on a Saturday.

3. Submit a copy of your information package and advertisement to the GBRMPA for approval, at least 21 days before the intended publishing date. This information package will be made available from both the GBRMPA website and – if applicable - your own company’s website on the same day the advertisement is published in the newspaper. The GBRMPA will generally prepare a news release on the application and public advertising process, concurrently with the advertising.

4. On the agreed date, advertise the proposal and upload your information package on your website. The period for public comment is a minimum of 30 days but it may be extended - for example, if it overlaps with a public holiday period.

5. Following the public comment period, the GBRMPA may issue a news release and/or schedule a meeting to discuss the outcome of the public comment phase.

If the GBRMPA considers that meetings with stakeholders are required they will contact you. Once the public comment period has ended, the GBRMPA will prepare a Summary of Submissions Report which will be published on its GBRMPA website and circulated to you and all those who sent in submissions.

I am a community member. How do I make a submission on an application?

The opportunity for the public to comment on a proposal is an important part of the GBRMPA environmental assessment processes. As part of that process, interested parties are invited to contact the GBRMPA for more information, or to make a written submission in relation to the proposal.

Send written submissions to:

Attention: Director, Environmental Assessment & Management

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
PO Box 1379
TOWNSVILLE QLD 4810

Fax (07) 4772 6093

Email permits@gbrmpa.gov.au

A template form is available and may assist you in drafting your own submission.

Current applications

• Great Keppel Island Marina and Tourism development (GKI Resort Pty Ltd)
• Keswick Island jetty development (Keswick Developments Pty Ltd)
  

Related information

• View summary reports of previous applications