At the same time, visitation information provided when EMC is submitted greatly assists the GBRMPA and the Department of Environment and Resource Management, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) in developing management arrangements for sustainable use of the Marine Park.

Does it apply to me?

The role of the permittee is to collect and remit the EMC to the GBRMPA by the due date in accordance with Part 8 of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 1983 (the Regulations).

As a permittee in the Marine Park, you are responsible for:

• Collecting the correct amount of the EMC
• Keeping accurate and up-to-date records of the EMC
• Submitting the logbooks to the GBRMPA by the due date, even where there is no activity
• Remitting all payments quarterly to the GBRMPA by the due date
• Accurately advertising the EMC.

Regardless of private business arrangements you may make, you are reminded that as the permittee you have the responsibility to ensure compliance with the conditions of your permit and to ensure the full and timely lodgement of all EMC returns and payments.

You are not required to pay GST on any EMC collected.

How it works

Keeping Records

• EMC logbooks and charging returns are provided by the GBRMPA to permitees at the beginning of each calendar year, and to new permittees a few weeks after the granting of a permit. The GBRMPA encourages the use of electronic log books to submit EMC data.
• The logbook is provided for you to record the number of visitors you carried, the amount of EMC payable and all locations you visited on a daily basis.
• A charging return is where you summarise the information from the logbook pages regarding the amount of EMC due at the end of each quarter. It is a legal requirement to send the charging return and logbook pages to the GBRMPA even where there is no EMC payable.

Charging Returns

• Charging Return Beach Hire Operations
• Charging Return Mariculture Operations
• Charging Return Marina Operations
• Charging Return Pontoon Operations
• Charging Return Underwater Observatory Operations
• Charging Return Vending Operations
• Charging Return Point Source Sewage Discharge
  
• Charging Return Summary Form
• NIL Return

Electronic logbooks

Permittees with bareboat and aircraft operations are now required to submit electronic logbooks. Permittees with vessel operations are also encouraged to complete electronic logbooks.  Electronic logbooks are supplied to permittees and are also available for download:

• Electronic Logbook for Vessel Programs
• Electronic Logbook for Bareboat Programs
• Electronic Logbook for Aircraft Programs

Or email EMC and request a logbook be emailed to you.

The GBRMPA encourages all permittees to complete and submit their EMC activities on electronic logbooks.

For multiple permits or vessels

In addition to the quarterly Charging Return, please fill out a Charging Return Summary Form  if you have any of the following:

• multiple operations (including multiple vessels on the one permit)
• multiple permits

You will need to contact the GBRMPA and register as a multi-permit user. A Charging Return Summary Form must be submitted to the GBRMPA with your Charging Returns.

Contact the GBRMPA on (07) 4750 0700 or by emailing EMC      

What are the charges?

• The majority of visitors pay the standard tourist programme charge of  $5.50 per day, subject to concessions and exemptions. The permittee holder is required to collect the charge from the visitor.
• A different scale of charges applies to other commercial operations. Please refer to the Environmental Management Charge Fee Schedule for full information.