- On this page:
- Legislation specific to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
- Other Commonwealth legislation
- Queensland legislation
- International conventions
- More information
Legislation specific to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 is the primary legislation relating to the Marine Park and includes provisions which:
- establish the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Marine Park)
- establish the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Reef Authority), a Commonwealth authority responsible for the management of the Marine Park
- provide a framework for planning and management of the Marine Park, including through zoning plans, plans of management and a system of permissions
- prohibit most types of mining operations in the Great Barrier Reef Region
- require compulsory pilotage for certain ships in prescribed areas of the Great Barrier Reef Region
- provide for the appointment of inspectors, an investigation regime, and enforcement mechanisms including criminal enforcement action, civil penalties, administrative action, infringement notices and emergency powers.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 2019 support the Act and contain important rules relating to the Marine Park. Among other things, the Regulations provide for:
- Giving effect to, and enforcing the observance of, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan 2003 and Plans of Management
- The grant and management of permissions in the Marine Park
- The accreditation of Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreements (TUMRAs) entered into between Traditional Owners in respect of the Marine Park
- The regulation of the operation of vessels, property, and discharge of sewage in the Marine Park
- Reporting by the Reef Authority on the condition of the Great Barrier Reef Region through the Outlook Report, and
- The collection and remittance of an Environmental Management Charge (EMC) by commercial operators in the Marine Park.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan 2003 divides the Marine Park into various zones, sets out the purposes for which the different zones may be used or entered and those purposes for which specific permission is required.
Plans of Management generally prepared for intensively used, or particularly vulnerable, groups of islands and reefs, and for the protection of vulnerable species or ecological communities. There are currently four plans of management within the Marine Park:
Other Commonwealth legislation
- Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 among other things, regulates actions that have, will have or are likely to have, a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance and contains important regulatory powers which support the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
- Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981 prohibits dumping of waste or other matter from any vessel, aircraft or platform in Australian waters unless a permit has been issued
- Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018 provides for the protection of articles of underwater cultural heritage depending on their heritage significance and location
- Native Title Act 1993 provides for a number of important aspects of native title, including the recognition and protection of native title and a mechanism for determining claims to native title
- Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 includes a number of enforcement related provisions derived from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
- Sea Installations Act 1987 provides for a number of aspects relating to sea installations including requirements that they be operated in a manner consistent with protection of the environment
Queensland legislation
Legislation enacted by the State of Queensland which is relevant to the Great Barrier Reef includes:
- Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995 (Qld)
- Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Qld)
- Fisheries Act 1994 (Qld)
- Marine Parks Act 2004 (Qld)
- Native Title (Queensland) Act 1993 (Qld)
- Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Qld)
- Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995 (Qld)
- Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 (Qld)
Further information is available from the Queensland Government, in particular the Queensland Department of Environment and Science.
International conventions
A number of international conventions are relevant to the Great Barrier Reef, including but not limited to:
- Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, 1972 (the World Heritage Convention)
- Conventions in relation to species, such as International Trade in Endangered Species, Biological Diversity and Conservation of Migratory Species
- Conventions relating to habitats, including Wetlands of International Importance
- International conventions regarding Law of the Sea and Prevention of Pollution from Ships.
More information
For general enquiries relating to changes to the Regulations please contact us on (07) 4750 0700 or email info@gbrmpa.gov.au.