The Reef Authority and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (the managing agencies) operate a joint permission system for the Marine Parks. The Marine Parks comprise of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park.
Activities within the Marine Parks are regulated by permits.
A permit is a legal document, which details the permission(s) granted and how activities are to be conducted. A permit may include one or more permissions.
A guide for current permit holders can help you understand how to be a responsible permit holder and know the general requirements when operating in the Marine Parks.
Most activities on the Queensland mainland and islands (above high tide) or in port exclusion zones are outside the Marine Parks. Activities in these areas may be subject to other regulatory processes by other agencies.
When do you need a Marine Parks permit?
- All activities that require permission are detailed in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan 2003. Some common permissions applied for are:
- Most commercial activities, including tourist operations
- Research, except for limited impact research
- Placing and operating moorings
- Educational programs
- Installing, operating or repairing structures, such as jetties, marinas, pontoons
- Anchoring or mooring for an extended period
- Aquaculture facilities
- Dredging and dumping of dredge material
- Waste discharge from a fixed structure
- Common activities that typically do not require a permit
- Private recreational use, such as boating, fishing and swimming
- Commercial shipping using designated shipping areas
- Most commercial fishing, except diver-based harvest fisheries
- Filming or recording that uses hand-held equipment and is low-impact
- Filming and research using unmanned aircraft (provided conditions are met)
- Limited impact research conducted through an accredited research institution
- Interacting with whales and dolphins (please note required approach distances)
- Traditional uses through an accredited Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement
- Fireworks (provided conditions are met).
Marine Parks permits are usually two permits in one document. They grant permission for activities in both the state marine parks (under the Queensland Marine Parks Act 2004) and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (under the Commonwealth Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975).
Permits are granted for a specific term based on the type of activity being sought and its risk to the values of the Marine Parks.
If an operation changes in any way, an application must be submitted via Permits Online to seek a new decision (refer to Section 19 of the Permit Online Manual ‘Continue a current permit’; and Section 20 ‘Surrender a current permit’; and Section 21 ‘Transfer a current permit’).
Changes may include adding or changing a vessel, undertaking different activities, operating in different locations or changing a name on the permit (refer to Section 23 the Permit Online Manual ‘Notification Approvals’).
If minor amendments are sought to permit conditions, seek clarification via email to assessments@gbrmpa.gov.au. Modifications to permit conditions can occur only by the Reef Authority.
Most changes to permits incur an administration or assessment fee. Depending on the nature of the change, a full assessment process (including initial assessment fees and assessment timeframes) may apply.
Changes during the assessment process may restart timeframes, particularly if further information is sought from the applicant or Traditional Owner groups need to be re-notified.
All permits may be transferred to a new owner if all parties agree.
Applications to transfer Marine Parks permits are subject to approval from us and cannot occur if the permit has outstanding environmental management charge obligations, is suspended, has been revoked or has expired (including where the permit has been extended while assessment of an application for a further permit is underway).
For declared harvest fishery permits, transfers can only occur to holders of primary commercial fishing licences issued by Department of Primary Industries with the relevant fishing symbol.
A request to transfer a permit can be made via Permits Online (refer section 21 ‘Transfer a current permit’ of the Permit Online Manual) at least 20 business days prior to the proposed transfer date and at least 20 business days prior to the expiry of the permit.
A condition of your permit may require that you enter into a permit deed. The permit deed legally binds the permit holder to certain obligations to protect marine parks values, above and beyond what the permit conditions require. Permit deeds are generally applies to facilities such as jetties and pontoons and higher risk activities such as fuel transfer.
If you are required to execute a permit deed, there may be a requirement for a bond to be lodged with the Reef Authority. The bond amount is specified in the permit deed and may be in the form of a bank guarantee or cash bond.
The bond may be called upon at any time to cover the costs of clean up or remediation.
More information on permit deeds and bonds can be found in the Guide for Current Permit Holders.
A Marine Parks permit can be suspended or revoked.
This may happen, for example, when the permitted activity damages the Marine Park, the permit holder fails to comply with a permit condition, or any environmental management charge logbooks have not been submitted or are overdue for payment.
Maximum penalties for failing to comply with a Marine Parks permit are $22,000 for an individual and $110,000 for a body corporate.
Vessels and other equipment (including catch) may also be seized and forfeited with a court order.
A permit holder has the right to request that we reconsider any decision made about a permit application. Third parties that are affected by the decision can also seek a reconsideration.
A request for reconsideration must be made within 15 business days of the decision is made.
If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the subsequent reconsideration, you have a further right to apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal for a review of the reconsidered decision.
This right also applies to third parties that are affected by the decision. Review procedures and rights.
Being a responsible permit holder
When you are operating in the marine parks, you must comply with all the legal requirements contained in relevant acts, regulations, the zoning plans, plans of management your permit. It is important to note that your permit may not include details of all legal requirements applicable to the permitted activities. If there is other Local, State or Commonwealth legislation applicable to the activity, it is important that these are considered prior to operation.
You must take all reasonable steps to prevent or minimise harm to the environment in the Marine Park and are encouraged to adopt best environmental and responsible reef practices in all your activities.
Be familiar with and comply with the conditions and requirements of your permits. As a permit holder, it is your responsibility to comply with the conditions of your permit/s. This includes fulfilling all obligations associated with any permit deed that may have been entered into and any obligations related to the Environmental Management Charge.
- Additional steps:
- Read ‘being a responsible permit holder’ section of the guide to current permit holders for information on additional permits/approvals that are required for some activities.
- Take advantage of our Permits Online portal, which makes it easier for you to update your contact details, view your permits, and manage your permit obligations.
- If you are unsure of your obligations, contact us for assistance.
The Service Charter for the Permission System outlines our commitments to provide you with the best service possible and the responsibilities of permit holders during this process.
Assessment and permit related questions
Email: assessments@gbrmpa.gov.au
Phone: (07) 4750 0860