Better protection for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Legislative changes came into effect on 25 November 2009 which strengthen the long-term protection of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park while simplifying and streamlining regulatory requirements.
The changes are to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (GBRMP Act) as well as to Australia’s national environment law—the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
These changes will ensure the sustainable long-term use of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and at the same time streamline the administrative process and refine the compliance system.
The changes include:
- a new approach to compliance and enforcement, with a single investigation system applying to the marine park, providing inspectors with new powers and adjusting some penalties.
- establishing the marine park as a matter of national environmental significance protected under national environment law—the EPBC Act.
- This means that in addition to existing permit requirements under the GBRMP Act, activities in the marine park that are likely to have a significant impact on the environment, and activities outside the marine park that are likely to have a significant impact on the environment of the marine park or other nationally protected matters must be referred to see if they require approval under the EPBC Act.
- where approval is required under both pieces of legislation, a single application has been introduced, making the process simpler. Environmental impact assessment procedures under both acts have been combined, tackling gaps in protection, and removing duplication.
- while an EPBC Act approval does not remove the need to obtain permission under the GBRMP Act for activities in the marine park, a referral made to the federal environment department under the EPBC Act is deemed to also be an application for permission under the GBRMP Act.
More information
- Safeguarding the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: an overview
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park protection: legislative changes - frequently asked questions
- Making a referral under the EPBC Act
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Resources
Search and create reports
Quick links
Key
Links to another web site
Opens a pop-up window