Incorporated bodies and individuals intending to undertake particular

ANAO Report No.3 2015–16 Regulation of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Permits and Approvals 14 tourism operations 1488, operating a facility or mooring 311 and research activities 267.

10. The monitoring of permit holders’ compliance with permit conditions

is to be undertaken through a combination of: • desk-based compliance monitoring and targeted site inspections by the EAP Section; and • vessel, aerial and land-based patrolssurveillance by GBRMPA and its partner agencies under the Joint Field Management Program. 12

11. Any allegations of, or incidents relating to, non-compliance with permit

conditions may be subject to investigation by GBRMPA primarily by its Field Management Compliance Unit 13 or the EAP Section. Where non-compliance is established, GBRMPA may take enforcement action against non-compliant permit holders, which can include advisory letters, infringement notices, prosecution and the suspensionrevocation of permits. In the period from July 2012 to June 2014, there were 76 reported breaches of GBRMP permit conditions, which resulted in 59 investigations— with the issuing of advisory letters in 35 cases being the most common enforcement response. Audit objective and criteria

12. The objective of this audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Great

Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s regulation of permits and approvals within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

13. To form a conclusion against this objective, the ANAO adopted the

following high-level criteria: • an effective process to assess permit applications and attach enforceable conditions has been established; 12 The Joint Field Management Program has been established by the Australian and Queensland governments to undertake conservation activities and monitor activity in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and land catchment. The Program comprises officers from GBRMPA and QPWS, supported by partner agencies, including Border Protection Command, Queensland Boating and Fishing Patrol and the Queensland Police Service. 13 The FMCU, funded under the Joint Field Management Program, comprises officers from GBRMPA and QPWS that coordinate and undertake investigation and enforcement activities in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.