At the conclusion of each quarter, the FMCU prepares a report on the

ANAO Report No.3 2015–16 Regulation of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Permits and Approvals 89 • participation in multi-agency audits involving Queensland Government agencies; • development of an annual permit compliance plan discussed in Chapter 6; and • development of permit compliance procedures for FMCUGBRMPA staff. Permit risk assessment

5.26 In September 2014, GBRMPA hosted a permit risk assessment workshop

as an initial step towards improving its monitoring and management of compliance risks associated with GBRMP permits. The workshop was attended by all EAP Section staff and selected representatives from the FMCU, other areas of GBRMPA, QPWS and the Department of the Environment.

5.27 The primary purpose of the workshop was to assess all permit categories

against a common risk—‘Failure to comply with the intent and conditions of the permit’. Workshop participants considered that a number of factors could give rise to this risk occurring, including: • lack of awareness of permit holder obligations; • unintentional non-compliance; • intentional non-compliance; and • errors in the permit terms.

5.28 While the permit risk assessment has provided useful insights into the

risk of permit non-compliance within the Marine Park, key elements of the assessment remain incomplete. While risk ratings and treatments where relevant were documented for all permit risk categories, the impact of risk and the residual risk that is, the risk rating after treatments was not documented for most permit risk categories 14 of 17, as was the acceptability of seven of the 17 risk ratings. GBRMPA informed the ANAO that the permit risk assessment will be completed in conjunction with the finalisation of the permit compliance management plan.

5.29 The permit risk assessment indicates that existing controls which

include permit conditions, deeds and bonds, intelligence gathering and analysis, patrols, and other monitoring activities are generally insufficient to effectively manage the risks posed by GBRMP permits and permitted activities in the Marine Park. After considering the effectiveness of existing controls, workshop