The regulatory framework applying to the Great Barrier Reef Marine

ANAO Report No.3 2015–16 Regulation of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Permits and Approvals 43

2.7 Permit applications are graded on a four-point scale based on the risk

that the proposed activity poses to the Marine Park. Routine applications Level 1, which constitute approximately 90 per cent of all permit applications, are subject to limited assessment activity. Assessments increase in coverage and detail for applications graded as Level 2, 3 or 4. While GBRMPA has established limited guidance with examples to assist its staff to grade permit applications by risk see Table 2.1, the rationales for the risk level assigned to each permit application are not documented. The improved documentation of rationales for assigned risk levels for each permit application would better demonstrate that permit assessments and the subsequent permit conditions imposed are commensurate to the risks posed to the Marine Park from the activities proposed in applications. Table 2.1: Examples of permitted activities by assessment level Level of Assessment Type of Activity Examples Level 1 approx. 90 of permits Minor projectoperation minimal andor transient impact • Operation of a tourist program, vesselaircraft charter • Researcheducation • Take from harvest fishery • Mooring facility Level 2 approx. 9 of permits Small projectfacility low andor short term impact • Constructionoperation of: − small jetty or pontoon − minor pipelines − barges − snorkel trails Level 3 1 of permits Medium scale projectfacility public interest, sensitive environment, moderate andor medium impact • Soil disposal from port maintenance dredging • Minor resortmarina facilities Level 4 1 of permits Complex or large scale project public interest, irreversible andor major impact • Large capital dredge andor soil disposal • Major resortmarina facilities Source: ANAO, adapted from GBRMPA information.

2.8 In general terms, the processing of a permit application involves its

receipt, GBRMPA’s collection of relevant documentation and information to undertake an assessment of the application, the preparation of a permit