To improve the processing of Marine Park permit applications, the

ANAO Report No.3 2015–16 Regulation of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Permits and Approvals 53

3.4 The ANAO examined GBRMPA’s assessment processes and the

preparation of permit application assessment reports for consideration by the delegate. 62 Mandatory and discretionary considerations

3.5 The GBRMP Regulations outline six common mandatory considerations

that must be considered by the delegate when making a decision to grant or refuse all Marine Park permits, as well as mandatory considerations for permit applications that involve particular activities, such as ‘the take of protected species’. 63 In addition, the Regulations outline 11 discretionary considerations that the delegate may take into account when making a decision. Mandatory considerations

3.6 The permit assessment templates used by GBRMPA contain broad

assessments against each of the six common mandatory considerations that are relevant to the respective permit type. The matters considered by GBRMPA when assessing each mandatory consideration are outlined in Table 3.1 on the following page.

3.7 Overall, GBRMPA’s assessments of permit applications contained

information that sufficiently addressed each of the common mandatory considerations. While 88 of the 93 template-based assessments 94.6 per cent examined by the ANAO satisfactorily assessed all common mandatory considerations, five assessments did not contain evidence to demonstrate that all common mandatory considerations had been fully addressed including in relation to exceeding limits imposed by assessment templates and addressing risks unique to particular applications. 62 The ANAO selected a sample of 79 permits from a population of 786 GBRMP permits assessed during the period July 2012 to June 2014—10 per cent of the population—was broadly selected in proportion with 12 key parameters of the population, including: the assessment officer; and the permits’ risk level, status and permission type. The 79 permit applications involved 100 separate permission assessments as some applicants sought multiple permissions under a single application. 63 Protected species in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park include, among others: any species that is a listed threatened species, a listed migratory species or a listed marine species under the EPBC Act; any species of marine mammal, bird or reptile prescribed as endangered, vulnerable, near-threatened or least concern under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 Qld. Dugongs, turtles and some shark species are examples of protected species. ANAO Report No.3 2015–16 Regulation of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Permits and Approvals 54 Table 3.1: Common mandatory considerations when assessing permit applications Mandatory Considerations Matters Considered a Impact of proposed conduct on the environment and on the social, cultural and heritage values of the Marine Park • Specifying approved or allowed: − zone locations − accessactivitypassengervessel limits − permit periods − research collection methods • Native title notifications • Consideration of GBR heritage values • Known historic sites protected by legislation b Options for monitoring, managing and mitigating the potential impacts of the proposed conduct • Risk assessment • Permit conditions • Compliance monitoring c The objectives of the zone as set out in the zoning plan where the proposed conduct will take place • Assessment of conduct allowednot allowed in the different zones d Any relevant assessment documentation and conditions attached to any approval or permit granted under the EPBC Act • Considered where applicable but not usually relevant for routine applications e Written comments received about the application in response to public advertisements • Considered where applicable f Any other matters relevant to the orderly and proper management of the Marine Park • Permit conditions that aid GBRMPA, such as: retention of permit; extending permit conditions to cover permit holders’ staff; and vessel exchange requirements Source: GBRMP Regulation 88Q and GBRMPA’s permit assessment templates.

3.8 Of the seven customised permit assessments involving major facilities or

structures, two satisfactorily considered all common mandatory considerations. However, five assessments that were approved by the delegate did not contain evidence to demonstrate that all mandatory considerations had been fully addressed in respect of: • three assessments involving existing facilitiesstructures that did not ascertain the condition of all facilitiesstructures at the time of the