To guide its staff when processing permit applications, GBRMPA has

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 ANAO Report No.3 2015–16 Regulation of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Permits and Approvals 44 application assessment report for the delegates’ consideration, and, where determined appropriate, the issuing of an approved permit to the applicant. Review procedures and rights are available to interested parties. 48 The steps involved in the processing of routine Marine Park permits are illustrated in Figure 2.1, along with the report chapters in which the steps are examined. Figure 2.1: Permit application and assessment process Application received and acknowledged by GBRMPA Permit processing: • payment of fees • company check • request for further information • native title notifications • referral of application within GBRMPA • referral of application to QPWS • public advertising • reasonable use assessments for special tourism permissions First EAP Se ction review Permit application assessment: • mandatory considerations • discretionary considerations • risk assessment • other assessment report contents • draft permit and conditions Permit application assessment decisions by the GBRMPA and QPWS delegates Reconsideration of decision and appeals Se cond EAP Se ction re view Endorsement of permit application assessment by QPWS where applicable Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Source: ANAO analysis of GBRMPA information. 48 Parties who consider their interests may be affected by a Marine Park permit have a right to obtain a written statement of the reasons for the decision and may have a statutory right to request a reconsideration of the decision. For some permits, this right is limited to the permit holder.