Information Sheet
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Supporting Information to the Marine Tourism Contingency Plan for the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Revision 0)
Background
1. Commercial marine tourism is recognised as a major use within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
(the Marine Park). In 2011/12, tourism throughout the Great Barrier Reef and catchment was the
largest direct contributor to economic activity when compared to other Reef based industries.
Tourism made direct and indirect contributions of
$5.1 billion to the Australian economy (Table 1)1. Table 1
2. Climate change is one of the greatest threats to
the Great Barrier Reef, and the Great Barrier
Reef Outlook Report 2009 identified increased
sea temperature, rising sea level, frequency of
severe weather events and, in the longer term,
ocean acidification, as significant factors which
would impact the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem2.
3. The commercial marine tourism industry expects
climate change impacts will have an effect on
visitor satisfaction, itinerary planning,
infrastructure, insurances and product
marketing.
Direct and indirect value added
contributions of selected Reef based
industries in the Great Barrier Reef
catchment, 2011/121
Activity (value added)
Tourism
($ million)
$5175.6
Commercial fishing
$160.3
Recreational use (including fishing)
$243.9
Total Contribution
$5579.8
4. Industrial development, mining activities and coastal development continue to grow in Queensland.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (the Authority) recognises that the impacts of climate
change and the expected growth in shipping and coastal development may increase the likelihood
of severe environmental incidents in the Marine Park.
5. The commercial marine tourism industry is a primary vehicle for presenting, to local and
international visitors, the World Heritage values of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area,
which is an international obligation of the Australian Government.
6. The Marine Tourism Contingency Plan for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (the Plan) provides a
mechanism to support permittees of tourist programs who are impacted by a severe environmental
incident.
7. The Plan is based on the original Marine Tourism Contingency Plan for the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park 2004 (the Original Plan) which focused on assisting permittees of tourist programs to
relocate temporarily to an alternative site (including the relocation of a private mooring) within
Planning Areas.
8. Updating the Original Plan was identified as an action in the Great Barrier Reef Tourism Climate
Change Action Strategy 2009–12, which was developed in partnership with government agencies,
industry groups and permittees of tourist programs3.
9. The Plan further clarifies the options that the Authority can consider within its regulatory framework
and which support the continuity of tourist programs.
10. The Authority, other partner agencies and the tourism industry are committed to responding to an
environmental incident in an effective and coordinated fashion through the Marine Tourism
Coordination Framework for Environmental Incidents4.
11. The Plan and the Marine Tourism Coordination Framework for Environmental Incidents forms part
of the sectoral-specific management actions within the Authority's Reef Health Incident Response
System5.
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Document No: 100357 Revision: 0 Approved Date: 09-Apr-2014
Information Sheet
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Supporting Information to the Marine Tourism Contingency Plan for the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Revision 0)
General
12. This Supporting Information Sheet to the Marine Tourism Contingency Plan for the Great Barrier
Reef Marine Park 2013 (information sheet) may be read in conjunction with the Plan to assist in
interpreting the Plan. The information sheet provides background, and includes references to the
relevant sections of the Plan.
Severe environmental incident
13. Severe environmental incident means an incident, or series of incidents, which degrades an area in
the Marine Park to such a degree that it significantly affects the ability of a permittee to conduct the
original permitted tourist program at that site.
14. Examples of a severe environmental incident include extreme cases of: coral bleaching, coral
disease outbreaks, crown-of-thorns starfish infestations, cyclones, storm surges, flood events, oil
and chemical spills and vessel groundings.
15. A severe environmental incident does not include changes to the Marine Park ecosystems that are
transitory or ephemeral in nature, such as the movements in sand cays and fluctuations in
migratory animal populations, because these types of changes are not considered as a degradation
of the Marine Park.
16. Severe environmental incidents can be at a range of scales, from an incident severely affecting only
a small area of the Marine Park (e.g. one reef), and one or few permittees, to one that affects a
wide geographic area and a large number of tourist programs.
17. The objective of the Plan is to provide business focussed contingency arrangements for permittees
operating tourist programs that are impacted by a severe environmental incident, which protect the
environment and are compatible with other uses of the Marine Park.
General principles (paragraphs 19-20 of the Plan)
18. The Authority works towards the outcome of long-term protection, ecologically sustainable use,
understanding and enjoyment of the Great Barrier Reef for all Australians and the international
community, through the care and development of the Marine Park.
19. The Marine Park is a multiple-use protected area. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning
Plan 2003 (Zoning Plan) provides for a range of ecologically sustainable recreational, commercial,
and research opportunities and for the continuation of traditional activities in the Marine Park.
20. The commercial marine tourism industry relies on a resilient and healthy Great Barrier Reef to
continue to position itself as a top national and international travel destination. For this reason, it is
in the best interest of permittees of tourist programs to be stewards of the Great Barrier Reef and
contribute to its conservation.
21. As stewards of the Great Barrier Reef, there are a range of other actions that a permittee of a
tourist program could consider to reduce the impacts of a severe environmental incident, for
example:
a.
Developing a risk management strategy and contingency plans for potential impacts from
severe environmental incidents, prior to an incident occurring.
b.
Maintaining their moorings or pontoons according to approved design standards.
c.
Regularly monitoring and documenting the health of the sites visited (e.g. Eye on the Reef
monitoring program–operators monitor and report on reef health at sites they regularly visit).
d.
Ensuring they operate tourist programs to best practice standards (e.g. becoming high
standard tourism operators).
e.
Ensuring adequate types and levels of insurance are taken out and maintained.
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Information Sheet
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Supporting Information to the Marine Tourism Contingency Plan for the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Revision 0)
f.
Being aware of the flexibility that may be contained within their current permissions for
relocation and for undertaking alternative activities.
g.
Identifying potentially appropriate alternative activities and sites prior to a severe
environmental incident occurring and seeking additional permissions, if required.
h.
Attempting to negotiate flexible arrangements with other operators (e.g. sharing moorings).
22. Many permittees of tourist programs are actively involved in the Authority’s stewardship programs
such as being high standard tourism operators and participating in the Eye on the Reef Monitoring
Program.
23. For a number of years, the Authority and the commercial marine tourism industry have been
working together to proactively face climate change challenges, such as increases in severe
weather events.
24. Given the regional economic importance of the commercial marine tourism industry and its role in
presenting the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, it is important that continuity of the
operation of tourist programs is maintained after being impacted by a severe environmental
incident.
25. Permittees of tourist programs are likely to be facing a number of challenges following a severe
environmental incident. Timely advice and assessment of valid applications received under the Plan
would support the continuity of tourist programs.
26. Management arrangements that contribute to protecting the environment and enhancing reef
resilience, while providing for continuation of existing uses, are the focus of the Plan.
27. The responses identified in paragraphs 22-38 of the Plan aim to support the commercial marine
tourism industry, where possible, following a severe environmental incident.
Eligibility under the plan (paragraph 21 of the Plan)
28. Under the Zoning Plan, a permittee must hold a permission from the Authority to conduct a tourist
program in the Marine Park. As the Authority has complementary management arrangements with
the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, permissions are generally issued as joint permissions,
from the Authority and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, under the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park Regulations 1983 (Regulations) and the Marine Parks Regulations 2006, and allow for
a range of activities and access.
29. The Plan identifies eligibility requirements for the responses following a severe environmental
incident. In order to apply under the Plan, operators of tourist programs that have been impacted by
severe environmental incidents will need to meet these requirements.
Specific principles
Responses under the Plan (paragraphs 22-38 of the Plan)
30. The Plan provides for three types of responses that may be implemented when a tourist program
has been impacted by a severe environmental incident including immediate responses, recovery
responses and adaptation responses (refer Figure 1). The responses aim to ensure the protection
of the Marine Park and the continuation of ecologically sustainable use.
31. The Plan acknowledges that a range of responses can be made by a permitee, working with the
Authority, depending on the nature and scale of severe environmental incident and the time needed
to respond and recover.
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Information Sheet
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Supporting Information to the Marine Tourism Contingency Plan for the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Revision 0)
32. It is intended that some of the responses may allow for continuity of tourist programs, in the shortterm, while longer term solutions are being explored. For example, immediate responses may allow
time for the permittee to apply for, and the Authority to consider, alternative activities and access.
The granting of any short-term permissions under recovery responses may allow time for the
Authority, at its discretion, to consider potential adaptation responses such as pursuing regulatory
changes, and for the permittee to consider business alternatives.
33. The responses are intended to align with the objects of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act
1975 (the Act), including that of allowing ecologically sustainable use of the Great Barrier Reef
Region for purposes such as public enjoyment and appreciation, public education and
understanding of the Region, recreational, cultural and economic activities and research in relation
to the natural, social, economic and cultural systems and values of the Region.
34. In addition, it is likely that other permittees such as harvest fishers and researchers may also be
impacted by the same severe environmental incident and may be seeking to relocate their activities
as well.
35. There are three Plans of Management covering offshore Cairns, Hinchinbrook and the
Whitsundays. These Plans of Management set out detailed tourism management arrangements,
including placing a cap on some types of permissions; defining settings for maximum group and
vessel sizes at Locations and within setting areas; establishing limits on the number of moorings
and pontoons at Locations and within setting areas. For responses within Planning Areas, the
Authority must have regard to these Plans of Management.
36. The Plans of Management limit the Authority’s ability to grant new permissions for certain types of
tourist programs or facilities in the Planning Area such as tourist programs that have daily access to
a Planning Area or moorings. Through demonstrating eligibility under the Plans of Management and
the Regulations, some permittees have special permissions which allow for a capped tourism
program or facility in a Planning Area.
37. Each Plan of Management specifically provides for consideration of applications under the Plan for
temporary (short-term) relocation of a tourist program or pontoon.
38. The Plan provides for applications to be made for like-for-like access by permittees who hold
special permissions for operating tourist programs or permissions to install and operate a mooring
or pontoon, except in circumstances where paragraph 26 of the Plan apply. Like-for-like access
relates to frequency of access, and the group or vessel size allowed at specific Locations or setting
areas. The Plan identifies examples of what would and would not be considered like-for-like access
under a Plan of Management.
39. Short-term and long-term solutions for permittees to continue business must:
a.
b.
Ensure the long-term protection and ecologically sustainable use of the Great Barrier Reef
while ensuring the tourist program doesn’t unreasonably impact any other uses, including
other tourist programs, of that area.
Consider projected recovery time of the original site early in the response process and
whether permittees should undertake site rehabilitation (requiring a permission) or consider
alternative business arrangements.
40. Recovery time is expected to be a major factor in the Authority’s decision as to whether, and when,
a permittee of a tourist program may be able to return to the original site. Recovery time is
dependent upon many things including the nature and scale of the severe environmental incident
and the health and resilience of the ecosystem at the affected site. At the time of publication of this
information sheet, the appropriateness of undertaking site restoration activities to improve the
resilience of the Great Barrier Reef (e.g. righting upturned corals in the critical period immediately
after a severe environmental incident) is in need of review by the Authority. The recovery of any site
is not a certainty, especially if other adverse impacts occur in the recovery period.
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Information Sheet
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Supporting Information to the Marine Tourism Contingency Plan for the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Revision 0)
Figure 1: Responses under the Marine Tourism Contingency Plan
Immediate responses
Immediate actions or alternive access
within the scope of the existing
permissions and management
arrangements.
Permittees may need to notify
the Authority or request
approval for actions under the
current permissons. Permittees
will need to demonstrate they
are eligible under the Plan.
The Authority gives priority to
decisions about actions that require
notification or approval under the
current permissions.
Recovery responses
Adaptation responses
Additional activities or alternative
access may be necessary to continue
tourist programs.
Supporting long-term action which
may apply when:
Formal application for permission is
required.
Permittees need to demonstrate they
are eligible and have considered
immediate actions. Supporting
evidence may be needed to assess
the application under the
considerations in the Regulations.
The Authority gives priority to
applications made under the Plan.
These application will undergo caseby-case assessment against
mandatory and discretionary
considerations.
- The nature/scale of the incident
precludes short-term or mediumterm recovery.
- The number of tourist programs
impacted does not allow case by
case assessment.
The Authority may consider other
management tools or regulatory
changes at its discretion.
- The Authority considers a range of
issues including protection and
multiple-use of the Marine Park.
- Regulatory amendments may
require Ministerial approval and
public consultation.
May result in:
- A short-term permission before
returning to the original site or while
awaiting a decision on an adaptation
response.
Tourist programs may be amended to
continue under current permissions.
- A long-term permission allowing
additional or alternative activities or
access as a long-term solution.
- The application being refused.
Permittees of tourist programs alter
their business arrangements or
recognise that the opportunity for
the tourist program is no longer
available.
Immediate responses (paragraphs 29 – 32 of the Plan)
41. In accordance with the Plan, immediate responses recognise the importance of resuming business
as soon as possible after a severe environmental incident. Immediate responses are focused on
supporting actions that a permittee of a tourist program can commence immediately within the
scope of their current permissions, or may apply for through minor modification of their existing
permissions.
42. Permittees of tourist programs can review the range of activities, such as snorkelling, diving, fishing
and non-motorised water sports, which are allowed under their existing permission as a way of
immediately implementing a different activity at the original site.
43. Permittees can review the range of access provided in their existing permissions to consider if there
other opportunities provided for, that they can make use of immediately. For example:
a.
Most permissions for tourist programs usually provide daily access to most of the Marine Park
with the ability to visit any one site, outside Planning Areas, for two days in every seven days
and to visit each Planning Area 50 days per year with a booking.
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Information Sheet
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Supporting Information to the Marine Tourism Contingency Plan for the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Revision 0)
b.
In addition, a special tourism permission usually provides daily access to one of the Planning
Areas without a booking and flexible access to some sites within a Planning Area (e.g. the
ability to access each Location within the Cairns Planning Area up to 50 days a year).
44. Permittees may operate in a different manner by:
a.
Gaining authority from another permittee, to conduct the tourist program under that other
permittee’s permission (similar to a sub-leasing arrangement). If the relevant permission does
not have conditions which allow for this authority to be provided, the permittee from whom the
authority is required can apply to the Authority for a variation to the permission to include such
conditions.
b.
Accessing a mooring permitted to another tourist operation in the Cairns Planning Area. This
must be by agreement with the other permittee as the tackle is private property and there are
issues such as suitability of moorings for different vessels, insurance and maintenance costs.
45. Where permittees have a permitted mooring or pontoon at a site that has only been partly impacted
by a severe environmental incident, they can request the relocation of a mooring or pontoon within
that site. This may require some assessment by the Authority to identify a suitable site.
a.
The permittee can immediately consult with the Authority as to where a permitted mooring
might be relocated within the specified site and subsequently apply to modify their permission
where necessary. The permittee would be required to comply with the conditions, of their
permission, relating to how the mooring might be relocated and apply to the Authority to
amend the mooring notification approval.
b.
The permittee can immediately consult with the Authority about relocation of a pontoon within
the specified site. It is recognised that the assessment, approval and physical relocation of a
pontoon may take time to achieve. Public consultation may not be required under the
Regulations if it was undertaken for the assessment of the original application for the existing
permission. The Authority may undertake further assessment to identify a suitable site.
46. Permittees of tourist programs should seek advice from the Authority if they are unsure what their
existing permission allows.
47. If a longer term solution is required, an immediate response may allow business to continue while
an application for an alternative or longer term solution is considered under recovery responses.
Recovery responses (paragraphs 33-35 of the Plan)
48. In accordance with the Plan, recovery responses are focused on short to medium-term action that
individual permittees can take by seeking additional permission(s) under the Plan and will require
the permittee to make a written application, to the Authority, for a permission under the Plan.
49. Recovery responses provide for consideration of short-term or long-term solutions which require
new permissions and therefore assessment by the Authority. Where a permittee considers that new
activities may allow them to continue operating the tourist program at the original site they can
apply for a permission for these activities and, if granted, this would likely be a long-term solution.
50. For most of the Marine Park, excluding Planning Areas, permittees operating a tourist program can
apply for access to an alternative site for the tourist program, or for the installation of a mooring or
pontoon. If granted this could be a long-term solution and the permittee may not need to return to
the original site.
a.
Use of an alternative site needs to be assessed by the Authority as ecologically sustainable
use under the Regulations and the Authority may require public advertising for proposals that
the Authority considers may restrict the reasonable use by the public, of a part of the Marine
Park.
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Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Supporting Information to the Marine Tourism Contingency Plan for the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Revision 0)
51. The Plans of Management provide some opportunities for installation of moorings and pontoons at
certain sites in Planning Areas. Most, but not all, of these opportunities are capped and would in
most cases be required to be allocated by the Authority through an expression of interest process
under the Regulations.
52. It may be possible for permittees to permanently relocate to another site or conduct other activities
by making an application under the Regulations to transfer an appropriate permission from another
permittee.
53. With the intent to increase the resilience of the Great Barrier Reef and encourage recovery at the
original site, permittees may apply for permissions to undertake site rehabilitation, where
appropriate. This is of particular relevance to pontoons and may be preferred to relocating the
pontoon. The Coral Transplantation Guidelines6 provide for consideration of transplanting coral to
shorten the natural recovery periods of coral reefs to support site based tourism operations. When
these guidelines are next reviewed this Plan should also be taken into consideration.
Adaptation responses (paragraphs 36-38 of the Plan)
54. Adaptation responses are focused on supporting long-term action where the nature of the incident
does not allow for short or medium-term recovery or where the number of tourist programs
impacted does not allow case-by-case assessment.
55. Some severe environmental incidents may be so serious in nature or broad in scale that it will be
difficult to provide equitable solutions through case-by-case assessments of applications for
permissions. Such incidents may also mean that the opportunity for the tourist program is no longer
available and the permittee may decide to cease operating their tourist program or alter their
business accordingly.
56. In some instances regulatory changes may be considered by the Authority, at its discretion, and it
would be beneficial for permittees be able to continue to operate tourist programs in the interim,
where possible.
57. An adaptation response may run parallel to immediate or recovery responses and will usually
require public consultation.
Application process
Making an application under the Plan (paragraphs 39-41 of the Plan)
58. Permittees will use the Marine Tourism Contingency Plan Application Form to make an application
under the Plan as this form allows permittees to demonstrate they have been impacted by a severe
environmental incident.
59. The Regulations set out the permit application assessment fee which will be charged for any
application. These fees may be subject to a review by the Authority.
60. In some instances permittees may also hold a Queensland permission for access to State only
managed locations adjoining the Marine Park such as State national park islands, cays and
intertidal areas. Acknowledging these locations are important to a permittee’s operation,
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service will consider the Plan in any application for a Queensland
permission when the Plan is being applied to their associated Marine Park operations noting that
different legislative provisions apply to Queensland
61. Applications for short-term permissions for specific activities that are limited by Plans of
Management or the Regulations will not be considered under the Plan, as doing so may
compromise the intent of the Plans of Management. These includes:
a. Swimming with dwarf minke whales (Cairns Planning Area).
b. Reef walking other than at Hardy Reef or Black Island Reef (Whitsundays Planning Area).
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Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Supporting Information to the Marine Tourism Contingency Plan for the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Revision 0)
c. Fishing in the Conservation Park Zone (Yellow Zone) (Whitsundays Planning Area).
d. Motorised water sports in specified Locations (Hinchinbrook Planning Area).
62. Applications made under the Plan require details of the:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Relevant existing permission(s).
Site that has been impacted by the severe environmental incident.
Nature, scale and cause of the degradation at the site.
The impacts on the ability of the permittee to conduct the original permitted tourist program.
Immediate responses under the Plan that have been considered and, where relevant,
adopted.
Level of business commitment to the current site (e.g. tourist facilities, site maintenance, direct
marketing, number of years at that site).
Proposed changes to the tourist program (e.g. new activity or access to a different site)
including the frequency of access required.
Preferred alternative sites (if relevant).
63. Permittees should propose alternative sites where there is minimal risk to conservation, cultural or
heritage values and the operation of their tourist program is not likely to displace or unduly impact
other existing Marine Park users. For example, permittees should not propose an area which is
known to be of importance to a species of conservation concern, a popular recreation site, a
designated anchoring area or a site which is already used regularly by any other operator of a
tourist program. For Planning Areas, alternatives must be in a setting which is equal to or less
restrictive than the setting of the original site.
64. The Authority has complementary management arrangements with Queensland Parks and Wildlife
Service for joint permissions. The Plan only applies to the (Commonwealth) Marine Park. Where an
application under the Plan relates to areas within State jurisdiction, that component will be referred
to the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to determine whether alternative access can be
granted in the State jurisdiction, in accordance with Queensland Government legislation and
policies.
Assessing an application under the Plan (paragraphs 42-49 of the Plan)
65. Recognising the urgency for operators to recommence their business following a severe
environmental incident, the Plan provides for assessment of applications in a timely manner.
By restricting applications made under the Plan to permittees who have demonstrated eligibility,
and who use the appropriate form, the Plan enables these applications which warrant more urgent
attention to be distinguished from routine permission applications.
66. If the granting of a permission is likely to restrict the reasonable use, by the public, of part of the
Marine Park, the Regulations state that the Authority may, by written notice given to the applicant,
require the applicant to publish a public advertisement seeking comment on the application. Where
this is necessary the Authority will make every reasonable effort to expedite the process.
67. The mandatory considerations that the Authority must take into account when deciding whether or
not to grant a permission are listed in the Regulations and include, but are not limited to, issues
such as the potential impacts of the proposed conduct on the environment and on the social,
cultural and heritage values of the Marine Park or part of the Marine Park.
68. The discretionary considerations that the Authority may take into account when deciding whether or
not to grant a permission are listed in the Regulations and include, but are not limited to, issues
such as the effect the activity or access may have on public appreciation, understanding and
enjoyment of the Marine Park; and whether the applicant for the permission is a suitable person to
hold such a permission, and having regard to any charge, collected amount or penalty amount that
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Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Supporting Information to the Marine Tourism Contingency Plan for the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Revision 0)
is overdue for payment by the applicant as the holder of a chargeable permission (whether or not
the permission is in force).
69. A site inspection may be required, on behalf of the Authority, to assess the scale of degradation at
the original site and the suitability of any alternative proposed site(s).
70. In assessing applications for tourist programs in Planning Areas it is important to ensure that
granting a permission does not result in a net change in the overall use of the Planning Area. This
is especially relevant to the Authority granting a short-term permission which only allows at best
like-for-like access in the Planning Areas.
71. The Plan provides for priority ranking for the assessment of applications in certain circumstances.
The first priority is to reduce the risk of further environmental damage and assess applications from
permittees who are likely to cause more damage if they continue the tourist program at that site. It
is then important to assist permittees who are unable to continue operating their tourist program at
the impacted site. Finally, assisting those where the impacted site is a significant component of the
tourist program, such as a program that operates to a mooring. In any of these cases, priority will
be given to applications from permittees who contribute to the protection of the Great Barrier Reef
over other permittees. For example, high standard tourism operators are independently certified for
minimising their impacts in protected areas. These and other permittees who contribute to Reef
resilience and present the World Heritage values of the Marine Park will be prioritised for
assistance under the Plan.
Outcomes of an application (paragraphs 50-57 of the Plan)
72. The application may not be accepted because a severe environmental incident did not occur, the
tourist program was impacted by something other than the severe environmental incident, and/or
the application was not valid. The application may be refused based on an assessment against the
mandatory and discretionary considerations in the Regulations.
73. For areas of the Marine Park where the range of permitted activities or access is not limited
through the Regulations or a Plan of Management, the Authority can generally assess applications
for additional/alternative activities and grant permissions which can result in long-term solutions.
This is the case for most of the Marine Park.
74. Where the range of permitted activities or access is limited through the Regulations or a Plan of
Management, short-term permissions may be granted with conditions to address specific issues
relating to stewardship of the original site and ecologically sustainable use for the alternative site.
This may require permittees to undertake actions, such as site rehabilitation (where permitted by
the Authority) to enable a return to the original site or to make alternative business arrangements.
Demonstration of such actions will be a consideration in the assessment of any application to
continue a short-term permission for up to a further 12 months.
75. If a short-term permission has been granted and the permittee applies for the continuation of a
short-term permission, the onus is on the permittee to provide the following information for the
delegate’s consideration:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Evidence the original site has not recovered.
Evidence of the permittee taking reasonable steps to rehabilitate the original site, where
permission to rehabilitate the original site has been granted.
A statement of the actions that have been taken by the permittee to return the tourist program
to the original site.
Robust data from regular monitoring of the currently permitted site(s), by the permittee (e.g.
data collected through the Eye on the Reef program, photos or video footage), over the period
of the first short-term permission.
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e.
Evidence that the tourist program, under the short-term permission, has not unduly affected
other users of the site (e.g. letters of support from other operators or researchers that could
have been affected while the short-term permission was in force).
f.
Justification that other options are being investigated and pursued by the permittee.
76. The Regulations set out the review rights available where an applicant for a permission is not
satisfied with the Authority’s decision on their application.
Consultation
77. The Plan was prepared in partnership with the marine tourism industry and the Queensland Parks
and Wildlife Service. Extensive consultation, in developing the Plan, was undertaken with the
Tourism and Recreation Reef Advisory Committee, the Tourism Climate Change Action Group and
the broader community.
Definitions
Authority means the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority established by the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park Act 1975 (Cth).
Great Barrier Reef Region has the meaning given in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975
(Cth).
Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area has the meaning given in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Act 1975 (Cth).
High standard tourism operators means permittees certified by an independent certification scheme
recognised by the Authority who contribute to Reef resilience and present the values of the Marine
Park to a high standard.
Joint permission means a document issued by the Authority and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife
Service which details the permission(s) granted by the Authority to which Part 2A of the Regulations
applies and, if applicable, any Queensland permission(s) granted by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife
Service under the Marine Parks Act 2004 (Qld) to undertake an activity or place a structure in
Queensland Marine Parks.
Like-for-like access means access which is equivalent to or less than the original access allowed
under an existing permission and relates to frequency of access and the group or vessel size allowed
at specific Locations or setting areas.
Location has the meaning given under the Cairns Area and Hinchinbrook Plans of Management.
Low use Location has the meaning given in the Cairns Area Plan of Management.
Marine Park means the Commonwealth Great Barrier Reef Marine Park established by the Great
Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Cth).
Moderate use Location has the meaning given in the Cairns Area Plan of Management.
Operation of a tourist program and operating a tourist program has the same meaning as in
subsection 3A(3) of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Cth) and includes the construction,
maintenance or operation of a building or other facility (or its removal or demolition) in the Marine Park,
for a purpose of the tourist program (and tourist program has a corresponding meaning).
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CAUTION: Only the electronic copy of this document accessed via the GBRMPA website is controlled.
Document No: 100357 Revision: 0 Approved Date: 09-Apr-2014
Information Sheet
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Supporting Information to the Marine Tourism Contingency Plan for the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Revision 0)
Permission means a permission to which the Regulations apply (for example, a permission to engage
in conduct in a Zone including the person's use of, or entry to, the Zone).
Permittee means a person, company or entity issued a permission or a joint permission.
Planning Area means an area of the Marine Park for which a Plan of Management has been
developed.
Plan of Management has the meaning given by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Cth).
Principles of Ecologically Sustainable Use has the meaning given in the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Act 1975 (Cth) and Ecologically Sustainable Use has a corresponding meaning.
Queensland Marine Parks means the marine parks established pursuant to the Marine Parks Act
2004 (Qld) and Marine Parks Regulation 2006 (Qld).
Queensland permission means a permission granted pursuant to the Marine Parks Regulation 2006
and/or an authority granted pursuant to the Nature Conservation (Administration) Regulations 2006
(Qld).
Sensitive Location has the meaning given under the Cairns Area and Hinchinbrook Plans of
Management.
Setting means the management arrangements that are set out in Plans of Management, which provide
for a range of experiences across a range of sites in the Marine Park and include the limitations on
group size and vessel size.
Setting area has the same meaning as in the Whitsundays Plan of Management.
Severe environmental incident means an incident, or series of incidents which degrades an area in
the Marine Park to such a degree that it significantly affects the ability of the permittee to conduct the
original permitted tourist program at that site. Examples include extreme cases of: coral bleaching,
coral disease outbreaks, crown-of-thorns starfish infestations, cyclones, storm surges, extreme flood
events, oil and chemical spills and vessel groundings. A severe environmental incident does not
include changes to Marine Park ecosystems that are transitory or ephemeral in nature, such as the
movement of sand cays and fluctuations in migratory animal populations.
Special permission has the meaning given by the Regulations and includes a special tourism
permission.
Steward means permittees promoting responsible use and protection of the natural environment
through conservation and sustainable practices.
World Heritage Values has the meaning given by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Cth).
Zone has the meaning given by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Cth).
References/related material
1. Deloitte Access Economics 2012, Economic Contribution of the Great Barrier Reef 2011-2012.
2. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority 2009, Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2009, Great
Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville.
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CAUTION: Only the electronic copy of this document accessed via the GBRMPA website is controlled.
Document No: 100357 Revision: 0 Approved Date: 09-Apr-2014
Information Sheet
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Supporting Information to the Marine Tourism Contingency Plan for the
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Revision 0)
3. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority 2009, Great Barrier Reef Tourism Climate Change Action
Strategy 2009-2012, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville.
4. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority 2012, Marine Tourism Coordination Framework for
Environmental Incidents.
5. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority 2011, Reef health incident response system - Great Barrier
Reef Marine Park Authority, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville.
6. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, 2004, Coral Transplantation Guidelines - Coral
transplantation at tourism sites.
Document Control Information
Approved by:
Chairman (PN1)
Last reviewed:
9-Apr-14
Approved date:
9-Apr-14
Next review:
30-Jun-17
Created:
9-Apr-14
Document custodian:
Manager, Policy and Sustainable Development, PN211
Replaces:
Marine Tourism Contingency Plan for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park 2004 (approved May
2004)
12 | P a g e
CAUTION: Only the electronic copy of this document accessed via the GBRMPA website is controlled.
Document No: 100357 Revision: 0 Approved Date: 09-Apr-2014