Great Barrier Reef Marine Park - Particulars of Permissions Granted, Refused, Suspended, Reinstated, Revoked or Reconsidered for the Period 1 Feb. 13 to 28 Feb. 13 and Not Previously Published

Overview

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 was enacted by the Australian Parliament to address the need for the protection and sustainable management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, one of the world's largest and most significant natural ecosystems. The Act established the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, which is tasked with managing the marine park in accordance with zoning plans and other regulatory measures designed to balance conservation objectives with the needs of industry and tourism. The policy objective of the Act is to ensure the long-term ecological health of the reef while also supporting economic and social activities that are compatible with conservation. The text provided outlines specific decisions made by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority regarding permits within a particular timeframe, illustrating the regulatory and administrative processes that are part of the Act's implementation. These decisions include the granting of permits for activities such as conducting tourist programs and vessel charter operations, reflecting the balance the Act seeks between conservation and sustainable use. The Authority, acting under the delegation of its powers, ensures that all activities within the marine park are subject to rigorous assessment and oversight to uphold the objectives of the Act.

Scope and Application

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 applies to individuals and organisations intending to conduct specific activities within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, including tourist programs and vessel charter operations. The legislation imposes requirements for permits and compliance with zoning plans and regulations, overseen by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. The Act’s jurisdictional reach extends to the entire Marine Park area, which includes federal waters off the Queensland coast. Entities such as RAGING THUNDER PTY LTD, as illustrated in the provided Gazette, must obtain permits to operate within designated zones. The Act also provides for the granting, suspension, reinstatement, or revocation of these permits based on compliance and environmental considerations. Exclusions and exemptions from the permit requirements are determined by the specific activities and their alignment with the Act's regulations and zoning plans. The application process for permits is subject to review procedures, providing affected parties with the right to request internal reviews and written statements of reasons for decisions made by the Authority.

Key Provisions

The main sections of the Gazette provide details of permissions granted, refused, suspended, reinstated, revoked or reconsidered for the period 1 February 2013 to 28 February 2013 under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975. Specifically, Section 1 of the Gazette lists permits that have been granted, refused, suspended, reinstated, or revoked during this period, while Section 2 outlines the details of the permits granted. The Gazette also provides information on review procedures and rights available to persons affected by a decision made by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. The obligations and requirements imposed by the Act on the parties or entities it governs include the need to apply for and obtain permits in order to conduct certain activities within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The permits granted, such as those granted to RAGING THUNDER PTY LTD, specify the type of activities that can be conducted and the duration of the permits. The Act also requires the Authority to provide reasons for its decisions and to undertake an internal review of the decision if an application is made within 21 days of the publication of the decision on the Authority's website. The Gazette outlines the consequences for breaches of the Act. The specific consequences depend on the nature of the breach, but may include the suspension, revocation or refusal of permits, as well as civil or criminal penalties. The maximum penalties for breaches of the Act are not specified in the Gazette, but may be found in the relevant legislation or regulations. It is important to note that the Gazette only provides information on permits that have been granted, refused, suspended, reinstated, revoked or reconsidered during the specified period, and does not cover all permits issued under the Act. Persons affected by a decision made by the Authority may have the right to apply for a review of the decision and to obtain a written statement setting out the reasons for the Authority's decision.