Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002:front:0:p114
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 325975–329174

unique landscape and habitats. To ensure the park values are protected, the EPBC Act and this plan require that a range of recreational, commercial, research and day-to-day activities can only be undertaken in the park if authorised in accordance with this plan. Authorisation may be given in a number of ways: permits under Part 17 of the EPBC Regulations; approvals issued by the Director of National Parks; activity licence agreements; licences to occupy and use land; and leases (of non-Aboriginal land not under claim) or subleases (of Aboriginal land).

Following a review of commercial tourism in Commonwealth reserves, Parks Australia developed and implemented the Parks Australia Commercial Tourism Licence Policy for certain types of tourism operations in place of permits. At the time of preparing this plan 32 commercial activity licences were in place. Licences, which run for a minimum of five years (but can be longer depending on the circumstances), provide greater security for operators and increase revenue to support park management while ensuring park values remain protected.

Section 10 (Managing use of Kakadu National Park) sets out the overarching policies for activities covered by the EPBC Act and Regulations, including whether the activity can be carried on and the form of any required authorisation. Management of authorisations is a key function of park staff.

Management issues

    * Continued improvement in administrative processes for issuing and managing authorisations can reduce the burden on users and the administrative costs. For example, some application processes for permits and commercial activity licences are manual and would be improved by the development of suitable online systems.

    * Adequate resources are required to effectively monitor and manage authorisations.

Policies

     9.3.1              Commercial activity licences, occupation licences, subleases and leases will be offered and used in accordance with the Parks Australia Commercial Tourism Licence Policy and Commercial Leasing Policy to authorise tourism activities that are exclusive or require restricted access or significant capital investment in infrastructure. Subleases and leases will be offered for periods necessary to provide security of tenure to attract and support the level of investment required for tourism activities and developments.

     9.3.2              A panel that includes independent and tourism industry members will be used to assess applications for activity licences, occupation licences, subleases and leases and make recommendations on whether to issue a licence.

     9.3.3              Fees for authorisations will be reviewed as required in accordance with Section 9.8 (Revenue and business development).

Actions

     9.3.4              Review and, where possible, improve systems for the processing, administration and management of permits, licences and leases/subleases. This may include investigating the feasibility of developing an online system for self-generating permits and bookings for bushwalking, camping and special-access sites.

     9.3.5              Continue to provide up-to-date information on the Department of