Permits at Booderee
Booderee National Park is a Commonwealth reserve established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) to manage the park for the benefit of all people, present and future. The Director of National Parks, also established under the EPBC Act, uses a permit system to help regulate some activities. Permits may be issued subject to conditions that help to identify, protect, conserve and manage biodiversity, heritage and other values of Commonwealth reserves. This is a system through which industry and the public can share in the responsibilities of managing and protecting the reserve. Permits enable the reserve’s managers to:
- maximise the safety of visitors
- encourage responsible behaviour
- ensure that commercial and other users are accountable for their actions
- separate potentially conflicting activities
- manage impacts on high-use and sensitive areas
- monitor activities that could degrade biodiversity, heritage and other values
- collect data for planning and management.
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 (the EPBC Regulations) prohibit some activities in Commonwealth reserves. Individuals and other commercial entities (e.g. companies and associations) wishing to conduct an activity otherwise prohibited by the EPBC Regulations in Booderee National Park may be able to obtain a permit issued by the Director. The Director may issue a permit only if:
- the activity is consistent with the management plan in force for the reserve including that the activity:
- promotes an understanding and appreciation of the park’s natural and cultural heritage
- is consistent with the aims of the zoning system of the park’s management plan o is consistent with the conservation values and management principles of the park
- benefits the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community
- the activity is not likely to:
- endanger public safety
- unduly damage the reserve
- unduly interfere with the preservation or conservation of biodiversity or heritage in the reserve
- unduly interfere with the protection of other features or facilities in the reserve
- interfere with the privacy of other people in the reserve
- the activity benefits the public or persons using the park
In making a decision whether to issue a permit, the Director may take into account whether a person to whom the permit is to be issued has, in the last 10 years, been convicted of or is subjected to proceedings for an environmental offence.
Some activities need to satisfy additional requirements before the Director can issue a permit for them.
Not all non-commercial activities require a permit. Please contact the park on +61 2 4442 1006 or email booderee.permits@environment.gov.au to determine whether or not you need a permit for your particular activity.
Apply well in advance
Please allow a minimum of 14 days for the permit application to be processed. If your activity involves the need for an environmental impact assessment or consultation with traditional owners, a time frame will be provided by the park upon receiving your application. If your tour commences in less than 14 days’ time, please contact the Permits Officer on 02 4442 1006 (if calling from within Australia) or 61 2 4442 1006 (if calling from overseas), or email booderee.permits@environment.gov.au.
Further information
The Permits Officer for Booderee National Park can help with any queries regarding this permit – please call 02 4442 1006 or email booderee.permits@environment.gov.au. Our website is at www.parksaustralia.gov.au/booderee. The EPBC Act and Regulations can be viewed at www.environment.gov.au/epbc/index.html or purchased from CANPRINT by telephoning 1300 656 863.