Permits at Norfolk Island
The Norfolk Island National Park and Botanic Garden 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 national parks. This is a system through which industry and the public can share in the responsibilities of managing and protecting the park. Permits enable park managers to:
- maximise the safety of park visitors
- encourage responsible behaviour in the park
- ensure that commercial and other park 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 park values
- collect data for planning and management.
Individuals and other commercial entities (eg. companies and associations) wishing to conduct commercial activities in the park, including commercial tours, need to have a permit issued by the Director. The Director may issue a permit only if:
- the activity is consistent with
- the management plan for the park, or (if there is no management plan) the purposes for which the park is declared; and
- promotes an understanding and appreciation of the park’s natural and cultural heritage.
- the activity is not likely to:
- endanger public safety
- unduly damage the park
- unduly interfere with the preservation or conservation of biodiversity or heritage in the park
- unduly interfere with the protection of other features or facilities in the park
- interfere with the privacy of other persons in the park
- 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.
Apply well in advance
Please allow a minimum of 28 days for the permit application to be processed. If your tour commences in less than 28 days’ time, please contact the park on 0011 6723 22695 or email parksonlinefeedback@environment.gov.au.
Further information
Contact the Permits Officer
Phone: 0011 6723 22695
Email: parksonlinefeedback@environment.gov.au
Website: www.parksaustralia.gov.au/norfolk/index.html
EPBC Act and Regulations can be viewed at www.environment.gov.au/epbc/index.html or purchased from CANPRINT, telephone 1300 656 863.