Permits and approvals

A variety of activities within the park require a marine parks permit, including:

  • any activities or works that damage, take or interfere with habitat (such as plants, soil, sand, shells or other naturally occurring material) within the marine park including:
    • installing or relocating a mooring
    • construction activities including dredging, reclamation, driving posts or piles, construction of boat ramps, seawalls, bridges, pontoons or jetties
  • commercial activities – including tourism operations but not commercial fishing
  • collecting for commercial and private aquariums
  • competitions including line fishing and spearfishing
  • hovercrafts, airboats and seaplanes
  • traditional Indigenous fishing use
  • organised events including sporting or other activities
  • research.

Obtain a permit

For activities or works that damage, take or interfere with habitat in a marine park:

Fisheries and marine protected area permit application form (PDF)

Fisheries and marine protected area permit application form (DOC)

Completed fisheries and marine protected area permit application forms should be submitted to: ahp.central@dpi.nsw.gov.au

For all other activities:

Application Form for NSW Marine Parks Permit (PDF, 109.1 KB)

NSW Marine Park Permit Standard Conditions (PDF, 57.22 KB)

NSW Marine Park Permit Policy

Completed marine parks permit application forms should be sent by email/post to Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park. Please contact your local marine park office if you have any queries regarding marine park permits or application forms.

Development approvals

Proposals for development within or adjacent to the marine park must be assessed under marine estate and planning legislation, and a marine park permit may be required. Contact the marine park for more information.

Other management actions