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Ban on the disposal of capital dredge spoil material

Regulation Impact Statement – Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

On 28 May 2015, the Minister for the Environment announced a ban on the disposal of capital dredge spoil material in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Marine Park). Water quality is a key risk to the health of the Great Barrier Reef. A range of factors reduce water quality in the Marine Park, including weather events, river flows, anchoring, dredging and disposal of dredge material. This proposal aims to improve water quality in the Marine Park by addressing one of these factors. The proposal bans the disposal of materials such as gravel, sands, silts and clays in the Marine Park that are displaced during major capital dredging projects, usually relating to port developments. The proposal has been assessed as likely to have a measurable but contained impact on the economy. A Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) was prepared and certified by the Authority and has been assessed as compliant but not best practice by the Office of Best Practice Regulation. The RIS and associated process departed from best practice in relation to the problem definition, consultation and timing of preparing the RIS. The RIS estimates the average annual regulatory cost of the proposal at $4.2m per annum, and identifies offsets. The OBPR has agreed to the regulatory cost and offset estimates.