Aquaculture farming
General information
Cultivating or holding marine, estuarine or freshwater organisms (other than molluscs) in ponds or tanks or in enclosures in waters
- if wastes are released to waters; or
- with an area greater than five hectares and no wastes are released to waters
is defined as ERA 1 under Schedule 1 of the Environmental Protection Regulation 1998.
Depending on the above capacities, aquaculture is either a level 1 or level 2 ERA and needs a development permit and a registration certificate.
If the activity is carried out in a marine park or where there may be a discharge to a marine park other approvals will be required from the department. For further information on aquaculture farming involving marine parks, visit Parks and Forest Management.
Guidelines and policies
You should refer to the following documents when preparing your application.
Operational policy: Licensing wastewater releases from existing marine prawn farms in Queensland
Environmental Code of Practice for Australian Prawn Farmers
Guidelines for Sampling and Analysis of Lowland Acid Sulfate Soils (ASS) in Queensland 1998 (PDF, 189K)*
Information sheet: Information for applicants for an environmentally relevant activity (ERA)
Pre-design conference service
The department offers a 'pre-design conference' service for projects which may include issues requiring a high level of assessment. This service includes meeting with a departmental project manager to discuss all the information requirements to be provided with your application.
For more details, read the Pre-design conference fact sheet.
This service can be initiated by contacting the Ecoaccess Customer Service Unit on 1300 368 326 or by email at eco.access@epa.qld.gov.au or completing a Pre-design conference application form. If a pre-design conference is required to discuss your application in more detail, a departmental officer will contact you directly.
Permits and approvals
The development permit will contain conditions to ensure that industry is conducted in a way that minimises impacts on the environment.
The relevant local government must also be contacted regarding any requirements in addition to the ERA matters for the development permit.
Forms and fees
There are a number of categories within this ERA. Different fees apply to each category. These fees are listed in the information sheet Summary of fees - environmentally relevant activities.
Application forms can be obtained online or by contacting the department Ecoaccess Customer Service Unit on 1300 368 326.
* Requires Acrobat Reader
Last updated: 05 June 2007