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Regulators

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​There are a number of different government regulators take consider threatened species protection when assessing the impact of an activity. This means that you may need to provide information to more than one agency, and you may need more than one permit.

Most of the regulators you may need to consider in relation to threatened species in Tasmania are listed below. If you are still unsure which regulator/s you need to deal with, try the relevant Activity Information Page and see which are the most likely regulators for your planned activity.

For detailed advice regarding how a particular activity is likely to be assessed in relation to threatened species:

​For more complex activities, it may be helpful to employ an environmental consultant to assist you with your legal and planning requirements in relation to threatened species.

There is also more information on the state assessment process and regulators on the Tasmanian Planning Commission Website and the Environmental Defenders Office Website.

Regulators: Tasmanian Government

Consideration of impacts on threatened species may be required in the course of obtaining a development approval (usually a planning permit) in accordance with Tasmania's Resource Management and Planning System. In general, developments such as new houses or subdivisions are assessed by the local Council, while larger developments or those that may impact on environmental quality as defined under the Tasmanian Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 are assessed by the Environment Protection Authority - see links below

Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE): The Tasmanian NRE issues permits for a number of activities in relation to threatened species. The relevant NRE Divisions and permits are listed below.

Environment, Heritage and Land Division (EHL): NRE's EHL Division regulates permits for any activity involving the collection, disturbance, import, export or destruction of plants and animals in Tasmania including both threatened and non-threatened species. Check this page​ for the permit forms you may need.

Primary Industries & Water Division​: NRE's Primary Industries & Water Division regulates the taking or storage of water from water courses for commercial purposes (including dams). This Division also includes the Wild Fisheries Branch and the Aquaculture Branch (details below).

Wild Fisheries Branch: NRE's Wild Fisheries Branch issues fisheries permits in relation to taking marine fish (defined to include marine invertebrates). If these species are threatened an additional permit from the Environment, Heritage and Land Division (EHL) will also be required.

Aquaculture Branch​: NRE's Aquaculture Branch regulates all marine farming operations.

Environmental Protection Authority (EPA): The EPA regulates developments and activities that may impact on environmental quality.

Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS): Tasmania's PWS regulates various activities which might affect threatened species on reserved land.

Animal Ethics Committee (AEC): You must have AEC approval from an institution licenced under the Tasmanian Animal Welfare Act 1993 to take or disturb vertebrate or higher invertebrate (eg octopus and squid) wildlife for research (including surveys). The AEC approval process is managed separately from the scientific permit approval process, and is applied for separately.

Forest Practices Authority (FPA): Tasmania's FPA may require a Forest Practices Plan for a wide range of forest practices.

Inland Fisheries Service (IFS): Tasmania's IFS is responsible for the protection of native freshwater fauna, and regulate permits for catching freshwater fish.

Regulators: Local Government

Tasmanian Local Councils: Local Councils may regulate some activities that have the potential to affect threatened species within their municipal area.

Regulators: Commonwealth Government

EPBC Act referrals: The Commonwealth ​Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) regulates matters of national environmental significance, including threatened species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

CITES permits: DCCEEW also regulates the international export of threatened plants and animals under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

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