Permits and zoning

You may need permits or permission for research, teaching and commercial activities in defined zones or locations of Moreton Bay and its islands.

Permits

Contact the relevant issuing authority for the latest advice on permit requirements before you apply.

Permit application times vary, and may take a few months to finalise, so organise applications early to avoid disappointment.

Quandamooka Country permit and permissions

You may need a permit or other permission from QYAC and QPWS to conduct research, teaching or commercial activities on Quandamooka Country.

QYAC manages native title rights and cultural heritage across Quandamooka Country, which encompasses Moreton Bay and its islands (Quandamooka), including North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) and Moreton Island (Mulgulpin), and the Quandamooka Coast.

You must contact QYAC to seek permission and discuss your project if you want to work on Quandamooka Country or with Quandamooka People.

Researchers in particular should ask QYAC for a copy of, and familiarise themselves with, its research priorities and protocols.

Moreton Bay Marine Park permit

You’ll need a Moreton Bay Marine Park permit for research, and for many teaching activities.

You may also need one for commercial activities such as photography or filming.

Protected area scientific and educational research permit

You’ll need a permit to take, use, keep or interfere with cultural or natural resources for research and almost all educational activities in protected areas such as Queensland terrestrial national parks, including those on North Stradbroke and Peel islands.

This applies to many interactions, including testing water quality, laying down a quadrat or setting a camera trap.

Protected animal scientific/research or educational purposes permit – non-protected areas

You’ll need a scientific/research purposes or educational purposes permit to work with protected animals.

Much of the area’s plants and animals are protected, including all native plants, and all native birds, reptiles, mammals and amphibians, grey nurse sharks, and some invertebrates and freshwater fish.

Protected plants in non-protected areas aren’t subject to scientific/research or educational purposes permits, but you may need a permit to clear, harvest or grow protected plants.

Beach and vehicle access permit

Beaches on North Stradbroke Island are part of the Minjerribah Recreation Area.

You’ll need a vehicle access permit to drive on beaches. Beaches are 4WD only.

Get your permit before you drive in the Minjerribah Recreation Area.

General fisheries permit

You’ll need a permit to undertake fisheries-related research, surveys and educational activities that aren't normally permitted under legislation.

Find information about general fisheries permits.

Commercial activity permit

Research and education activities undertaken for a commercial purpose require a commercial activity permit from the Queensland Government.

Permits for student camps and courses

We organise permits for student groups on the Stradbroke Island Science Camp program. Permits are included in the booking price.

If you plan to bring student groups for other programs or courses, you’ll need to apply for permits for all marine- and terrestrial-based activities.

Marine and terrestrial zoning

Traditional Owners

The Quandamooka people are the Traditional Owners of Moreton Bay and its islands (Quandamooka), including North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) and Moreton Island (Mulgulpin), and the Quandamooka Coast.

QYAC manages native title rights and cultural heritage across Quandamooka Country.

You must contact QYAC to seek permission and discuss your project if you want to work on Quandamooka Country or with Quandamooka people.

Marine zoning

The Moreton Bay Marine Park covers 3400 square kilometres.

It stretches 125 kilometres along the mainland coastline and extends seawards to the limit of Queensland waters.

The park is organised into zones and designated areas, including general use and habitat protection zones, and conservation and marine national park areas.

Terrestrial zoning

Much of North Stradbroke Island is protected national park, including Naree Budjong Djara National Park.

Protected conservation parks in Moreton Bay include Myora Conservation Park, Bird Island Conservation Park, Goat Island Conservation Park and Peel Island Conservation Park.

Non-protected areas are undergoing change as responsibility moves between local and state governments and native title holders.

Nature-based activities on the island are planned and managed in the Minjerribah Recreation Area.

Mining lease areas

Access to all mine sites and mine leasehold areas is restricted.

Contact Sibelco Australia for more information.

Redland City Council areas

Areas of North Stradbroke Island outside national park and above the high tide mark (for example reserves and conservation areas) may fall under the control of Redland City Council.

Contact Redland City Council for information about permit requirements if you plan to work on a terrestrial project.

See the Council's interactive e-map.

Photography and filming permission

Quandamooka Estate permission

You’ll need permission to film on Quandamooka Country.

For more information, contact QYAC

University permission

You must ask permission to take professional footage or photos at Moreton Bay Research Station.

We’ll consider your request in consultation with UQ’s Communications team, and respond to you by email.

Find out more about filming on UQ campuses.

Government permission

Commercial filmmakers and photographers may need to apply for a Commercial Activity Permit to work within national and conservation parks, recreation areas and state forests.

Find out more about Queensland Government permission.

Transporting specimens

Transporting specimens interstate

You may need a permit or licence to move wildlife out of or into Queensland.

Contact the Queensland Government to find out more about moving native and exotic wildlife.

Transporting specimens to/from Australia

If you collect specimens or part specimens from Moreton Bay Marine Park, you may need a permit to take them out of Australia.

Regulations also apply for bringing plants and animal specimens into Australia.

Find out more about importing and exporting wildlife specimens.

Ethical clearance

If you’re conducting research or teaching activities that involve human subjects or animals, you must follow ethical clearance procedures.

In all cases, you must get your application approved before you start your activities.

Animal ethics

You must get written approval from an Animal Ethics Committee to acquire, breed, hold or research live non-human vertebrates, cephalopods or crustaceans for any purpose at Moreton Bay Research Station. This applies to any activity in the laboratory or field, including research projects, teaching activities or engagement events such as UQ Open Days.

Find out more about animal ethics at UQ.

If you’re visiting us from outside UQ, approach government ethics bodies for advice.

Human ethics

The University has stringent guidelines for protecting the welfare and rights of human subjects who participate in research projects, including interviews and surveys.

Staff and student research projects that involve data collection of this nature – even if responses are anonymous – need ethical clearance.

Find out more about human ethics at UQ.

If you’re visiting us from outside UQ, approach government ethics bodies for advice.

Why do I need a permit?

Permits protect and conserve the environment and native title interests while allowing for sustainable and research use.

You must respect cultural rights, protection zones and designated conservation, national park and marine national park areas in Moreton Bay and its islands, as well as places that are subject to native title or part of a mining lease.

Note: You must carry a copy of required permits when working in the field.