Approval for works in declared Fish Habitat Areas

Declared Fish Habitat Areas (FHAs) are defined areas of critical inshore and estuarine fish habitats which play a key role in sustaining fish stocks for recreational, commercial and Indigenous fishing.

Declared FHAs provide a way to protect and manage all fish habitats within their boundaries, including vegetation, sand bars and rocky headlands. There are 72 declared FHAs along the Queensland coast. FHAs are declared by regulation under the Fisheries Act 1994 as part of the ongoing identification, management and protection of critical fish habitats in Queensland.

Resource Allocation Authority

Assessable development works in declared FHAs require a Resource Allocation Authority under the Fisheries Act 1994.

Development approval

Some works can be done without development approval if they comply with the accepted development requirements.

If your proposed works do not meet these requirements, it is an assessable development.

You will need to apply for development approval.

Your development application must address the State Code 12 – Development in a declared Fish Habitat Area, under the State Development Assessment Provisions (SDAP).

Read the SDAP guideline to understand how:

  • your proposed development is assessed
  • to prepare your development application.

Fishing and boating activities

Declared FHAs can be accessed for legal recreational, traditional or commercial fishing and boating activities.

Policies

The Management of declared Fish Habitat Areas Policy (PDF, 656KB) covers:

  • activities that are subject to declared FHA management
  • specific works permissible within declared FHAs.

Legislation