​Creating or amending a Marine Farming Development Plan involves both non-statutory and statutory elements:

Non-statutory steps: 

1. EXPLORATION of area under permit and collection of data.

2. INITIAL CONSULTATION with community.

3. SUBMISSION of development proposals to DPIPWE

4. EIS guidelines issued by DPIPWE to the proponent.

5. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT is prepared by the proponent with stakeholder engagements.

6. APPLICATION by proponent to progress the draft plan or amendment.

7. CONSIDERATION of proposal by the Marine Farming Planning Review Panel.

8. PUBLIC EXHIBITION of the draft plan or amendment and public hearings held. 

9. FINAL CONSIDERATION of the proposal by Panel. 

10. FINAL CONSIDERATION by the Minister.