Permit Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions

Who is the School of Botany Permit Officer?
What are the responsibilities of the School of Botany Permit Officer?
Does the School of Botany have a general collecting permit?
What sort of activity does this permit cover?
How can I use this permit?
What if my proposed research activity falls outside the conditions of the permit?
What are my responsibilities regarding collection on public land?
Where can I get further information about permits?

Who is the School of Botany Permit Officer?

Nicole Middleton (in her role as Collection Manager of The University of Melbourne Herbarium)

What are the responsibilities of the School of Botany Permit Officer?

• Advise School of Botany staff and students on permit issues.
• Liaise with NRE regarding Botany permit issues as necessary.
• Administrate the School of Botany general collecting permit.
• Maintain a central record of authorized collectors, applications and permits.
• Ensure reports are submitted to NRE on expiry of permits.
• Report on permit applications, approvals, expiries, and reports to the Herbarium Committee.

Does the School of Botany have a general collecting permit?

Yes. The School of Botany has a permit issued under the National Parks Act 1975 and the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 for the collection of "herbarium specimens and minimal quantities of seed and propagation material" from all public land and waters in Victoria, including National Parks and reserves. This permit is issued to Prof. Pauline Ladiges (as Head of School), who has the authority to authorize specific staff and students to operate under the conditions of the permit

What sort of activity does this permit cover?

This permit allows for the collection of "herbarium specimens and minimal quantities of seed and propagation material". This largely restricts the use of the permit to activities such as systematic studies, sampling small amounts of material for DNA extraction, or collecting cuttings to establish plants for a glasshouse experiment; i.e., activities that have a short duration, sporadic frequency, and minimal impact on the population or environment. This permit is particularly amenable to projects with a broad geographical scope where it may be necessary to sample a species in a particular National Park on only one occasion.

How can I use this permit?

Contact Nicole Middleton in the Herbarium and explain your proposed collecting/research activity. If it falls within the conditions of the School of Botany permit she will organize your authorization and give you a copy of the permit.

What if my proposed research activity falls outside the conditions of the permit?

If your proposed activity involves an extensive and sustained field component, and especially if it is based substantially in one or just a few locations (and especially if these are National Parks) then you should apply to NRE for an individual permit specific to your research project. For example, this would apply to an ecological study where sustained experimentation and data collecting is necessary, or an undergraduate excursion such as the Field Botany trip to the Bogong High Plains. Contact Nicole Middleton and she will advise you as to the appropriate permit. All permit applications must be submitted through Nicole.

What are my responsibilities regarding collection on public land?

• Ensure that you are authorized for collecting/research under an appropriate permit.
• Seek the necessary approval of the appropriate local land manager (e.g., Ranger-in-Charge of National Park)
• Comply with the permit conditions
• Document all activity conducted under permit.
• Lodge a copy of all records/documents with the School of Botany Permit Officer.

You must carry a copy of the permit with you.

Record all your activity under the permit in your field notebook so that it can easily be summarized for inclusion in your final report. If you are collecting on the School of Botany general permit, you will need to forward this information to Nicole Middleton.

Where possible, avoid collecting on Parks Victoria managed land.

If you are collecting on Parks Victoria managed land, arrangements must be made in advance with the Ranger-in-Charge. Be sure to explain carefully what you want to collect, and quote the permit number and conditions. Keep all records of these arrangements (e.g., correspondence, notes in your field notebook of dates of phone calls and who you spoke to) as evidence that you are complying with the permit conditions. It would be appropriate to summarize them as part of the final report.

Where can I get further information about permits?

See the Department of Sustainability & Environment web site for information on all permits for Victoria, and to download an application form for a permit to take protected flora.

Other useful links for Victoria

Parks Victoria

Other States: NSW, Tas., SA, WA, Qld, NT, ACT