- Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
- Act No. 91 of 1999 as amended
- Contents
- Chapter 1—Preliminary
- Part 1—Preliminary
- 1 Short title
- 2 Commencement
- 3 Objects of Act
- 3A Principles of ecologically sustainable development
- 4 Act to bind Crown
- 5 Application of Act
- 6 Extended application of Act to match extended management of fisheries under the Fisheries Management Act 1991
- 7 Application of the Criminal Code
- 8 Native title rights not affect
- 9 Relationship with other Acts
- 10 Relationship with State law
- Chapter 2—Protecting the environment
- Part 2—Simplified outline of this Chapter
- Part 3—Requirements for environmental approvals
- Division 1—Requirements relating to matters of national environmental significance
- Subdivision A—World Heritage
- 12 Requirement for approval of activities with a significant impact on a declared World Heritage property
- 13 What is a declared World Heritage property?
- 14 Declaring a property to be a declared World Heritage property
- 15 Amending or revoking a declaration of a declared World Heritage property
- 15A Offences relating to declared World Heritage properties
- Subdivision AA—National Heritage
- Subdivision B—Wetlands of international importance
- Subdivision C—Listed threatened species and communities
- Subdivision D—Listed migratory species
- Subdivision E—Protection of the environment from nuclear actions
- Subdivision F—Marine environment
- Subdivision FA—Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
- Subdivision G—Additional matters of national environmental significance
- Subdivision H—Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division
- Subdivision HA—Limitation on liability for actions of third parties
- Subdivision I—Evidentiary certificates
- Division 2—Protection of the environment from proposals involving the Commonwealth
- Subdivision A—Protection of environment from actions involving Commonwealth land
- Subdivision AA—Protection of Commonwealth Heritage places outside the Australian jurisdiction
- Subdivision B—Protection of the environment from Commonwealth actions
- Subdivision C—Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division
- Subdivision D—Limitation on liability for actions of third parties
- Part 4—Cases in which environmental approvals are not needed
- Division 1—Actions covered by bilateral agreements
- Division 2—Actions covered by Ministerial declarations and accredited management arrangements or accredited authorisation processes
- Subdivision A—Effect of declarations
- Subdivision B—Making declarations
- Subdivision C—Prerequisites for making declarations
- 34A Minister may only make declaration if prescribed criteria are met
- 34B Declarations relating to declared World Heritage properties
- 34BA Declarations relating to National Heritage places
- 34C Declarations relating to declared Ramsar wetlands
- 34D Declarations relating to listed threatened species and ecological communities
- 34E Declarations relating to migratory species
- 34F Declarations relating to Commonwealth Heritage places
- Subdivision D—Other rules about declarations
- Division 3—Actions covered by Ministerial declarations and bio regional plans
- Subdivision A—Effect of declarations
- Subdivision B—Making declarations
- Subdivision C—Prerequisites for making declarations
- 37B General considerations
- 37C Minister may make declaration only if prescribed criteria are met
- 37D Declarations relating to declared World Heritage properties
- 37E Declarations relating to National Heritage places
- 37F Declarations relating to declared Ramsar wetlands
- 37G Declarations relating to listed threatened species and ecological communities
- 37H Declarations relating to listed migratory species
- 37J No declarations relating to nuclear actions
- Subdivision D—Other rules about declarations
- Division 3A—Actions covered by conservation agreements
- Division 4—Forestry operations in certain regions
- Subdivision A—Regions covered by regional forest agreements
- Subdivision B—Regions subject to a process of negotiating a regional forest agreement
- Subdivision C—Limits on application
- Division 5—Actions in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
- Division 6—Actions with prior authorisation
- Chapter 3—Bilateral agreements
- Part 5—Bilateral agreements
- Division 1—Object of Part
- Division 2—Making bilateral agreements
- Subdivision A—Power to make bilateral agreements
- Subdivision B—Prerequisites for making bilateral agreements
- 49A Consultation on draft agreement
- 50 Minister may only enter into agreement if prescribed criteria are met
- 51 Agreements relating to declared World Heritage properties
- 51A Agreements relating to National Heritage places
- 52 Agreements relating to declared Ramsar wetlands
- 53 Agreements relating to listed threatened species and ecological communities
- 54 Agreements relating to migratory species
- 55 Agreements relating to nuclear actions
- 56 Agreements relating to prescribed actions
- Subdivision C—Minor amendments of bilateral agreements
- Division 3—Suspending and ending the effect of bilateralagreements
- Subdivision A—Suspension and cancellation of effect
- 57 Representations about suspension or cancellation
- 58 Consultation before cancellation or suspension
- 59 Suspension or cancellation
- 60 Emergency suspension of effect of bilateral agreement
- 61 Cancellation during suspension
- 62 Revocation of notice of suspension or cancellation
- 63 Cancellation or suspension at request of other party
- 64 Cancellation or suspension of bilateral agreement does not affect certain actions
- Subdivision B—Expiry of bilateral agreements
- 65 Expiry and review of bilateral agreements
- 65A Expiry of bilateral agreement does not affect certain actions
- Chapter 4—Environmental assessments and approvals
- Part 6—Simplified outline of this Chapter
- Part 7—Deciding whether approval of actions is needed
- Division 1—Referral of proposals to take action
- 67 What is a controlled action?
- 67A Prohibition on taking controlled action without approval
- 68 Referral by person proposing to take action
- 68A Actions proposed to be taken under a contract etc.
- 69 State or Territory may refer proposal to Minister
- 70 Minister may request referral of proposal
- 71 Commonwealth agency may refer proposal to Minister
- 72 Form and content of referrals
- 73 Informing person proposing to take action of referral
- 73A Informing Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority of proposal affecting Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
- 74 Inviting provision of information on referred proposal
- 74A Minister may request referral of a larger action
- 74AA Offence of taking action before decision made in relation to referral etc.
- Division 1A—Decision that action is clearly unacceptable
- 74B Application of this Division
- 74C Informing person proposing to take action that action is clearly unacceptable
- 74D Procedure if Minister is requested to reconsider referral
- Division 2—Ministerial decision whether action needs approval
- 76 Minister may request more information for making decisions
- 77 Notice and reasons for decision
- 77A Action to be taken in a particular manner
- Division 3—Reconsideration of decisions
- 78 Reconsideration of decision
- 78A Request for reconsideration of decision by person other thanState or Territory Minister
- 78B Minister must inform interested persons of request and invite comments
- 78C Minister must reconsider decision and give notice of outcome
- 79 Reconsideration of decision on request by a State or Territory
- Part 8—Assessing impacts of controlled actions
- Division 1—Simplified outline of this Part
- Division 2—Application of this Part
- Division 3—Decision on assessment approach
- Subdivision A—Simplified outline of this Division
- Subdivision B—Deciding on approach for assessment
- Division 3A—Assessment on referral information
- Division 4—Assessment on preliminary documentation
- 94 Application of this Division
- 95 Direction to publish referral information and invitation to comment—no further information required
- 95A Direction to publish referral information and invitation to comment—further information required
- 95B Procedure after end of period for comment
- 95C Recommendation report
- Division 5—Public environment reports
- 96 Application
- 96A Minister must give designated proponent written guidelines for preparation of draft public environment report
- 96B Standard guidelines
- 97 Tailored guidelines
- 98 Designated proponent must invite comment on draft public environment report
- 99 Finalising public environment report
- 100 Recommendation report
- Division 6—Environmental impact statements
- 101 Application
- 101A Minister must give designated proponent written guidelines for preparation of draft environmental impact statement
- 101B Standard guidelines
- 102 Tailored guidelines
- 103 Designated proponent must invite comment on draft environmental impact statement
- 104 Finalising environmental impact statement
- 105 Recommendation report
- Division 7—Inquiries
- Subdivision A—Preliminary
- Subdivision B—Establishment of inquiries
- Subdivision C—Conduct of inquiries
- 109 Procedure of inquiries
- 110 Inquiry to be public
- 111 Calling witnesses
- 112 Dealing with witnesses
- 113 Dealing with documents given to commission
- 114 Inspections of land, buildings and places
- 115 Entering premises by consent
- 116 Entering premises under warrant
- 117 Warrants by telephone or other electronic means
- 118 Identity cards
- 119 Contempt
- 120 Protection of commissioners and witnesses
- Subdivision D—Inquiry reports
- Subdivision E—Commissioners’ terms and conditions
- Part 9—Approval of actions
- Division 1—Decisions on approval and conditions
- Subdivision A—General
- 130 Timing of decision on approval
- 131 Inviting comments from other Ministers before decision
- 131AA Inviting comments before decision from person proposing to take action and designated proponent
- 131A Inviting public comment before decision
- 132 Requesting further information for approval decision
- 132A Requesting notice from appropriate State or Territory Minister about certain actions
- 133 Grant of approval
- 134 Conditions of approval
- 135 Certain approvals and conditions must not give preference
- 135A Publication of recommendation reports
- Subdivision B—Considerations for approvals and conditions
- 136 General considerations
- 137 Requirements for decisions about World Heritage
- 137A Requirements for decisions about National Heritage places
- 138 Requirements for decisions about Ramsar wetlands
- 139 Requirements for decisions about threatened species and endangered communities
- 140 Requirements for decisions about migratory species
- 140A No approval for certain nuclear installations
- Division 2—Requirement to comply with conditions
- Division 3—Variation of conditions and suspension and revocation of approvals
- Division 4—Transfer of approvals
- 145B Transfer with Minister’s consent
- Division 5—Extension of period of effect of approval
- Part 10—Strategic assessments
- Division 1—Strategic assessments generally
- Subdivision A—Assessment of actions to be taken in accordance with policy, plan or program
- Subdivision B—Approval of taking of actions in accordance with endorsed policy, plan or program
- 146A Definition
- 146B Minister may approve taking of actions in accordance with endorsed policy, plan or program
- 146C Inviting comments from other Ministers before deciding whether or not to approve taking of actions in accordance with endorsed policy, plan or program
- 146D Effect of approval of taking of actions in accordance with endorsed policy, plan or program
- Subdivision C—Considerations for approving taking of actions in accordance with endorsed policy, plan or program
- 146E Minister must comply with this Subdivision
- 146F General considerations
- 146G Approvals relating to declared World Heritage properties
- 146H Approvals relating to National Heritage places
- 146J Approvals relating to declared Ramsar wetlands
- 146K Approvals relating to listed threatened species and ecological communities
- 146L Approvals relating to listed migratory species
- 146M No approvals relating to nuclear actions
- Division 2—Assessment of Commonwealth-managed fisheries
- 147 Simplified outline of this Division
- 148 Assessment before management plan is determined
- 149 Assessment before determination that no plan required
- 150 Assessment of all fisheries without plans must be started within 5 years
- 151 Assessment of all Torres Strait fisheries to be started within 5 years
- 152 Further assessment if impacts greater than previously assessed
- 153 Minister must make declaration if he or she endorses plan or policy
- 154 This Division does not limit Division 1
- Part 11—Miscellaneous rules about assessments and approvals
- Division 1—Rules about timing
- Division 1A—Variation of proposals to take actions
- Division 1B—Change of person proposing to take action
- Division 2—Actions in area offshore from a State or the Northern Territory
- Division 3—Exemptions
- Division 3A—Approval process decisions not affected by listing events that happen after section 75 decision made
- Division 4—Application of Chapter to actions that are not controlled actions
- Subdivision A—Minister’s advice on authorising actions
- 159 Simplified outline of this Subdivision
- 160 Requirement to take account of Minister’s advice
- 161 Seeking the Minister’s advice
- 161A Minister may decide that advice is not required
- 161B Certain provisions of other Acts not to apply if Minister decides that advice is not required
- 162 Assessment of the action
- 163 Providing advice
- 164 Reporting on response to advice
- Subdivision C—Assessment under agreement with State orTerritory
- Division 5—Publication of information relating to assessments
- Division 6—Withdrawal of referrals
- Chapter 5—Conservation of biodiversity andheritage
- Part 11A—Interpretation
- Part 12—Identifying and monitoring biodiversity and making bioregional plans
- Division 1—Identifying and monitoring biodiversity
- Division 2—Bioregional plans
- Part 13—Species and communities
- Division 1—Listed threatened species and ecologicalcommunities
- Subdivision A—Listing
- 178 Listing of threatened species
- 179 Categories of threatened species
- 180 Native species of marine fish
- 181 Listing of threatened ecological communities
- 182 Critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable communities
- 183 Listing of key threatening processes
- 184 Minister may amend lists
- 186 Amending list of threatened native species
- 187 Amending list of ecological communities
- 188 Amending list of key threatening processes
- 189 Minister must consider advice from Scientific Committee
- 189A Certain information may be kept confidential
- 189B Disclosure of Scientific Committee’s assessments and advice
- 190 Scientific Committee may provide advice about species orcommunities becoming threatened
- 192 Rediscovery of threatened species that were extinct
- 193 Species posing a serious threat to human health
- 194 Lists must be publicly available
- Subdivision AA—The nomination and listing process
- 194A Simplified outline
- 194B Definitions
- 194C Meaning of assessment period
- 194D Minister may determine conservation themes for an assessment period
- 194E Minister to invite nominations for each assessment period
- 194F Minister to give nominations to Scientific Committee
- 194G Scientific Committee to prepare proposed priority assessment list
- 194H Matters to be included in proposed priority assessment list
- 194J Statement to be given to Minister with proposed priority assessment list
- 194K The finalised priority assessment list
- 194L Publication of finalised priority assessment list
- 194M Scientific Committee to invite comments on items in finalised priority assessment list
- 194N Scientific Committee to assess items on finalised priority assessment list and give assessments to Minister
- 194P Time by which assessments to be provided to Minister
- 194Q Decision about inclusion of an item in the Subdivision A List
- 194R Scientific Committee may obtain advice
- 194S Co-ordination with Australian Heritage Council—Committee undertaking assessment
- 194T Co-ordination with Australian Heritage Council—Committee given assessment to Minister
- Subdivision B—Permit system
- 195 Subdivision does not apply to cetaceans
- 196 Killing or injuring member of listed threatened species or community
- 196B Taking etc. member of listed threatened species or community
- 196C Strict liability for taking etc. member of listed threatened species or community
- 196D Trading etc. member of listed threatened species or community taken in Commonwealth area
- 196E Strict liability for trading etc. member of listed threatened species or community taken in Commonwealth area
- 197 Certain actions are not offences
- 198 Operation of sections 18 and 18A not affected
- 198 Operation of sections 18 and 18A not affected
- 199 Failing to notify taking of listed threatened species or listed ecological community
- 200 Application for permits
- 201 Minister may issue permits
- 202 Conditions of permits
- 203 Contravening conditions of a permit
- 204 Authorities under permits
- 205 Transfer of permits
- 206 Suspension or cancellation of permits
- 206A Review of decisions about permits
- 207 Fees
- Subdivision BA—Protecting critical hab
- Subdivision C—Miscellaneous
- Division 2—Migratory species
- Subdivision A—Listing
- Subdivision B—Permit system
- 210 Subdivision does not apply to members of listed threatened species or cetaceans
- 211 Killing or injuring member of listed migratory species
- 211A Strict liability for killing or injuring member of listed migratory species
- 211B Taking etc. member of listed migratory species
- 211C Strict liability for taking etc. member of listed migratory species
- 211D Trading etc. member of listed migratory species taken in Commonwealth area
- 211E Strict liability for trading etc. member of listed migratory species taken in Commonwealth area
- 212 Certain actions are not offences
- 213 Operation of sections 20 and 20A not affected
- 214 Failing to notify taking etc. of listed migratory species
- 215 Application for permits
- 217 Conditions of permits
- 218 Contravening conditions of a permit
- 219 Authorities under permits
- 220 Transfer of permits
- 221 Suspension or cancellation of permits
- 221A Review of decisions about permits
- 222 Fees
- Subdivision C—Miscellaneous
- Division 3—Whales and other cetaceans
- Subdivision A—Application of Division
- Subdivision B—Australian Whale Sanctuary and important cetacean habitat areas
- Subdivision C—Offences
- 229 Killing or injuring a cetacean
- 229A Strict liability for killing or injuring a ceta
- 229B Intentionally taking etc. a cetacean
- 229C Strict liability for taking etc. a cetacean
- 229D Treating cetaceans
- 230 Possession of cetaceans
- 231 Certain actions are not offences
- 232 Action to be taken on killing etc. cetaceans
- Subdivision E—Miscellaneous offences
- Subdivision F—Permit system
- Subdivision G—Miscellaneous
- Division 4—Listed marine species
- Subdivision A—Listing
- Subdivision B—Permit system
- 253 Subdivision does not apply to members of certain species and cetaceans
- 254 Killing or injuring member of listed marine species
- 254A Strict liability for killing or injuring member of listed marine species
- 254B Taking etc. member of listed marine species
- 254C Strict liability for taking etc. member of listed marine species
- 254D Trading etc. member of listed marine species taken in Commonwealth area
- 254E Strict liability for trading etc. member of listed marine species taken in Commonwealth area
- 255 Certain actions are not offences
- 256 Failing to notify taking etc. of listed marine wildlife
- 257 Application for permits
- 258 Minister may issue permits
- 259 Conditions of permits
- 260 Contravening conditions of a permit
- 261 Authorities under permits
- 262 Transfer of permits
- 263 Suspension or cancellation of permits
- 263A Review of decisions about permits
- 264 Fees
- Subdivision C—Miscellaneous
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Act No. 91 of 1999 as amended
This compilation was prepared on 5 March 2010 taking into account amendments up to Act No. 8 of 2010
Volume 1 includes: Table of Contents Sections 1 – 266
The text of any of those amendments not in force on that date is appended in the Notes section
The operation of amendments that have been incorporated may be affected by application provisions that are set out in the Notes section
Volume 2 includes: Table of Contents Sections 266B – 528 Schedule 1 Note 1 Table of Acts Act Notes Table of Amendments Notes 2 and 3 Table A
Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing, Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra
Contents
Chapter 1—Preliminary 1
Part 1—Preliminary 1 1 Short title [see Note 1].......................................................................1 2 Commencement [see Note 1].............................................................1 3 Objects of Act....................................................................................1 3A Principles of ecologically sustainable development ..........................3 4 Act to bind Crown.............................................................................3 5 Application of Act.............................................................................4 6 Extended application of Act to match extended management
of fisheries under the Fisheries Management Act 1991.....................6 7 Application of the Criminal Code .....................................................7 8 Native title rights not affected ...........................................................7 9 Relationship with other Acts .............................................................8 10 Relationship with State law...............................................................8
Chapter 2—Protecting the environment 9
Part 2—Simplified outline of this Chapter 9 11 Simplified outline of this Chapter......................................................9
Part 3—Requirements for environmental approvals 10
Division 1—Requirements relating to matters of national environmental significance 10
Subdivision A—World Heritage 10 12 Requirement for approval of activities with a significant
impact on a declared World Heritage property................................10 13 What isa declared World Heritage property?.................................11 14 Declaring a property to be a declared World Heritage
property ...........................................................................................11 15 Amending or revoking a declaration of a declared World Heritage property.............................................................................13 15A Offences relating to declared World Heritage properties.................14
Subdivision AA—National Heritage 15 15B Requirement for approval of activities with a significant impact on a National Heritage place................................................15 15C Offences relating to National Heritage places .................................17
Subdivision B—Wetlands of international importance 22 16 Requirement for approval of activities with a significant
impact on a declared Ramsar wetland .............................................22 17 What isa declared Ramsar wetland? ..............................................23 17A Making and revoking declarations of wetlands ...............................23
17B Offences relating to declared Ramsar wetlands...............................25
Subdivision C—Listed threatened species and communities 26 18 Actions with significant impact on listed threatened species
or endangered community prohibited without approval..................26 18A Offences relating to threatened species etc......................................28 19 Certain actions relating to listed threatened species and listed
threatened ecological communities not prohibited ..........................29
Subdivision D—Listed migratory species 30 20 Requirement for approval of activities with a significant
impact on a listed migratory species................................................30 20A Offences relating to listed migratory species...................................31 20B Certain actions relating to listed migratory species not
prohibited ........................................................................................32
Subdivision E—Protection of the environment from nuclear
actions 32 21 Requirement for approval of nuclear actions...................................32 22 What isa nuclear action? ................................................................34 22A Offences relating to nuclear actions.................................................35
Subdivision F—Marine environment 37 23 Requirement for approval of activities involving the marine
environment.....................................................................................37
24 What isa Commonwealth marine area?..........................................39
24A Offences relating to marine areas ....................................................40
Subdivision FA—Great Barrier Reef Marine Park 44 24B Requirement for approval of activities in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.............................................................................44 24C Offences relating to Great Barrier Reef Marine Park ......................46
Subdivision G—Additional matters of national environmental significance 48 25 Requirement for approval of prescribed actions..............................48
Subdivision H—Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division 50 25A Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division......................50
Subdivision HA—Limitation on liability for actions of third parties 51 25AA Limitation on liability for actions of third parties............................51
Subdivision I—Evidentiary certificates 52 25B Evidentiary certificates....................................................................52 25C Certificate to be given to person......................................................53 25D Evidentiary effect of certificate.......................................................53 25E Variation of certificate.....................................................................53 25F Revocation of certificate..................................................................53
Division 2—Protection of the environment from proposals involving the Commonwealth 54
Subdivision A—Protection of environment from actions involving Commonwealth land 54 26 Requirement for approval of activities involving
Commonwealth land........................................................................54 27 What is Commonwealth land?.........................................................55 27A Offences relating to Commonwealth land.......................................55
Subdivision AA—Protection of Commonwealth Heritage places outside the Australian jurisdiction 57 27B Requirement for approval of actions with significant impact on Commonwealth Heritage places overseas...................................57 27C Offences relating to Commonwealth Heritage places overseas ...........................................................................................58
Subdivision B—Protection of the environment from Commonwealth actions 60 28 Requirement for approval of activities of Commonwealth agencies significantly affecting the environment.............................60
Subdivision C—Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division 61 28AA Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division......................61
Subdivision D—Limitation on liability for actions of third parties 62 28AB Limitation on liability for actions of third parties............................62
Part 4—Cases in which environmental approvals are not needed 63
Division 1—Actions covered by bilateral agreements 63 29 Actions declared by agreement not to need approval ......................63 30 Extended operation in State and Northern Territory waters.............64 31 Extended operation in non-self-governing Territories.....................64
Division 2—Actions covered by Ministerial declarations and accredited management arrangements or accredited authorisation processes 66
Subdivision A—Effect of declarations 66 32 Actions declared by Minister not to need approval .........................66
Subdivision B—Making declarations 67 33 Making declaration that actions do not need approval under Part 9 ...............................................................................................67 34 What is matter protected by a provision of Part 3? .........................71
Subdivision C—Prerequisites for making declarations 73 34A Minister may only make declaration if prescribed criteria are met...................................................................................................73
34B Declarations relating to declared World Heritage properties...........73 34BA Declarations relating to National Heritage places............................74 34C Declarations relating todeclared Ramsar wetlands.........................74 34D Declarations relating to listed threatened species and
ecological communities...................................................................75 34E Declarations relating to migratory species.......................................76 34F Declarations relating to Commonwealth Heritage places................77
Subdivision D—Other rules about declarations 77 35 Revoking declarations.....................................................................77 36 Other rules about declarations.........................................................78 36A Minor amendments of accredited management arrangement
or accredited authorisation process..................................................78
Division 3—Actions covered by Ministerial declarations and bioregional plans 80
Subdivision A—Effect of declarations 80 37 Actions declared by Minister not to need approval .........................80
Subdivision B—Making declarations 80 37A Making declarations that actions do not need approval under Part 9 ...............................................................................................80
Subdivision C—Prerequisites for making declarations 81 37B General considerations ....................................................................81 37C Minister may make declaration only if prescribed criteria are
met...................................................................................................81 37D Declarations relating to declared World Heritage properties...........81 37E Declarations relating to National Heritage places............................82 37F Declarations relating todeclared Ramsar wetlands.........................82 37G Declarations relating to listed threatened species and
ecological communities...................................................................82 37H Declarations relating tolisted migratory species.............................83 37J No declarations relating to nuclear actions......................................83
Subdivision D—Other rules about declarations 84 37K Revoking declarations.....................................................................84 37L Other rules about declarations.........................................................84
Division 3A—Actions covered by conservation agreements 85 37M Actions declared by conservation agreement not to need approval...........................................................................................85
Division 4—Forestry operations in certain regions 86
Subdivision A—Regions covered by regional forest agreements 86 38 Part 3 not to apply to certain RFA forestry operations ....................86
Subdivision B—Regions subject to a process of negotiating a
regional forest agreement
Act No. 91 of 1999 as amended
This compilation was prepared on 5 March 2010 taking into account amendments up to Act No. 8 of 2010
Volume 1 includes: Table of Contents Sections 1 – 266
The text of any of those amendments not in force on that date is appended in the Notes section
The operation of amendments that have been incorporated may be affected by application provisions that are set out in the Notes section
Volume 2 includes: Table of Contents Sections 266B – 528 Schedule 1 Note 1 Table of Acts Act Notes Table of Amendments Notes 2 and 3 Table A
Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing, Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra
Chapter 1—Preliminary 1
Part 1—Preliminary 1 1 Short title [see Note 1].......................................................................1 2 Commencement [see Note 1].............................................................1 3 Objects of Act....................................................................................1 3A Principles of ecologically sustainable development ..........................3 4 Act to bind Crown.............................................................................3 5 Application of Act.............................................................................4 6 Extended application of Act to match extended management
of fisheries under the Fisheries Management Act 1991.....................6 7 Application of the Criminal Code .....................................................7 8 Native title rights not affected ...........................................................7 9 Relationship with other Acts .............................................................8 10 Relationship with State law...............................................................8
Part 2—Simplified outline of this Chapter 9 11 Simplified outline of this Chapter......................................................9
Subdivision A—World Heritage 10 12 Requirement for approval of activities with a significant
impact on a declared World Heritage property................................10 13 What isa declared World Heritage property?.................................11 14 Declaring a property to be a declared World Heritage
property ...........................................................................................11 15 Amending or revoking a declaration of a declared World Heritage property.............................................................................13 15A Offences relating to declared World Heritage properties.................14
Subdivision AA—National Heritage 15 15B Requirement for approval of activities with a significant impact on a National Heritage place................................................15 15C Offences relating to National Heritage places .................................17
Subdivision B—Wetlands of international importance 22 16 Requirement for approval of activities with a significant
impact on a declared Ramsar wetland .............................................22 17 What isa declared Ramsar wetland? ..............................................23 17A Making and revoking declarations of wetlands ...............................23
17B Offences relating to declared Ramsar wetlands...............................25
Subdivision C—Listed threatened species and communities 26 18 Actions with significant impact on listed threatened species
or endangered community prohibited without approval..................26 18A Offences relating to threatened species etc......................................28 19 Certain actions relating to listed threatened species and listed
threatened ecological communities not prohibited ..........................29
Subdivision D—Listed migratory species 30 20 Requirement for approval of activities with a significant
impact on a listed migratory species................................................30 20A Offences relating to listed migratory species...................................31 20B Certain actions relating to listed migratory species not
prohibited ........................................................................................32
Subdivision E—Protection of the environment from nuclear
actions 32 21 Requirement for approval of nuclear actions...................................32 22 What isa nuclear action? ................................................................34 22A Offences relating to nuclear actions.................................................35
Subdivision F—Marine environment 37 23 Requirement for approval of activities involving the marine
environment.....................................................................................37
24 What isa Commonwealth marine area?..........................................39
24A Offences relating to marine areas ....................................................40
Subdivision FA—Great Barrier Reef Marine Park 44 24B Requirement for approval of activities in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.............................................................................44 24C Offences relating to Great Barrier Reef Marine Park ......................46
Subdivision G—Additional matters of national environmental significance 48 25 Requirement for approval of prescribed actions..............................48
Subdivision H—Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division 50 25A Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division......................50
Subdivision HA—Limitation on liability for actions of third parties 51 25AA Limitation on liability for actions of third parties............................51
Subdivision I—Evidentiary certificates 52 25B Evidentiary certificates....................................................................52 25C Certificate to be given to person......................................................53 25D Evidentiary effect of certificate.......................................................53 25E Variation of certificate.....................................................................53 25F Revocation of certificate..................................................................53
Subdivision A—Protection of environment from actions involving Commonwealth land 54 26 Requirement for approval of activities involving
Commonwealth land........................................................................54 27 What is Commonwealth land?.........................................................55 27A Offences relating to Commonwealth land.......................................55
Subdivision AA—Protection of Commonwealth Heritage places outside the Australian jurisdiction 57 27B Requirement for approval of actions with significant impact on Commonwealth Heritage places overseas...................................57 27C Offences relating to Commonwealth Heritage places overseas ...........................................................................................58
Subdivision B—Protection of the environment from Commonwealth actions 60 28 Requirement for approval of activities of Commonwealth agencies significantly affecting the environment.............................60
Subdivision C—Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division 61 28AA Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division......................61
Subdivision D—Limitation on liability for actions of third parties 62 28AB Limitation on liability for actions of third parties............................62
Division 1—Actions covered by bilateral agreements 63 29 Actions declared by agreement not to need approval ......................63 30 Extended operation in State and Northern Territory waters.............64 31 Extended operation in non-self-governing Territories.....................64
Division 2—Actions covered by Ministerial declarations and accredited management arrangements or accredited authorisation processes 66
Subdivision A—Effect of declarations 66 32 Actions declared by Minister not to need approval .........................66
Subdivision B—Making declarations 67 33 Making declaration that actions do not need approval under Part 9 ...............................................................................................67 34 What is matter protected by a provision of Part 3? .........................71
Subdivision C—Prerequisites for making declarations 73 34A Minister may only make declaration if prescribed criteria are met...................................................................................................73
34B Declarations relating to declared World Heritage properties...........73 34BA Declarations relating to National Heritage places............................74 34C Declarations relating todeclared Ramsar wetlands.........................74 34D Declarations relating to listed threatened species and
ecological communities...................................................................75 34E Declarations relating to migratory species.......................................76 34F Declarations relating to Commonwealth Heritage places................77
Subdivision D—Other rules about declarations 77 35 Revoking declarations.....................................................................77 36 Other rules about declarations.........................................................78 36A Minor amendments of accredited management arrangement
or accredited authorisation process..................................................78
Division 3—Actions covered by Ministerial declarations and bioregional plans 80
Subdivision A—Effect of declarations 80 37 Actions declared by Minister not to need approval .........................80
Subdivision B—Making declarations 80 37A Making declarations that actions do not need approval under Part 9 ...............................................................................................80
Subdivision C—Prerequisites for making declarations 81 37B General considerations ....................................................................81 37C Minister may make declaration only if prescribed criteria are
met...................................................................................................81 37D Declarations relating to declared World Heritage properties...........81 37E Declarations relating to National Heritage places............................82 37F Declarations relating todeclared Ramsar wetlands.........................82 37G Declarations relating to listed threatened species and
ecological communities...................................................................82 37H Declarations relating tolisted migratory species.............................83 37J No declarations relating to nuclear actions......................................83
Subdivision D—Other rules about declarations 84 37K Revoking declarations.....................................................................84 37L Other rules about declarations.........................................................84
Division 3A—Actions covered by conservation agreements 85 37M Actions declared by conservation agreement not to need approval...........................................................................................85
Division 4—Forestry operations in certain regions 86
Subdivision A—Regions covered by regional forest agreements 86 38 Part 3 not to apply to certain RFA forestry operations ....................86
regional forest agreement Contents
Chapter 2—Protecting the environment 9
Part 3—Requirements for environmental approvals 10
Division 1—Requirements relating to matters of national environmental significance 10
Division 2—Protection of the environment from proposals involving the Commonwealth 54
Part 4—Cases in which environmental approvals are not needed 63
Subdivision B—Regions subject to a process of negotiating a