Commonwealth Consolidated ActsAct No. 91 of 1999 as amended
This compilation was prepared on 1 July 2007
taking into account amendments up to
Act No. 63
of 2007
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 -- 5
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 is a 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 is a 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 is a 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 is a Commonwealth marine area? ........................................... 39
24A....... Offences relating to marine areas ...................................................... 40
Subdivision G--Additional matters of national environmental significance 44
25.......... Requirement for approval of prescribed actions .............................. 44
Subdivision H--Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division 46
25A....... Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division ..................... 46
Subdivision HA--Limitation on liability for actions of third parties 47
25AA.... Limitation on liability for actions of third parties ............................ 47
Subdivision I--Evidentiary certificates 48
25B....... Evidentiary certificates ..................................................................... 48
25C....... Certificate to be given to person ....................................................... 49
25D....... Evidentiary effect of certificate ........................................................ 49
25E........ Variation of certificate ...................................................................... 49
25F........ Revocation of certificate ................................................................... 49
Division 2--Protection of the environment from proposals involving the Commonwealth 50
Subdivision A--Protection of environment from actions involving Commonwealth land 50
26.......... Requirement for approval of activities involving Commonwealth land .. 50
27.......... What is Commonwealth land? .......................................................... 51
27A....... Offences relating to Commonwealth land ......................................... 51
Subdivision AA--Protection of Commonwealth Heritage places outside the Australian jurisdiction 53
27B....... Requirement for approval of actions with significant impact on Commonwealth Heritage places overseas 53
27C....... Offences relating to Commonwealth Heritage places overseas ........ 54
Subdivision B--Protection of the environment from Commonwealth actions 55
28.......... Requirement for approval of activities of Commonwealth agencies significantly affecting the environment 55
Subdivision C--Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division 57
28AA.... Actions that are taken to be covered by this Division ..................... 57
Subdivision D--Limitation on liability for actions of third parties 58
28AB.... Limitation on liability for actions of third parties ............................ 58
Part 4--Cases in which environmental approvals are not needed 59
Division 1--Actions covered by bilateral agreements 59
29.......... Actions declared by agreement not to need approval ....................... 59
30.......... Extended operation in State and Northern Territory waters ............ 60
31.......... Extended operation in non‑self‑governing Territories ...................... 60
Division 2--Actions covered by Ministerial declarations and accredited management arrangements or accredited authorisation processes 62
Subdivision A--Effect of declarations 62
32.......... Actions declared by Minister not to need approval ......................... 62
Subdivision B--Making declarations 63
33.......... Making declaration that actions do not need approval under Part 9 63
34.......... What is matter protected by a provision of Part 3? .......................... 67
Subdivision C--Prerequisites for making declarations 69
34A....... Minister may only make declaration if prescribed criteria are met .. 69
34B....... Declarations relating to declared World Heritage properties ............ 69
34BA.... Declarations relating to National Heritage places ............................. 70
34C....... Declarations relating to declared Ramsar wetlands ........................... 70
34D....... Declarations relating to listed threatened species and ecological communities 71
34E........ Declarations relating to migratory species ........................................ 72
34F........ Declarations relating to Commonwealth Heritage places ................. 73
Subdivision D--Other rules about declarations 73
35.......... Revoking declarations ....................................................................... 73
36.......... Other rules about declarations .......................................................... 74
36A....... Minor amendments of accredited management arrangement or accredited authorisation process 74
Division 3--Actions covered by Ministerial declarations and bioregional plans 76
Subdivision A--Effect of declarations 76
37.......... Actions declared by Minister not to need approval ......................... 76
Subdivision B--Making declarations 76
37A....... Making declarations that actions do not need approval under Part 9 76
Subdivision C--Prerequisites for making declarations 77
37B....... General considerations ...................................................................... 77
37C....... Minister may make declaration only if prescribed criteria are met .. 77
37D....... Declarations relating to declared World Heritage properties ............ 77
37E........ Declarations relating to National Heritage places ............................. 78
37F........ Declarations relating to declared Ramsar wetlands ........................... 78
37G....... Declarations relating to listed threatened species and ecological communities 78
37H....... Declarations relating to listed migratory species .............................. 79
37J........ No declarations relating to nuclear actions ....................................... 79
Subdivision D--Other rules about declarations 80
37K....... Revoking declarations ....................................................................... 80
37L........ Other rules about declarations .......................................................... 80
Division 3A--Actions covered by conservation agreements 81
37M...... Actions declared by conservation agreement not to need approval . 81
Division 4--Forestry operations in certain regions 82
Subdivision A--Regions covered by regional forest agreements 82
38.......... Part 3 not to apply to certain RFA forestry operations .................. 82
Subdivision B--Regions subject to a process of negotiating a regional forest agreement 82
39.......... Object of this Subdivision ................................................................ 82
40.......... Forestry operations in regions not yet covered by regional forest agreements 82
41.......... What is an RFA region? .................................................................... 84
Subdivision C--Limits on application 85
42.......... This Division does not apply to some forestry operations ............. 85
Division 5--Actions in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park 86
43.......... Actions taken in accordance with permission .................................. 86
Division 6 --Actions with prior authorisation 87
43A ....... Actions with prior authorisation ...................................................... 87
43B ....... Actions which are lawful continuations of use of land etc. .............. 88
Chapter 3--Bilateral agreements 89
Part 5--Bilateral agreements 89
Division 1--Object of Part 89
44.......... Object of this Part ............................................................................ 89
Division 2--Making bilateral agreements 90
Subdivision A--Power to make bilateral agreements 90
45.......... Minister may make agreement .......................................................... 90
46.......... Agreement may declare actions do not need approval under Part 9 . 91
47.......... Agreement may declare classes of actions do not need assessment . 95
48.......... Other provisions of bilateral agreements .......................................... 96
48A....... Mandatory provisions ...................................................................... 97
49.......... Express provision needed to affect Commonwealth areas or actions 99
Subdivision B--Prerequisites for making bilateral agreements 99
49A....... Consultation on draft agreement ....................................................... 99
50.......... Minister may only enter into agreement if prescribed criteria are met 100
51.......... Agreements relating to declared World Heritage properties ........... 100
51A....... Agreements relating to National Heritage places ............................ 100
52.......... Agreements relating to declared Ramsar wetlands .......................... 101
53.......... Agreements relating to listed threatened species and ecological communities 101
54.......... Agreements relating to migratory species ....................................... 103
55.......... Agreements relating to nuclear actions ........................................... 104
56.......... Agreements relating to prescribed actions ...................................... 104
Subdivision C--Minor amendments of bilateral agreements 104
56A....... Ministerial determination of minor amendments to bilateral agreements 104
Division 3--Suspending and ending the effect of bilateral agreements 106
Subdivision A--Suspension and cancellation of effect 106
57.......... Representations about suspension or cancellation ......................... 106
58.......... Consultation before cancellation or suspension ............................. 107
59.......... Suspension or cancellation .............................................................. 107
60.......... Emergency suspension of effect of bilateral agreement .................. 109
61.......... Cancellation during suspension ...................................................... 110
62.......... Revocation of notice of suspension or cancellation ........................ 110
63.......... Cancellation or suspension at request of other party ..................... 111
64.......... Cancellation or suspension of bilateral agreement does not affect certain actions 112
Subdivision B--Expiry of bilateral agreements 112
65.......... Expiry and review of bilateral agreements ...................................... 112
65A....... Expiry of bilateral agreement does not affect certain actions ......... 113
Chapter 4--Environmental assessments and approvals 114
Part 6--Simplified outline of this Chapter 114
66.......... Simplified outline of this Chapter .................................................. 114
Part 7--Deciding whether approval of actions is needed 116
Division 1--Referral of proposals to take action 116
67.......... What is a controlled action? ............................................................ 116
67A....... Prohibition on taking controlled action without approval .............. 116
68.......... Referral by person proposing to take action .................................. 116
68A....... Actions proposed to be taken under a contract etc. ....................... 117
69.......... State or Territory may refer proposal to Minister ......................... 118
70.......... Minister may request referral of proposal ..................................... 118
71.......... Commonwealth agency may refer proposal to Minister ................ 119
72.......... Form and content of referrals ......................................................... 120
73.......... Informing person proposing to take action of referral .................... 120
74.......... Inviting provision of information on referred proposal .................. 120
74A....... Minister may request referral of a larger action .............................. 122
74AA.... Offence of taking action before decision made in relation to referral etc. 123
Division 1A--Decision that action is clearly unacceptable 125
74B....... Application of this Division ........................................................... 125
74C....... Informing person proposing to take action that action is clearly unacceptable 125
74D....... Procedure if Minister is requested to reconsider referral ................ 126
Division 2--Ministerial decision whether action needs approval 128
75.......... Does the proposed action need approval? ..................................... 128
76.......... Minister may request more information for making decisions ....... 130
77.......... Notice and reasons for decision ...................................................... 131
77A....... Action to be taken in a particular manner ....................................... 132
Division 3--Reconsideration of decisions 134
78.......... Reconsideration of decision ............................................................ 134
78A....... Request for reconsideration of decision by person other than State or Territory Minister 137
78B....... Minister must inform interested persons of request and invite comments 138
78C....... Minister must reconsider decision and give notice of outcome ...... 139
79.......... Reconsideration of decision on request by a State or Territory ..... 140
Part 8--Assessing impacts of controlled actions 142
Division 1--Simplified outline of this Part 142
80.......... Simplified outline of this Part ......................................................... 142
Division 2--Application of this Part 143
81.......... Application ..................................................................................... 143
82.......... What are the relevant impacts of an action? ................................... 143
83.......... This Part does not apply if action covered by bilateral agreement 144
84.......... This Part does not apply if action covered by declaration ............. 145
Division 3--Decision on assessment approach 147
Subdivision A--Simplified outline of this Division 147
85.......... Simplified outline of this Division .................................................. 147
Subdivision B--Deciding on approach for assessment 147
87.......... Minister must decide on approach for assessment ........................ 147
88.......... Timing of decision on assessment approach .................................. 149
89.......... Minister may request more information for making decision ......... 150
90.......... Directing an inquiry after starting an assessment ........................... 150
91.......... Notice of decision on assessment approach ................................... 151
Division 3A--Assessment on referral information 153
92.......... Application of this Division ........................................................... 153
93.......... Recommendation report ................................................................. 153
Division 4--Assessment on preliminary documentation 155
94.......... Application of this Division ........................................................... 155
95.......... Direction to publish referral information and invitation to comment--no further information required 155
95A....... Direction to publish referral information and invitation to comment--further information required 156
95B....... Procedure after end of period for comment .................................... 157
95C....... Recommendation report ................................................................. 158
Division 5--Public environment reports 159
96.......... Application ..................................................................................... 159
96A....... Minister must give designated proponent written guidelines for preparation of draft public environment report 159
96B....... Standard guidelines ......................................................................... 160
97.......... Tailored guidelines .......................................................................... 160
98.......... Designated proponent must invite comment on draft public environment report 162
99.......... Finalising public environment report .............................................. 162
100........ Recommendation report ................................................................. 163
Division 6--Environmental impact statements 164
101........ Application ..................................................................................... 164
101A..... Minister must give designated proponent written guidelines for preparation of draft environmental impact statement ........................................................................................................ 164
101B..... Standard guidelines ......................................................................... 165
102........ Tailored guidelines .......................................................................... 165
103........ Designated proponent must invite comment on draft environmental impact statement 167
104........ Finalising environmental impact statement .................................... 168
105........ Recommendation report ................................................................. 168
Division 7--Inquiries 169
Subdivision A--Preliminary 169
106........ Simplified outline ............................................................................ 169
Subdivision B--Establishment of inquiries 169
107........ Appointing commissioners and setting terms of reference ............. 169
108........ Publicising inquiry .......................................................................... 170
Subdivision C--Conduct of inquiries 171
109........ Procedure of inquiries ..................................................................... 171
110........ Inquiry to be public ........................................................................ 171
111........ Calling witnesses ............................................................................ 172
112........ Dealing with witnesses ................................................................... 172
113........ Dealing with documents given to commission ................................ 174
114........ Inspections of land, buildings and places ....................................... 174
115........ Entering premises by consent ......................................................... 175
116........ Entering premises under warrant .................................................... 175
117........ Warrants by telephone or other electronic means .......................... 176
118........ Identity cards .................................................................................. 178
119........ Contempt ........................................................................................ 178
120........ Protection of commissioners and witnesses ................................... 179
Subdivision D--Inquiry reports 181
121........ Timing of report ............................................................................. 181
122........ Publication of report ....................................................................... 181
Subdivision E--Commissioners' terms and conditions 181
123........ Basis of appointment ..................................................................... 181
124........ Remuneration .................................................................................. 181
125........ Leave of absence ............................................................................. 182
126........ Resignation ..................................................................................... 182
127........ Termination of appointment .......................................................... 182
128........ Disclosure of interests .................................................................... 183
129........ Other terms and conditions ............................................................ 183
Part 9--Approval of actions 184
Division 1--Decisions on approval and conditions 184
Subdivision A--General 184
130........ Timing of decision on approval ...................................................... 184
131........ Inviting comments from other Ministers before decision ............... 185
131AA.. Inviting comments before decision from person proposing to take action and designated proponent 186
131A..... Inviting public comment before decision ........................................ 188
132........ Requesting further information for approval decision .................... 188
132A..... Requesting notice from appropriate State or Territory Minister about certain actions 189
133........ Grant of approval ........................................................................... 190
134........ Conditions of approval ................................................................... 192
135........ Certain approvals and conditions must not give preference ........... 196
135A..... Publication of recommendation reports .......................................... 197
Subdivision B--Considerations for approvals and conditions 198
136........ General considerations .................................................................... 198
137........ Requirements for decisions about World Heritage ......................... 200
137A..... Requirements for decisions about National Heritage places ........... 200
138........ Requirements for decisions about Ramsar wetlands ...................... 200
139........ Requirements for decisions about threatened species and endangered communities 201
140........ Requirements for decisions about migratory species ..................... 201
140A..... No approval for certain nuclear installations .................................. 202
Division 2--Requirement to comply with conditions 203
142........ Compliance with conditions on approval ....................................... 203
142A..... Offence of breaching conditions on approval ................................. 203
142B..... Strict liability offence for breach of approval condition ................. 204
Division 3--Variation of conditions and suspension and revocation of approvals 206
143........ Variation of conditions attached to approval ................................. 206
144........ Suspension of approval .................................................................. 208
145........ Revocation of approval .................................................................. 209
145A..... Reinstating suspended or revoked approval ................................... 211
Division 4--Transfer of approvals 213
145B..... Transfer with Minister's consent ................................................... 213
Division 5--Extension of period of effect of approval 215
145C..... Application to Minister to extend period of effect of approval .... 215
145D..... Minister must decide whether or not to extend approval period ... 215
145E...... Minister may request further information for making decision ...... 216
Part 10--Strategic assessments 217
Division 1--Strategic assessments generally 217
Subdivision A--Assessment of actions to be taken in accordance with policy, plan or program 217
146........ Minister may agree on strategic assessment ................................... 217
Subdivision B--Approval of taking of actions in accordance with endorsed policy, plan or program 219
146A..... Definition ........................................................................................ 219
146B..... Minister may approve taking of actions in accordance with endorsed policy, plan or program 219
146C..... Inviting comments from other Ministers before deciding whether or not to approve taking of actions in accordance with endorsed policy, plan or program .......................................... 220
146D..... Effect of approval of taking of actions in accordance with endorsed policy, plan or program 221
Subdivision C--Considerations for approving taking of actions in accordance with endorsed policy, plan or program 222
146E...... Minister must comply with this Subdivision ................................. 222
146F...... General considerations .................................................................... 222
146G..... Approvals relating to declared World Heritage properties ............. 223
146H..... Approvals relating to National Heritage places .............................. 223
146J...... Approvals relating to declared Ramsar wetlands ........................... 223
146K..... Approvals relating to listed threatened species and ecological communities 223
146L...... Approvals relating to listed migratory species ............................... 224
146M.... No approvals relating to nuclear actions ........................................ 224
Division 2--Assessment of Commonwealth‑managed fisheries 225
147........ Simplified outline of this Division .................................................. 225
148........ Assessment before management plan is determined ....................... 225
149........ Assessment before determination that no plan required ................ 226
150........ Assessment of all fisheries without plans must be started within 5 years 226
151........ Assessment of all Torres Strait fisheries to be started within 5 years 227
152........ Further assessment if impacts greater than previously assessed ... 228
153........ Minister must make declaration if he or she endorses plan or policy 229
154........ This Division does not limit Division 1 ......................................... 229
Part 11--Miscellaneous rules about assessments and approvals 230
Division 1--Rules about timing 230
155........ This Chapter ceases to apply to lapsed proposals ........................ 230
156........ General rules about time limits ....................................................... 231
Division 1A--Variation of proposals to take actions 232
156A..... Request to vary proposal to take an action .................................... 232
156B..... Minister must decide whether or not to accept a varied proposal . 233
156C..... Minister may request further information in relation to a varied proposal 233
156D..... Effect of Minister's decision to accept or not accept a varied proposal 234
156E...... Notice of decision ........................................................................... 234
Division 1B--Change of person proposing to take action 236
156F...... Change of person proposing to take action .................................... 236
Division 2--Actions in area offshore from a State or the Northern Territory 238
157........ Actions treated as though they were in a State or the Northern Territory 238
Division 3--Exemptions 239
158........ Exemptions from Part 3 and this Chapter ...................................... 239
Division 3A--Approval process decisions not affected by listing events that happen after section 75 decision made 240
158A..... Approval process decisions not affected by listing events that happen after section 75 decision made 240
Division 4--Application of Chapter to actions that are not controlled actions 242
Subdivision A--Minister's advice on authorising actions 242
159........ Simplified outline of this Subdivision ............................................. 242
160........ Requirement to take account of Minister's advice ......................... 243
161........ Seeking the Minister's advice ......................................................... 245
161A..... Minister may decide that advice is not required ............................. 246
161B..... Certain provisions of other Acts not to apply if Minister decides that advice is not required 246
162........ Assessment of the action ................................................................ 247
163........ Providing advice .............................................................................. 247
164........ Reporting on response to advice .................................................... 248
Subdivision C--Assessment under agreement with State or Territory 248
166........ This Subdivision applies if Ministers agree it should .................... 248
167........ Making an agreement ...................................................................... 249
168........ Content of an agreement ................................................................. 250
169........ Application of a Division of Part 8 ................................................ 251
170........ Application of Subdivision A of Division 1 of Part 10 .................. 252
Division 5--Publication of information relating to assessments 254
170A..... Publication of information relating to assessments ........................ 254
170B..... Information critical to protecting matters of national environmental significance not to be disclosed 255
170BA.. Designated proponent may request Minister to permit commercial‑in‑confidence information not to be disclosed ........................................................................................................ 255
Division 6--Withdrawal of referrals 258
170C..... Withdrawal of referral of proposal to take an action ...................... 258
Chapter 5--Conservation of biodiversity and heritage 259
Part 11A--Interpretation 259
170D..... References to business days are references to Canberra business days .. 259
Part 12--Identifying and monitoring biodiversity and making bioregional plans 260
Division 1--Identifying and monitoring biodiversity 260
171........ Identifying and monitoring biodiversity ......................................... 260
172........ Inventories of listed threatened species etc. on Commonwealth land 261
173........ Surveys of cetaceans, listed threatened species etc. in Commonwealth marine areas 261
174........ Inventories and surveys to be updated ........................................... 262
Division 2--Bioregional plans 263
176........ Bioregional plans ............................................................................ 263
177........ Obligations under this Act unaffected by lack of bioregional plans 264
Part 13--Species and communities 265
Division 1--Listed threatened species and ecological communities 265
Subdivision A--Listing 265
178........ Listing of threatened species .......................................................... 265
179........ Categories of threatened species ..................................................... 266
180........ Native species of marine fish .......................................................... 267
181........ Listing of threatened ecological communities ................................. 267
182........ Critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable communities ..... 268
183........ Listing of key threatening processes .............................................. 269
184........ Minister may amend lists ............................................................... 269
186........ Amending list of threatened native species .................................... 269
187........ Amending list of ecological communities ........................................ 271
188........ Amending list of key threatening processes ................................... 272
189........ Minister must consider advice from Scientific Committee ............. 273
189A..... Certain information may be kept confidential ................................ 274
189B..... Disclosure of Scientific Committee's assessments and advice ....... 275
190........ Scientific Committee may provide advice about species or communities becoming threatened