NATURE CONSERVATION ACT 1992 - SECT 17 Management principles of national parks

NATURE CONSERVATION ACT 1992 - SECT 17

17 Management principles of national parks

(1) A national park is to be managed to—

(a) provide, to the greatest possible extent, for the permanent preservation of the area’s natural condition and the protection of the area’s cultural resources and values; and

(b) present the area’s cultural and natural resources and their values; and

(c) ensure that the only use of the area is nature-based and ecologically sustainable; and

(d) provide opportunities for educational and recreational activities in a way consistent with the area’s natural and cultural resources and values; and

(e) provide opportunities for ecotourism in a way consistent with the area’s natural and cultural resources and values.

(1A) However, if the whole or part of a national park is declared as a special management area (controlled action), the management of the park or part may include the following—

(a) the manipulation of the area’s natural and cultural resources to protect or restore the area’s natural or cultural values;

(b) the continuation of an existing use of the area consistent with maintaining the area’s natural and cultural values.

(2) The management principle mentioned in subsection (1) (a) is the cardinal principle for the management of national parks.

(3) Subject to subsections (1) to (2) , a national park, or a part of a national park, that is also an indigenous joint management area is to be managed, as far as practicable, in a way that is consistent with any Aboriginal tradition applicable to the area, including any tradition relating to activities in the area.

(4) In this section—


"existing use" , of a special management area (controlled action), means a lawful use made of the area immediately before the declaration of the area as a special management area (controlled action).