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This is a Bill, not an Act. For current law, see the Acts databases.


PARKS VICTORIA BILL 1998

                 PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA

                     Parks Victoria Act 1998
                                  Act No.


                      TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Clause                                                                 Page

PART 1--PRELIMINARY                                                       1
  1.     Purpose                                                          1
  2.     Commencement                                                     1
  3.     Definitions                                                      2

PART 2--PARKS VICTORIA                                                    3
  4.     Establishment of Parks Victoria                                  3
  5.     Parks Victoria not to represent Crown                            3
  6.     Constitution and membership of Parks Victoria                    3
  7.     Functions of Parks Victoria                                      3
  8.     Powers of Parks Victoria                                         4
  9.     Prevention and suppression of fire                               4
  10.    Minister may give directions to Parks Victoria                   5
  11.    Delegation of functions of Parks Victoria                        5
  12.    Terms of appointment of members of Parks Victoria                5
  13.    Vacancies, resignation and removal from office                   5
  14.    Validity of decisions of Parks Victoria                          6
  15.    Proceedings of Parks Victoria                                    7
  16.    Resolutions without meetings                                     7
  17.    Disclosure of interests of Parks Victoria members                8
  18.    Chief executive officer                                          9
  19.    Staff                                                            9
  20.    Corporate and business plans                                     9
  21.    Contents of statement of corporate intent of Parks Victoria     11
  22.    Parks Victoria to notify Minister of significant affecting
         events etc.                                                     12

PART 3-- TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS AND
CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS                                                 13
  23.    Staff to be transferred                                         13
  24.    Transfer of staff                                               13
  25.    Superannuation                                                  14
  26.    Amendment of Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987           15
  27.    Amendment of Water Industry Act 1994                            16


                                       i
532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Clause Page 28. Rates 16 29. New Part 4A inserted 19 PART 4A--PARKS AND RESERVES TRUST ACCOUNT 19 153A. Parks and Reserves Trust Account 19 NOTES 22 ii 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA Initiated in Assembly 8 April 1998 A BILL to establish Parks Victoria, to amend the Water Industry Act 1994 and certain Acts and for other purposes. Parks Victoria Act 1998 The Parliament of Victoria enacts as follows: PART 1--PRELIMINARY 1. Purpose The purpose of this Act is to establish Parks Victoria. 5 2. Commencement (1) This Part and section 23 come into operation on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent. 1 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 s. 3 Act No. (2) Subject to sub-section (3), the remaining provisions of this Act come into operation on a day or days to be proclaimed. (3) If a provision referred to in sub-section (2) does 5 not come into operation before 1 July 1999, it comes into operation on that day. 3. Definitions "Department" means the Department of Natural Resources and Environment; 10 "member" means the chairperson or a member of Parks Victoria; "MPW" means Melbourne Parks and Waterways established under Part 4 of the Water Industry Act 1994; 15 "Parks Victoria" means the body established under Part 2. _______________ 2 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 s. 4 7 Act No. PART 2--PARKS VICTORIA 4. Establishment of Parks Victoria (1) There is established a body to be called "Parks Victoria". 5 (2) Parks Victoria-- (a) is a body corporate with perpetual succession; and (b) has a common seal; and (c) may sue and be sued in its corporate name; 10 and (d) may acquire, hold and dispose of personal property; and (e) may do and suffer all acts and things that a body corporate may, by law, do and suffer. 15 (3) The common seal of Parks Victoria must be kept as directed by Parks Victoria. (4) All courts must take judicial notice of the imprint of the common seal on a document and, until the contrary is proved, must presume that the 20 document was properly sealed. 5. Parks Victoria not to represent Crown Parks Victoria is a public authority but is not, and does not represent, the Crown. 6. Constitution and membership of Parks Victoria 25 Parks Victoria consists of-- (a) a chairperson; and (b) not more than 8 other persons-- appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister. 30 7. Functions of Parks Victoria 3 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 Act No. (1) The functions of Parks Victoria are-- (a) to provide services to the State and its agencies for, or with respect to, the management of parks, reserves and other 5 land under the control of the State; (b) with the approval of the Minister, to provide services to the owner of any other land used for public purposes for, or with respect to, the management of that land; 10 (c) to carry out such other functions as are conferred on it by or under any Act. (2) In carrying out its functions, Parks Victoria must not act in a way that is not environmentally sound. 8. Powers of Parks Victoria 15 For the purpose of carrying out its functions, Parks Victoria-- (a) may enter into agreements and arrangements for the provision of services; (b) may act as a committee of management 20 under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978; (c) may do anything necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with, or as incidental to, the performance of its 25 functions. 9. Prevention and suppression of fire Parks Victoria and the Director-General or Secretary to the Department may enter into agreements or arrangements relating to the 30 prevention and suppression of fire. 4 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 s. 10 Act No. 10. Minister may give directions to Parks Victoria (1) The Minister may give to Parks Victoria directions in relation to the performance of the functions or exercise of the powers of Parks 5 Victoria. (2) Parks Victoria must comply with any direction given under sub-section (1). 11. Delegation of functions of Parks Victoria Parks Victoria may, by instrument in writing, 10 delegate any of its functions or powers, other than its powers under section 8(a) or (b), to-- (a) a member of Parks Victoria; or (b) any person appointed or employed by Parks Victoria. 15 12. Terms of appointment of members of Parks Victoria (1) A member of Parks Victoria holds office for the period, not exceeding 3 years, specified in the instrument of his or her appointment, but is eligible for re-appointment. 20 (2) A member of Parks Victoria holds office, subject to this Act, on the terms and conditions specified in the instrument of appointment. 13. Vacancies, resignation and removal from office (1) The office of a member becomes vacant if the 25 member-- (a) becomes an insolvent under administration; or (b) is convicted of an indictable offence or an offence which, if committed in Victoria, 30 would be an indictable offence; or 5 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 s. 14 Act No. (c) without the approval of Parks Victoria, fails to attend 3 consecutive meetings of Parks Victoria. (2) A member of Parks Victoria may resign by 5 writing delivered to the Minister. (3) The Governor in Council may at any time remove a member of Parks Victoria from office. (4) If a member-- (a) is convicted of an offence relating to his or 10 her duties as member; or (b) fails without reasonable excuse to comply with section 17-- the member must be removed from office by the Governor in Council. 15 14. Validity of decisions of Parks Victoria (1) An act or decision of Parks Victoria is not invalid merely because of-- (a) a defect or irregularity in, or in connection with, the appointment of a member; or 20 (b) a vacancy in the membership of Parks Victoria, including a vacancy arising from the failure to appoint an original member. (2) Anything done by or in relation to a person purporting to act as chairperson or as a member is 25 not invalid merely because-- (a) the occasion for the appointment had not arisen; or (b) there was a defect or irregularity in relation to the appointment; or 30 (c) the appointment had ceased to have effect; or (d) the occasion for the person to act had not arisen or had ceased. 6 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 s. 15 Act No. 15. Proceedings of Parks Victoria (1) Subject to sub-section (2), meetings of Parks Victoria are to be held at such times and places as Parks Victoria determines. 5 (2) The chairperson may at any time convene a meeting, but must do so when requested by a member. (3) The chairperson or, in his or her absence, a member appointed by the members present at the 10 meeting, must preside at the meeting. (4) A majority of the members for the time being constitutes a quorum of Parks Victoria. (5) A question arising at a meeting must be determined by a majority of votes of members 15 present and voting on that question and, if the voting is equal, the person presiding has a casting vote as well as a deliberative vote. (6) Parks Victoria must ensure that minutes are kept of each of its meetings. 20 (7) Subject to this section, Parks Victoria may regulate its own proceedings. 16. Resolutions without meetings (1) If the members of Parks Victoria for the time being (other than a member who is absent from 25 Australia when the other members sign) sign a document containing a statement that those members are in favour of a resolution in terms set out in the document, a resolution in those terms shall be taken to have been passed at a meeting of 30 Parks Victoria held on the day on which the document is signed or, if the members do not sign it on the same day, on the day on which the last member to sign signs the document. 7 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 s. 17 Act No. (2) If a resolution is, under sub-section (1), taken to have been passed at a meeting of Parks Victoria, each member must be advised as soon as practicable and given a copy of the terms of the 5 resolution. (3) For the purposes of sub-section (1), 2 or more separate documents containing a statement in identical terms, each of which is signed by one or more members, shall be taken to constitute one 10 document. 17. Disclosure of interests of Parks Victoria members (1) A member of Parks Victoria who has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a contract or other matter being dealt with by Parks Victoria must 15 disclose the nature of that interest at a meeting of Parks Victoria as soon as possible after becoming aware of the interest. (2) A member of Parks Victoria who holds an office or possesses property as a result of which, directly 20 or indirectly, duties or interests may be created in conflict with the member's duties as a member, must disclose that fact at a meeting of Parks Victoria as soon as possible after becoming aware of the potential conflict. 25 (3) The person presiding at a meeting at which a disclosure under this section is made must cause that disclosure to be recorded in the minutes of the meeting. (4) A person who has made a disclosure under this 30 section must not take any further part in the discussion of or vote on the contract or other matter to which the disclosure relates. (5) If a member votes on a matter in contravention of sub-section (4), his or her vote must be 35 disallowed. 8 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 s. 18 Act No. 18. Chief executive officer (1) Parks Victoria may appoint a person, approved by the Minister, as the chief executive officer of Parks Victoria. 5 (2) The chief executive officer holds office, subject to this Act, on a full-time basis and on the terms and conditions that are determined by the Minister in the instrument of his or her appointment. (3) The chief executive officer is not eligible to be 10 appointed as a member of Parks Victoria. 19. Staff (1) Parks Victoria may appoint or employ such persons as are necessary for the performance of its functions. 15 (2) The duties of employees of Parks Victoria include such duties in connection with the prevention and suppression of fire as are determined by the Secretary to the Department in consultation with Parks Victoria. 20 20. Corporate and business plans (1) In each year Parks Victoria must prepare-- (a) a corporate plan for the next 3 years; and (b) a business plan for the next year. (2) Parks Victoria must give a copy of the proposed 25 plans to the Minister on or before 31 May in each year, or such other time as the Minister may specify. (3) The proposed plans must be in or to the effect of a form approved by the Minister. 30 (4) There must be included in the corporate plan or the business plan-- 9 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 s. 20 Act No. (a) a statement of corporate intent in accordance with section 21; (b) a financial statement containing the prescribed information; 5 (c) estimates of the receipts and expenditure of Parks Victoria for the next financial year or such other period as the Minister may specify. (5) Parks Victoria must consider any comments on a 10 proposed plan that are made to it by the Minister within 2 months after the plan was submitted to the Minister. (6) Parks Victoria must-- (a) consult in good faith with the Minister 15 following communication to it of the comments; and (b) make such changes to the plans as are agreed between the Minister and Parks Victoria; and (c) deliver the completed plans to the Minister 20 within 2 months after the commencement of the financial year. (7) The plans, or any part of a plan, must not be published or made available, except for the purposes of this Part, without the prior approval of 25 Parks Victoria and the Minister. (8) A plan may be modified at any time by Parks Victoria with the agreement of the Minister. (9) If Parks Victoria, by written notice to the Minister, proposes a modification to a plan, Parks 30 Victoria may, within 14 days, make the modification unless the Minister, by written notice to Parks Victoria, directs Parks Victoria not to make it. 10 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 s. 21 Act No. (10) The Minister may from time to time, by written notice to Parks Victoria, direct Parks Victoria to include any specified matters in or omit any specified matters from a statement of corporate 5 intent, a business plan or estimates. (11) Before giving the direction under sub-section (9) or (10), the Minister must consult with Parks Victoria as to the matters referred to in the notice. (12) Parks Victoria must comply with a direction under 10 this section. (13) At any particular time, the statement of corporate intent, the business plan, the financial statements or the estimates for Parks Victoria are the statements, plan and estimates last completed, 15 with any modifications or deletions made in accordance with this Part. 21. Contents of statement of corporate intent of Parks Victoria A statement of corporate intent of Parks Victoria 20 must specify, in respect of the financial year to which it relates and each of the following 2 financial years, the following information-- (a) the objectives of Parks Victoria; (b) the main undertakings of Parks Victoria; 25 (c) the nature and scope of the activities to be undertaken by Parks Victoria; (d) the accounting policies to be applied in the accounts; (e) the performance targets and other measures 30 by which the performance of Parks Victoria may be judged in relation to its stated objectives; (f) the kind of information to be provided to the Minister by Parks Victoria during the course 11 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 s. 22 Act No. of those financial years, including the information to be included in each annual report; (g) any agreements entered into by Parks 5 Victoria with the Secretary to the Department; (h) any agreements or arrangements entered into under section 7 for the provision of services; (i) such other matters as may be agreed on by 10 the Minister and Parks Victoria from time to time. 22. Parks Victoria to notify Minister of significant affecting events etc. If Parks Victoria is of the opinion that matters 15 have arisen that may prevent or significantly affect the achievement of-- (a) the objectives of Parks Victoria under the corporate plan or business plan; or (b) financial targets under the corporate plan or 20 business plan-- Parks Victoria must immediately notify the Minister of its opinion and the reasons for the opinion. _____________ 25 12 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 s. 23 Act No. PART 3-- TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS 23. Staff to be transferred (1) The Secretary to the Department must list in 5 writing the officers and employees of the public service who are employed in the Department who are to become employees of Parks Victoria. (2) The chief executive officer of MPW must list in writing the employees of MPW who are to 10 become employees of Parks Victoria. 24. Transfer of staff (1) A person listed under section 23 who was an officer or employee of the public service or an employee of MPW immediately before the 15 commencement of this section ("transferred employee") is to be regarded as-- (a) having been employed by Parks Victoria with effect from that commencement; and (b) having been so employed on the same terms 20 and conditions as those that applied to the person, immediately before that commencement, as an officer or employee of the public service or an employee of MPW; and 25 (c) having accrued an entitlement to benefits in connection with that employment by Parks Victoria, that is equivalent to the entitlement that the person had accrued, as an officer or employee of the public service or an 30 employee of MPW, immediately before that commencement. (2) The service of a transferred employee as an employee of Parks Victoria is to be regarded for 13 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 s. 25 Act No. all purposes as having been continuous with the service of the transferred employee, immediately before the commencement of this section, as an officer or employee of the public service or an 5 employee of MPW, as the case requires. (3) A transferred employee is not entitled to receive any payment or other benefit by reason only of having ceased to be an officer or employee of the public service or an employee of MPW because of 10 this Act. (4) A certificate purporting to be signed by the Secretary to the Department or the chief executive officer of MPW certifying that a person named in the certificate was, with effect from the 15 commencement of this section, employed, by virtue of this section, by Parks Victoria is admissible in evidence in any proceedings and is conclusive proof of the matters stated in it. (5) Nothing in this section prevents-- 20 (a) any of the terms and conditions of employment of a transferred employee from being altered by or under any law, award or agreement with effect from any time after the commencement of this section; or 25 (b) a transferred employee from resigning or being dismissed at any time after that commencement in accordance with the then existing terms and conditions of his or her employment by Parks Victoria. 30 25. Superannuation A transferred employee within the meaning of section 24 who, immediately before the commencement of this section, was-- (a) an officer within the meaning of the State 35 Superannuation Act 1988; or 14 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 s. 26 Act No. (b) a contributor within the meaning of the Emergency Services Superannuation Act 1986; or (c) a member within the meaning of the State 5 Employees Retirement Benefits Act 1979; or (d) a contributor within the meaning of the Local Authorities Superannuation Act 1988; or 10 (e) a member within the meaning of the Transport Superannuation Act 1988-- continues, subject to that Act, to be an officer, contributor or member within the meaning of that Act while employed by Parks Victoria. 15 26. Amendment of Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987 After section 11(3) of the Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987 insert-- "(3A) The Minister may by instrument delegate 20 any of the Minister's powers, functions or duties under the Coastal Management Act 1995, the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978, the Forests Act 1958, the Land Act 1958, the National Parks Act 1975 or the 25 Wildlife Act 1975 to Parks Victoria or an employee of Parks Victoria for the purpose of the performance or exercise by Parks Victoria or an employee of Parks Victoria of that power, function or duty in the course of 30 carrying out duties under any agreement or arrangement relating to the management of Crown land by Parks Victoria. (3B) The Director-General by instrument under seal may delegate any of the Director- 35 General's powers, functions or duties under 15 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 s. 27 Act No. the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978, the Forests Act 1958, the Land Act 1958, the National Parks Act 1975 or the Wildlife Act 1975 to Parks Victoria or an employee 5 of Parks Victoria for the purpose of the performance or exercise by Parks Victoria or an employee of Parks Victoria of that power, function or duty in the course of carrying out duties under any agreement or arrangement 10 relating to the management of Crown land by Parks Victoria.". 27. Amendment of Water Industry Act 1994 In the Water Industry Act 1994-- (a) in section 110(2)(b)-- 15 (i) after "Treasurer" insert "and the Minister administering the Parks Victoria Act 1998"; (ii) for "activities of" substitute "activities that may be carried on by"; 20 (b) in section 115(1) for paragraph (b) substitute-- "(b) not less than one other director--"; (c) in section 118(2), omit "on a full-time basis and". 25 28. Rates (1) In section 3(1) of the Water Industry Act 1994 insert-- ' "rating authority" means-- (a) in relation to a financial year before the 30 financial year commencing on 1 July 1999, Melbourne Parks and Waterways; 16 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 s. 28 Act No. (b) in relation to a financial year commencing on 1 July 1999 or a subsequent financial year, the Minister; "Secretary" has the same meaning as Director- 5 General has in the Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987;'. (2) In section 139(1) of the Water Industry Act 1994, for "a financial year" substitute "the financial year commencing on or before 1 July 10 1998". (3) After section 139(1) of the Water Industry Act 1994 insert-- "(1A) Having regard to the estimated disbursements from the Parks and Reserves 15 Trust Account for a financial year commencing on 1 July 1999 or a subsequent financial year, the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister and Treasurer, may, subject to and in accordance 20 with this section and the regulations, by Order published in the Government Gazette, in respect of that financial year, or any quarter or half of that financial year, make, and the rating authority may levy, a rate in 25 relation to land (other than land described in Schedule 1) within any area or areas specified by the Governor in Council by Order published in the Government Gazette for the purposes of this sub-section.". 30 (4) In section 139 of the Water Industry Act 1994-- (a) in sub-sections (2), (3D), (3E), (4), (4A), (4B) and (4C) for "Melbourne Parks and Waterways" (wherever occurring) substitute "the rating authority"; 17 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 s. 28 Act No. (b) in sub-section (3A), omit "by Melbourne Parks and Waterways"; (c) in sub-section (6)-- (i) for "Melbourne Parks and Waterways" 5 (where twice occurring) substitute "the rating authority"; (ii) omit "by resolution"; (iii) for "by the resolution" substitute "by the rating authority"; 10 (d) in sub-section (7) for "A resolution must not be made" substitute "An exemption must not be given". (5) In section 139 of the Water Industry Act 1994, for sub-section (8) substitute-- 15 "(8) An exemption given under sub-section (6) may be revoked by a subsequent decision of the rating authority and has effect in each year until so revoked.". (6) In the Water Industry Act 1994-- 20 (a) in section 140(2), omit "to Melbourne Parks and Waterways"; (b) in section 140(5), for "Melbourne Parks and Waterways" substitute "The rating authority"; 25 (c) in section 140(6), omit "to Melbourne Parks and Waterways". (7) In section 140 of the Water Industry Act 1994, for sub-section (7) substitute-- "(7) If a rate in respect of any land or interest on 30 such a rate remains unpaid after it is due and payable, it may be recovered from the owner of the land for the time being as a debt due to the State by that owner.". 18 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 s. 29 Act No. (8) In the Water Industry Act 1994-- (a) in section 141-- (i) for "Melbourne Parks and Waterways" (where first occurring) substitute "The 5 rating authority"; (ii) for "Melbourne Parks and Waterways" (where secondly occurring) substitute "the rating authority"; (b) in section 142-- 10 (i) for "Melbourne Parks and Waterways" (where first occurring) substitute "The rating authority"; (ii) for "Melbourne Parks and Waterways" (where secondly occurring) substitute 15 "the rating authority"; (c) in section 143 for "Melbourne Parks and Waterways" (where twice occurring) substitute "the rating authority". 29. New Part 4A inserted 20 After section 153 of the Water Industry Act 1994 insert-- 'PART 4A--PARKS AND RESERVES TRUST ACCOUNT 153A. Parks and Reserves Trust Account 25 (1) There shall be established in the Trust Fund an account to be known as the "Parks and Reserves Trust Account". (2) There shall be paid into the Parks and Reserves Trust Account-- 30 (a) all amounts in payment of rates and interest received by, or collected on behalf of, Melbourne Parks and 19 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 s. 29 Act No. Waterways or the Minister under Division 5 of Part 4; and (b) all amounts standing to the credit of an account held by Melbourne Parks and 5 Waterways immediately before the commencement of section 29 of the Parks Victoria Act 1998; and (c) any income from the investment of money standing to the credit of the 10 Trust Account and the proceeds of sale of any investment; and (d) any other money approved by the Treasurer. (3) There shall be paid out of the Parks and 15 Reserves Trust Account-- (a) such amounts as the Secretary, with the approval of the Minister, determines for the purposes of the management and control, within the metropolitan area, of 20 open space, parks and waterways for the purposes of conservation, recreation, leisure, tourism and navigation; (b) such amounts as the Secretary, with the 25 approval of the Minister, determines as financial assistance by way of grants, loans or otherwise to persons or bodies engaged in activities within the metropolitan area of the kind referred to 30 in paragraph (a); (c) costs and expenses incurred by Melbourne Parks and Waterways or the Minister in connection with the making, levying, collection and 20 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 s. 29 Act No. recovery of rates under Division 5 of Part 4; (d) costs and expenses incurred by Melbourne Parks and Waterways in 5 carrying out its functions under Part 4; (e) any other amounts authorised under this or any other Act to be paid out of the Trust Account. (4) Money standing to the credit of the Parks 10 and Reserves Trust Account may be invested in any manner in which trust funds may be invested under the Trustee Act 1958. (5) In this section-- "metropolitan area" means the area or 15 areas specified from time to time by the Governor in Council for the purposes of section 110(1)(a) by Order published in the Government Gazette.'. 20 21 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 Notes Act No. NOTES By Authority. Government Printer for the State of Victoria. 22 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


 

Parks Victoria Act 1998 Act No. 23 532013B.I1-22/4/98

 


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