Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 - SECT 2A

Principles of sustainable development

2A. Principles of sustainable development



(1) It is the intention of Parliament that in the administration of this Act
regard should be given to the principles of sustainable development.

(2) For the purposes of this Act, the principles of sustainable development
are-

   (a)  community wellbeing and welfare should be enhanced by following a path
        of economic development that safeguards the welfare of future
        generations;

   (b)  there should be equity within and between generations;

   (c)  biological diversity should be protected and ecological integrity
        maintained;

   (d)  there should be recognition of the need to develop a strong, growing,
        diversified and internationally competitive economy that can enhance
        the capacity for environment protection;

   (e)  measures to be adopted should be cost effective and flexible, not
        disproportionate to the issues being addressed, including improved
        valuation, pricing and incentive mechanisms;



   (f)  both long and short term economic, environmental, social and equity
        considerations should be effectively integrated into decision-making;

   (g)  if there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage,
        lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for
        postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation and
        decision-making should be guided by-

   (i)  a careful evaluation to avoid serious or irreversible damage to the
        environment wherever practicable; and

   (ii) an assessment of the risk-weighted consequences of various options;

   (h)  development should make a positive contribution to regional
        development and respect the aspirations of the community and of
        Indigenous peoples;

        (i)    decisions and actions should provide for community involvement
               in issues that affect them.