Victorian Consolidated Legislation

National Parks Act 1975 - SECT 17

National parks and State parks

17. National parks and State parks



(1) Each area of land described in a part of Schedule Two is, for the purposes
of this Act, a national park under the name specified in that part.

(1A) Each area of land described in a part of Schedule Two B is, for the
purposes of this Act, a State park under the name specified in that part.

(2) The Secretary shall, subject to this Act-





   (a)  ensure that each national park and State park is controlled and
        managed, in accordance with the objects of this Act, in a manner that
        will-

   (i)  preserve and protect the park in its natural condition for the use,
        enjoyment and education of the public;

   (ii) preserve and protect indigenous flora and fauna in the park;

   (iii) exterminate or control exotic fauna in the park;

   (iv) eradicate or control exotic flora in the park; and

   (v)  preserve and protect wilderness areas in the park and features in the
        park of scenic, archaeological, ecological, geological, historic or
        other scientific interest;

   (aa) have regard to all classes of management actions that may be
        implemented for the purposes of maintaining and improving the
        ecological function of the park;

   (b)  ensure that appropriate and sufficient measures are taken to protect
        each national park and State park from injury by fire;

   (ba) ensure that appropriate and sufficient measures are taken (including
        seeking the making of an appropriate agreement under section 32I(1))-

   (i)  to protect designated water supply catchment areas; and

   (ii) to maintain the water quality of and otherwise protect the water
        resources in those areas; and

   (iii) to restrict human activity in those areas for the purposes of
        subparagraphs (i) and (ii);

   (c)  promote and encourage the use and enjoyment of national parks and
        State parks by the public and the understanding and recognition of the
        purpose and significance of national parks and State parks; and

   (d)  prepare a plan of management in respect of each national park and
        State park.





(2A) In relation to a national park or State park created after the
commencement of section 4 of the National Parks (Box-Ironbark and Other Parks)
Act 2002 the Minister must cause a report for that park, setting out the
information prescribed in subsection (2B), to be laid before each House of
Parliament within 12 months of the creation of that park, or, if either House
is not then sitting, within 5 sitting days of that House after that date.

(2B) A report prepared under subsection (2A) must-

   (a)  set out the priorities for the achievement of the management
        objectives listed in subsection (2); and

   (b)  set out the actions that are required to achieve those priorities
        through the management plan; and

   (c)  set out the funding that has been allocated to achieving those
        priorities; and

   (d)  be independently assessed.

(3) The Secretary, before exercising any power or performing any function or
duty under this Act in a designated water supply catchment area, must, in so
far as is reasonably necessary, consult with Melbourne Water Corporation.



(4) It is sufficient compliance with subsection (3) for the Secretary to have
entered into a management agreement with Melbourne Water Corporation under
section 32I.





Division 1A-Wilderness parks