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ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ACT 1999

Table of Provisions

CHAPTER 1--Preliminary

 

PART 1--PRELIMINARY

CHAPTER 2--Protecting the environment

 

PART 2--SIMPLIFIED--OUTLINE OF THIS CHAPTER

  • 11 Simplified outline of this Chapter  

PART 3--REQUIREMENTS--FOR ENVIRONMENTAL APPROVALS

Division 1--Requirements relating to matters of national environmental significance

Subdivision A--World Heritage

Division 2--Protection of the environment from proposals involving the Commonwealth

Subdivision A--Protection of environment from actions involving Commonwealth land

PART 4--CASES--IN WHICH ENVIRONMENTAL APPROVALS ARE NOT NEEDED

Division 1--Actions covered by bilateral agreements

  • 29 Actions declared by agreement not to need approval  
  • 30 Extended operation in State and Northern Territory waters  
  • 31 Extended operation in non - self - governing Territories  

Division 2--Actions covered by Ministerial declarations and accredited management arrangements or accredited authorisation processes

Subdivision A--Effect of declarations

Division 3--Actions covered by Ministerial declarations and bioregional plans

Subdivision A--Effect of declarations
  • 37 Actions declared by Minister not to need approval  
  • Subdivision B--Making declarations
  • 37A Making declarations that actions do not need approval under Part 9  
  • Subdivision C--Prerequisites for making declarations
  • 37B General considerations  
  • 37C Minister may make declaration only if prescribed criteria are met  
  • 37D Declarations relating to declared World Heritage properties  
  • 37E Declarations relating to National Heritage places  
  • 37F Declarations relating to declared Ramsar wetlands  
  • 37G Declarations relating to listed threatened species and ecological communities  
  • 37H Declarations relating to listed migratory species  
  • 37J No declarations relating to nuclear actions  
  • Subdivision D--Other rules about declarations
  • 37K Revoking declarations  
  • 37L Other rules about declarations  

Division 3A--Actions covered by conservation agreements

Division 4--Forestry operations in certain regions

Subdivision A--Regions covered by regional forest agreements
  • 38 Part 3 not to apply to certain RFA forestry operations  
  • Subdivision B--Regions subject to a process of negotiating a regional forest agreement
  • 39 Object of this Subdivision  
  • 40 Forestry operations in regions not yet covered by regional forest agreements  
  • 41 What is an RFA region ?  
  • Subdivision C--Limits on application
  • 42 This Division does not apply to some forestry operations  

Division 5--Actions in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

  • 43 Actions taken in accordance with zoning plan  

Division 6--Actions with prior authorisation

CHAPTER 3--Bilateral agreements

 

PART 5--BILATERAL--AGREEMENTS

Division 1--Object of Part

  • 44 Object of this Part  

Division 2--Making bilateral agreements

Subdivision A--Power to make bilateral agreements

Division 3--Suspending and ending the effect of bilateral agreements

Subdivision A--Suspension and cancellation of effect

CHAPTER 4--Environmental assessments and approvals

 

PART 6--SIMPLIFIED--OUTLINE OF THIS CHAPTER

  • 66 Simplified outline of this Chapter  

PART 7--DECIDING--WHETHER APPROVAL OF ACTIONS IS NEEDED

Division 1--Referral of proposals to take action

Division 1A--Decision that action is clearly unacceptable

  • 74B Application of this Division  
  • 74C Informing person proposing to take action that action is clearly unacceptable  
  • 74D Procedure if Minister is requested to reconsider referral  

Division 2--Ministerial decision whether action needs approval

  • 75 Does the proposed action need approval?  
  • 76 Minister may request more information for making decisions  
  • 77 Notice and reasons for decision  
  • 77A Action to be taken in a particular manner  

Division 3--Reconsideration of decisions

  • 78 Reconsideration of decision  
  • 78A Request for reconsideration of decision by person other than State or Territory Minister  
  • 78B Minister must inform interested persons of request and invite comments  
  • 78C Minister must reconsider decision and give notice of outcome  
  • 79 Reconsideration of decision on request by a State or Territory  

PART 8--ASSESSING--IMPACTS OF CONTROLLED ACTIONS

Division 1--Simplified outline of this Part

  • 80 Simplified outline of this Part  

Division 2--Application of this Part

Division 3--Decision on assessment approach

Subdivision A--Simplified outline of this Division
  • 85 Simplified outline of this Division  
  • Subdivision B--Deciding on approach for assessment
  • 87 Minister must decide on approach for assessment  
  • 88 Timing of decision on assessment approach  
  • 89 Minister may request more information for making decision  
  • 90 Directing an inquiry after starting an assessment  
  • 91 Notice of decision on assessment approach  

Division 3A--Assessment on referral information

  • 92 Application of this Division  
  • 93 Recommendation report  

Division 4--Assessment on preliminary documentation

  • 94 Application of this Division  
  • 95 Direction to publish referral information and invitation to comment--no further information required  
  • 95A Direction to publish referral information and invitation to comment--further information required  
  • 95B Procedure after end of period for comment  
  • 95C Recommendation report  

Division 5--Public environment reports

Division 6--Environmental impact statements

Division 7--Inquiries

Subdivision A--Preliminary
  • 106 Simplified outline  
  • Subdivision B--Establishment of inquiries
  • 107 Appointing commissioners and setting terms of reference  
  • 108 Publicising inquiry  
  • Subdivision C--Conduct of inquiries
  • 109 Procedure of inquiries  
  • 110 Inquiry to be public  
  • 111 Calling witnesses  
  • 112 Dealing with witnesses  
  • 113 Dealing with documents given to commission  
  • 114 Inspections of land, buildings and places  
  • 115 Entering premises by consent  
  • 116 Entering premises under warrant  
  • 117 Warrants by telephone or other electronic means  
  • 118 Identity cards  
  • 119 Contempt  
  • 120 Protection of commissioners and witnesses  
  • Subdivision D--Inquiry reports
  • 121 Timing of report  
  • 122 Publication of report  
  • Subdivision E--Commissioners' terms and conditions
  • 123 Basis of appointment  
  • 124 Remuneration  
  • 125 Leave of absence  
  • 126 Resignation  
  • 127 Termination of appointment  
  • 128 Disclosure of interests  
  • 129 Other terms and conditions  

PART 9--APPROVAL--OF ACTIONS

Division 1--Decisions on approval and conditions

Subdivision A--General

Division 2--Requirement to comply with conditions

  • 142 Compliance with conditions on approval  
  • 142A Offence of breaching conditions on approval  
  • 142B Strict liability offence for breach of approval condition  

Division 3--Variation of conditions and suspension and revocation of approvals

  • 143 Variation of conditions attached to approval  
  • 143A Variation of action management plan  
  • 144 Suspension of approval  
  • 145 Revocation of approval  
  • 145A Reinstating suspended or revoked approval  

Division 4--Transfer of approvals

  • 145B Transfer with Minister's consent  

Division 5--Extension of period of effect of approval

  • 145C Application to Minister to extend period of effect of approval  
  • 145D Minister must decide whether or not to extend approval period  
  • 145E Minister may request further information for making decision  

PART 10--STRATEGIC--ASSESSMENTS

Division 1--Strategic assessments generally

Subdivision A--Assessment of actions to be taken in accordance with policy, plan or program

Division 2--Assessment of Commonwealth-managed fisheries

PART 11--MISCELLANEOUS--RULES ABOUT ASSESSMENTS AND APPROVALS

Division 1--Rules about timing

  • 155 This Chapter ceases to apply to lapsed proposals  
  • 156 General rules about time limits  

Division 1A--Variation of proposals to take actions

  • 156A Request to vary proposal to take an action  
  • 156B Minister must decide whether or not to accept a varied proposal  
  • 156C Minister may request further information in relation to a varied proposal  
  • 156D Effect of Minister's decision to accept or not accept a varied proposal  
  • 156E Notice of decision  

Division 1B--Change of person proposing to take action

Division 2--Actions in area offshore from a State or the Northern Territory

  • 157 Actions treated as though they were in a State or the Northern Territory  

Division 3--Exemptions

  • 158 Exemptions from Part 3 and this Chapter  

Division 3A--Approval process decisions not affected by listing events that happen after section 75 decision made

  • 158A Approval process decisions not affected by listing events that happen after section 75 decision made  

Division 4--Application of Chapter to actions that are not controlled actions

Subdivision A--Minister's advice on authorising actions
  • 159 Simplified outline of this Subdivision  
  • 160 Requirement to take account of Minister's advice  
  • 161 Seeking the Minister's advice  
  • 161A Minister may decide that advice is not required  
  • 161B Certain provisions of other Acts not to apply if Minister decides that advice is not required  
  • 162 Assessment of the action  
  • 163 Providing advice  
  • 164 Reporting on response to advice  
  • Subdivision C--Assessment under agreement with State or Territory
  • 166 This Subdivision applies if Ministers agree it should  
  • 167 Making an agreement  
  • 168 Content of an agreement  
  • 169 Application of a Division of Part 8  
  • 170 Application of Subdivision A of Division 1 of Part 10  

Division 5--Publication of information relating to assessments

Division 6--Withdrawal of referrals

Division 7--Miscellaneous

CHAPTER 5--Conservation of biodiversity and heritage

 

PART 11A--INTERPRETATION

  • 170D References to business days are references to Canberra business days  

PART 12--IDENTIFYING--AND MONITORING BIODIVERSITY AND MAKING BIOREGIONAL PLANS

Division 1--Identifying and monitoring biodiversity

Division 2--Bioregional plans

PART 13--SPECIES--AND COMMUNITIES

Division 1--Listed threatened species and ecological communities

Subdivision A--Listing

Division 2--Migratory species

Subdivision A--Listing

Division 3--Whales and other cetaceans

Subdivision A--Application of Division

Division 4--Listed marine species

Subdivision A--Listing

CHAPTER 5--Conservation ofbiodiversity and heritage

 

PART 13--SPECIES--AND COMMUNITIES

Division 5--Conservation advice, recovery plans, threat abatement plans and wildlife conservation plans

Subdivision AA--Approved conservation advice

Division 6--Access to biological resources

Division 6A--Control of non-native species

Division 7--Aid for conservation of species in foreign countries

  • 302 Aid for conservation of species in foreign countries  

Division 8--Miscellaneous

  • 303 Regulations  
  • 303A Exemptions from this Part  
  • 303AA Conditions relating to accreditation of plans, regimes and policies  
  • 303AB Amended policies, regimes or plans taken to be accredited  

PART 13A--INTERNATIONAL--MOVEMENT OF WILDLIFE SPECIMENS

Division 1--Introduction

Division 2--CITES species

Subdivision A--CITES species and CITES specimens

Division 3--Exports of regulated native specimens

Subdivision A--Regulated native specimens

Division 4--Imports of regulated live specimens

Subdivision A--Regulated live specimens

Division 5--Concepts relating to permit criteria

Subdivision A--Non-commercial purpose exports and imports

Division 6--Miscellaneous

PART 14--CONSERVATION--AGREEMENTS

PART 15--PROTECTED--AREAS

Division 1--Managing World Heritage properties

Subdivision A--Simplified outline of this Division
  • 313 Simplified outline of this Division  
  • Subdivision B--Seeking agreement on World Heritage listing
  • 314 Special provisions relating to World Heritage nominations  
  • Subdivision C--Notice of submission of property for listing
  • 315 Minister must give notice of submission of property for listing etc.  
  • Subdivision D--Plans for listed World Heritage properties in Commonwealth areas
  • 316 Making plans  
  • 317 Notice of plans  
  • 318 Commonwealth compliance with plans  
  • 319 Review of plans every 5 years  
  • Subdivision E--Managing World Heritage properties in States and self-governing Territories
  • 320 Application  
  • 321 Co - operating to prepare and implement plans  
  • 322 Commonwealth responsibilities  
  • Subdivision F--Australian World Heritage management principles
  • 323 Australian World Heritage management principles  
  • Subdivision G--Assistance for protecting World Heritage properties
  • 324 Commonwealth assistance for protecting declared World Heritage properties  

Division 1A--Managing National Heritage places

Subdivision A--Preliminary

Division 2--Managing wetlands of international importance

Subdivision A--Simplified outline of this Division
  • 325 Simplified outline of this Division  
  • Subdivision B--Seeking agreement on Ramsar designation
  • 326 Commonwealth must seek agreement before designation  
  • Subdivision C--Notice of designation of wetland
  • 327 Minister must give notice of designation of wetland etc.  
  • Subdivision D--Plans for listed wetlands in Commonwealth areas
  • 328 Making plans  
  • 329 Notice of plans  
  • 330 Commonwealth compliance with plans  
  • 331 Review of plans every 5 years  
  • Subdivision E--Management of wetlands in States and self-governing Territories
  • 332 Application  
  • 333 Co - operating to prepare and implement plans  
  • 334 Commonwealth responsibilities  
  • Subdivision F--Australian Ramsar management principles
  • 335 Australian Ramsar management principles  
  • Subdivision G--Assistance for protecting wetlands
  • 336 Commonwealth assistance for protecting declared Ramsar wetlands  

Division 3--Managing Biosphere reserves

Division 3A--Managing Commonwealth Heritage places

Subdivision A--Preliminary

Division 4--Commonwealth reserves

Subdivision A--Simplified outline of this Division

Division 5--Conservation zones

CHAPTER 5A--The List of Overseas Places of Historic Significance to Australia

 

PART 15A--THE--LIST OF OVERSEAS PLACES OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE TO AUSTRALIA

CHAPTER 5B--Declared commercial fishing activities

 

PART 15B--DECLARED--COMMERCIAL FISHING ACTIVITIES

Division 1--Prohibition

Division 2--Declaring a commercial fishing activity

Subdivision A--What is a declared commercial fishing activity?

Division 3--Expert panel assessment of declared commercial fishing activity

Division 4--Sunsetting of this Part

  • 390SM Sunsetting of this Part  
  •  

CHAPTER 6--Administration

 

PART 16--PRECAUTIONARY--PRINCIPLE AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS IN MAKING DECISIONS

PART 17--ENFORCEMENT

Division 1--Wardens, rangers and inspectors

Subdivision A--Wardens and rangers

Division 2--Boarding of vessels etc. and access to premises

Division 3--Monitoring of compliance

Division 4--Search warrants

  • 413 When search warrants can be issued  
  • 414 Statements in warrants  
  • 415 Powers of magistrate  
  • 416 Warrants by telephone or other electronic means  
  • 417 The things that are authorised by a search warrant  
  • 418 Availability of assistance, and use of force, in executing a warrant  
  • 418A Executing officer to be in possession of warrant  
  • 419 Details of warrant to be given to occupier etc.  
  • 420 Specific powers available to person executing warrant  
  • 421 Use of equipment to examine or process things  
  • 422 Use of electronic equipment at premises  
  • 423 Compensation for damage to electronic equipment  
  • 424 Copies of seized things to be provided  
  • 425 Occupier entitled to be present during search  
  • 426 Receipts for things seized under warrant  
  • 427 Restrictions on personal searches  
  • 428 When a thing is in the possession of a person  

Division 6--Arrest and related matters

  • 430 Powers of arrest  
  • 431 Power to conduct a frisk search of an arrested person  
  • 432 Power to conduct an ordinary search of an arrested person  
  • 433 Power to conduct search of arrested person's premises  
  • 433A Interaction of this Division with Schedule 1  

Division 6A--Provisions relating to detention of suspected foreign offenders

  • 433B Provisions relating to detention of suspected foreign offenders  

Division 7--Miscellaneous provisions about searches, entry to premises, warrants etc.

  • 434 Conduct of ordinary searches and frisk searches  
  • 435 Announcement before entry  
  • 436 Offence of making false statements in warrants  
  • 437 Offences relating to telephone warrants  
  • 438 Retention of things seized under Division 4 or 6  
  • 440 Law relating to legal professional privilege not affected  
  • 441 Other laws about search, arrest etc. not affected  
  • 442 Persons to assist authorised officers  

Division 8--Power to search goods, baggage etc.

Division 8A--Power to ask questions about specimens

Division 9--Power to ask for names and addresses

  • 444 Authorised person may ask for person's name and address  

Division 10--Seizure and forfeiture etc.

Subdivision AA--Seizure of specimens involved in a contravention of Part 13A
  • 444A Seizure of specimens involved in a contravention of Part 13A  
  • 444B Notice about seizure  
  • 444C Applications for return of specimen  
  • 444D Court action for return of specimen  
  • 444E Consignment of specimen with consent of owner  
  • 444G Retention of specimen  
  • 444H Forfeiture of specimen after end of retention period  
  • Subdivision AB--Seizure of things (other than specimens involved in a contravention of Part 13A)
  • 445 Seizure of things (other than specimens involved in a contravention of Part 13A)  
  • 446 Retention of things seized under this Subdivision  
  • Subdivision AC--Direction to deliver seizable items
  • 447 Direction to deliver seizable items  
  • Subdivision B--Disposal of seized items
  • 449 Immediate disposal of seized items  
  • 449A Disposal of seized items if Secretary cannot locate or identify person entitled etc.  
  • Subdivision BA--Release of seized items to owner etc.
  • 449BA Release of seized items to owner etc.  
  • 449BB How this Part applies in relation to things released conditionally  
  • Subdivision C--Forfeiture of seized items
  • 450 Court - ordered forfeiture: order by court dealing with offence proceedings  
  • 450A Court - ordered forfeiture: other situations  
  • 450B Forfeiture of seized items by consent etc.  
  • 451 Dealings in forfeited items  
  • 452 Delivery of forfeited items to the Commonwealth  
  • Subdivision F--Keeping of organisms or specimens that have been seized
  • 453 Keeping of organisms or specimens retained under this Part  
  • 454 Recovery of costs of storing or keeping organisms or specimens  
  • Subdivision G--Rescuing things
  • 455 Rescuing things  
  • 456 Breaking or destroying things or documents to prevent seizure etc.  
  • Subdivision H--Seizure of cages or containers
  • 456AA Power to seize cages or containers containing seizable things  
  • 456AB Retention of seized cage or container  
  • 456AC Retention of non - seizable things contained in seized cages or containers  

Division 12--Environmental audits

Division 13--Conservation orders

Subdivision A--Simplified outline

Division 14--Injunctions

  • 475 Injunctions for contravention of the Act  
  • 476 Injunctions for contraventions of conservation agreements  
  • 477 Discharge of injunctions  
  • 479 Certain considerations for granting injunctions not relevant  
  • 480 Powers conferred are in addition to other powers of the Court  

Division 14A--Federal Court's power to make remediation orders

Division 14B--Minister's power to make remediation determinations

Subdivision A--Making of remediation determinations

Division 15--Civil penalties

Subdivision A--Obtaining an order for a civil penalty

Division 15A--Notices to produce or attend

  • 486E Application of Division  
  • 486F Minister may require person to provide information etc.  
  • 486G Minister may require person to appear before Minister  
  • 486H Persons to whom notices may not be given  
  • 486J Self - incrimination  

Division 16--Review of administrative decisions

  • 487 Extended standing for judicial review  
  • 488 Applications on behalf of unincorporated organisations  

Division 17--Duty to provide accurate information

  • 489 Providing false or misleading information to obtain approval or permit  
  • 490 Providing false or misleading information in response to a condition on an approval or permit  
  • 491 Providing false or misleading information to authorised officer etc.  

Division 18--Liability of executive officers for corporations

Division 18A--Liability of landholders for other people's actions

Division 19--Infringement notices

  • 497 Infringement notices  

Division 20--Publicising contraventions

  • 498 Minister may publicise contraventions of this Act or the regulations  

Division 21--Immunity of officers

  • 498A Immunity of officers and assistants  

Division 22--Conduct of directors, employees and agents

PART 18--REMEDYING--ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE

  • 499 Commonwealth powers to remedy environmental damage  
  • 500 Liability for loss or damage caused by contravention  
  • 501 Other powers not affected  

PART 19--ORGANISATIONS

Division 1--Establishment and functions of the Threatened Species Scientific Committee

  • 502 Establishment  
  • 503 Functions of the Committee  

Division 2A--Indigenous Advisory Committee

  • 505A Establishment  
  • 505B Functions of the Committee  

Division 2B--Establishment and functions of the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Unconventional Gas Development and Large Coal Mining Development

  • 505C Establishment  
  • 505D Functions of the Committee  
  • 505E Declared States and Territories  

Division 3--Members and procedures of Committees

  • 506 Application  
  • 507 Terms and conditions  
  • 508 Remuneration  
  • 509 Termination of appointments of Committee members  
  • 510 Procedure of a Committee  

Division 4--Advisory committees

  • 511 Minister may establish advisory committees  
  • 512 Appointments  
  • 513 Members of advisory committees  
  • 514 Committee procedure  

Division 5--Director of National Parks

Subdivision A--Establishment, functions and powers

PART 19A--RECONSIDERATION--OF FEES

  • 514Y Applications for reconsideration of fee  
  • 514YA Reconsideration of fee  
  • 514YB Deadline for reconsideration  

PART 20--DELEGATION

PART 20A--PUBLICATION--OF INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET

  • 515A Publication of information on the internet  

PART 21--REPORTING

Division 1--Annual reports

  • 516 Annual report on operation of Act  
  • 516A Annual reports to deal with environmental matters  

Division 2--State of the environment reports

CHAPTER 7--Miscellaneous

 

PART 22--MISCELLANEOUS

  • 517 Determinations of species  
  • 517A Exemption for activities that might harm particular species introduced into particular areas  
  • 518 Non - compliance with time limits  
  • 519 Compensation for acquisition of property  
  • 520 Regulations  
  • 520A Statements about the application of the Act  
  • 521 Fees and charges must not be taxes  
  • 521A Time does not run if all or part of fee remains unpaid  
  • 522 Financial assistance etc. to be paid out of appropriated money  
  • 522A Review of operation of Act  
  •  

CHAPTER 8--Definitions

 

PART 23--DEFINITIONS

Division 1--Some definitions relating to particular topics

Subdivision A--Actions

Division 2--General list of definitions

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