Legislation
| Victoria has a comprehensive legislative framework addressing natural resource and environment management, conservation and sustainable utilisation. There are currently 79 Acts of Parliament administered by DSE.
The primary overarching legislation dealing with biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of native flora and fauna is the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. | |
The Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 establishes a framework for the integrated management and protection of catchments that encourages community participation in the management of land and water resources. The objectives of the Catchment and Land Protection Act include the maintenance and long-term enhancement of land productivity while also conserving the environment to ensure that the quality of the State's land and water resources and their associated plant and animal life are maintained and enhanced. The Catchment and Land Protection Act operates in conjunction with a range of other legislation that also affect the management and conservation of Victoria’s natural resources (eg Environment Protection Act; Water Act; Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act; Planning and Environment Act; National Parks Act; Forests Act; Land Act; and the Conservation, Forests and Lands Act). Together, these form a strong legislative base for ensuring ecologically sustainable development which protects environmental values while supporting a productive and developing primary industry sector.
State environment protection policies (SEPPs) established under the Environment Protection Act by the Environment Protection Authority express in law the community’s expectations, needs and priorities for using and protecting the environment. SEPPs provide a clear statutory framework of environmental performance objectives. SEPPs provide a statement of quality outcomes desired by the community.
