Statutory and Policy Framework - Victoria's Parks and Reserves System
There is a large number of international conventions, national and State legislation and strategies that impact on the management and administration of Victoria's parks and reserves system. The following is a list of the major treaties, conventions, initiatives, Acts, Regulations and policies.
International Treaties, Conventions and Initiatives
The most relevant international treaties, conventions and initiatives relevant to parks and reserves in Victoria include the following. Other international treaties, conventions and initiatives of some importance to the management/administration of parks and reserves are listed in Appendix 1.
- Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention) 1971
- China-Australia Migratory Birds Agreement (CAMBA) 1986
- Japan-Australia Migratory Birds Agreement (JAMBA) 1974
- Guidelines for Protected Area Management Categories (IUCN World Conservation Union)
- Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB) - UNESCO
Under the Australian Constitution, the States have the primary responsibility for public land (and waters) management other than for Commonwealth land (and waters). Commonwealth legislation which has direct (or major) implications for the management and administration of Victorian parks and reserves includes the following. Other important Commonwealth legislation is listed in Appendix 1.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984
- Australian Heritage Commission Act 1975
- Endangered Species Protection Act 1992
- Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
- Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974
- Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976
- Native Title Act 1993
The following national policies and initiatives are relevant to Victoria's parks and reserve system. Other important national policies and initiatives are listed in Appendix 1.
- Burra Charter
- Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment 1992
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Relation to the Co-operative Management of the Australian Alps National Parks
- National Competition Policy
- National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia's Biological Diversity 1992
- National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development (NSESD)
- National Heritage Trust
- Wetlands Policy of the Commonwealth Government of Australia 1997
Relevant Victorian Legislation (Acts and Regulations) for the management and administration of Victoria's parks and reserves system are listed below. The most important is the National Parks Act 1975 and associated Regulations. Other important legislation is listed in Appendix 1.
- Archaeological and Aboriginal Relics Preservation Act 1972
- Alpine Resorts (Management) Act 1997 and Regulations
- Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994
- Coastal Management Act 1995
- Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987 and Regulations
- Country Fire Authority Act 1958
- Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 and Regulations
- Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994
- Environment Conservation Council Act 1997
- Environment Effects Act 1978
- Environment Protection Act 1970
- Extractive Industries Development Act 1995 and Regulations
- Fisheries Act 1995 and Regulations
- Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988
- Forests Act 1958 and Regulations
- Heritage Act 1995 and Regulations
- Heritage Rivers Act 1992
- Land Conservation (Vehicle Control) Act 1972 and Regulations
- Marine Act 1988
- Mineral Resources Development Act 1990
- National Parks Act 1975 and Regulations
- Parks Victoria Act 1998
- Planning and Environment Act 1987
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986
- Reference Areas Act 1978
- Victorian Conservation Trust Act 1972
- Water Act 1989
- Water Industry Act 1994 and Regulations
- Wildlife Act 1975 and Regulations
The following Victorian Government policies and strategies are relevant to the management of Victoria's parks and reserves system.
- Competition Policy
- Land Conservation Council recommendations (various)
- State Environment Protection Policies (SEPPs)
- State Plan to deal with Wildlife affected by an Oil Spill
- Victoria's Biodiversity
- Victorian Coastal Strategy
National and State Codes of Practice have been developed on a range of matters, and may be voluntary or statutory in nature. Some codes relevant to the management and administration of Victoria's parks and reserves are listed below.
- Victorian
- Code of Fire Management on Public Land
- Code of Forest Practices for Timber Production
- Beekeeping Code of Practice
- Building Code and Good Design Guidelines
- Animal Welfare (various)
- Code of Practice for Powerline Clearance (Vegetation)
- Code of Practice for Transmission Line Clearance (Vegetation)
Commonwealth - Code of Practice for Telecommunications Infrastructure
Appendix 1 - Other Important Documents
A range of documents that of some relevance to the management and administration of Victoria's parks and reserves system is provided below.
- International Treaties, Conventions and Initiatives
- Convention Concerning the Protection of the Natural Resources and the Environment of the South Pacific Region (SPREP Convention)
- Convention Concerning the Protection of the Natural Resources and the Environment of the South Pacific Region (SPREP Convention 1986)
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 1973
- Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals 1979 (Bonn Convention)
- Convention on the Conservation of Nature in the South Pacific 1976 (APIA Convention)
- Convention for the Prevention of Pollution by Ships (MARPOL)
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
- United Nations Framework Convention on Biological Diversity
- United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development
Commonwealth Legislation
- Civil Aviation Act 1988 and sub-ordinate instruments (including Civil Aviation Orders, Fly Neighbourly Agreements)
- National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975
- Telecommunications Act 1997 and Low Impact Determination
- Trade Practices Act 1974
- Quarantine Act 1908
- Whale Protection Act 1980
- Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1982
National Policies and Initiatives
- National Greenhouse Response Strategy
Victorian Legislation
- Australian Grand Prix Act 1994
- Fences Act 1968
- Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984
- Land Act 1958
- Land Acquisition and Compensations Act 1986
- Livestock Disease Control Act 1994
- Museums Act 1983
- Occupational Health and Safety Act 1985
- Petroleum Act 1958
- Pipelines Act 1967
- Road Safety Act 1986
- Subordinate Legislation Act 1994
- Transfer of Land Act 1958
- Wrongs Act 1958 (Occupiers Liability Act 1983)
Victorian policies and strategies
- DSE policies, guidelines and procedures (e.g. parks and conservation reserves management policies, VerminPac, management plans, species recovery plans and species management plans)
- Victoria Planning Guidelines
- Regulatory Impact Statement Handbook

