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ourgreatsandy.com Celebrating and Defending the Great Sandy Strait
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Help Save Fraser Island’s Unique Marine Environment! |
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Legislation |
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FEDERAL LEGISLATION
¨ Ramsar Convention: Aims to halt the worldwide loss of wetlands and to conserve those remaining through wise use and management. Australia is a signatory to this treaty which is legally binding on the Federal Government ... read more
¨ Environmental Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBCA) 1999: Protects the environment, particularly matters of National Environmental Significance (Protected matters). It streamlines the national environmental assessment and approvals process, protects Australian biodiversity and integrates the management of important natural and cultural places.
»»» All Ramsar wetlands are recognised as a matter of National Environmental Significance. Any action that has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on their ecological character cannot proceed without approval from the Federal Environment Minister. To obtain approval, the action must undergo a rigorous environmental assessment and approval process ... read more
¨ Endangered Species Protection Act 1993: This act aims to promote the recovery of species and ecological communities that are endangered or vulnerable, and to prevent other species and ecological communities from becoming endangered … read more
¨ World Heritage Properties Conservation Act 1983: Most of the eastern side of Great Sandy Strait is in the Fraser Island World Heritage Area. The EPBC Act 1999 enhances the management and protection of Australia’s heritage places.
»»» Any action that is likely to have a significant impact on a World Heritage property or a national heritage place must be referred to the Commonwealth Environment Minister for further consideration … read more
STATE LEGISLATION
¨ Wild Rivers Act 1995: Freshwater flows from Fraser Island, combined with those of the Mary River, are essential for marine biodiversity in the Great Sandy Strait. In July, 2006, the creeks and rivers of Fraser Island were declared protected under the Queensland Government’s Wild Rivers Act 2005. This act effectively ensures the island’s water sources cannot be exploited by communities on the mainland. Any development applications which may impact in any way upon a wild river will have to pass a rigorous assessment process … read more
¨ Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995: This Act aims to provide for the protection, conservation, rehabilitation and management of the coast, including its resources and biodiversity … read more
¨ Environment Protection Act 1994: The object of this act is to protect Queensland’s environment while allowing for development that improves the total quality of life, both now and in the future, in a way that maintains the ecological processes on which life depends (ecologically sustainable development) … read more
¨ Fisheries Act 1994: An Act for the management, use, development and protection of fisheries resources and fish habitats, and the management of aquaculture activities … read more
¨ Nature Conservation Act 1992: An Act for the conservation of nature, to be achieved through an integral and comprehensive conservation strategy for the whole of the State … read more
¨ Recreation Areas Management Act 1988/2006: For the establishment, maintenance and use of recreational areas with regard to conservation, cultural, educational, production and recreational values of the areas … read more
¨ Beach Protection Act 1968: An Act to provide for the regulation and provision of advice in respect to certain activities affecting the coast, and to minimize damage to property from erosion or encroachment by tidal water … read more
Read more …
¨ Section 23, ‘Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands—Great Sandy Strait,’ compiled by Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH), 1999 ... click here
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As signatory to a number of binding national, international and state legislations, Australia has committed to protecting the Great Sandy Strait to ensure its special ecological values are maintained. Such legislation, however, will be violated by the construction of a mega dam on the Mary River. |
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Website created by Elisabeth Berry for 2Berries Communications. Copyright © 2008 ourgreatsandy.com. All rights reserved. |
