This Act sets up a legislative framework to enable the effective conservation of the State’s land, water, flora and fauna. Some of the means by which the Act does this include;

• allowing the Minister to delegate powers to Parks Victoria;

• land or interest in land may be purchased or compulsorily acquired (provisions of Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 (Vic) apply) on behalf of the Crown;

• provides that the Minister may prepare Codes of Practice which specify standards and procedures for the carrying out of any of the objects or purposes of a relevant law, and revoke or vary these Codes accordingly: Currently there two Codes of Practice:
  • Fire Management on Public Land; and
  • Forest Practice for Timber Production;

• The Act also provides that public authorities must submit a plan of works prior to commencement of works, such as construction of a dam, or the carrying out of developments within ‘critical habitat’ under Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Vic);

• provides for the creation of agreements between the Secretary and land owner, or Trust for Nature (Victoria), relating to the management, use, development, preservation or conservation of land – the agreement is binding and enforceable on the land owner and Secretary and may be expressed to be binding on a land owner’s successors in title (recorded with the Registrar of Titles);

• states that a person must not hinder or obstruct the lawful carrying out of forest operations, such as the taking of forest produce or associated activities taking place on Crown land;

• View the whole Act online via Austlii
• Parks Victoria's - "parkweb"
• Codes of practice can be found on the Department of Sustainability and Environment webpage