Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2008 (125 of 2008)

Schedule 1   Objects and application

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975

18   After section 3

Insert:

3AA Ecologically sustainable use

For the purposes of this Act, ecologically sustainable use of the Great Barrier Reef Region or its natural resources is use of the Region or resources:

(a) that is consistent with:

(i) protecting and conserving the environment, biodiversity and heritage values of the Great Barrier Reef Region; and

(ii) ecosystem-based management; and

(b) that is within the capacity of the Region and its natural resources to sustain natural processes while maintaining the life-support systems of nature and ensuring that the benefit of the use to the present generation does not diminish the potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations.

3AB Principles of ecologically sustainable use

For the purposes of this Act, the following principles are principles of ecologically sustainable use :

(a) decision-making processes should effectively integrate both long-term and short-term environmental, economic, social and equitable considerations;

(b) the precautionary principle;

(c) the principle of inter-generational equity - that the present generation should ensure that the health, diversity and productivity of the environment is maintained or enhanced for the benefit of future generations;

(d) the conservation of biodiversity and ecological integrity should be a fundamental consideration in decision-making;

(e) improved valuation, pricing and incentive mechanisms should be promoted.