State legislation
Some of the Queensland laws that relate to natural resource management are:
Environmental Protection Act 1994
The goal of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 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.
This Act is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Vegetation Management Act 1999
The Vegetation Management Act 1999 regulates the clearing of vegetation to conserve remnant regional ecosystems and vegetation in declared areas, prevent the loss of biodiversity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and manage the environmental effects of clearing. The Act is part of Queensland's vegetation management framework comprising legislation, a state policy and regional vegetation management codes.
The State Policy for Vegetation Management provides a framework for the management of native vegetation. It includes the regional vegetation management codes that help regulate the clearing of vegetation and assess applications for clearing.
Regional vegetation management codes are used to assess applications under the Act. The 24 assessment codes are based on Queensland's bioregions and cover the majority of the state. The codes can be found on the Department of Natural Resources and Water website.
Nature Conservation Act 1992
The goal of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 is to protect nature in Queensland, including wildlife within and outside the state's national parks.
This Act is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Water Act 2000
The purpose of the Water Act 2000 is to advance sustainable management and efficient use of water and other resources by establishing a system for the planning, allocation and use of water.
The Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water has developed a series of information brochures that answer common questions about the Act. Visit the Department of Natural Resources and Water website to download the brochures.
Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002
The Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 provides a framework for improved management of weeds, pest animals and the stock route network.
Weeds and pests degrade natural resources, threaten biodiversity and remnant vegetation, reduce rural production and interfere with human health. They cost Queenslanders $600 million per year in lost production and control costs.
Stock routes are 'roads or routes ordinarily used for travelling stock' and are located on roads, reserves, unallocated state land and pastoral leases. They are pathways for moving stock on hoof.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Acts
Under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and the Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003 , there is legislative recognition that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the primary guardians, keepers and knowledge holders of their cultural heritage. They maintain ownership of human remains wherever held, secret and sacred material held in state collections (e.g. in the Queensland Museum) and cultural heritage removed from land.
Further information on cultural heritage can be found on the Department of Natural Resources and Water website.
To download copies of these Acts, or to search for other state legislation, visit the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel legislation website.
Last updated 22 December 2008