Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre Incorporated v Secretary, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (No 2) [2016] FCA 168

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre Incorporated v Secretary, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (No 2) [2016] FCA 168 File number: TAD 42 of 2014

Judge: Mortimer J

Date of judgment: 1 March 2016

Catchwords: ENVIRONMENT LAW – National Heritage List – – Western Tasmania Aboriginal Cultural Landscape – meaning of "indigenous heritage values" under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth); scope of protected "value" – whether proposal to open tracks to recreational vehicles an "action" – whether proposal a "governmental authorisation" pursuant to s 524(2) – whether action would cause an "impact" pursuant to s 527E – whether impact likely to be "significant" pursuant to s 15B(4) STATUTORY INTERPRETATION – words and phrases – Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) – "National Heritage value" – "indigenous heritage values"– "action" – "governmental authorisation" – "impact" – "significant impact"

Legislation: Aboriginal Relics Act 1975 (Tas) s 14(1)(a) Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988 (Cth) ss 11, 12, 14–21, 23 Crown Lands Act 1976 (Tas) Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) ss 15B, 15B(4), 15C(8), 17B, 18A, 24A, 24B, 34BA, 67, 67A, 324C, 324D, 324E, 324J, 324JA, 324JB, 324JC, 325JD, 324JH, 324JI, 324JL, 324JJ, 324JQ, 324N(1), 324Q, 475, 523, 524, 524(2), 527E, 528 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 (Cth) reg 10.01A Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) ss 53, 54, 191 Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) r 16.07(2) National Parks and Reserved Land Regulations 2009 (Tas) regs 18, 33 National Parks and Reserves Management Act 2002 (Tas) National Parks and Wildlife Act 1970 (Tas) Nature Conservation Act 2002 (Tas)