National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW)

National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 No 80

An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to the establishment, preservation and management of national parks, historic sites and certain other areas and the protection of certain Aboriginal objects; to repeal the Wild Flowers and Native Plants Protection Act 1927, the Fauna Protection Act 1948, the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1967 and certain other enactments; to amend the Local Government Act 1919 and certain other Acts in certain respects; and for purposes connected therewith.

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Name of Act This Act may be cited as the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

2 Commencement (1) This section and section 1 shall commence on the date of assent to this Act. (2) Except as provided in subsection (1), this Act shall commence on such day as may be appointed by the Governor in respect thereof and as may be notified by proclamation published in the Gazette.

2A Objects of Act (1) The objects of this Act are as follows— (a) the conservation of nature, including, but not limited to, the conservation of— (i) habitat, ecosystems and ecosystem processes, and (ii) biological diversity at the community, species and genetic levels, and (iii) landforms of significance, including geological features and processes, and (iv) landscapes and natural features of significance including wilderness and wild rivers, (b) the conservation of objects, places or features (including biological diversity) of cultural value within the landscape, including, but not limited to— (i) places, objects and features of significance to Aboriginal people, and (ii) places of social value to the people of New South Wales, and (iii) places of historic, architectural or scientific significance, (c) fostering public appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of nature and cultural heritage and their conservation, (d) providing for the management of land reserved under this Act in accordance with the management principles applicable for each type of reservation. (2) The objects of this Act are to be achieved by applying the principles of ecologically sustainable development. (3) In carrying out functions under this Act, the Minister, the Secretary and the Service are to give effect to the following— (a) the objects of this Act, (b) the public interest in the protection of the values for which land is reserved under this Act and the appropriate management of those lands.