River Improvement Trust Act 1940 (Qld)

River Improvement Trust Act 1940

An Act to provide for the management of river catchments, for their protection and improvement, by suitably qualified and representative entities

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Short title This Act may be cited as the River Improvement Trust Act 1940.

2 Definitions The dictionary in schedule 1 defines particular words used in this Act.

2A Object (1) The object of this Act is to provide for the responsible management of river catchment areas through— (a) planning for and implementing measures that improve the protection, health and resilience of rivers and their catchments; and (b) repairing, and preventing damage to, rivers and their catchments; and (c) restoring natural resilience to flooding and cyclones in rivers and their catchments; and (d) protection of water security; and (e) improving water quality and river system function in rivers and their catchments. (2) The object is to be achieved mainly by— (a) establishing river improvement areas; and (b) establishing for the areas trusts that have the powers and functions to achieve the matters mentioned in subsection (1)(a) to (e).

Part 2 Establishment of river improvement areas and trusts

3 River improvement areas (1) A regulation may establish a river improvement area, and may change or abolish the area. (2) A river improvement area must be made up of— (a) all or part of a local government area; or (b) all or part of each of 2 or more local government areas. (3) A local government, or 2 or more local governments acting jointly, may apply to the Minister for the establishment, change or abolition of a river improvement area. (4) The Minister must consider an application under subsection (3) and make a recommendation on the application to the Governor in Council. (5) The Minister may recommend to the Governor in Council the making of a regulation under subsection (1) whether or not an application has been made under subsection (3), and whether or not the regulation recommended is consistent with an application under subsection (3). (6) A regulation establishing a river improvement area must assign a name to the area. (7) A regulation changing a river improvement area may change the name of a river improvement area.