Sustainability-related Regulations Database

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Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

Description: A short description of the legislation.

This Act provides a legal framework to protect and manage nationally and internationally important flora, fauna, ecological communities and heritage places - defined in the EPBC Act as MNES (Matters of National Environmental Significance). The Act is designed to provide a streamlined environmental assessment and approvals process where matters of national environmental significance are involved.

Application to Australian agriculture: Where the legislation is applicable.

Affects agricultural developments that will have a significant impact on MNES, as it will need to undergo referral for approval.

Compliance information: Often the evidence of compliance against a piece of legislation is that there is not a breach of the Act. Where appropriate, the developers of this database have listed evidence which could be used to show compliance if a breach was to be found. Many Best Management Practice (BMP) schemes and other certifications in Australian agriculture include this evidence for accreditation.

The following documentation/information is required to provide evidence of compliance.

There are consequences for starting a project without an approval, or for breaching conditions.Subject to investigation/compliance action if a proponent undertakes an action without an approval if the action results in a significant impact on a protected matter (i.e. MNES) or on Commonwealth land, and/or if the action begins after a referral is submitted but before the assessment process is complete. Compliance actions may result in criminal penalties. EPBC Act enforced through infringement notices, injunctions, directed environmental audits, civil and criminal penalties, and/or enforceable undertakings.

Additional information: The entity this legislation originates from.

Federal Register of Legislation. →

Source documents: Links to the legislation documents.