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Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment.

Country/Territory
Australia
Territorial subdivision
New South Wales
Document type
Miscellaneous
Date
1992
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Subject
Environment gen., Wild species & ecosystems
Keyword
Sub-national agreement EIA Climate change Cultural heritage Biodiversity
Geographical area
Asia and the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Indian Ocean, Oceania, South Pacific
Abstract

The Commonwealth, the States, the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and the Australian Local Government Association have entered into an Agreement with a view to facilitate: (a) a cooperative national approach to the environment; (b) a better definition of the roles of the respective governments; (c) a reduction in the number of disputes between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories on environment issues; (d) greater certainty of Government and business decision-making; (e) better environment protection. The Agreement establishes the responsibilities and interests of all parties, the Commonwealth, the States and local governments as regards the development and implementation of policies in relation to environmental matters. According to section 2.5.2.1 the Commonwealth shall have the responsibility for negotiating and entering into international agreements concerning the environment, upon consultation with the State and in accordance with the procedure set out in Section 2. The following principles shall guide the development and implementation of environmental policy and programmes: (a) ecologically sustainable development; (b) enhancement of international competitiveness of the country; (c) effectiveness of the measures to be adopted; (d) precautionary principles being intergenerational equity, conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity, containment, avoidance or abatement of pollution. The Agreement is completed by nine Schedules, which deal with the following specific areas of environmental policy and management: collection, maintenance and integration of environmental data; assessment of natural resources, land use decisions and approval processes; environmental impact assessment; measures to be taken for the purpose of national environmental protection; climate change; protection of biological diversity; identification and conservation of the National Estate; identification, protection and conservation of Australia's natural and cultural heritage.

Full text
English
Website
www.environment.gov.au

References - Legislation

Implemented by

National Environment Protection Council (South Australia) Act 1995.

Legislation | Australia | 1995 (2007)

Keyword: Institution, Data collection/reporting, Access-to-information, Climate change, Cultural heritage

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Environment Protection Council (New South Wales) Act 1995.

Legislation | Australia | 1995 (2004)

Keyword: Institution, Data collection/reporting, Access-to-information, Climate change, Cultural heritage

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Environment Protection Council (Tasmania) Act 1995.

Legislation | Australia | 1995 (2008)

Keyword: Institution, Air quality/air pollution, EIA, Environmental planning, Hazardous waste, Pollution control, Waste management, Noise pollution, Policy/planning, Freshwater pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX