Biosecurity (Ballast Water Same Risk Area) Instrument 2017

Administered by Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Legislation au F2017N00071 In force Notifiable Instrument

Legislation content

Biosecurity (Ballast Water Same Risk Area) Instrument 2017

made under subsection 21(2) of the

Biosecurity (Ballast Water and Sediment) Determination 2017

Compilation No. 1

Compilation date:    5 October 2019

Includes amendments up to: F2019N00076

Registered:    16 October 2019

 

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Biosecurity (Ballast Water Same Risk Area) Instrument 2017 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 5 October 2019 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Self-repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

Contents

Part 1—Preliminary

1 Name

3 Authority

Part 2—Same risk areas

4 Victoria—Port Phillip

5 Queensland—Great Barrier Reef

6 South Australia—Spencer Gulf and St Vincent Gulf

7 Northern Territory

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Part 1—Preliminary

 

1  Name

  This instrument is the Biosecurity (Ballast Water Same Risk Area) Instrument 2017.

3  Authority

  This instrument is made under subsection 21(2) of the Biosecurity (Ballast Water and Sediment) Determination 2017.

Part 2—Same risk areas

 

4  Victoria—Port Phillip

  The area of Port Phillip, Victoria, landward of the geodesic between the easternmost point of Point Lonsdale at low water and the westernmost point of Point Nepean at low water is specified.

5  Queensland—Great Barrier Reef

  The area bounded by the line starting at the point described in item 1 of the following table and running sequentially as described in the table is specified.

 

Queensland—Great Barrier Reef

Item

Description

1

The westernmost intersection of the mean low water line of the mainland of Australia around Thud Point, Queensland, by the parallel of latitude 13°00′00″S

2

West along that parallel to its intersection by the outer limit of the territorial sea of Australia

3

Generally northerly along that outer limit to its intersection by the parallel of latitude 10°00’00”S

4

East along that parallel to its intersection by the outer limit of the territorial sea of Australia

5

Generally southerly and southeasterly along that outer limit to its intersection 12 nautical miles north of the territorial sea baseline across Hervey Bay by the meridian of longitude 152°39’00”E

6

South along that meridian to its intersection by the parallel of latitude 24°46’00”S

7

West along that parallel to its intersection by the mean low water line of the mainland of Australia around South Head, Bundaberg, Queensland

8

Generally northwesterly, northerly, northwesterly and southerly along that mean low water line to the starting point

Note: Geographic coordinates in this instrument are expressed in terms of the Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994 (commonly known as GDA94).

6  South Australia—Spencer Gulf and St Vincent Gulf

  The area bounded by the line starting at the point described in item 1 of the following table and running sequentially as described in the table is specified.

 

South Australia—Spencer Gulf and St Vincent Gulf

Item

Description

1

The southernmost intersection of the low water line around Cape Catastrophe, South Australia, by the meridian of longitude 136°00’00”E

2

South along that meridian to its intersection by the outer limit of the territorial sea of Australia

3

Generally southeasterly, easterly and northeasterly along that outer limit to its intersection by the meridian of longitude 138°52’00”E

4

North along that meridian to its intersection by the low water line of the mainland of Australia

5

Generally westerly, northerly, northeasterly, northerly, northwesterly, southerly, southwesterly, northeasterly, easterly, northerly, and southwesterly along that low water line to the starting point

Note: Geographic coordinates in this instrument are expressed in terms of the Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994 (commonly known as GDA94).

7  Northern Territory

 (1) The area bounded by the line starting at the point described in item 1 of the following table and running sequentially as described in the table (other than the areas excluded by subsection (2)) is specified.

 

Northern Territory

Item

Description

1

The northernmost intersection of the coastline of the mainland of Australia by the border between the Northern Territory and Western Australia at the mean low water line of the mainland of Australia, specifically the meridian of longitude 129°00′01.659560″E

2

Northeast along the geodesic to the point 14°37′24.910000″S 129°01′49.380000″E

3

Northwest along the geodesic to the point 14°32′24.910000″S 129°01′19.380000″E

4

Northwest along the geodesic to the intersection of the meridian of longitude 128°57′11.629000″E by the outer limit of the territorial sea of Australia

5

Generally northerly, easterly, southerly, westerly, southerly, and southeasterly along that outer limit to its intersection by the meridian of longitude 138°07′33.574000″E

6

Southwest along the geodesic to the point of intersection of the border between the Northern Territory and Queensland by the mean low water line of the mainland of Australia

7

Generally northwesterly, northeasterly, westerly, southeasterly, westerly and southwesterly to the starting point

Note: Geographic coordinates in this instrument are expressed in terms of the Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994 (commonly known as GDA94).

 (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the following areas are excluded:

 (a) the area of the Port of Darwin declared to be a security regulated port by the Notice of Declaration of Security Regulated Port—Port of Darwin published in the Gazette on 27 April 2018;

 (b) the area of Port of Gove declared to be a security regulated port by the Notice of Declaration of Security Regulated Port—Port of Gove published in the Gazette on 30 May 2014;

 (c) the area of the Port of Milner Bay declared to be a security regulated port by the Notice of Declaration of Security Regulated Port—Port of Milner Bay published in the Gazette on 31 March 2016.

Note: The declarations in the notices referred to in paragraphs (2)(a) to (c) are made under subsection 13(1) of the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation “(md not incorp)” is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

 

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

o = order(s)

am = amended

Ord = Ordinance

amdt = amendment

orig = original

c = clause(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

    /subsubparagraph(s)

Ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

def = definition(s)

prev = previous

Dict = Dictionary

(prev…) = previously

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

Pt = Part(s)

Div = Division(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

ed = editorial change

reloc = relocated

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

renum = renumbered

    effect

rep = repealed

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rs = repealed and substituted

gaz = gazette

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

    effect

SR = Statutory Rules

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

SubCh = SubChapter(s)

    cannot be given effect

SubPt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not

No. = Number(s)

    commenced or to be commenced

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Biosecurity (Ballast Water Same Risk Area) Instrument 2017

5 Sept 2017 (F2017N00071)

8 Sept 2017 (s 2(1) item 1)

 

Biosecurity (Ballast Water Same Risk Area) Amendment (Great Barrier Reef and Northern Territory) Instrument 2019

4 Oct 2019 (F2019N00076)

5 Oct 2019 (s 2(1) item 1)

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

Part 1

 

s 2.....................

rep LA s 48D

Part 2

 

s 5.....................

am F2019N00076

s 7.....................

ad F2019N00076

 

 

Overview

The Biosecurity (Ballast Water Same Risk Area) Instrument 2017, enacted under the authority of the Biosecurity (Ballast Water and Sediment) Determination 2017, was introduced to address the problem of invasive species being transported via ballast water from ships entering Australian waters. This instrument specifies certain areas in Australia as 'same risk areas' where the risk of introducing harmful aquatic organisms is deemed to be consistent with international standards. The enacting body was the Australian Parliament, with the policy objective of preventing, controlling, and minimising the introduction, establishment, spread, and impact of harmful aquatic organisms in Australia through stringent biosecurity measures. The instrument outlines specific areas such as Port Phillip in Victoria, the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Spencer Gulf and St Vincent Gulf in South Australia, and parts of the Northern Territory coastline as high-risk zones requiring stringent ballast water management practices.

Scope and Application

The Biosecurity (Ballast Water Same Risk Area) Instrument 2017, made under subsection 21(2) of the Biosecurity (Ballast Water and Sediment) Determination 2017, identifies specific areas in Australian waters as "same risk areas" where ballast water discharge poses a heightened risk to local ecosystems. These areas include Port Phillip in Victoria, the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Spencer Gulf and St Vincent Gulf in South Australia, and parts of the coastline in the Northern Territory, excluding specific security regulated ports in Darwin, Gove, and Milner Bay. The Instrument applies to any vessel entering these specified areas and is designed to mitigate the risk of invasive species introduction through ballast water discharge. The geographic scope of the Instrument is confined to Commonwealth waters and the territorial seas of the states and territories involved. The Instrument's application is subject to amendments through subordinate instruments, as evidenced by the 2019 amendment which adjusted the boundaries for the Great Barrier Reef and Northern Territory areas. Notably, the exclusion of certain ports from the Northern Territory area underscores the Instrument's flexibility to accommodate specific security needs while still addressing broader biosecurity concerns.

Key Provisions

The Biosecurity (Ballast Water Same Risk Area) Instrument 2017 specifies certain areas as "same risk areas" for the purposes of biosecurity, particularly relating to ballast water management. Section 4 identifies the area of Port Phillip in Victoria as a same risk area, while Section 5 specifies the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Section 6 outlines Spencer Gulf and St Vincent Gulf in South Australia, and Section 7 details the Northern Territory coastline. These sections detail the geographical boundaries of the specified areas, which are critical for regulating ballast water discharge to prevent the introduction of harmful aquatic organisms. The Act imposes specific obligations on entities involved in maritime activities within these specified areas. Ship operators, for example, must comply with the biosecurity measures set forth in the Biosecurity (Ballast Water and Sediment) Determination 2017. This includes adhering to the management plans for ballast water discharge and taking necessary precautions to avoid the introduction of invasive species. The Act also requires these entities to report any incidents of non-compliance or potential biosecurity risks to the relevant authorities. Additionally, it mandates that ships obtain and maintain necessary certifications and documentation that attest to compliance with the biosecurity requirements. Breaches of the provisions outlined in the Act can result in significant penalties. Under the Biosecurity Act 2015, individuals and entities found guilty of non-compliance can face criminal charges. The maximum penalty for an individual offender is a fine of up to $150,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, or both. For corporate offenders, the penalties can be more severe, with fines reaching up to $750,000 or, in the case of serious or repeated offences, up to $3.75 million. These penalties reflect the seriousness of the potential environmental and economic impacts of biosecurity breaches within these critical areas.

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Environmental Law
Instrument
Instrument
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Definitions & Interpretation
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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.