Coral Sea Marine Park Bird Islet (Wreck Reef) Prohibition of Entry

Overview

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2025 were enacted to address the need for stringent protection of ecologically sensitive areas within Australia's jurisdiction. This regulation was introduced by the Parliament of Australia with the objective of ensuring the preservation of biodiversity and the protection of significant environmental assets. One of the specific measures taken under this regulation is the prohibition of entry to Bird Islet of Wreck Reef in the Coral Sea Marine Park, as outlined in subregulation 12.23(3). This prohibition is intended to safeguard the unique marine and terrestrial ecosystems of the area from potential threats posed by unauthorised human activity. The regulation aims to maintain the ecological integrity of the Coral Sea Marine Park, ensuring that this critical habitat remains protected for future generations.

Scope and Application

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2025, as specified under subregulation 12.23(3), impose a prohibition on entry to Bird Islet of Wreck Reef within the Coral Sea Marine Park by all persons at all times. This prohibition extends to the entirety of Bird Islet, as defined by the geographic coordinates provided in Schedule 1, which forms a closed polygonal boundary. The primary exception to this prohibition includes officers, servants, and agents of the Commonwealth of Australia and its authorities who are acting in the course of their duties, as well as any persons authorised by the Director of National Parks. The geographical scope of this legislation is confined to the Bird Islet of Wreck Reef in the Coral Sea Marine Park, with the regulations taking effect the day after their registration and remaining in force until revoked or amended. This prohibition is intended to safeguard the ecological integrity of the area and ensure compliance with national environmental protection objectives.

Key Provisions

The primary provision of this legislation is the prohibition of entry to Bird Islet of Wreck Reef in the Coral Sea Marine Park, as stated in subregulation 12.23(3) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2025 (subreg. 12.23(3)). This prohibition applies to all persons at all times, except for officers, servants, and agents of the Commonwealth of Australia and its authorities who are acting in the course of their duties, as well as persons who have been authorised by the Director of National Parks. The prohibited area is defined by a series of geographic coordinate points that form a closed polygonal boundary within the Coral Sea region (Schedule 1). This prohibition notice comes into effect the day after it is registered and remains in force until it is revoked or amended. Under this legislation, all parties and entities must comply with the prohibition of entry to the specified area. This means that unless an individual is an authorised officer or agent of the Commonwealth or has been specifically granted permission by the Director of National Parks, they are not permitted to enter the Bird Islet of Wreck Reef in the Coral Sea Marine Park. This requirement is designed to protect the area and its ecological significance, ensuring that only authorised personnel can access the site for necessary duties or permitted activities. The legislation also outlines the potential consequences for breach of this prohibition. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the text, it is common under Australian law that unauthorised entry into a protected area can lead to both civil and criminal penalties. Typically, civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties could result in imprisonment. The exact penalties would depend on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances of the breach, but they can be significant, reflecting the seriousness of unauthorised entry into protected marine areas. The enforcement of these penalties aims to deter violations and uphold the conservation objectives of the Coral Sea Marine Park.