Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Booderee National Park Determination of a Camping Area and Camping Sites (Cave Beach) 2025

Overview

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2025 were enacted to address gaps in the regulation of activities that impact the environment, particularly those impacting biodiversity and ecosystems. The regulations aim to ensure the protection of Australia's unique biodiversity and natural heritage. These regulations are made by the Governor-General, under the authority of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), with the policy objective of conserving Australia's biodiversity and managing its impact from human activities. The regulations provide detailed provisions for the management and conservation of nationally and internationally significant flora, fauna, ecological communities, and heritage places. This specific determination under the 2025 Regulations establishes the Cave Beach Camping Area within Booderee National Park, delineating the area, identifying specific camping sites, and imposing conditions to manage the environmental impact of camping activities in this area. This determination by Peter Donohoe, acting as the delegate of the Director of National Parks, sets out the boundaries and specific conditions for the Cave Beach Camping Area in Booderee National Park. It designates certain areas within the park as camping sites, subject to strict limits on the number of tents, the size of tents, the number of people per site, and the total number of sites that can be occupied simultaneously. Additionally, it bans the use of portable generators and restricts the use of trees for activities such as tent pegs or clothes lines. These measures are intended to minimise environmental degradation and ensure the preservation of the natural environment for future enjoyment and conservation.

Scope and Application

The Booderee National Park Determination of a Camping Area and Camping Sites (Cave Beach) 2025 applies to the Cave Beach Camping Area within Booderee National Park, a Commonwealth reserve. This determination is made under subregulations 12.28(3) and (4) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2025 and sets out the specific areas designated as camping sites and the conditions governing their use. The Act applies to any person or entity engaging in camping activities within the designated Cave Beach Camping Area, including individuals, groups, and businesses offering camping services. The conditions specified in the Act cover various aspects such as the maximum number of tents and campers per site, the overall number of occupied sites, and the duration of stays, all aimed at preserving the natural environment while allowing for recreational use. The regulations also include restrictions on the use of trees and structures to protect the natural habitat. The Act's provisions are applicable across the entire Cave Beach Camping Area as described in the schedules, with no exclusions or exemptions specified within the text of this particular determination. The conditions and restrictions can be further detailed or modified through subordinate instruments as necessary.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Booderee National Park Determination of a Camping Area and Camping Sites (Cave Beach) 2025, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2025, establish specific rules and conditions for the Cave Beach Camping Area within Booderee National Park. This determination, issued by Peter Donohoe, designates the area as a camping site and outlines the specific camping sites within the area (Schedule 1). It also defines the permitted camping sites (Schedule 2) and sets out the conditions governing the use of the camping area (Schedule 3). The determination comes into effect the day after it is signed. The obligations imposed by this Act on the parties it governs include adhering to the specified camping limits. For example, campers are required to ensure that no more than one tent exceeding 3 metres by 4.5 metres, or two tents each not larger than 2.5 metres by 2.5 metres, are used at a single camping site. Additionally, the number of people camping in a site cannot exceed five, and the total number of occupied camping sites in the area cannot surpass 13. Furthermore, the Act mandates that camping must not exceed 21 consecutive days. Campers must also comply with the rule that only tent camping is allowed, with no vehicles permitted on the camping sites or the area. Portable generators are also prohibited at all times. Failure to comply with the conditions set out in this determination can lead to several consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, breaches of such environmental and conservation regulations can typically result in fines, legal action, or other penalties as prescribed by relevant laws. The exact nature and severity of these penalties would be governed by other sections of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2025. These could include administrative penalties for minor infringements or more severe criminal penalties for significant or repeated breaches.