Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Notice under Section 327(1)(b)
Extension of the Boundaries of the Kakadu National Park Ramsar Site 2025
I, SIMON BANKS, First Assistant Secretary, Aquatic Ecosystems and Environmental Water Division, delegate for the Minister of the Environment, hereby give notice, pursuant to section 327(1)(b) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, of the extension on 14 November 2025 of the boundary of a wetland included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance kept under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat, done at Ramsar on 2 February 1971 (Ramsar Convention):
Kakadu National Park Ramsar Site boundary extension
The Kakadu National Park Ramsar Site boundary has been extended to match that of the Kakadu National Park boundary, as described in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 - Proclamation - Kakadu National Park (5/4/1979), and as in force on the date of this notice
The Kakadu National Park Ramsar Site boundary now includes an area previously known as the Koongara Project Area, which comprises additional 1,254 hectares. The Koongarra Project Area can be seen in Annex A.
The Kakadu National Park Ramsar site boundary now includes an additional 7,357 hectares around the East Alligator River. A map of both changes is at Annex B.
The Kakadu National Park Ramsar site area has been expanded to a total of 1,911,122 hectares. Prior to this boundary extension, the Kakadu National Park Ramsar site was reported as 1,979,766 hectares based on older mapping technology. This does not represent a material decrease in the size of the Ramsar site, rather reflecting the improvements in mapping technology.
Dated this 9th day of December 2025
Simon Banks
First Assistant Secretary
Environmental Water and Aquatic Ecosystems Division
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Notes:
The maps at Annexure A and B have been reduced for the purposes of publication. Details of the coordinates of the Kakadu National Park Ramsar Site boundary are reflected in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 - Proclamation - Kakadu National Park (5/4/1979), as in force on the date of this notice
Copies of the map and further information can be obtained from: www.dcceew.gov.au/water/wetlands/ or wetlandsmail@dcceew.gov.au.
Annexure A
Koongarra Project area
Annexure B
Map of Kakadu National Park Ramsar Site
Overview
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to provide for the protection of the environment, particularly in relation to biodiversity conservation and the management of activities that may have a significant impact on the environment. The Act was introduced to address the need for a comprehensive legal framework that consolidates and strengthens environmental protection mechanisms across Australia. This legislation aims to safeguard Australia's natural heritage and biodiversity, ensuring sustainable use and conservation of the nation's natural resources. The Act serves to implement Australia's international environmental obligations, including the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, by protecting and managing wetlands of international importance such as the Kakadu National Park Ramsar Site.
The recent extension of the Kakadu National Park Ramsar Site boundary, effective from 14 November 2025, exemplifies the Act's role in adapting to advancements in mapping technology and ensuring the conservation of critical wetland areas. This extension aligns the Ramsar Site boundary with that of the Kakadu National Park, incorporating the Koongarra Project Area and additional land around the East Alligator River. This amendment not only enhances the protected area but also reflects the ongoing commitment to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation in Australia.
Scope and Application
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 applies to individuals, entities, and industries within Australia, regulating activities that may impact the environment, particularly those affecting listed threatened species and ecological communities, World Heritage properties, and wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. This Act has a national jurisdictional reach, overseen by the Commonwealth government, and is applicable across all states and territories in Australia. The Act includes provisions for extensions of Ramsar site boundaries, as seen in the notice under section 327(1)(b) regarding the Kakadu National Park Ramsar Site. This extension, effective from 14 November 2025, aligns the Ramsar site boundary with the Kakadu National Park boundary, incorporating the Koongarra Project Area and additional land around the East Alligator River. The expansion increases the total area of the Kakadu National Park Ramsar Site to 1,911,122 hectares, reflecting advancements in mapping technology rather than a reduction in protected area. The notice is issued by a delegate for the Minister of the Environment, and the specific coordinates and details of the boundary changes are provided in the Act and its proclamations. Further information and maps are available from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water's website.
Key Provisions
The notice under section 327(1)(b) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the Act) outlines the extension of the Kakadu National Park Ramsar Site boundary, which now encompasses the entire area of the Kakadu National Park. This extension includes an additional 1,254 hectares previously known as the Koongarra Project Area, as well as an additional 7,357 hectares around the East Alligator River. The total area of the Ramsar site is now 1,911,122 hectares. This boundary change, as mentioned in the Act, aims to ensure that the Ramsar site accurately reflects the current boundary of the Kakadu National Park, which was proclaimed under section 5 of the Act on 4 April 1979.
The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties involved, including the requirement for the Minister of the Environment to provide notice of any changes to the boundaries of a Ramsar site, as specified in section 327(1)(b). The notice must detail the changes to the boundary and provide maps or other documentation to support the changes. Additionally, the Act mandates that the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water must ensure that the Ramsar site is managed in accordance with the provisions of the Ramsar Convention and the Act. The Department is also required to maintain and update records of the site boundaries, as well as provide public access to these records.
Breaching the requirements of the Act can result in various civil and criminal consequences. Under section 506, a person who contravenes a provision of the Act may be liable for a civil penalty. The maximum penalty for a corporation is $660,000, while the maximum penalty for an individual is $132,000. Additionally, under section 508, a person who intentionally, recklessly, or negligently contravenes a provision of the Act may be guilty of an offence. The maximum penalty for an individual is imprisonment for two years, a fine of up to $220,000, or both, while the maximum penalty for a corporation is a fine of up to $1.1 million. These penalties underscore the importance of complying with the provisions of the Act and ensuring that the boundaries of Ramsar sites are accurately maintained.