World Heritage Properties Conservation Act 1983 - Proclamation under section 10 - para 2(b) of the World Heritage Properties Conservation Regulations (26/05/1983)

Overview

The F2008B00768 Proclamation, enacted in 1983, was issued under the authority of the World Heritage Properties Conservation Act 1983, to address the urgent need for conservation of significant world heritage properties within Australia. This legislation was introduced by the Australian Parliament to provide a framework for the protection and preservation of such properties, which are recognised for their outstanding universal value to humanity. The policy objective behind this Act is to ensure that world heritage properties are conserved and managed in a manner that safeguards their cultural and natural significance for future generations. This particular proclamation, signed by the Governor-General on behalf of the Commonwealth, was made in response to specific areas of the Western Tasmania Wilderness being identified as at risk of damage and destruction, thereby necessitating immediate conservation measures to preserve their integrity.

Scope and Application

The Proclamation made by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia under the World Heritage Properties Conservation Act 1983 applies to specific areas of land within Western Tasmania that are identified as being part of the World Heritage property. This legislative instrument targets the protection and conservation of these areas, which are significant due to their potential for damage and the risk of destruction or further damage. The Act specifically applies to land parcels totalling approximately 4585 hectares coloured red and 10,320 hectares coloured blue or yellow on a specified plan, all of which are marked by co-ordinates, bearings, and other references. This proclamation is a critical measure to ensure the preservation of these areas, which are of international importance and are detailed in the World Heritage Properties Conservation Regulations. The geographic reach of this legislation is confined to areas within the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically within the State of Tasmania, and it does not extend beyond the areas specified in the Schedule. The application of the Act is narrowly focused on the conservation of these particular land areas, and any activities that may affect them are subject to the regulations set forth in the World Heritage Properties Conservation Act and its associated regulations.

Key Provisions

The proclamation, pursuant to section 7 of the World Heritage Properties Conservation Act 1983, identifies specific areas of land in Western Tasmania as being subject to the Act's provisions. Section 10 of the Act is invoked to protect these areas from damage and potential destruction, as declared by the Governor-General. The areas in question are delineated in the Schedule, with approximately 4585 hectares coloured red and surrounded by black lines, and 10,320 hectares coloured blue or yellow, also surrounded by black lines, with a specified contour line of 80 metres. The plan, marked with "World Heritage (Western Tasmania Wilderness) Regulations area to which regulations apply," signed by the Minister for Home Affairs and Environment, and numbered S181/001, is deposited with the Commonwealth Surveyor-General and available for inspection at the Australian Survey Office in Hobart. The Act imposes several obligations on parties or entities within the declared areas. It mandates strict controls to prevent damage to the heritage sites, including any activities that could compromise the integrity of the land. Compliance with these regulations is essential for anyone operating within these zones. The proclamation ensures that the preservation and conservation of the area are prioritised, and that any actions taken within these boundaries must not contribute to the degradation of the land. Breaches of the Act carry significant consequences. Any person found violating the provisions set forth in section 10 may face legal repercussions. The specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences are not detailed in the proclamation but would typically include fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The maximum penalties are not explicitly stated in the text but can be found in the main body of the World Heritage Properties Conservation Act 1983. The overarching intent is to deter any actions that could harm the designated heritage areas, ensuring their protection and conservation for future generations.