Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Greenhouse Gas Geological Sequestration Act 2008 - SECT 8

Principles of sustainable development

8. Principles of sustainable development



(1) It is the intention of Parliament that in the administration of this Act
regard should be given to the principles of sustainable development.

(2) For the purposes of this Act the principles of sustainable development are
that-

   (a)  individual and community wellbeing and welfare should be enhanced by
        following a path of economic development that safeguards the welfare
        of future generations;

   (b)  there should be equity within and between generations;

   (c)  biological diversity should be protected and ecological integrity
        maintained;

   (d)  there should be recognition of the need to develop a strong, growing,
        diversified and internationally competitive economy that can enhance
        the capacity for environmental protection;

   (e)  measures to be adopted should be cost effective and flexible, not
        disproportionate to the issues being addressed, including improved
        valuation, pricing and incentive mechanisms;

   (f)  both long and short term economic, environmental, social and equity
        considerations should be effectively integrated into decision-making;

   (g)  if there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage,
        lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for
        postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation;

   (h)  decision-making should be guided by-

   (i)  a careful evaluation to avoid serious or irreversible damage to the
        environment wherever practicable; and

   (ii) an assessment of the risk-weighted consequences of various options;

        (i)    greenhouse gas sequestration operations should make a positive
               contribution to regional development and respect the
               aspirations of the community and of Indigenous peoples;

   (j)  decisions and actions should provide for community involvement in
        issues that affect them.

Division 3-Application of Act