Western Australian Consolidated Acts Western Australian Consolidated Acts (1) The objectives of
this Act are —
(a) to
provide for the restoration and protection of the development control area and
the Riverpark;
(b) to
provide for the management of activities that affect the ecological and
community benefits and amenity of the development control area and the
Riverpark;
(c) to
provide for the needs of future generations in relation to the ecological and
community benefits and amenity of the development control area and the
Riverpark;
(d) to
recognise the interests of the Nyungah community and other people in the
community with an association with the development control area or the
Riverpark and to provide for their participation in the management of those
areas and the management of activities affecting the ecological and community
benefits and amenity of those areas;
(e) to
promote and facilitate the good management of the catchment area to meet the
objectives referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d).
(2) In pursuing the
objectives of this Act regard should be had to the following
principles —
Table
1. Sustainability principles
(1) Sound
environmental practices and procedures should be adopted as a basis for
sustainability for the benefit of all human beings and the environment today,
while considering the environmental, social and economic needs of future
generations.
(2) Environmental,
social and economic factors should be considered in decision-making, with the
objective of improving community well-being and the benefit to future
generations.
(3) Environmental
practices and procedures should be cost-effective and in proportion to the
significance of the environmental risks and consequences being addressed.
2. Precautionary principle
(1) Where 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.
(2) In the application
of the precautionary principle, decision-making should be guided
by —
(a) a
careful evaluation to avoid serious or irreversible damage to the environment
wherever possible; and
(b) an
assessment of the risk-weighted consequences of the options.
3. Intergenerational equity
The present generation
should ensure that the health, diversity and productivity of the environment
are maintained or enhanced for the benefit of future generations.
4. Biodiversity and ecological integrity
Biodiversity and
ecological integrity should be maintained or enhanced as part of the
irreplaceable life support systems upon which the earth depends.
5. Shared responsibility
Protection of the
environment is a responsibility shared by Government, industry, business, the
community and the people of the State.
6. Best practice
When designing
policies, systems, procedures or technologies, the best practicable measures
available at the time should be used.
7. Continuous improvement
Implementation of
natural resource management should aim for continuous improvement and extend
beyond compliance with relevant laws and requirements.
8. Accountability and transparency
(1) Members of the
community should be given —
(a)
access to reliable and relevant information; and
(b)
opportunities to participate in policy and programme development.
(2) Decisions should
be made in a transparent manner and be made public.