NATURE REPAIR ACT 2023

Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

[Index] [Table] [Search] [Search this Act] [Notes] [Noteup] [Download] [Help]

NATURE REPAIR ACT 2023

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

Long Title

PART 1--PRELIMINARY

1. Short title
2. Commencement
3. Objects of this Act
4. Simplified outline of this Act
5. Crown to be bound
6. Extension to external Territories
7. Definitions
8. Vacancy in the office of a Nature Repair Committee member
9. Electronic notice transmitted to the Regulator

PART 2--REGISTERED--BIODIVERSITY PROJECTS

Division 1--Introduction

10. Simplified outline of this Part

Division 2--Registration of biodiversity project

11. Application for approval of registration of biodiversity project
12. Form of application
13. Further information
14. Withdrawal of application
15. Approval of registration of biodiversity project
16. Suspension of processing of applications for registrations of biodiversity projects
17. Registration may be subject to condition about obtaining regulatory approvals
18. Registration may be subject to condition about obtaining consents from eligible interest holders
18A. Registration may be subject to condition about obtaining consent from registered native title body corporate

Division 3--Variation of registration

19. Voluntary variation of registration of biodiversity project--change in identity of project proponent
20. Voluntary variation of registration of biodiversity project--changes in project area etc.
21. Voluntary variation of conditional registration of biodiversity project--condition of registration has been met
22. Procedures for voluntary variation of registration of biodiversity project

Division 4--Cancellation of registration of biodiversity project

Subdivision A--Voluntary cancellation of registration of biodiversity project

23. Voluntary cancellation of registration of biodiversity project--certificate in effect
24. Voluntary cancellation of registration of biodiversity project--no certificate in effect
25. Procedures for voluntary cancellation of registration of biodiversity project

Subdivision B--Unilateral cancellation of registration of biodiversity project

26. Unilateral cancellation of registration of biodiversity project--condition of registration has not been met
27. Unilateral cancellation of registration of biodiversity project--project not commenced, or unlikely to result in issuing of biodiversity certificate
28. Unilateral cancellation of registration of biodiversity project-- eligibility requirements not met etc.
29. Unilateral cancellation of registration of biodiversity project-- project proponent ceases to be a fit and proper person
30. Unilateral cancellation of registration of biodiversity project-- project proponent ceases to exist etc.
31. Unilateral cancellation of registration of biodiversity project-- false or misleading information
32. Notice of unilateral cancellation of registration of biodiversity project

Subdivision C--Cancellation of registration of biodiversity project at the end of the permanence period for the project

32A. Cancellation of registration of biodiversity project at the end of the permanence period for the project

Division 5--Excluded biodiversity projects

33. Excluded biodiversity projects

Division 6--Permanence period

34. Permanence period

PART 3--MULTIPLE--PROJECT PROPONENTS

Division 1--Introduction

35. Simplified outline of this Part

Division 2--References to project proponents

36. References to project proponents

Division 3--Nominee of multiple project proponents

37. Nomination of nominee by multiple project proponents--nomination accompanying application
38. Nomination of nominee by multiple project proponents--other nominations
39. Revocation and cessation of nomination
40. Service of documents on nominee
41. Eligible voluntary action taken by nominee
42. Unilateral cancellation of registration of biodiversity project--failure of multiple project proponents to nominate a nominee

Division 4--Obligations of multiple project proponents

43. Obligations of multiple project proponents

PART 4--METHODOLOGY--DETERMINATIONS

Division 1--Introduction

44. Simplified outline of this Part

Division 2--Methodology determinations

Subdivision A--Making of methodology determinations

45. Methodology determinations
46. Civil penalties--requirements in methodology determination
47. Procedure for making a methodology determination

Subdivision B--Variation of methodology determinations

48. Variation of methodology determinations
49. When variation takes effect

Subdivision C--Duration, expiry and revocation of methodology determinations

50. Duration of methodology determinations
51. Revocation of methodology determinations
52. Consequences of methodology determination ceasing to have effect
53. Effect of methodology determination ceasing to have effect--applications for registration

Subdivision D--Advice about making, varying or revoking methodology determinations

54. Advice by the Nature Repair Committee
55. Additional matters for the Nature Repair Committee to take into account

Subdivision E--Consultation by the Nature Repair Committee

56. Consultation by the Nature Repair Committee

Division 3--Biodiversity integrity standards

57. Biodiversity integrity standards

Division 4--Biodiversity assessment instruments

Subdivision A--Making of biodiversity assessment instruments

58. Biodiversity assessment instruments
59. Procedure for making a biodiversity assessment instrument

Subdivision B--Variation of biodiversity assessment instruments

60. Variation of biodiversity assessment instruments
61. Procedure for varying a biodiversity assessment instrument

Subdivision C--Revocation of biodiversity assessment instruments

62. Revocation of biodiversity assessment instruments
63. Procedure for revoking a biodiversity assessment instrument

Subdivision D--Advice about making, varying or revoking biodiversity assessment instruments

64. Advice by the Nature Repair Committee
65. Consultation by the Nature Repair Committee
65A. Additional matters for the Nature Repair Committee to take into account

PART 5--BIODIVERSITY--CERTIFICATES

Division 1--Introduction

66. Simplified outline of this Part

Division 2--Issue of biodiversity certificates

67. Application for biodiversity certificate
68. Form of application
69. Further information
70. Issue of biodiversity certificate
70A. Correction of biodiversity certificate
71. Basis on which biodiversity certificates are issued

Division 3--Property in biodiversity certificates

72. A biodiversity certificate is personal property
73. Ownership of biodiversity certificate
74. Transmission of biodiversity certificates
75. Registration of equitable interests in relation to biodiversity certificates
76. Equitable interests in relation to biodiversity certificates
76A. Biodiversity certificates not to be used for environmental offsetting purpose

Division 4--Cancellation of biodiversity certificate at the end of the permanence period for a registered biodiversity project

77. Cancellation of biodiversity certificate at the end of the permanence period for a registered biodiversity project

Division 5--Cancellation of biodiversity certificate if registration of registered biodiversity project is cancelled

77A. Cancellation of biodiversity certificate if registration of registered biodiversity project is cancelled

PART 6--PURCHASE--OF BIODIVERSITY CERTIFICATES BY THE COMMONWEALTH

Division 1--Introduction

78. Simplified outline of this Part

Division 2--Biodiversity conservation contracts

79. Biodiversity conservation contracts
80. When biodiversity conservation contracts may be entered into
81. Secretary has powers etc. of the Commonwealth
82. Conferral of powers on the Secretary

Division 3--Biodiversity conservation purchasing processes

83. Biodiversity conservation purchasing process
84. Conduct of biodiversity conservation purchasing processes

Division 4--Miscellaneous

85. Rules may provide for certain matters relating to purchased biodiversity certificates
86. Certain instruments relating to Commonwealth procurement are not applicable
87. Biodiversity conservation contracts are not instruments made under this Act

PART 7--INTERESTS--IN LAND

Division 1--Introduction

88. Simplified outline of this Part

Division 2--Eligible interest in an area of land

89. Eligible interest in an area of land--Torrens system land
90. Eligible interest in an area of land--Crown land that is not Torrens system land
92. Eligible interest in an area of land--Aboriginal land council

Division 3--Freehold land rights land

93. Regulator to notify Crown lands Minister of approval of registration of biodiversity project

Division 4--Entries in title registers

94. Entries in title registers--general
95. Entries in title registers--biodiversity maintenance areas

PART 8--FIT--AND PROPER PERSON

96. Simplified outline of this Part
97. Fit and proper person--individuals
98. Fit and proper person--corporations
99. Fit and proper person--trusts
99A. Fit and proper person--non - corporate government bodies

PART 9--REPORTING--AND NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Division 1--Introduction

100. Simplified outline of this Part

Division 2--Reporting requirements

Subdivision A--Category A biodiversity project reports

101. Category A biodiversity project reports--first report
102. Category A biodiversity project reports--subsequent reports
103. Requirements for category A biodiversity project reports

Subdivision B--Category B biodiversity project reports

104. Category B biodiversity project reports

Subdivision C--Alternative assurance agreements

104A. Alternative assurance agreements

Division 3--Notification requirements

105. Notification requirement--project proponent ceases to have right to carry out project
106. Notification requirement--withdrawal or cessation of regulatory approval
107. Notification requirement--death of project proponent
108. Notification requirement--methodology determinations
109. Notification requirement--reversal of biodiversity outcome
110. Notification requirement--event or conduct that causes, or is likely to cause, reversal of biodiversity outcome
111. Significant reversals in biodiversity outcomes--notification requirements
112. Notification requirement--event relevant to whether a project proponent is a fit and proper person
113. Notification requirement--variation of project plan
114. The rules may impose notification requirements

PART 10--INFORMATION---GATHERING POWERS

115. Simplified outline of this Part
116. Regulator may obtain information or documents
117. Copying documents--compensation
118. Copies of documents
119. Regulator may retain documents

PART 11--AUDITS

Division 1--Introduction

120. Simplified outline of this Part

Division 2--Audits

121. Compliance audits
122. Other audits
123. Information - gathering of audit team leaders and persons assisting audit team leaders

Division 3--Audit information

Subdivision A--Information

124. Meaning of audit information
125. Meaning of protected audit information

Subdivision B--Secrecy

126. Secrecy--protected audit information

Subdivision C--Disclosure or use of audit information

127. Disclosure or use for purposes of carrying out biodiversity audit or preparing biodiversity audit report etc.
128. Disclosure to the Regulator
129. Disclosure to Minister etc.
130. Disclosure to the Secretary etc.
131. Disclosure to reduce serious risk to life or health of individual
132. Disclosure to reduce serious risk to the environment
133. Disclosure to a court, tribunal etc
134. Disclosure of publicly available information
135. Disclosure with consent
136. Disclosure to person to whom audit information relates
137. Disclosure to person who provided audit information
138. Disclosure of statistics

PART 12--DEPOSIT--OF BIODIVERSITY CERTIFICATES WITH THE REGULATOR

139. Simplified outline of this Part
140. Application to approve the deposit of a biodiversity certificate with the Regulator
141. Approval of deposit of a biodiversity certificate with the Regulator
142. Deposit of a biodiversity certificate with the Regulator

PART 13--RELINQUISHMENT--REQUIREMENTS

Division 1--Introduction

143. Simplified outline of this Part

Division 2--Relinquishment notices

144. Relinquishment notice--false or misleading information
146. Relinquishment notice--reversal of biodiversity outcome other than due to natural disturbance or conduct etc.
147. Relinquishment notice--reversal of biodiversity outcome due to natural disturbance or conduct and no mitigation happens
147A. Relinquishment notice--circumstances prescribed by the rules
148. Significant reversals in biodiversity outcomes--relinquishment requirements
149. Form and content of relinquishment notice

Division 3--Complying with a relinquishment notice

150. Requirement for compliance with relinquishment notice
151. Compliance with relinquishment requirement--relinquishing equivalent biodiversity certificate or certificates
152. How biodiversity certificates are relinquished

PART 14--BIODIVERSITY--MAINTENANCE DECLARATIONS

Division 1--Introduction

153. Simplified outline of this Part

Division 2--Biodiversity maintenance declarations

154. Biodiversity maintenance declaration
155. Civil penalty for carrying out declared prohibited activity
156. When a biodiversity maintenance declaration ceases to be in force
157. Variation or revocation of biodiversity maintenance declaration
158. Revocation of biodiversity maintenance declaration--voluntary relinquishment of biodiversity certificate

PART 15--REGISTERS

Division 1--Introduction

160. Simplified outline of this Part

Division 2--Biodiversity Market Register

161. Biodiversity Market Register
162. Entries in the Register--registered biodiversity projects and former registered biodiversity projects
163. Requests for information about project area not to be set out in the Register
163A. Requests for information about a project not to be set out in the Register
164. Entries in the Register--biodiversity certificates
165. Entries in the Register--accounts for holding biodiversity certificates
166. Suspension of operation of the Register
167. Rules may make provision in relation to the Register
168. Use and disclosure of information obtained from the Register

Division 3--Online platform

169. Online Platform

PART 16--PUBLICATION--OF INFORMATION

Division 1--Introduction

170. Simplified outline of this Part

Division 2--Information about biodiversity certificates

171. Information about biodiversity certificates
172. Reports about activities of Regulator
173. Publication of concise description of the characteristics of biodiversity certificates
173A. Information about market for biodiversity certificates

Division 3--Information about biodiversity certificates purchased by the Commonwealth

174. Information about biodiversity conservation purchasing processes
175. Annual reports about purchases of biodiversity certificates

Division 4--Information about relinquishment requirements

176. Information about relinquishment requirements
177. Information about relinquished certificates

PART 17--RECORD---KEEPING AND PROJECT MONITORING REQUIREMENTS

Division 1--Introduction

178. Simplified outline of this Part

Division 2--Record-keeping requirements

179. Record - keeping requirements--general
180. Record - keeping requirements--preparation of biodiversity project report
181. Record - keeping requirements--methodology determinations

Division 3--Project monitoring requirements

182. Project monitoring requirements--methodology determinations

PART 18--ENFORCEMENT

Division 1--Introduction

183. Simplified outline of this Part
184. Appointment of inspectors

Division 2--Monitoring powers

185. Monitoring powers
186. Modifications of Part 2 of the Regulatory Powers Act

Division 3--Investigation powers

187. Investigation powers
188. Modifications of Part 3 of the Regulatory Powers Act

Division 4--Civil penalty provisions

189. Civil penalty provisions

Division 5--Infringement notices

190. Infringement notices

Division 6--Enforceable undertakings

191. Enforceable undertakings

Division 7--Injunctions

192. Injunctions

PART 19--NATURE--REPAIR COMMITTEE

Division 1--Introduction

193. Simplified outline of this Part

Division 2--Establishment and functions of the Nature Repair Committee

194. Nature Repair Committee
195. Functions of the Nature Repair Committee
195A. Request for review of methodology determinations
196. Nature Repair Committee may obtain advice
196A. Nature Repair Committee must publish outcomes of reviews

Division 3--Membership of the Nature Repair Committee

197. Membership of the Nature Repair Committee
198. Appointment of Nature Repair Committee members
199. Period for appointment for Nature Repair Committee members
200. Acting Nature Repair Committee members
201. Procedures
202. Disclosure of interests to the Minister
203. Disclosure of interests to the Nature Repair Committee
204. Other paid work
205. Remuneration
206. Leave of absence
207. Resignation
208. Termination of appointment
209. Other terms and conditions
210. Assistance to Nature Repair Committee
210A. Application of the finance law

PART 20--REVIEW--OF DECISIONS

Division 1--Introduction

211. Simplified outline of this Part

Division 2--Decisions of the Regulator

212. Reviewable decisions
213. Notice of decision and reconsideration rights to be given--decisions made by delegates of the Regulator
214. Applications for reconsideration of decisions made by delegates of the Regulator
215. Reconsideration by the Regulator
216. Deadline for reconsideration
217. Review by the Administrative Review Tribunal

PART 21--MISCELLANEOUS

218. Simplified outline of this Part
219. Miscellaneous functions of the Regulator
220. Treatment of trusts
221. Rules may provide for voluntary accreditation of advisers etc.
222. Information previously given to the Regulator
223. Delegation by the Minister
224. Delegation by the Secretary
225. Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws
226. Law relating to legal professional privilege not affected
227. Arrangements with States and Territories
228. Liability for damages
229. Executive power of the Commonwealth
230. Notional payments by the Commonwealth
231. Compensation for acquisition of property
232. Native title rights not affected
233. Racial Discrimination Act not affected
234. Administrative decisions under the rules
235. Revocation or variation of instruments
236. Review of operation of this Act etc.
237. Rules

AustLII: Copyright Policy | Disclaimers | Privacy Policy | Feedback