(1)

A person is guilty of an offence if:

(a)

the person takes an action; and

(b)

the action results or will result in a significant impact on the ecological character of a declared Ramsar wetland.

Note: Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility.

(2)

A person is guilty of an offence if:

(a)

the person takes an action; and

(b)

the action is likely to have a significant impact on the ecological character of a declared Ramsar wetland and the person is reckless as to that fact.

Note: Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility.

(3)

An offence against subsection (1) or (2) is punishable on conviction by imprisonment for a term not more than 7 years, a fine not more than 420 penalty units, or both.

Note 1: Subsection 4B(3) of the Crimes Act 1914 lets a court fine a body corporate up to 5 times the maximum amount the court could fine a person under this subsection.

Note 2: An executive officer of a body corporate convicted of an offence against this section may also be guilty of an offence against section 495.

(4)

Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to an action if:

(a)

an approval of the taking of the action by the person is in operation under Part 9 for the purposes of this section; or

(b)

Part 4 lets the person take the action without an approval under Part 9 for the purposes of this section; or

(c)

there is in force a decision of the Minister under Division 2 of Part 7 that this section is not a controlling provision for the action and, if the decision was made because the Minister believed the action would be taken in a manner specified in the notice of the decision under section 77, the action is taken in that manner; or

(d)

the action is an action described in subsection 160(2) (which describes actions whose authorisation is subject to a special environmental assessment process).

Note: The defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in this subsection. See subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code .

Subdivision C—Listed threatened species and communities