Tasmanian Bills Fact Sheets Tasmanian Bills Fact Sheets[Index] [Search] [Download] [Bill] [Help]
NATURE CONSERVATION AMENDMENT BILL 2012
FACT SHEET
The Bill will amend the Nature Conservation Act 2002 (the Act) to enable amendments of
Schedules one to seven of the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010 (the Regulations) by
Ministerial Order.
The relevant Schedules are:
Schedule 1: Specially Protected Wildlife;
Schedule 2: Protected Wildlife;
Schedule 3: Protected Wildlife that may be Bought, Sold or Held without a Permit;
Schedule 4: Partly Protected Wildlife;
Schedule 5: Restricted Animals;
Schedule 6: Restricted (Special Purpose) Wildlife; and
Schedule 7: Domestic Stock.
The Bill will streamline administration of the new Policy and Procedures for the Import,
Movement and Keeping of Vertebrate Wildlife in Tasmania (the Policy).
Under the Policy, risk assessments are conducted to determine whether animals should
be imported into Tasmania, and the conditions, if any, that should apply. Depending on
the level of threat posed by an animal, the species may be listed on one of the relevant
Schedules.
The amendment will allow for management controls to be implemented that are
proportionate to the level of threat posed by each species. Currently the Regulations
must be re-made each time the lists are amended.
It is expected that implementing the new administrative arrangements outlined in the
Policy will result in the need to more frequently amend the relevant Schedules. The Bill
will benefit stakeholders in Tasmania, particularly wildlife parks and zoos that wish to
import new species into Tasmania.
The amendment will make the listing process for listed species of wildlife and
Threatened Native Vegetation Communities under the Act consistent. It will also make
the Act more consistent with other similar legislation, such as the Threatened Species
Protection Act 1995 which provides for the amendment of Schedules by Ministerial
Order.
The Economic Reform Unit in the Department of Treasury and Finance has certified that
the proposed Bill will not restrict competition or have a significant negative impact on
business.