(1) In performing any of their functions that may reasonably be expected to impact on biodiversity in Victoria, including a function under this Act or any other Act, a Minister and a public authority must give proper consideration to the objectives of this Act, so far as is consistent with the proper exercising of their functions.
(2) In addition to subsection (1), a Minister and a public authority, so far as is consistent with the proper exercising of their functions, must give proper consideration to any instrument made under this Act, including—
(a) the Biodiversity Strategy; and
(b) action statements; and
(c) critical habitat determinations; and
(d) management plans.
(3) Without limiting subsections (1) and (2), consideration must be given to the potential impacts on biodiversity, including—
(a) long and short-term impacts; and
(b) beneficial and detrimental impacts; and
(c) direct and indirect impacts; and
(d) cumulative impacts; and
(e) the impacts of potentially threatening processes.
(4) The Minister may make guidelines in relation to the proper consideration of the objectives of this Act and the instruments made under it by public authorities.
S. 4C inserted by No. 28/2019 s. 6.