Acts administered by DERM

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (PDF)* 

The main purpose of this Act is to provide effective recognition, protection and conservation of Aboriginal cultural heritage based on the following principles:

Aboriginal knowledge, culture and traditional practice should be respected.

Aboriginal people should be recognised as the primary guardians, keepers and knowledge holders of Aboriginal cultural heritage.

It is important to respect, preserve and maintain knowledge, innovations and practices of Aboriginal communities and to promote understanding of Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Activities involved in recognition, protection and conservation of Aboriginal cultural heritage are important because they allow Aboriginal people to reaffirm their obligations to 'law and country'.

There is a need to establish timely and efficient processes for the management of activities that may harm Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Aboriginal Land Act 1991 (PDF)* 

This Act provides a scheme under which Aboriginal people can obtain secure title to certain categories of land, (i.e. existing Aboriginal reserves or Deeds of Grant in Trust and Mornington and Aurukun Shire Lease lands).

Other land such as unallocated State land and certain national parks can also be made available for transfer.

National parks declared 'claimable' can be claimed in recognition that land is of spiritual, social, historical, cultural and economic importance to Aboriginal people.

This legislation declares that a national park remains a national park even if the whole or part of it is granted as Aboriginal land, and details the procedures to be used when dealing with such claims.

The Department of Environment and Resource Management is required to coordinate management planning processes, establish boards of management for the parks, enter into perpetual lease arrangements with grantees and administer lease-back national parks.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade (except to the extent administered by the Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations, and s. 132A (2)-(11) and s. 134 administered by the Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

Acquisition of Land Act 1967 (PDF)* 

The State has the power to acquire land for public purposes in order to meet community expectations. This legislation provides for implementing and managing the acquisition (sometimes referred to as resumption) of freehold land for these purposes.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

 Alcan Queensland Pty. Limited Agreement Act 1965 (PDF)*   (Sch—to the extent that it is relevant to environmental matters).

This is an Act regarding an agreement between the State and Alcan Queensland Pty. Limited.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

Allan and Stark Burnett Lane Subway Authorisation Act 1926 (PDF)* 

This is an Act to authorise Allan and Stark Limited to construct and maintain a subway in and below Burnett Lane, within the City of Brisbane, and for other consequential purposes.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Brisbane Forest Park Act 1977 (PDF)* 

This is an Act to establish the Brisbane Forest Park and to provide for the administration, management and control of the park, and for related purposes.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

Building Units and Group Titles Act 1980 (PDF)* 

This Act provides for the horizontal and vertical subdivision of land into lots and the disposition of titles for the lots thus created, and for incidental and connected purposes.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade (except to the extent administered by the Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading); Sections 5, 5A, 119, 133 and 134 are jointly administered by these two ministers

Cape York Peninsula Heritage Act 2007 (PDF)* 

The aims of the Cape York Peninsula Heritage Act 2007 are to:

• ensure ecologically sustainable use of land, including pastoral land, in the Cape York Peninsula region
• recognise the economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations of Indigenous communities in relation to land use in the region
• recognise the contributions of the pastoral industry to the economy and land management in the region
• identify significant natural and cultural values of Cape York Peninsula.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade (Parts 3, 4, Part 6 ss. 25–7)

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability (Part 2, Part 6 s. 24)

Parts 1, 5, 6 ss. 28–9 jointly administered by these two ministers.

Central Queensland Coal Associates Agreement Act 1968 (PDF)*  (Sch 1 pt III – to the extent that it is relevant to environmental matters)

An Act about an agreement between the State and various companies for the mining of coal in central Queensland, and for related purposes.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

Century Zinc Project Act 1997 (PDF)*  (Section 9)

This Act facilitates certain aspects of the agreement made under the right to negotiate provisions of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cwlth) relating to:

• the proposed development by Century Zinc Limited of a mine for mining zinc, lead and other minerals
• establishing a transport and slurry pipeline corridor from the mine site to the port of Karumba
• establishing facilities at the port of Karumba for processing (including dewatering), storing and transporting mineral concentrates
• constructing associated works for the above purposes
• proposed developments on land held by the Bidunggu Aboriginal Land Trust.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995 (PDF)* 

The object of this Act is to:

• provide for the protection, conservation, rehabilitation and management of the coast including its resources and biological diversity
• have regard to the goal, core objectives and guiding principles of the national strategy for ecologically sustainable development in the use of the coastal zone
• with other legislation, provide a coordinated and integrated management and administrative framework for the ecologically sustainable development of the coastal zone
• encourage increased knowledge about coastal resources and the effect of human activities on the coastal zone.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

Commonwealth Aluminium Corporation Pty. Limited Agreement Act 1957 (PDF)*   (to the extent that it is relevant to environmental matters)

An Act with respect to an agreement between the State of Queensland and Commonwealth Aluminium Corporation Pty. Limited.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

Currumbin Bird Sanctuary Act 1976 (PDF)* 

An Act relating to the control or conduct of the Currumbin bird sanctuary by the National Trust of Queensland, and for related purposes.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

Environmental Protection Act 1994 (PDF)* 

The aim of this Act is to protect Queensland's environment while allowing for development that improves the quality of life while maintaining the ecological processes on which it depends. This is to be achieved by an integrated four-phase management program that includes:

researching the state of the environment, including essential ecological processes, and deciding those environmental values that are to be protected or achieved by consulting industry, government departments and the community.

developing environmental protection policies that include indicators, standards, waste minimisation and management advice, and promoting community involvement and responsibility.

implementing and integrating environmental strategies into matters such as land-use planning and managing natural resources, ensuring actions to protect environmental values from environmental harm, monitoring contaminants in the environment, and requiring those causing environmental harm to pay costs and penalties.

reviewing the impact of human activities, evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of environmental strategies, and reporting on the state of the environment.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

Foreign Governments (Titles to Land) Act 1948 (PDF)* 

This Act empowers governments of countries outside the Commonwealth and their accredited agents to hold land in Queensland for diplomatic, consular, and official purposes.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Foreign Ownership of Land Register Act 1988 (PDF)* 

This Act, which provides for the disclosure of foreign ownership of land and for related purposes, requires the registrar to maintain the Foreign Ownership of Land Register. All prescribed forms lodged with the registrar will form part of this register.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Forestry Act 1959 (PDF)*  (jointly administered by the Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability and the Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade; except to the extent administered by the Treasurer and Minister for Employment and Economic Development and the Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland).

This legislation provides for forest reservations; the management, silvicultural treatment and protection of State forests; and the sale and disposal of forest products and quarry material, which are the property of the Crown on State forests, timber reserves and on other lands; and for related purposes.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade; Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

Gurulmundi Secure Landfill Agreement Act 1992 (PDF)* 

This Act approves and gives effect to an agreement between the State of Queensland, the Brisbane City Council and the Murilla Shire Council about establishing and operating a secure landfill site at Gurulmundi. It establishes a landfill management committee and gives it power to make by-laws to protect the site, provide and limit access, and regulate conduct.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

Ipswich Trades Hall Act 1986 (PDF)* 

This Act provides for an exchange of the land on which the Ipswich Trades and Labour Hall is situated for other land in the city of Ipswich, and for related purposes.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Lake Eyre Basin Agreement Act 2001 (PDF)* 

The Lake Eyre Basin includes areas of national and international ecological and environmental significance, areas of high economic worth from activities such as pastoralism, tourism, oil and gas extraction and mining, and areas of social, cultural and heritage value.

This Act approves, ratifies and facilitates an agreement between the Commonwealth Government and the Queensland and South Australian governments regarding management of the basin.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Land Act 1994 (PDF)* 

This is an Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to the administration and management of non-freehold land and deeds of grant in trust, the creation of freehold land, and for related purposes.

Land to which this Act applies must be managed for the benefit of the people of Queensland, while ensuring that:

• resources are used and developed sustainably to meet existing needs, while they are conserved for future generations
• land is evaluated by appraising its capability and balancing its economic, environmental, cultural and social opportunities and values
• land is allocated for development according to the state's planning framework, and contemporary best practice is used in design and land management
• as it becomes available, land is allocated to those who will ensure it is used appropriately in a way that will support Queenslanders' economic, social and physical wellbeing
• land required for community purposes is retained in a way that protects and facilitates this purpose
• environmentally and culturally valuable and sensitive areas and features are protected
• the decision-making process includes consultation with community groups, industry associations and authorities
• administrative dealings are consistent and impartial; administration is efficient, open and accountable; a market approach to land dealings is employed, and adjusted for community benefits arising from the dealing.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 (PDF)*  (to the extent that it is relevant to Stock Route Management) (jointly administered with the Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland).

The main purpose of this Act is to provide for management of pests on land, and management of the stock route network by:

• establishing principles for managing pests and the stock route network
• providing for planning for pest and stock route network management
• designating animals and plants as 'declared' pests
• restricting the introduction, keeping or sale of declared pests
• preventing the spread of declared pests in the state (including by human activity)
• establishing responsibilities for managing pests and the stock route network
• building and maintaining fences to prevent the movement of declared pest animals from one part of the state to another
• establishing the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Council to advise and make recommendations to the minister about managing pests and the stock route network
• providing for the establishment of pest operational boards
• constructing and maintaining travelling stock facilities on the stock route network
• monitoring, surveying and controlling pests and the movement of travelling stock.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Land Title Act 1994 (PDF)* 

This is an Act to consolidate and reform the law about the registration of freehold land and interests in freehold land, and for other related purposes.

In particular to:

• define the rights of those with an interest in registered freehold land
• continue to improve the system for registering title to, and transferring interests in, freehold land
• define the functions and powers of the Registrar of titles
• assist the keeping of the registers in the land registry, particularly by authorising the use of information technology.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Marine Parks Act 2004 (PDF)*  

The object of this Act is to provide for the conservation of the marine environment by:

• declaring marine parks
• establishing zones, designated areas and highly protected areas within marine parks
• developing zoning and management plans
• involving all stakeholders cooperatively
• coordinating and integrating with other conservation legislation
• recognising the cultural, economic, environmental and social relationships between marine parks and other areas
• applying the precautionary principle.

In managing marine parks, the State is to maintain, as far as practicable, legislation in line with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Act 1909 (PDF)* 

The purpose of this Act is to make better provision for the water supply and sewerage of the City of Brisbane and its suburbs.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Mineral Resources Act 1989 (PDF)*   (to the extent that it is relevant to environmental matters.)

An Act to provide for the assessment, development and use of mineral resources to the maximum extent practicable, which is consistent with sound economic and land-use management.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

Mount Isa Mines Limited Agreement Act 1985 (PDF)* 

(to the extent that it is relevant to environmental matters)

An Act relating to the ratification of an agreement entered into for and on behalf of the State of Queensland with Mount Isa Mines Limited and for associated and consequential purposes.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

National Environment Protection Council (Queensland) Act 1994 (PDF)* 

The object of this Act is to ensure that, by means of the establishment and operation of the National Environment Protection Council:

• people enjoy the benefit of equivalent protection from air, water or soil pollution and from noise, wherever they live in Australia
• decisions of the business community are not distorted, and markets are not fragmented, by variations between participating jurisdictions in relation to the adoption or implementation of major environment protection measures.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

National Trust of Queensland Act 1963 (PDF)* 

This Act establishes The National Trust of Queensland as a body corporate; defines its objects, powers and dutie; and provides for the preservation and maintenance of chattels, lands and buildings of beauty or of national, historic, artistic, architectural or scientific interest.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

Native Title (Queensland) Act 1993 (PDF)* 

The main objects of this Act are:

to validate past acts, and intermediate period acts, invalidated because of the existence of native title, and to confirm certain rights in accordance with the Commonwealth Native Title Act

to ensure that Queensland law is consistent with standards set by the Commonwealth Native Title Act for future dealings affecting native title.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Nature Conservation Act 1992 (PDF)* 

The object of this Act is to conserve nature using an integrated and comprehensive conservation strategy for the whole of Queensland. The strategy includes:

• gathering, researching, analysing, monitoring and disseminating information on nature; identifying critical habitats and areas of major interest; encouraging the conservation of nature by education and cooperative involvement of the community
• dedicating and declaring areas representative of the biological diversity, natural features and wilderness of the state as protected areas; and managing these areas
• protecting native wildlife and its habitat
• providing for the ecologically sustainable use of protected wildlife and areas
• recognising the interest of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders in nature, and involving them in its conservation 
• involving landholders cooperatively in nature conservation.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

New South Wales - Queensland Border Rivers Act 1946 (PDF)* 

This Act ratifies certain agreements made between the States of New South Wales and Queensland relating to the Severn, Dumaresq, Macintyre and Barwon Rivers, and for other purposes.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Newstead House Trust Act 1939 (PDF)* 

This Act establishes a three-member Board of Trustees of Newstead House (Brisbane's oldest residence) comprising representatives of the Queensland Government, the Royal Historical Society of Queensland and the Brisbane City Council to:

• ensure the maintenance and good order of Newstead House
• ensure that the homestead is accessible to members of the general public; educate the public and create a greater awareness of the history of Queensland in general and of Brisbane in particular
• inform and educate the visiting public in antiques and the fine arts of the Victorian Period, by recreating the homestead in this style.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

Place Names Act 1994 (PDF)* 

This Act establishes the process for approval of place names in Queensland, makes provision for the recording of place names and provides for the proper user of place names.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Queensland Heritage Act 1992 (PDF)* 

The purpose of this Act is to provide for the conservation of Queensland's cultural heritage for the benefit of the community and future generations, primarily by:

• establishing the Queensland Heritage Council
• keeping the Queensland heritage register
• keeping local heritage registers
• regulating, in conjunction with other legislation, development affecting the cultural heritage significance of registered places
• providing for heritage agreements to encourage appropriate management of registered places
• providing for appropriate enforcement powers to help protect Queensland's cultural heritage.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

Recreation Areas Management Act 2006 (PDF)* 

This Act provides for the setting apart of land and waters throughout Queensland as recreation areas, and allows a consistent system for managing recreational activities in those areas.

Under the Act, Fraser Island, Moreton Island, Green Island and Reef, Bribie Island and Inskip Peninsula are designated as recreation areas.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

Registration of Plans (H.S.P. [Nominees] Pty. Limited) Enabling Act 1980 (PDF)* 

This Act was enacted to provide for the registration of certain plans, each in respect of part of a building on certain land in Surfers Paradise, Queensland, and for related purposes.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Registration of Plans (Stage 2) (H.S.P. [Nominees] Pty. Limited) Enabling Act 1984 (PDF)* 

This Act was enacted to provide for the registration of certain plans, each in respect of part of a building on certain land in Surfers Paradise, Queensland, and for related purposes.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

River Improvement Trust Act 1940 (PDF)* 

This Act provides for protecting, improving and repairing the bed and banks of rivers; preventing damage to them; preventing flooding; and preventing or mitigating the inundation of certain land by flood waters from rivers.

The Act also provides for the constitution of trusts to discharge the previously mentioned functions, and to make financial provision for these trusts.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Soil Conservation Act 1986 (PDF)* 

The purpose of this Act is to consolidate and amend the law relating to the conservation of soil resources, and to help landholders implement soil conservation measures to mitigate soil erosion. To achieve this, functions of the chief executive include:

• disseminating information about soil conservation
• investigating the nature and extent of soil erosion throughout the state
• investigating and designing soil conservation measures, and planning land use to give effect to these measures
• conducting experiments in soil conservation and establishing areas to demonstrate soil conservation
• recording and publishing the results of these investigations.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Soil Survey Act 1929 (PDF)* 

Under this Act, authorised persons have the right to enter land in Queensland to conduct soil surveys. The Act delineates the conditions under which an authorised person may:

• enter and re-enter any land with assistants and any required plant and equipment
• dig and bore into any land to ascertain the nature of the soil
• take samples of soil, earth, gravel, stone, or other material, water, or any plant for any purpose required as part of the survey
• conduct any necessary inspections, investigations, or examinations.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

South East Queensland Water (Restructuring) Act 2007 (PDF)*  (in so far as the Minister is a Responsible Minister for the purposes of Chapter 2 of this Act).

The purpose of this Act is to facilitate restructuring the water industry in South East Queensland to:

• improve regional coordination and management of water supply
• facilitate more efficient delivery of water services
• enhance service for water consumers
• provide a clearer accountability framework for water supply security.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Starcke Pastoral Holdings Acquisition Act 1994 (PDF)* 

This Act authorises the acquisition of certain environmentally significant land in Cape York.

Under the Act, the acquired land becomes unallocated State land within the meaning of the Land Act 1994, and the State must pay reasonable compensation to each person who held an interest in it immediately before the regulation commenced.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Survey and Mapping Infrastructure Act 2003 (PDF)* 

The main purposes of this Act are to provide for:

• developing, maintaining and improving the state survey and mapping infrastructure
• setting standards for surveys
• maintaining and improving cadastral boundaries throughout the state, and information held on them by the department
• coordinating and integrating survey and mapping information
• improving public access to survey and mapping information
• defining administrative areas, and describing and working out their boundaries.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Surveyors Act 2003 (PDF)* 

The purposes of this Act are to:

• protect the public by ensuring that surveys are carried out professionally and competently by registered surveyors
• uphold the standards of practice within the profession
• maintain public confidence in the profession.

The purposes are to be achieved mainly by:

• establishing the Surveyors Board of Queensland
• providing for the registration of persons under this Act based on competency
• imposing obligations in relation to practising the profession, and professional conduct
• providing for the investigation and conduct of disciplinary proceedings about registrants’ professional conduct
• providing for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Act.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Thiess Peabody Coal Pty. Ltd. Agreement Act 1962 (PDF)*    (to the extent that it is relevant to environmental matters).

This Act relates to an agreement between the State and Thiess Peabody Coal Pty. Ltd.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

Thiess Peabody Mitsui Coal Pty. Ltd. Agreements Act 1965 (to the extent that it is relevant to environmental matters).

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (PDF)* 

The main purpose of this Act is to provide effective recognition, protection and conservation of Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage based on the principles that:

• the above should be based on respect for Torres Strait Islander knowledge, culture and customary practices
• Torres Strait Islanders should be recognised as the primary guardians, keepers and knowledge holders of Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage
• it is important to respect, preserve and maintain knowledge, innovations and practices of Torres Strait Islander communities and to promote understanding of Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage
• activities involved in recognition, protection and conservation of Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage are important because they allow Torres Strait Islanders to reaffirm their obligations to Island custom
• there is a need to establish timely and efficient processes for the management of activities that may harm Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Torres Strait Islander Land Act 1991 (PDF)* .

This Act provides a scheme under which Torres Strait Islanders people can obtain secure title to certain categories of land (i.e existing Torres Strait Islander reserve land, Deeds of Grant in Trust land or available State land declared by regulation to be transferable). Land transfers are the mechanism for achieving this.

National parks declared 'claimable' can be claimed in recognition that land is of spiritual, social, historical, cultural and economic importance to Torres Strait Islander people. This legislation details the procedures to be used when dealing with such claims. It declares that a national park remains a national park even if the whole or part of it is granted as Torres Strait Islander land.

The Department of Environment and Resource Management is required to coordinate management planning processes, establish boards of management for the parks, enter into perpetual lease arrangements with grantees and administer lease-back national parks.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade (except to the extent administered by the Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations, and s. 80(2)-(11) and s. 131 administered by the Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability)

Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypassing Project Agreement Act 1998 (PDF)* 

This Act provides for agreements between Queensland and New South Wales for a project to bypass sand around the entrance of the Tweed River for the benefit of southern Gold Coast beaches and to improve the navigability of the entrance.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

Valuation of Land Act 1944 (PDF)* 

The aim of this Act is to provide for determining the valuation of land for rating and taxing purposes, and for related matters. Under the Act, the chief executive must decide the unimproved value of the land to be valued for the Acts under which local authorities are established.

This legislation also:

• sets out the requirements for annual valuations and maintenance of the valuation roll
• details the process for objecting to and appealing against a valuation.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Valuers Registration Act 1992 (PDF)* 

This legislation relates to the registration of valuers. It details the requirements for becoming a member of the Queensland Valuers Board, maintaining the Register of Valuers of Queensland, and becoming a registered valuer. It also specifies how the board should handle complaints from the public about the actions of registered valuers.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Vegetation Management Act 1999 (PDF)* 

The purpose of this Act is to regulate the clearing of vegetation in a way that:

• conserves remnant endangered, of concern, and not of concern regional ecosystems
• conserves vegetation in declared areas
• does not cause land degradation
• prevents the loss of biodiversity, maintains ecological processes, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
• manages the environmental effects of clearing to achieve the above.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Vegetation Management (Regrowth Clearing Moratorium) Act 2009 (PDF)* 

This Act imposes a moratorium on the clearing of particular regrowth vegetation, to protect:

• native regrowth vegetation that is an endangered regional ecosystem on freehold and agricultural and grazing State leasehold land in rural areas across Queensland
• all native regrowth vegetation within 50 metres of a watercourse in the Burdekin, Mackay/Whitsunday and Wet Tropics priority reef catchments.

The moratorium began on 8 April 2009 and will last for a period of at least three, but no more than six, months.  During this time the State will consult with stakeholders about the optimum way to regulate clearing of regrowth vegetation under the Vegetation. Management Act 1999.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Water Act 2000 (PDF)*  (except to the extent administered by the Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade through the Queensland Water Commission).

 All rights to the use, flow and control of all water in Queensland are vested in the State. The purpose of this Act is to advance sustainable management and efficient use of water and other resources by establishing a system for water planning, allocation and use. The Act provides for:

• rights to, and measurement and management of water
• the construction, control and management of works for water conservation and protection
• irrigation and water supply; drainage; flood control and prevention; improvement of the flow in or changes to the courses of watercourses, lakes and springs
• protection and improvement of the physical integrity of watercourses, lakes and springs.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Water (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2008 (PDF)* 

This is an Act to refer certain matters relating to water management to the Commonwealth Parliament; to repeal the Murray–Darling Basin Act 1996; and to amend the Land Act 1994, the Land Title Act 1994, the Water Act 2000, and particular water resource plans.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005 (Qld) (PDF)* 

This Act provides for water efficiency labelling and the making of water efficiency standards.

The objects of the Act are to:

• conserve water supplies by reducing water consumption
• provide information for purchasers of water-use and water-saving products
• promote the adoption of efficient and effective water-use and water-saving technologies.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 (PDF)* 

The purpose of this Act is to provide for the safety and reliability of water supply primarily by:

• providing for
• a regulatory framework for providing water sewerage services in the state, including functions and powers of service providers
• a regulatory framework for providing recycled water and drinking water quality, primarily for protecting public health
• the regulation of referable dams
• flood mitigation responsibilities
• protecting the interests of customers of service providers.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993 (PDF)* 

The purpose of this Act is to protect and manage the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, which covers 900 000 hectares in North Queensland including almost 700 land parcels (freehold, leasehold, local government, state and federal government lands).

The Act establishes a Wet Tropics Management Authority charged with fulfilling Australia's international obligations under the World Heritage Convention. The Authority's functions in relation to the Wet Tropics Area include:

• developing, implementing and evaluating  policies and programs for managing the area
• administering funding arrangements
• entering into, and facilitating the entrance of landholders, Aboriginal people and others particularly concerned with land in the Wet Tropics Area into cooperative management agreements
• arranging for rehabilitation and restoration works
• gathering, researching, analysing and disseminating information, and developing  community education programs
• liaising with federal, state and territory governments and international and foreign organisations and agencies, and promoting the area locally, nationally and internationally
• monitoring the state of the Wet Tropics Area and reporting on it  to the Minister and the Ministerial Council.

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

Wild Rivers Act 2005 (PDF)* 

The purpose of this Act is to preserve the natural values of rivers that have not been significantly affected by development and thus have all, or almost all, of their natural values intact. It does this by regulating development within a declared wild river and its catchment area, and by regulating the taking of natural resources from the area. The Act establishes a framework that includes the declaration of wild river areas that may include:

• high preservation areas
• preservation areas
• floodplain management areas
• subartesian management areas.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

Yeppoon Hospital Site Acquisition Act 2006 (PDF)* 

This Act authorised the acquisition of an area of land consisting of approximately three hectares on the corner of the Rockhampton–Yeppoon Road and Hoskyn Drive at Yeppoon, for a hospital and associated health and medical facilities. This legislation provided certainty that the Queensland Government could acquire this parcel of land for these purposes.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade