Legislation

Wet Tropics legislative framework

Legislation is used to protect and manage the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area (the Area) and its outstanding universal value.

The Australian Government is a signatory to the World Heritage Convention, an international treaty which binds Australia to protect the Area for future generations.

In 1990, the Queensland and Australian governments signed the Management Scheme Intergovernmental Agreement for the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area (PDF, 6MB).

This agreement outlines the broad structural and funding arrangements for protection of the World Heritage Area and set the foundation for Commonwealth legislation, the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area Conservation Act 1994.

The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area was then formally established under Queensland legislation, the Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993, which also established the Wet Tropics Management Authority. It sets out the role of the Wet Tropics Management Authority and enabled the creation of the Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998. This subordinate legislation regulates activities through a zoning and permit system.

Legislation related to Aboriginal interests

Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples are the Traditional Custodians of the Area. Conservation and land management must respect their rights and interests, which is reflected across Queensland and Commonwealth legislation. Wet tropics legislation recognises the significant contribution of Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples in the management of the Area and must consider Aboriginal tradition as part of decision making. Relevant legislation includes:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 (Cwlth)
• Native Title Act 1993 (Cwlth)
• Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (Qld)
• Aboriginal Land Act 1991 (Qld)

Other relevant legislation

Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and its values are also managed under a variety of legislation, including:

• Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth)
• Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Qld)
• Forestry Act 1959 (Qld)
• Land Act 1994 (Qld)

Other legislation that is integral to the protection and management of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area include:

• Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld)
• Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld)
• Fisheries Act 1994 (Qld)
• Water Act 2000 (Qld)
• Marine Parks Act 2004 (Qld)
• Planning Act 2016 (Qld)

Access authorised Queensland legislation and related resources on the Queensland legislation website.

Find Commonwealth legislation and supporting documents on the Federal Register of Legislation.