National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

The general administration of national parks and wildlife reserves is entrusted to the National Parks and Wildlife Reserves Service, which shall: (a) consider and investigate proposals in relation to conservation areas; (b) enter into negotiations on behalf of the Minister; (c) promote any activity relevant to the conservation and management of protected areas, e.g., educational activities, construction and maintenance of works, research (Part 2). There shall be a National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council, to advise the Minister on matters relating to the care, control and management of national parks, etc. The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage (Interim) Advisory Committee shall advise the Minister on any matter relating to the preservation, control of excavation, removal and custody of relics or Aboriginal places (Part 3). Part 4 gives the definition and establishes the legal regime and management of the following reserved, dedicated and declared lands: (a) national parks and declared lands; (b) State recreation areas; (c) regional parks; (d) nature reserves; (e) State game reserves; (f) karst conservation reserves; (g) wilderness areas and wild and scenic rivers; (h) aboriginal areas; (i) protected archeological areas; (l) wildlife districts, wildlife refuges and wildlife management areas. According to the provisions of Division 7 the Minister may enter into a conservation agreement relating to land with the owner of the land. The agreement may provide for any of the following: (a) restriction on the use of the area; (b) prohibition of specified activities; (c) contribution by the owner towards costs incurred which relate to the area or the agreement; (d) financial assistance or technical advice by the Minister. Proceedings relating to the enforcement of conservation agreements shall be taken in the Land and Environment Court. Part 4A makes provision as to the lease to the Minister, and the reservation and dedication of aboriginal land. Part 5 regulates the preparation of plans of management for each national park and historic site. The plan for lands reserved or dedicated under Part 4A of the Act shall be prepared by the board of management for the lands concerned in consultation with the Director-General. The Plan shall aim at the following objectives: (a) conservation of wildlife; (b) preservation of protected areas; (c) appropriate use of national park, historic site, State recreation area, regional park, etc. by the public, as well as by the lessee, licensee or occupant of land therein; (d) setting of the whole or part of a national park or nature reserve as a wilderness area; (e) maintenance of the national or international significance of aboriginal lands. Further provisions are made as to the protection of species of wild flora and fauna, with specific regard to hunting methods, to the sale, possession, importation or exportation of protected fauna as well as harming fauna. Part 6A makes provision for stop work orders and interim protection orders. Part 7 concerns fauna. Parts 7A and 8 contain special provisions regarding marine mammals and native plants, respectively. Threatened species, populations and ecological communities, and their habitats, and critical habitat are provided for in Part 8A.Part 9 regulates the issue and cancellation of licences in respect of fauna and native plants (inter alia, general licences, game licences, trapperos licences, fauna dealers licences, skin dealers licences, import and export licences, licences to liberate animals, aviary registration certificates, hunting licences, licences authorizing possession, licences to pick native plants, licences to grow native plants for sale). Parts 10-14 concern: Finance (10); Acquisition and disposal of property (11); Leases, licences, easements, etc. (12); Regulations (13); Miscellaneous (14). Completed by 18 Schedules)