Part 1 Preliminary

1   Name of Act

This Act is the Catchment Management Authorities Act 2003.

2   Commencement

This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.

3   Objects of Act

The objects of this Act are as follows:

(a)  to establish authorities for the purpose of devolving operational, investment and decision-making natural resource functions to catchment levels,

(b)  to provide for proper natural resource planning at a catchment level,

(c)  to ensure that decisions about natural resources take into account appropriate catchment issues,

(d)  to require decisions taken at a catchment level to take into account State-wide standards and to involve the Natural Resources Commission in catchment planning where appropriate,

(e)  to involve communities in each catchment in decision making and to make best use of catchment knowledge and expertise,

(f)  to ensure the proper management of natural resources in the social, economic and environmental interests of the State,

(g)  to apply sound scientific knowledge to achieve a fully functioning and productive landscape,

(h)  to provide a framework for financial assistance and incentives to landholders in connection with natural resource management.

4   Definitions

(1)  In this Act:

annual implementation program means an annual implementation program of an authority that has been approved by the Minister under Part 5.

authority means a catchment management authority established under Part 2.

catchment action plan means a catchment action plan of an authority that has been approved by the Minister under Part 4.

catchment activities means activities relating to natural resource management in an area (including the planting of trees, the removal of weeds or obstructions, the carrying out of works and education or training).

exercise a function includes perform a duty.

function includes a power, authority or duty.

general manager of an authority means the general manager of the authority holding office as such under Chapter 1A of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002.

government agency means any public or local authority, and includes:

(a)  a government department, State owned corporation and council of a local government area, and

(b)  the head of a government agency.

natural resource management has the same meaning it has in section 5 of the Natural Resources Commission Act 2003.

Natural Resources Commission means the Natural Resources Commission established under Part 2 of the Natural Resources Commission Act 2003.

(2)  Notes included in this Act do not form part of this Act.

5   State-wide standards and targets

For the purposes of this Act, State-wide natural resource management standards and targets are the State-wide standards and targets for natural resource management issues that have been adopted by the Government for the purposes of this Act.

Note. Section 13 of the Natural Resources Commission Act 2003 provides that the Natural Resources Commission may make recommendations on such standards and targets.