An Act to amend the Crown Lands Act 1989 and the Western Lands Act 1901 to enable carbon sequestration and related forestry rights to be granted in respect of Crown land (including land held under Western lands lease); and for other purposes.

1   Name of Act

This Act is the Crown Lands Legislation Amendment (Carbon Sequestration) Act 2006.

2   Commencement

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

3   Amendment of Acts

The Acts specified in Schedules 1–4 are amended as set out in those Schedules.

4   Repeal of Act

(1)  This Act is repealed on the day following the day on which all of the provisions of this Act have commenced.

(2)  The repeal of this Act does not, because of the operation of section 30 of the Interpretation Act 1987, affect any amendment made by this Act.

Schedule 1 Amendment of Crown Lands Act 1989 No 6

(Section 3)

Part 4, Division 5A

Insert after Division 5:

  

Division 5A Carbon sequestration and related forestry rights

59A   Definitions

In this Division:

carbon sequestration right and forestry right have the same meanings as in section 87A of the Conveyancing Act 1919.

Note. A forestry right is defined in section 87A of the Conveyancing Act 1919 to include a carbon sequestration right in relation to land (carbon sequestration being the process by which a tree or forest absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere). This Division applies to a forestry right only to the extent that it consists in whole or in part of a carbon sequestration right.

A forestry right is, for all purposes, taken to be a profit à prendre (see section 88AB of the Conveyancing Act 1919).

Crown land includes any land dedicated under this Act for a public purpose.

59B   Application of Division

(1)  This Division applies only in relation to the granting and creation of a forestry right to the extent that it consists in whole or in part of a carbon sequestration right.

(2)  Nothing in this Division limits the power of the Minister to otherwise deal with Crown land.

59C   Granting and creation of carbon sequestration and related forestry rights

(1)  The Minister may, on such terms and conditions as the Minister determines, grant a forestry right in respect of Crown land.

(2)  In the case of a Crown reserve, the provisions of section 34A apply to and in respect of the granting by the Minister of a forestry right in respect of the reserve as if the forestry right were a relevant interest as referred to in that section.

(3)  In the case of Crown land that is the subject of a perpetual lease, the Minister may, on such terms and conditions as the Minister determines, consent to the lessee granting a forestry right in respect of the land the subject of the lease.

(4)  The lessee of any land that is the subject of a perpetual lease may, with the consent of the Minister under subsection (3), grant a forestry right in respect of the land on such terms and conditions as the Minister determines.

(5)  A forestry right referred to in this section:

(a)  is, in the case of land that is subject to the provisions of the Real Property Act 1900, created in the way provided in that Act or in section 88B of the Conveyancing Act 1919, or

(b)  is, in the case of land that is not subject to the provisions of the Real Property Act 1900, created:

(i)  in the way provided in section 88B of the Conveyancing Act 1919, or

(ii)  if the Minister so consents, by instrument registered in the General Register of Deeds, or

(iii)  by notification in the Gazette (except in the case of a forestry right granted by a perpetual lessee).

(6)  Without limiting the terms and conditions that may be determined by the Minister under this section, any such terms and conditions may restrict any dealings in the forestry right concerned.

(7)  The Minister may not grant a forestry right in respect of Crown land unless the Minister is satisfied that any lessee of the land has consented to the forestry right being granted.

(8)  Before granting a forestry right in respect of Crown land that is Crown-timber land within the meaning of the Forestry Act 1916 (or before consenting to the granting of any such forestry right), the Minister must consult the Minister administering the Forestry Act 1916.

Note. In the case of Crown-timber land that is a State forest or timber reserve, it is the Forestry Commission that may grant a forestry right in respect of the land.

(9)  Without limiting the operation of Division 4 of Part 6 of the Conveyancing Act 1919, restrictions on the use of land and covenants may, in accordance with that Division, be imposed on Crown land that is the subject of a forestry right granted under this section.

Schedule 2 Amendment of Western Lands Act 1901 No 70

(Section 3)

[1]   Section 18G Dealings in leased land

Insert after section 18G (6):

  

(7)  Land held under a lease under this Act may not be transferred or conveyed for the purpose of creating a forestry right (within the meaning of section 87A of the Conveyancing Act 1919) that consists in whole or in part of a carbon sequestration right otherwise than in accordance with Part 9D of this Act.

[2]   Section 18J Conditions attaching to leases: alteration by consent

Insert “or relating to the use of land for the purposes of carbon sequestration within the meaning of section 87A of the Conveyancing Act 1919” after “payable under the lease”.

[3]   Section 28A Granting of leases after 1989 amending Act

Insert after section 28A (1) (e):

  

(e1)  the use of land for the purposes of carbon sequestration within the meaning of section 87A of the Conveyancing Act 1919 (including for plantation purposes), or for any such purpose combined with any one or more of the other purposes referred to in this subsection, or

[4]   Part 9D

Insert after Part 9C:

  

Part 9D Carbon sequestration and related forestry rights

35V   Definitions

In this Part:

carbon sequestration right and forestry right have the same meanings as in section 87A of the Conveyancing Act 1919.

Note. A forestry right is defined in section 87A of the Conveyancing Act 1919 to include a carbon sequestration right in relation to land (carbon sequestration being the process by which a tree or forest absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere). This Part applies to a forestry right only to the extent that it consists in whole or in part of a carbon sequestration right.

A forestry right is, for all purposes, taken to be a profit à prendre (see section 88AB of the Conveyancing Act 1919).

35W   Application of Part

This Part applies only in relation to the granting or creation of a forestry right to the extent that it consists in whole or in part of a carbon sequestration right.

35X   Granting and creation of forestry rights in respect of land held under lease

(1)  The Minister may:

(a)  on application made in the approved form, and

(b)  on such terms and conditions as the Minister determines,

      grant a forestry right in respect of land held under a lease, but only with the consent of the lessee of that land.

(2)  In the case of land that is the subject of a lease in perpetuity, the Minister may, on such terms and conditions as the Minister determines, consent to the lessee granting a forestry right in respect of the land the subject of the lease.

(3)  The lessee of any land that is the subject of a lease in perpetuity may, with the consent of the Minister under subsection (2), grant a forestry right in respect of the land on such terms and conditions as the Minister determines.

(4)  A forestry right referred to in this section:

(a)  is, in the case of land that is subject to the provisions of the Real Property Act 1900, created in the way provided in that Act or in section 88B of the Conveyancing Act 1919, or

(b)  is, in the case of land that is not subject to the provisions of the Real Property Act 1900, created:

(i)  in the way provided in section 88B of the Conveyancing Act 1919, or

(ii)  if the Minister so consents, by instrument registered in the General Register of Deeds, or

(iii)  by notification in the Gazette (except in the case of a forestry right granted by a perpetual lessee).

(5)  Without limiting the terms and conditions that may be determined by the Minister under this section, any such terms and conditions may restrict any dealings in the forestry right.

(6)  Before granting a forestry right in respect of land that is Crown-timber land within the meaning of the Forestry Act 1916 (or before consenting to the granting of any such forestry right), the Minister must consult the Minister administering the Forestry Act 1916.

Note. In the case of Crown-timber land that is a State forest or timber reserve, it is the Forestry Commission that may grant a forestry right in respect of the land.

(7)  Without limiting the operation of Division 4 of Part 6 of the Conveyancing Act 1919, restrictions on the use of land and covenants may, in accordance with that Division, be imposed on land that is the subject of a forestry right granted under this section.

[5]   Schedule 2 Applicable provisions of the Crown Lands Act 1989

Insert after the matter relating to Division 5 of Part 4:

  

Division 5A (Carbon sequestration and related forestry rights)—the whole Division except in relation to land that is the subject of a lease under the Western Lands Act 1901.

Schedule 3 Amendment of Forestry Act 1916 No 55

(Section 3)

[1]   Section 11 Powers and duties of the commission

Omit section 11 (1) (m5). Insert instead:

  

(m5)  without limiting paragraph (m4), may, for any purpose consistent with its objects, grant a forestry right (within the meaning of section 87A of the Conveyancing Act 1919) in respect of a State forest, timber reserve or land owned by it, including any such right that is for the benefit of the commission, and only with the consent of any lessee in the case of a timber reserve, or

[2]   Section 11AA

Insert after section 11:

  

11AA   Limit on power to take timber etc from land subject to forestry right

Despite any other provision of this Act, the commission is not authorised to take, or authorise any other person to take, any timber, products or forest materials from any Crown-timber land that is the subject of a forestry right within the meaning of section 87A of the Conveyancing Act 1919 unless the forestry right is held or granted by the commission.

[3]   Section 25F Crown’s rights to timber and products on purchase-tenure land

Insert after section 25F (5) (a):

  

(a1)  have been established on land that is the subject of a forestry right within the meaning of section 87A of the Conveyancing Act 1919, or

[4]   Section 27 Penalty for unlawfully taking timber, products or forest materials

Insert “, (a1)” after “paragraph (a)” in section 27 (3) (a) (iv).

[5]   Section 27 (3) (a) (iva)

Insert after section 27 (3) (a) (iv):

  

(iva)  in pursuance of and in accordance with a forestry right within the meaning of section 87A of the Conveyancing Act 1919 and any restriction on use or covenant imposed under Division 4 of Part 6 of that Act in connection with the forestry right,

[6]   Section 27E Trees planted, established or necessary for certain purposes

Insert after section 27E (1) (a):

  

(a1)  have been established on land that is the subject of a forestry right within the meaning of section 87A of the Conveyancing Act 1919, or

[7]   Section 30AA

Insert after section 30A:

  

30AA   Limitation on royalty

Despite any other provision of this Division, the commission is not entitled to a royalty in respect of any timber or products:

(a)  derived from trees that have been established on land that is the subject of a forestry right within the meaning of section 87A of the Conveyancing Act 1919, and

(b)  taken in accordance with the forestry right and any restriction on use or covenant imposed in connection with the forestry right,

unless the forestry right is granted by the commission.

[8]   Section 31 Permits to occupy and use land

Insert after section 31 (6):

  

(7)  A permit under this section may not be granted in respect of land that is subject to a forestry right (within the meaning of section 87A of the Conveyancing Act 1919) if the permit is for a purpose that is, in the opinion of the commission, inconsistent with:

(a)  the forestry right, or

(b)  a restriction on the use of land, or forestry covenant, imposed in connection with the forestry right under Division 4 of Part 6 of the Conveyancing Act 1919.

Schedule 4 Amendment of Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 No 42

(Section 3)

[1]   Section 36 Claims to Crown lands

Insert “a forestry right (within the meaning of section 87A of the Conveyancing Act 1919) granted in respect of them or of” before “an easement” in section 36 (11).

[2]   Section 36 (12)

Omit the subsection. Insert instead:

  

(12)  A transfer of lands pursuant to this section is subject to the following:

(a)  any easements affecting the lands immediately before the transfer,

(b)  any condition imposed under subsection (5A),

(c)  any forestry right within the meaning of section 87A of the Conveyancing Act 1919, and any restriction on use or covenant imposed under Division 4 of Part 6 of that Act in connection with that forestry right, in force in respect of the lands immediately before the transfer.

Historical notes

The following abbreviations are used in the Historical notes:

Table of amending instruments

Crown Lands Legislation Amendment (Carbon Sequestration) Act 2006 No 85. Second reading speech made: Legislative Assembly, 18.10.2006; Legislative Council, 25.10.2006. Assented to 2.11.2006. Date of commencement, 9.2.2007, sec 2 and GG No 31 of 9.2.2007, p 735.