Download the publication
Summary
This Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) assesses proposals to amend the Conservation Act 1987 and the National Parks Act 1980 to broaden legislative powers to establish amenities areas across various types of public conservation land (PCL). The objective is to enable more effective management of visitor growth in high use conservation areas, while protecting conservation values. The proposal also aims to support the economic benefits of tourism by ensuring visitors have access to appropriate, high-quality facilities and services.
The proposals outlined in this RIS seek to upgrade the amenities area legislative provisions. These changes will enable the Minister to:
- create a specified zone (an amenities area) for tourism and visitor-related development
- apply rules within that amenities area that are more enabling of tourism and recreation, and remove restrictions that would otherwise apply to other conservation land
- apply safeguards, such as consultation requirements and specific criteria the Minister must consider, to ensure an appropriate balance between protecting conservation values and realising the economic benefits that amenities areas can provide
- enable a spatial planning approach to guide and manage development within the zone, providing clarity and certainty for stakeholders and supporting their investment decisions in enhancing the visitor experience.
Without legislative change it would not be possible to establish an amenities area on PCL (other than on national parks or scenic reserves) as a mechanism for planning and managing the expansion of visitor facilities and services.