{"id":"cobourg-peninsula-aboriginal-land-and-sanctuary-entry-and-camping-bylaws-1986","name":"COBOURG PENINSULA ABORIGINAL LAND AND SANCTUARY (ENTRY AND CAMPING) BY-LAWS 1986","slug":"cobourg-peninsula-aboriginal-land-and-sanctuary-entry-and-camping-by-laws-1986","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nt","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":174427,"registerId":"nt-cobourg-peninsula-aboriginal-land-and-sanctuary-entry-and-camping-bylaws-1986-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"COBOURG PENINSULA ABORIGINAL LAND AND SANCTUARY (ENTRY AND CAMPING) BY-LAWS 1986","content":"NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nCOBOURG PENINSULA ABORIGINAL LAND AND SANCTUARY (ENTRY\nAND CAMPING) BY-LAWS 1986\nAs in force at 4 June 1997\nTable of provisions\n1 Citation ............................................................................................ 1\n2 Application of By-laws ..................................................................... 1\n4 Camping .......................................................................................... 2\n5 Camping fees .................................................................................. 2\n5A Fees may be waived ........................................................................ 3\n6 Offence ............................................................................................ 3\nENDNOTES\n\n\n\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n____________________\nAs in force at 4 June 1997\n____________________\nCOBOURG PENINSULA ABORIGINAL LAND AND SANCTUARY (ENTRY\nAND CAMPING) BY-LAWS 1986\nBy-laws under the Cobourg Peninsula Aboriginal Land, Sanctuary and\nMarine Park Act 1981\n1 Citation\nThese By-laws may be cited as the Cobourg Peninsula Aboriginal\nLand and Sanctuary (Entry and Camping) By-laws 1986.\n2 Application of By-laws\nThese By-laws do not apply to:\n(a) a member of the group;\n(b) a person resident in the sanctuary or a member of the family\nof such a person;\n(c) a member of the crew of a fishing vessel who enters the\nsanctuary for the purpose of collecting supplies to be used on\nthat fishing vessel;\n(d) a person who, with the approval of the Board, conducts tours\nof the sanctuary who enters the sanctuary for the purpose of\nconducting a tour;\n(e) an employee of the Commonwealth or the Northern Territory,\nor of an authority of the Commonwealth or the Northern\nTerritory, who enters the sanctuary in the course of his\nemployment with the Commonwealth, the Territory or the\nauthority;\n(f) a person who enters the sanctuary for the purpose of carrying\nout scientific research or investigation in accordance with a\nlicence issued under section 111 of the Territory Parks and\nWildlife Conservation Act 1976; or\n(g) a person who has not attained the age of 16 years.\n\nCobourg Peninsula Aboriginal Land and Sanctuary (Entry and Camping) By-laws 1986 2\n4 Camping\n(1) The Board may, by means of clearly marked signs, designate areas\nwithin the sanctuary as camping areas.\n(2) A person shall not camp on the sanctuary:\n(a) except within an area designated as a camping area under\nclause (1); and\n(b) unless he is authorised to do so by a camping permit.\n(3) The Board may, on application by a person and after payment of\nthe fee prescribed in by-law 5, grant to that person a camping\npermit.\n(3A) A camping permit granted under clause (3) to a person who enters\nthe sanctuary in a motor vehicle authorises the holder and 4 other\npersons to camp in a camping area for 7 nights.\n(3B) In addition to the persons referred to in clause (3A), a person may\ncamp in a camping area under a camping permit granted to a\nperson who enters the sanctuary in a motor vehicle if the fee\nspecified in by-law 5(2) is paid for each night the person camps in\nthe camping area.\n(3C) A camping permit granted under clause (3) to a person who enters\nthe sanctuary from a vessel or aircraft authorises the holder to\ncamp in a camping area for the number of nights specified in the\ncamping permit.\n(4) A camping permit granted under clause (3) may be subject to such\nconditions as the Board thinks fit and endorses on the permit, and\nmay include conditions relating to:\n(a) the camping area in which, and the period during which, a\nperson may camp; and\n(b) the mode of travel which shall be adopted by a person in\nreaching the camping area in which he is permitted to camp.\n(5) A person who is the holder of a camping permit granted under\nclause (3) shall not camp in the sanctuary otherwise than in\naccordance with the conditions of that camping permit.\n5 Camping fees\n(1) The fee for a camping permit granted to a person who enters the\nsanctuary in a motor vehicle is $200.\n\nCobourg Peninsula Aboriginal Land and Sanctuary (Entry and Camping) By-laws 1986 3\n(2) The fee for a person referred to in by-law 4(3B) to camp in a\ncamping area is $10.\n(3) The fee for a camping permit granted to a person who enters the\nsanctuary by a vessel or aircraft is $15 for each night the person\nintends to camp in the camping area.\n5A Fees may be waived\nThe Board may waive a fee otherwise payable under these\nBy-laws.\n6 Offence\nA person not being a person referred to in by-law 2 who\ncontravenes, or fails to comply with, these By-laws is guilty of a\nregulatory offence.\nPenalty: $100.\n\nENDNOTES\nCobourg Peninsula Aboriginal Land and Sanctuary (Entry and Camping) By-laws 1986 4\nENDNOTES\n1 KEY\nKey to abbreviations\namd = amended od = order\napp = appendix om = omitted\nbl = by-law pt = Part\nch = Chapter r = regulation/rule\ncl = clause rem = remainder\ndiv = Division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired rep = repealed\nf = forms s = section\nGaz = Gazette sch = Schedule\nhdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision\nins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation\nlt = long title sub = substituted\nnc = not commenced\n2 LIST OF LEGISLATION\nCobourg Peninsula Aboriginal Land and Sanctuary (Entry and Camping) By-laws (SL\nNo. 30, 1986)\nNotified 3 September 1986\nCommenced 3 September 1986\nAmendments of Cobourg Peninsula Aboriginal Land and Sanctuary (Entry and\nCamping) By-laws (SL No. 22, 1988)\nNotified 11 May 1988\nCommenced 11 May 1988\nAmendments of Cobourg Peninsula Aboriginal Land and Sanctuary (Entry and\nCamping) By-laws (SL No. 20, 1997)\nNotified 4 June 1997\nCommenced 4 June 1997\n3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS\nGeneral amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table\nof amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation\nAmendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: rr 1 and 2.\n4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS\nr 2 amd No. 22, 1988, r 1; No. 20, 1997, r 1\nr 3 rep No. 20, 1997, r 2\nr 4 amd No. 20, 1997, r 3\nr 5 sub No. 20, 1997, r 4\nr 5A ins No. 22, 1988, r 2","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 1986 by-laws pre-date the commencement date shown (04/06/1997), and the existence of a reprint (REPC037R1) indicates the legislation has been amended over time. The administration by the Department of Tourism and Hospitality — rather than a land management or Aboriginal affairs agency alone — suggests the scope may have shifted toward structured tourism management since original enactment, potentially expanding the framework beyond simple entry control."},"complexity_factors":["Dual legal framework: legislation sits at the intersection of Aboriginal land rights law and environmental/sanctuary law, requiring understanding of both regimes","Limited metadata provided — no gazette details, making date and authorising provisions difficult to verify","Jurisdictional overlap between Commonwealth Aboriginal land rights legislation and Northern Territory sanctuary/parks law","Permit and fee structures typical of such by-laws can involve conditional and discretionary decision-making","Remote area enforcement practicalities add real-world complexity despite relatively straightforward legal text structure","Reprint suggests amendments have occurred since 1986, meaning the current operative rules may differ significantly from the original"],"plain_english_summary":"These by-laws regulate who may enter and camp on the Cobourg Peninsula — Aboriginal-owned land that’s also a wildlife sanctuary. They affect tourists, campers, boaters, fishers, researchers, commercial operators and the traditional owners, and generally require permits, set camping conditions and fees, and impose restrictions to protect country and biodiversity. Noncompliance can lead to fines or removal; the regime balances landowner control, tourism and conservation."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Amendments since 1986 adjusted fee amounts (and how fees apply by mode of arrival) and inserted an express fee‑waiver power (by‑law 5A). Those changes alter the cost and administrative discretion under the regime but do not expand the core legal scope: the by‑laws remain limited to regulating entry and camping on the sanctuary, the conditions for camping permits, exemptions and penalties. In short, the amendments change pricing and discretion, not the fundamental purpose or boundaries of the regulation."},"complexity_factors":["Short instrument: 6 substantive clauses (including subclauses) only","Single schedule of exemptions in by‑law 2 with 7 specific exemption categories","Conditional permit rules with distinct branches: motor vehicle (4(3A)), additional persons (4(3B)), vessel/aircraft (4(3C))","Few cross‑references: one to section 111 of the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976","Simple fee table (by‑law 5) but with tiering: flat motor‑vehicle fee, per‑person per‑night extra fee, and per‑night vessel/aircraft fee","Discretionary waiver clause (by‑law 5A) introduces administrative discretion but no detailed criteria","Penalty is a single fixed amount ($100) with no nested exceptions"],"plain_english_summary":"**What these by‑laws do (mechanics)**\n\n- They make it an offence to camp on the Cobourg Peninsula sanctuary except in places the Board has clearly marked as camping areas (by‑law 4(1)–(2)).\n- To camp you must hold a camping permit issued by the Board after you apply and pay the required fee (by‑law 4(3) and by‑law 5).\n- The Board may attach conditions to a camping permit (for example which camping area, what dates and what mode of travel to use) and you must follow those conditions (by‑law 4(4)–(5)).\n- The permit rules vary by how you arrive:\n  - If you enter by motor vehicle, the standard permit covers the permit holder plus 4 other people for up to 7 nights (by‑law 4(3A)). Additional persons may camp under that permit only if the extra nightly fee in by‑law 5(2) is paid for each night they camp (by‑law 4(3B)).\n  - If you enter by vessel or aircraft, the permit authorises camping for the number of nights stated on the permit; the fee is charged per night (by‑law 4(3C) and by‑law 5(3)).\n- Fees in the by‑laws: $200 for a motor‑vehicle camping permit (one permit covering up to 5 people for 7 nights), $10 per night for each additional person where applicable, and $15 per night for camping permits for arrivals by vessel or aircraft (by‑law 5(1)–(3)).\n- The Board may waive any fee under these by‑laws (by‑law 5A).\n- Breaching the by‑laws (unless you fall within the specified exemptions) is a regulatory offence with a penalty of $100 (by‑law 6).\n\n**Who is not covered (exemptions)**\n\nThe by‑laws do not apply to the following people (by‑law 2):\n- a member of the group (term used in the parent Act);\n- a person who lives in the sanctuary or a family member of such a resident;\n- a member of the crew of a fishing vessel who enters only to collect supplies for that fishing vessel;\n- a person who conducts tours with the Board’s approval and enters only to conduct that tour;\n- an employee of the Commonwealth or the Northern Territory (or their authorities) acting in the course of employment;\n- a person carrying out scientific research under a licence issued under section 111 of the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976; and\n- anyone under 16 years of age.\n\n**Why this matters (stated rationale and practical effects)**\n\nThe by‑laws allocate control over who may camp on the sanctuary, where they may camp and for how long, through a permit system administered by the Board (by‑laws 4 and 5). The text suggests two practical purposes: managing visitor numbers and activities in designated camping areas, and raising revenue (fees) to support administration. These effects follow mechanically from the rules:\n\n- Who pays: visitors who are not exempt under by‑law 2 pay the permit fees set in by‑law 5.\n- Who decides: the Board decides where camping is allowed (by‑law 4(1)), whether to issue permits, the conditions on permits (by‑law 4(3)–(4)), and whether to waive fees (by‑law 5A).\n- Behaviour changes: visitors must choose permitted camping areas, obtain permits and may alter group size or mode of arrival (motor vehicle vs vessel/aircraft) because fees and entitlements differ by mode (by‑laws 4(3A)–(3C) and 5(1)–(3)).\n\n**Costs, incentives, trade‑offs and implementation risks**\n\n- Direct cost to visitors: fee structure is the main cost. The $200 motor‑vehicle permit (by‑law 5(1)) is a fixed upfront charge for a permit covering up to five people for 7 nights (by‑law 4(3A)), whereas vessel/aircraft arrivals are charged per night at $15 (by‑law 5(3)). The difference creates a clear price signal that may affect travellers’ choice of entry mode and group organisation.\n- Compliance and administrative burden: applicants must apply and pay a fee; the Board must process permits, mark camping areas and keep records. The by‑laws give the Board discretion to set permit conditions and waive fees (by‑laws 4(4) and 5A), which requires administrative procedures and gives rise to potential inconsistency if not managed.\n- Enforcement: the regime requires the Board (or authorised officers) to monitor compliance and enforce the $100 penalty for breaches (by‑law 6). The by‑laws do not specify enforcement mechanisms or inspection powers in detail, so effective monitoring depends on resourcing and operational rules under the parent Act.\n- Substitution effects: differing fee structures by arrival mode may incentivise visitors to change how they reach the sanctuary (e.g. favour vessel/aircraft bookings if cheaper per person/night) or to adjust group size to spread costs.\n- Concentrated benefits and diffuse costs: the Board collects fees (direct benefit to Board or its purposes), while costs fall on visitors. The waiver power (by‑law 5A) concentrates discretion in the Board and could produce unequal outcomes if criteria for waivers are unclear.\n\n**Key legal hooks and cross‑references**\n\n- The by‑laws sit under the Cobourg Peninsula Aboriginal Land, Sanctuary and Marine Park Act 1981 (heading) and rely on the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976 for the research‑licence exemption (by‑law 2(f), referring to s111 of that Act).\n\n**Practical takeaways**\n\n- If you plan to camp on the sanctuary and are not in an exempt category, you must get a Board permit and pay the applicable fee (by‑laws 4 and 5).\n- The Board controls where people may camp, for how long, and under what conditions, and can waive fees in particular cases (by‑laws 4(1), 4(4) and 5A).\n- Non‑compliance is a regulatory offence with a $100 penalty (by‑law 6)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The by-laws remain tightly focused on their original purpose: regulating entry and camping on the Cobourg Peninsula Aboriginal Land and Sanctuary. The 1997 amendments refined the fee structure and permit conditions but did not expand the scope beyond entry and camping management. The document shows no evidence of scope creep into unrelated areas such as marine activities, wildlife protection, or broader land management issues."},"complexity_factors":["Short document — only 6 operative by-laws plus citation and application provisions","Minimal defined terms — only 'the group', 'the Board', and 'the sanctuary' require external context from the parent Act","Simple conditional structure — exemptions listed in by-law 2 are straightforward and non-nested","No cross-references to other legislation except a single reference to the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976 for scientific research licences","Clear fee structure in by-law 5, though by-law 4(3A)-(3C) creates slightly overlapping permit categories (vehicle vs vessel/aircraft entry)","Single offence provision with flat penalty — no graduated penalties or complex mens rea (mental state) requirements"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this legislation does:**\n\nThese by-laws set the rules for visiting and camping on the Cobourg Peninsula Aboriginal Land and Sanctuary in the Northern Territory. They control who can enter, where they can camp, and how much they must pay.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n* **Visitors and tourists** wanting to camp in the sanctuary\n* **Traditional owners** (referred to as \"the group\") — who are exempt from these rules\n* **Local residents and their families** — also exempt\n* **Fishing crews, tour operators, government workers, and researchers** — exempt if entering for work purposes\n* **Children under 16** — exempt from the by-laws entirely\n\n**Key rules:**\n\n* You **cannot camp anywhere you like** — only in designated camping areas marked by signs\n* You **need a permit** from the Board to camp\n* **Fees apply:**\n  * $200 for a vehicle-based camping permit (covers the driver plus 4 others for 7 nights)\n  * $10 per extra person per night for vehicle groups\n  * $15 per night for those arriving by boat or plane\n* The Board can **attach conditions** to permits (such as which camping area, when, and how you travel there)\n* The Board can **waive fees** if they choose\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThe Cobourg Peninsula is Aboriginal land and a protected sanctuary. These by-laws balance **access for visitors** with **protection of the environment** and **recognition of Aboriginal ownership**. They ensure tourism is managed sustainably while exempting traditional owners and locals from restrictions that don't apply to them.\n\n**The penalty:** Breaking these rules is a \"regulatory offence\" (a minor offence, not a serious crime) with a fine of $100."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/cobourg-peninsula-aboriginal-land-and-sanctuary-entry-and-camping-by-laws-1986","history":"/api/acts/cobourg-peninsula-aboriginal-land-and-sanctuary-entry-and-camping-by-laws-1986/history","analysis":"/api/acts/cobourg-peninsula-aboriginal-land-and-sanctuary-entry-and-camping-by-laws-1986/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/cobourg-peninsula-aboriginal-land-and-sanctuary-entry-and-camping-by-laws-1986/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/cobourg-peninsula-aboriginal-land-and-sanctuary-entry-and-camping-by-laws-1986/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/cobourg-peninsula-aboriginal-land-and-sanctuary-entry-and-camping-by-laws-1986/documents"}}