{"id":"sl-2015-23","name":"Nature Conservation Regulation 2015","slug":"nature-conservation-regulation-2015","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"23 of 2015","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":173566,"registerId":"act-sl-2015-23-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Nature Conservation Regulation 2015","content":"Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nSL2015-23\nmade under the\nNature Conservation Act 2014\nRepublication No 4\nEffective: 27 November 2023\nRepublication date: 27 November 2023\nLast amendment made by A2023-36\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAbout this republication\nThe republished law\nThis is a republication of the Nature Conservation Regulation 2015, made under the Nature\nConservation Act 2014 (including any amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part\n11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on 27 November 2023. It also includes any commencement,\namendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law to 27 November 2023.\nThe legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3\nand 4.\nKinds of republications\nThe Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT\nlegislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):\n• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies\n• unauthorised republications.\nThe status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.\nEditorial changes\nThe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial\namendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.\nEditorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by\nan Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The\nchanges are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into\nline, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.\nThis republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).\nUncommenced provisions and amendments\nIf a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately\nbefore the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law\nare accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more\ninformation, see the home page for this law on the register.\nModifications\nIf a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the\nsymbol M appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying\nprovision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation\nAct 2001, section 95.\nPenalties\nAt the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an\nindividual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).\n\nR4\n27/11/23\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\ncontents 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nmade under the\nNature Conservation Act 2014\nContents\nPage\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of regulation 2\n3 Dictionary 2\n4 Notes 2\nPart 2 Reserves—management planning\n5 What is a reserve?—Act, s 169 (1), def reserve, par (b) (ii) 3\nPart 3 Nature conservation licences\n6 Suitability information about a person—Act, s 266, def suitability\ninformation, par (e) 4\n7 Unsuitable activities for a licence—Act, s 268 (1), def suitable activity,\npar (b) 4\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 2 Nature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\nR4\n27/11/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n8 Suitability information about an activity—Act, s 269, def suitability\ninformation, par (e) 5\n9 Conditions—clearing native vegetation in a reserve—Act, s 274 (a) 6\n10 Conditions—damaging land in a reserve—Act, s 274 (a) 6\n11 Conditions—keeping an animal for public display—Act, s 274 (a) 6\n12 Records—licence to keep animals—Act, s 306 (1) (c) and (2) (c) 7\n13 Records—licence to keep live fish—Act, s 306 (1) (c) and (2) (c) 8\n14 Records—licence to sell or export native plant—Act, s 306 (1) (c) and\n(2) (c) 8\n15 Records—licence to sell or export protected invertebrate—\nAct, s 306 (1) (c) and (2) (c) 9\nSchedule 1 Reserves 10\nPart 1.1 Special purpose reserves 10\nPart 1.2 Special purpose reserve maps 12\nDivision 1.2.1 Birrigai 12\nDivision 1.2.2 Blue Ridge Special Purpose Reserve 13\nDivision 1.2.3 Bullen Range North Special Purpose Reserve 14\nDivision 1.2.4 Bullen Range South Special Purpose Reserve 15\nDivision 1.2.5 Bullen Range Special Purpose Reserve 16\nDivision 1.2.6 Cotter Reserve 17\nDivision 1.2.7 Gibraltar Special Purpose Reserve 18\nDivision 1.2.8 Kambah Pool Recreation Area 19\nDivision 1.2.9 Molonglo River Reserve 20\nDivision 1.2.10 Namadgi Special Purpose Reserve 21\nDivision 1.2.11 Pine Island and Point Hut to Tharwa Bridge 22\nDivision 1.2.12 Sherwood Forest Special Purpose Reserve 23\nDivision 1.2.13 Stony Creek Special Purpose Reserve 24\nDivision 1.2.14 Tidbinbilla Special Purpose Reserve and Jedbinbilla 25\nDivision 1.2.15 Uriarra Crossing Recreation Area 26\nDivision 1.2.16 Woodstock West Special Purpose Reserve 27\n\nContents\nPage\nR4\n27/11/23\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\ncontents 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary 28\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes 29\n2 Abbreviation key 29\n3 Legislation history 30\n4 Amendment history 31\n5 Earlier republications 32\n\n\n\nR4\n27/11/23\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\npage 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nmade under the\nNature Conservation Act 2014\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\nSection 1\npage 2 Nature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\nR4\n27/11/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of regulation\nThis regulation is the Nature Conservation Regulation 2015.\n3 Dictionary\nThe dictionary at the end of this regulation is part of this regulation.\n4 Notes\nA note included in this regulation is explanatory and is not part of this\nregulation.\nNote See the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.\n\nReserves—management planning Part 2\nSection 5\nR4\n27/11/23\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\npage 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 2 Reserves—management\nplanning\n5 What is a reserve?—Act, s 169 (1), def reserve, par (b) (ii)\n(1) The special purpose reserves mentioned in schedule 1, part 1.1 and\noutlined in bold in schedule 1, part 1.2 are prescribed.\n(2) In this section:\nspecial purpose reserve means an area of public land reserved in the\nterritory plan as a special purpose reserve under the Planning\nAct 2023, section 385 (d).\n\nPart 3 Nature conservation licences\nSection 6\npage 4 Nature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\nR4\n27/11/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 3 Nature conservation licences\n6 Suitability information about a person—Act, s 266,\ndef suitability information, par (e)\nThe following matters are prescribed:\n(a) the person’s qualifications, training, knowledge and experience\nin carrying out the activity for the licence;\n(b) if the activity for the licence involves a native species that has\nspecial protection status, or is a protected native species, and the\npurpose of the activity is—\n(i) scientific research, education, or propagation of the\nspecies—the person’s association with relevant scientific\nresearch organisations; or\n(ii) practice of Aboriginal tradition—the person’s membership\nof the Aboriginal community in the ACT or surrounding\nregion.\n7 Unsuitable activities for a licence—Act, s 268 (1),\ndef suitable activity, par (b)\nAn activity that would constitute an offence under 1 or more of the\nfollowing provisions of the Act is prescribed:\n(a) section 144 (Offence—damage native tree—unleased land) if\nthe tree is in a wilderness area;\n(b) section 146 (Offence—damage or take fallen native timber) if\nthe timber is in a wilderness area;\n(c) section 149 (Offence—sell native plant without plant tag—\nprotected or special protection status);\n(d) section 152 (Offence—export plant without plant tag—\nprotected or special protection status);\n(e) section 223 (Offence—make road in wilderness area);\n\nNature conservation licences Part 3\nSection 8\nR4\n27/11/23\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\npage 5\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(f) section 224 (Offence—use motor vehicle off road in wilderness\narea);\n(g) section 225 (Offence—excavate in wilderness area without\nlicence) if the excavation is for a purpose other than\narchaeological investigation;\n(h) section 364 (Offences—use or divulge protected information).\n8 Suitability information about an activity—Act, s 269,\ndef suitability information, par (e)\nThe following matters are prescribed:\n(a) if the activity involves killing a native animal—\n(i) how the animal is to be killed; and\n(ii) how the carcass is to be disposed of;\n(b) if the activity involves taking a native animal—how the animal\nis to be taken;\n(c) if the activity involves keeping a native animal—the facilities\nand care procedures at the place where the animal is to be kept;\nNote The conservator may inspect the place under the Act, s 272.\n(d) if the activity involves selling a native animal—whether the\nanimal was raised in captivity;\n(e) if the activity involves importing or exporting an animal—how\nthe animal is to be transported;\n(f) if the activity involves releasing an animal from captivity—\n(i) any genetic characteristics of the animal that indicate\nwhether the animal was bred in captivity; and\n(ii) whether the animal is free from disease;\n\nPart 3 Nature conservation licences\nSection 9\npage 6 Nature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\nR4\n27/11/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(g) if the activity involves excavating in a wilderness area for\narchaeological investigation—\n(i) the objectives of the investigation; and\n(ii) the expected contribution of the investigation to the\nunderstanding of Aboriginal prehistory or Australian\nhistory in general;\n(h) if the purpose of the activity is scientific research—details of the\nscientific research.\n9 Conditions—clearing native vegetation in a reserve—\nAct, s 274 (a)\nA licence authorising the clearing of native vegetation in a reserve is\nsubject to the condition that the licensee must tell the conservator\nbefore starting to clear the native vegetation.\n10 Conditions—damaging land in a reserve—Act, s 274 (a)\nA licence authorising the damaging of land in a reserve is subject to\nthe condition that the licensee must tell the conservator before starting\nto damage the land.\n11 Conditions—keeping an animal for public display—\nAct, s 274 (a)\nA licence authorising the keeping of an animal for public display is\nsubject to the condition that the licensee must comply with a risk\nmanagement plan approved by the conservator for the licence.\n\nNature conservation licences Part 3\nSection 12\nR4\n27/11/23\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\npage 7\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n12 Records—licence to keep animals—Act, s 306 (1) (c)\nand (2) (c)\n(1) This section applies to a licence to keep an animal that is not a live\nfish.\n(2) The licensee must keep a record of—\n(a) the total number of animals kept under the licence; and\n(b) the species and sex of each animal kept under the licence.\n(3) In addition, the licensee must also keep a record of—\n(a) if an animal is acquired from another person—\n(i) the name and address of the other person; and\n(ii) the date of receipt of the acquired animal; and\n(iii) the species and sex of the acquired animal; and\n(b) for an animal that dies or escapes from captivity—\n(i) the date of death or escape; and\n(ii) the species and sex of the deceased or escaped animal; and\n(c) for an animal that is transferred, whether because of a sale or\notherwise, to another person—\n(i) the name and address of the person receiving the animal;\nand\n(ii) the date of transfer; and\n(iii) the species and sex of the transferred animal.\n(4) However, a person need not keep a record of the sex of an animal if\nit is not possible to ascertain without handling the animal.\n\nPart 3 Nature conservation licences\nSection 13\npage 8 Nature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\nR4\n27/11/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n13 Records—licence to keep live fish—Act, s 306 (1) (c)\nand (2) (c)\n(1) A licensee who is authorised under the licence to keep live fish must\nkeep a record of the species of each fish kept under the licence.\n(2) In addition, the licensee must also keep a record of—\n(a) for live fish acquired from another person—\n(i) the name and address of the other person; and\n(ii) the date of receipt of the acquired fish; and\n(iii) the species of the acquired fish; and\n(b) for live fish transferred, whether because of a sale or otherwise,\nto another person—\n(i) the name and address of the person receiving the fish; and\n(ii) the date of transfer; and\n(iii) the species of the transferred fish; and\n(c) for live fish exported from the ACT by the licensee—\n(i) the name and address of the person receiving the fish; and\n(ii) the date of export; and\n(iii) the species of the exported fish.\n14 Records—licence to sell or export native plant—\nAct, s 306 (1) (c) and (2) (c)\n(1) This section applies to a licensee who is authorised under the licence\nto—\n(a) sell a native plant; or\nNote Sell includes offer for sale (see Act, s 126).\n(b) export a native plant from the ACT.\n\nNature conservation licences Part 3\nSection 15\nR4\n27/11/23\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\npage 9\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(2) The licensee must keep a record of the following details for each plant\nsold, or exported, under the licence:\n(a) the name and address of the person receiving the plant;\n(b) the date when the plant was sold or exported;\n(c) the species of the plant sold or exported.\n(3) The licensee must also keep a record of the total number of plants\nsold, or exported, under the licence.\n15 Records—licence to sell or export protected\ninvertebrate—Act, s 306 (1) (c) and (2) (c)\n(1) This section applies to a licensee who is authorised under the licence\nto—\n(a) sell an invertebrate that—\n(i) has special protection status; or\n(ii) is a protected native species; or\nNote Sell includes offer for sale (see Act, s 126).\n(b) export from the ACT an invertebrate that—\n(i) has special protection status; or\n(ii) is a protected native species.\n(2) The licensee must keep a record of the following details for each\ninvertebrate sold, or exported, under the licence:\n(a) the name and address of the person receiving the invertebrate;\n(b) the date when the invertebrate was sold or exported;\n(c) the species of invertebrate sold or exported.\n(3) The licensee must also keep a record of the total number of\ninvertebrates sold, or exported, under the licence.\n\nSchedule 1 Reserves\nPart 1.1 Special purpose reserves\npage 10 Nature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\nR4\n27/11/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nSchedule 1 Reserves\n(see s 5)\nPart 1.1 Special purpose reserves\ncolumn 1\nitem\ncolumn 2\nmap and location\ncolumn 3\ndistrict\n1 map 1—Birrigai Paddys River\n2 map 2—Blue Ridge Special Purpose\nReserve\nCoree\n3 map 3—Bullen Range North Special\nPurpose Reserve\nStromlo\n4 map 4—Bullen Range South Special\nPurpose Reserve\nTuggeranong\n5 map 5—Bullen Range Special Purpose\nReserve\nStromlo\n6 map 6—Cotter Reserve • Coree\n• Paddys River\n• Stromlo\n7 map 7—Gibraltar Special Purpose\nReserve\nPaddys River\n8 map 8—Kambah Pool Recreation Area Paddys River\n9 map 9—Molonglo River Reserve Molonglo Valley\n10 map 10—Namadgi Special Purpose\nReserve\nTennent\n11 map 11—Pine Island and Point Hut to\nTharwa Bridge\nTuggeranong\n12 map 12—Sherwood Forest Special\nPurpose Reserve\nCoree\n13 map 13— Stony Creek Special Purpose\nReserve\nStromlo\n\nReserves Schedule 1\nSpecial purpose reserves Part 1.1\nR4\n27/11/23\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\npage 11\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\ncolumn 1\nitem\ncolumn 2\nmap and location\ncolumn 3\ndistrict\n14 map 14—Tidbinbilla Special Purpose\nReserve and Jedbinbilla\nPaddys River\n15 map 15—Uriarra Crossing Recreation\nArea\n• Coree\n• Stromlo\n16 map 16—Woodstock West Special\nPurpose Reserve\n• Stromlo\n\nSchedule 1 Reserves\nPart 1.2 Special purpose reserve maps\nDivision 1.2.1 Birrigai\npage 12 Nature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\nR4\n27/11/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1.2 Special purpose reserve maps\nDivision 1.2.1 Birrigai\n\nReserves Schedule 1\nSpecial purpose reserve maps Part 1.2\nBlue Ridge Special Purpose Reserve Division 1.2.2\nR4\n27/11/23\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\npage 13\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDivision 1.2.2 Blue Ridge Special Purpose Reserve\n\nSchedule 1 Reserves\nPart 1.2 Special purpose reserve maps\nDivision 1.2.3 Bullen Range North Special Purpose Reserve\npage 14 Nature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\nR4\n27/11/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDivision 1.2.3 Bullen Range North Special Purpose\nReserve\n\nReserves Schedule 1\nSpecial purpose reserve maps Part 1.2\nBullen Range South Special Purpose Reserve Division 1.2.4\nR4\n27/11/23\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\npage 15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDivision 1.2.4 Bullen Range South Special Purpose\nReserve\n\nSchedule 1 Reserves\nPart 1.2 Special purpose reserve maps\nDivision 1.2.5 Bullen Range Special Purpose Reserve\npage 16 Nature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\nR4\n27/11/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDivision 1.2.5 Bullen Range Special Purpose\nReserve\n\nReserves Schedule 1\nSpecial purpose reserve maps Part 1.2\nCotter Reserve Division 1.2.6\nR4\n27/11/23\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\npage 17\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDivision 1.2.6 Cotter Reserve\n\nSchedule 1 Reserves\nPart 1.2 Special purpose reserve maps\nDivision 1.2.7 Gibraltar Special Purpose Reserve\npage 18 Nature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\nR4\n27/11/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDivision 1.2.7 Gibraltar Special Purpose Reserve\n\nReserves Schedule 1\nSpecial purpose reserve maps Part 1.2\nKambah Pool Recreation Area Division 1.2.8\nR4\n27/11/23\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\npage 19\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDivision 1.2.8 Kambah Pool Recreation Area\n\nSchedule 1 Reserves\nPart 1.2 Special purpose reserve maps\nDivision 1.2.9 Molonglo River Reserve\npage 20 Nature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\nR4\n27/11/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDivision 1.2.9 Molonglo River Reserve\n\nReserves Schedule 1\nSpecial purpose reserve maps Part 1.2\nNamadgi Special Purpose Reserve Division 1.2.10\nR4\n27/11/23\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\npage 21\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDivision 1.2.10 Namadgi Special Purpose Reserve\n\nSchedule 1 Reserves\nPart 1.2 Special purpose reserve maps\nDivision 1.2.11 Pine Island and Point Hut to Tharwa Bridge\npage 22 Nature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\nR4\n27/11/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDivision 1.2.11 Pine Island and Point Hut to Tharwa\nBridge\n\nReserves Schedule 1\nSpecial purpose reserve maps Part 1.2\nSherwood Forest Special Purpose Reserve Division 1.2.12\nR4\n27/11/23\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\npage 23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDivision 1.2.12 Sherwood Forest Special Purpose\nReserve\n\nSchedule 1 Reserves\nPart 1.2 Special purpose reserve maps\nDivision 1.2.13 Stony Creek Special Purpose Reserve\npage 24 Nature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\nR4\n27/11/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDivision 1.2.13 Stony Creek Special Purpose Reserve\n\nReserves Schedule 1\nSpecial purpose reserve maps Part 1.2\nTidbinbilla Special Purpose Reserve and Jedbinbilla Division 1.2.14\nR4\n27/11/23\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\npage 25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDivision 1.2.14 Tidbinbilla Special Purpose Reserve\nand Jedbinbilla\n\nSchedule 1 Reserves\nPart 1.2 Special purpose reserve maps\nDivision 1.2.15 Uriarra Crossing Recreation Area\npage 26 Nature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\nR4\n27/11/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDivision 1.2.15 Uriarra Crossing Recreation Area\n\nReserves Schedule 1\nSpecial purpose reserve maps Part 1.2\nWoodstock West Special Purpose Reserve Division 1.2.16\nR4\n27/11/23\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\npage 27\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDivision 1.2.16 Woodstock West Special Purpose\nReserve\n\nDictionary\npage 28 Nature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\nR4\n27/11/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\n(see s 3)\nNote 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to\nthis regulation.\nNote 2 For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1, defines the following terms:\n• may (see s 146)\n• must (see s 146).\nNote 3 Terms used in this regulation have the same meaning that they have in\nthe Nature Conservation Act 2014 (see Legislation Act, s 148). For\nexample, the following terms are defined in the Nature Conservation\nAct 2014, dict:\n• animal (see s 11)\n• clearing\n• conservator (see s 20)\n• damage\n• export\n• keep\n• licence\n• native animal (see s 12)\n• native plant (see s 14)\n• native species (see s 16)\n• native timber\n• native vegetation\n• plant (see s 13)\n• plant reproductive material\n• protected native species (see s 110)\n• reserve (see s 169)\n• sell\n• special protection status\n• take\n• wilderness area (see s 170).\n\nEndnotes\nAbout the endnotes 1\nR4\n27/11/23\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\npage 29\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\nAmending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the\namendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law\nbut are set out in the endnotes.\nNot all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are\nannotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be\nobtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.\nUncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details\nof these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are\nunderlined in the legislation history and amendment history.\nIf all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered\nprovisions gives details of previous and current numbering.\nThe endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.\n2 Abbreviation key\nA = Act NI = Notifiable instrument\nAF = Approved form o = order\nam = amended om = omitted/repealed\namdt = amendment ord = ordinance\nAR = Assembly resolution orig = original\nch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph\nCN = Commencement notice pres = present\ndef = definition prev = previous\nDI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously\ndict = dictionary pt = part\ndisallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule\nAssembly reloc = relocated\ndiv = division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No\nGaz = gazette RI = reissue\nhdg = heading s = section/subsection\nIA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule\nins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision\nLA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law\nLR = legislation register sub = substituted\nLRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced\nmod = modified/modification or to be expired\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 30 Nature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\nR4\n27/11/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3 Legislation history\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015 SL2015-23\nnotified LR 2 July 2015\ns 1, s 2 commenced 2 July 2015 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 3 July 2015 (s 2)\nas amended by\nPlanning, Building and Environment Legislation Amendment Act\n2017 A2017-3 pt 5\nnotified LR 22 February 2017\ns 1, s 2 commenced 22 February 2017 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 5 commenced 23 February 2017 (s 2)\nNature Conservation Amendment Regulation 2021 (No 1) SL2021-8\nnotified LR 13 May 2021\ns 1, s 2 commenced 13 May 2021 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 14 May 2021 (s 2)\nPlanning (Consequential Amendments) Act 2023 A2023-36\nsch 1 pt 1.48\nnotified LR 29 September 2023\ns 1, s 2 commenced 29 September 2023 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.48 commenced 27 November 2023 (s 2 (1) and see\nPlanning Act 2023 A2023-18, s 2 (2) and CN2023-10)\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR4\n27/11/23\nNature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\npage 31\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n4 Amendment history\nCommencement\ns 2 om LA s 89 (4)\nWhat is a reserve?—Act, s 169 (1), def reserve, par (b) (ii)\ns 5 am A2023-36 amdt 1.277\nSpecial purpose reserves\nsch 1 pt 1.1 am A2017-3 s 8\nMolonglo River Reserve\nsch 1 div 1.2.9 sub SL2021-8 s 4\nWoodstock West Special Purpose Reserve\nsch 1 div 1.2.16 sub A2017-3 s 9\n\nEndnotes\n5 Earlier republications\npage 32 Nature Conservation Regulation 2015\nEffective: 27/11/23\nR4\n27/11/23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Earlier republications\nSome earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to\nthe publication order.\nSince 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in\nelectronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised\nrepublications have also been published in printed format. These republications are\nmarked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an\nauthorised republication are identical.\nRepublication\nNo and date\nEffective Last\namendment\nmade by\nRepublication\nfor\nR1\n3 July 2015\n3 July 2015–\n22 Feb 2017\nnot amended new regulation\nR2\n23 Feb 2017\n23 Feb 2017–\n13 May 2021\nA2017-3 amendments by\nA2017-3\nR3\n14 May 2021\n14 May 2021–\n26 Nov 2023\nSL2021-8 amendments by\nSL2021-8\n© Australian Capital Territory 2023","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulation appears to maintain its original scope as a machinery provision supporting the Nature Conservation Act 2014. It has been amended only three times since 2015: updating planning references (2017), adjusting the Molonglo River Reserve boundaries (2021), and updating references to the new Planning Act 2023 (2023). These are technical amendments rather than scope expansion."},"complexity_factors":["Short regulation with only 15 substantive sections plus a schedule listing reserves","Minimal defined terms (relies heavily on definitions in the parent Nature Conservation Act 2014)","Straightforward structure: preliminary provisions, reserve listings, licence conditions, and record-keeping requirements","No nested exceptions or complex conditional logic - most provisions are direct prescriptions of requirements","Cross-references are limited to specific sections of the parent Act and are clearly identified","Schedule 1 is primarily a descriptive list of reserves with map references rather than operational rules"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation sets detailed rules for managing nature conservation in the ACT: it names specific special-purpose reserves, controls who may undertake activities affecting native plants and animals, and imposes licensing, record-keeping and condition requirements for those activities.\n\nIt affects researchers, wildlife carers, commercial operators and land managers in reserves, and matters because it provides the practical framework to supervise, document and limit impacts on sensitive environments."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This regulation operates as an implementing instrument for the Nature Conservation Act 2014. Its amendments (notably to Schedule 1 and references reflecting the Planning Act updates) adjust lists of reserves and update cross-references, but do not expand the regulatory framework beyond the Act’s original implementation purpose. Changes to the regulation have been confined to adding or updating prescribed reserves and refining licence information and record-keeping requirements within the Act’s delegated authority (see s 5, Schedule 1 and Parts 3–Dictionary)."},"complexity_factors":["Short instrument: 16 substantive sections plus a schedule and dictionary (relatively compact)","Multiple cross-references to the Nature Conservation Act 2014 (many defined terms and decision powers referenced rather than redefined here)","Schedule 1 contains 16 named special purpose reserves with map references (geographic detail but not legal complexity)","Several conditional requirements (different record obligations depending on licence type—animals vs live fish vs plants vs protected invertebrates; see ss 12–15)","Prescribed suitability information with multiple subitems (ss 6 and 8) requiring operational and personal details","Several references to specific Act offences that make activities unsuitable for licensing (s 7) creating cross‑legislative dependencies","Multiple administrative decision points concentrated on the conservator (approval of risk management plans, inspections, notifications)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this regulation does (mechanics)\n\n- The Nature Conservation Regulation 2015 sets out detailed, practical rules that operate under the Nature Conservation Act 2014. It:*\n  - lists specific public land areas that count as \"special purpose reserves\" for the Act (see section 5 and Schedule 1);\n  - prescribes what information people must give when applying for various nature‑conservation licences (sections 6–8);\n  - sets mandatory conditions for certain licences (for example, before clearing or damaging land in a reserve you must notify the conservator; see sections 9–11);\n  - requires and specifies the form of records that licence holders must keep for animals, live fish, native plants and protected invertebrates (sections 12–15);\n  - incorporates a dictionary that ties terms back to the Act (Dictionary, section 3).\n\n*Who it affects\n\n- Individuals and businesses who apply for or hold licences under the Nature Conservation Act 2014 (for example, people who keep animals, sell or export native plants or protected invertebrates, import/export animals, perform scientific research, or carry out excavation in wilderness areas). See Part 3 (sections 6–15).\n- Operators who propose clearing or otherwise damaging land in the listed reserves in Schedule 1: such activities trigger notification obligations and other licence conditions (sections 5, 9–10).\n- The conservator (the government official named in the Act) who decides on licences, approves risk management plans and inspects sites (see sections 6, 8(c) note and 11).\n\n*Why it matters (stated purpose and how it works in practice)\n\n- The regulation implements the Act by turning broad statutory powers into concrete, enforceable requirements: it prescribes what counts as a reserve, the information applicants must supply to show suitability, specific licence conditions, and precise record‑keeping obligations.\n- Official purpose-claims: the instrument is framed to support nature protection, safe keeping and lawful commercial or research activity by setting standards for licences and documenting activities.\n\n*Practical effects, incentives and costs\n\n- Who pays: licence holders carry the direct compliance costs (collecting and storing records, providing suitability information, complying with approved risk management plans, and notifying the conservator before certain activities). Businesses that trade in native plants, invertebrates or animals will face routine administrative tasks under sections 12–15.\n- Who decides: the conservator makes licensing decisions, inspects premises, approves risk management plans, and receives required notifications (see sections 6, 8(c) and 11). That concentrates decision-making power in an administrative official (the conservator) acting under the Act and this regulation.\n- Behaviour changes required: applicants must supply detailed suitability information (for persons and activities) including qualifications, membership of Aboriginal communities where relevant (s 6(b)(ii)), and operational details such as how animals will be killed, transported or released (s 8); licence holders must keep and produce records of acquisitions, transfers, deaths/escapes and total numbers (ss 12–15); and licence holders must notify before clearing/damaging reserves (ss 9–10).\n\n*Trade-offs, risks and implementation notes\n\n- Compliance burden and enforcement: the regulation is administrative rather than prescriptive of techniques — it requires documentation and approvals. That reduces regulatory uncertainty for some activities but raises ongoing compliance costs (record keeping, inspections, risk plan preparation). Enforcement resources will determine how effectively the rules change behaviour.\n- Impact on private enterprise and markets: firms that trade in or keep native species must maintain transaction records and justify suitability — this increases transaction costs (time, record systems) and may affect small operators disproportionately. Record requirements also create traceability that can enable enforcement but may deter casual or informal trade.\n- Concentrated benefits and diffuse costs: licences create legally protected opportunities for holders (a concentrated benefit). The costs of regulation (administration, compliance) are dispersed among many applicants and licence holders.\n- Substitution effects and unintended consequences: tighter documentation and approval processes can push some activity into informal channels or into jurisdictions with lighter rules unless enforcement limits that option. Conversely, clear rules can support lawful commercial activity by reducing uncertainty about what information is required.\n\nRelevant sections: the reserve prescription is in s 5 and Schedule 1; suitability information and unsuitable activities are prescribed in ss 6–8; licence conditions (notification and risk plans) are in ss 9–11; record-keeping obligations are in ss 12–15. The Dictionary ties terms to the Nature Conservation Act 2014.\n\n(Notes: explanatory notes in the regulation are not law—see section 4.)"},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/nature-conservation-regulation-2015","history":"/api/acts/nature-conservation-regulation-2015/history","analysis":"/api/acts/nature-conservation-regulation-2015/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/nature-conservation-regulation-2015/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/nature-conservation-regulation-2015/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/nature-conservation-regulation-2015/documents"}}