{"id":"zoological-parks-and-gardens-act-1995","name":"Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995","slug":"zoological-parks-and-gardens-act-1995","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":174290,"registerId":"vic-zoological-parks-and-gardens-act-1995-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995","content":"Version No. 031\n\n**Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995**\n\n**No. 106 of 1995**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n1 May 2021\n\n**table of provisions**\n\n*Section Page*\n\nPart 1—Preliminary 1\n\n1 Purposes 1\n\n2 Commencement 1\n\n3 Definitions 2\n\n4 Objectives 3\n\n4A Filming Approval Act 2014 3\n\n5 Crown to be bound 4\n\nPart 2—Zoological Parks and Gardens Board 5\n\nDivision 1—The Board 5\n\n6 Establishment of Board 5\n\n7 Board represents Crown 5\n\n8 Board accountable to Minister 5\n\n9 Constitution and membership of Board 6\n\n10 Functions of the Board 6\n\n11 General powers of the Board 7\n\n12 Specific powers of the Board 7\n\n13 Provision of services 9\n\n14 Crowd control 9\n\n15 Board as occupier in certain circumstances 10\n\n16 Delegation 10\n\n17 Immunity of Board members 11\n\nDivision 2—Corporate planning documents and financial matters 11\n\n18 Corporate planning documents of the Board 11\n\n20 Board to notify Minister of significant affecting events etc. 12\n\n21 General Account 12\n\nDivision 3—Powers over land 13\n\n22 Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 does not apply to zoological parks 13\n\n23 Zoological parks 13\n\n24 Governor in Council may declare land to be zoological park 13\n\n25 Managed Crown land 14\n\n26 Managed freehold land 15\n\n27 Land acquired by gift 16\n\n28 When does acquired land become managed land? 16\n\n29 Notice of managed land 16\n\n30 Notice where land ceases to be managed land 16\n\n31 Board's powers in relation to acquired land 17\n\n32 Disposal of land 17\n\n33 Leases licences and permits 17\n\n33A Management of certain land at Healesville 18\n\nPart 3—Chief Executive Officer and staff 19\n\n34 Appointment of Chief Executive Officer 19\n\n37 Appointment of acting Chief Executive Officer 19\n\n38 Chief Executive Officer's role 20\n\n39 Staff of the Board 20\n\nPart 4—Enforcement and regulations 21\n\n40 Who may take proceedings? 21\n\n41 Regulations 21\n\n42 Warning notices 23\n\nPart 5—Repeals, transitional provisions and amendments to other Acts 24\n\nDivision 1—Repeals and transitional provisions 24\n\n44 Definitions 24\n\n45 Transitional provisions relating to the Board 24\n\n46 Superseded references 25\n\n48 Staff 25\n\nDivision 2—Parks and Crown Land Legislation Amendment Act 2017 26\n\n50 Definition 26\n\n51 Constitution and membership of the Board 26\n\n52 Corporate planning documents of the Board 26\n\nSchedules 27\n\nSchedule 1—Zoological parks 27\n\nSchedule 2—Membership and procedure of the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board 30\n\nEndnotes 35\n\n1 General information 35\n\n2 Table of Amendments 37\n\n3 Amendments Not in Operation 39\n\n4 Explanatory details 40\n\n**Version No.** **031**\n\n**Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995**\n\n**No. 106 of 1995**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n1 May 2021\n\n**The Parliament of Victoria enacts as follows:**\n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\n\t1 Purposes\n\nThe purposes of this Act are—\n\n(a) to establish the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board; and\n\n(b) to provide for the management and administration of zoological parks and gardens.\n\n\t2 Commencement\n\n(1) Section 1 and this section come into operation on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.\n\n(2) Subject to subsection (3), the remaining provisions of this Act come into operation on a day or days to be proclaimed.\n\n(3) If a provision referred to in subsection (2) does not come into operation within a period of 6 months beginning on, and including, the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent, it comes into operation on the first day after the end of that period.\n\n\t3 Definitions\n\nIn this Act—\n\n***acquired land*** means land owned by the Board which is not part of a zoological park and which is not managed land;\n\n***Board*** means the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board established under Part 2;\n\n***Chief Executive Officer*** means the Chief Executive Officer of the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board appointed under Part 3 and includes a person acting as Chief Executive Officer under section 37;\n\nS. 3 def. of *corporate planning document* inserted by No. 53/2017 s. 56.\n\n***corporate planning document*** means—\n\n(a) a statement of corporate intent; or\n\n(b) a corporate plan; or\n\n(c) a business plan;\n\n***director of a zoological park*** means a person who is employed under section 39 as a director of a zoological park;\n\nS. 3 def. of *film friendly principles* inserted by No. 51/2014 s. 9(Sch. 2 item 23.1).\n\n***film friendly principles*** has the same meaning as in the **Filming Approval Act 2014**;\n\nS. 3 def. of *film permit* inserted by No. 51/2014 s. 9(Sch. 2 item 23.1).\n\n***film permit*** has the same meaning as in the **Filming Approval Act 2014**;\n\n***managed land*** means—\n\n(a) Crown land managed under section 25; or\n\n(b) freehold land managed under section 26; or\n\n(c) land which the Board has determined under section 28 to be managed land;\n\n***zoological collections*** means the collections of wildlife and plants under the control and management of the Board in the zoological parks or on managed land;\n\n***zoological parks*** means the zoological parks existing on the lands shown on the plans in Schedule 1 and includes any land declared to be a zoological park under section 24.\n\n\t4 Objectives\n\nThe objectives of this Act are—\n\n(a) to conserve, protect, manage and improve the zoological parks and managed land and the zoological collections;\n\n(b) to promote and increase public enjoyment of the zoological collections, zoological parks and managed land;\n\n(c) to increase public knowledge and awareness of the zoological collections and the zoological parks through publications, educational programs and advisory services and other activities;\n\n(d) to carry out and promote zoological research, the conservation of wildlife and its natural habitats and the maintenance of biodiversity.\n\nS. 4A inserted by No. 51/2014 s. 9(Sch. 2 item 23.2).\n\n\t4A Filming Approval Act 2014\n\nThis Act is filming approval legislation within the meaning of the **Filming Approval Act 2014**.\n\n\t5 Crown to be bound\n\nThis Act binds the Crown, not only in right of the State of Victoria but also, so far as the legislative power of Parliament permits, the Crown in all its other capacities.\n\nPart 2—Zoological Parks and Gardens Board\n\nDivision 1—The Board\n\n\t6 Establishment of Board\n\n(1) There is established a board to be called the \"Zoological Parks and Gardens Board\".\n\n(2) The Board—\n\n(a) is a body corporate with perpetual succession; and\n\n(b) shall have a common seal; and\n\n(c) may sue or be sued in its corporate name; and\n\n(d) may acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal property; and\n\n(e) may do and suffer all acts and things that a body corporate may by law do and suffer.\n\n(3) The common seal of the Board must be kept as directed by the Board.\n\n(4) All courts must take judicial notice of the imprint of the common seal on a document and, until the contrary is proved, must presume that the document was properly sealed.\n\n\t7 Board represents Crown\n\nIn carrying out its functions and powers, the Board acts on behalf of the Crown.\n\n\t8 Board accountable to Minister\n\nIn carrying out its functions and powers, the Board is subject to the general direction and control of the Minister.\n\n\t9 Constitution and membership of Board\n\n(1) The Board consists of up to 9 members appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister.\n\nS. 9(2) amended by No. 46/1998  \ns. 7(Sch.1), substituted by No. 53/2017 s. 57.\n\n(2) The persons appointed to the Board are to be persons who, in the opinion of the Minister, have expertise in one or more of the following areas—\n\n(a) zoology or veterinary science;\n\n(b) business management, financial management or public administration;\n\n(c) education, tourism or recreation;\n\n(d) nature conservation or animal research;\n\n(e) architecture or engineering.\n\n(3) In making a recommendation for appointment of members to the Board, the Minister must have regard to the expertise necessary for the Board to carry out its functions.\n\n(4) A person cannot be a member of the Board if he or she is the Chief Executive Officer.\n\n(5) Schedule 2 applies to the membership and procedure of the Board.\n\n\t10 Functions of the Board\n\nThe functions of the Board are—\n\n(a) to conserve, protect, manage and improve the zoological parks and managed land and the zoological collections;\n\n(b) to promote and increase public enjoyment of the zoological collections and the zoological parks and managed land;\n\n(c) to increase public knowledge and awareness of the zoological collections and zoological parks through exhibition of the zoological collections, publications, educational programs, advisory services and other activities;\n\n(d) to carry out and promote zoological research, the conservation of wildlife and its natural habitats and the maintenance of biodiversity;\n\n(e) to advise the Minister on matters relating to the Board's functions or powers or on any other matter referred to it by the Minister;\n\n(f) to provide consultancy and advice services to the public on zoological matters;\n\n(g) to provide for services and facilities for visitors to the zoological parks and managed land;\n\n(h) to carry out any other functions conferred on it by this or any other Act.\n\n\t11 General powers of the Board\n\n(1) The Board may do anything necessary or convenient to enable it to carry out its functions.\n\n(2) The Board's other powers under this Act do not limit the general powers conferred by this section.\n\n\t12 Specific powers of the Board\n\nSubject to this Act, for the purposes of carrying out its functions, the Board has the following powers—\n\n(a) to give, take and acquire or dispose of zoological and botanical specimens by way of loan, exchange, purchase or sale with scientific or educational institutions or other zoological parks or institutions;\n\n(b) to enter into contracts, agreements or arrangements and carry them out;\n\n(c) to publish information;\n\n(d) to apply for, obtain and hold (whether alone or jointly with any other person) any intellectual property rights;\n\n(e) to assign or grant licences in respect of those intellectual property rights, with or without consideration;\n\n(f) to enter into agreements or arrangements concerning the commercial exploitation of those intellectual property rights;\n\n(g) to provide specialist consultancy or advisory services on zoological matters to any Minister, government department, public statutory authority or other body or person or class of body or persons whatsoever, with or without consideration;\n\n(h) to become a member or affiliate of any body, corporate or unincorporate, (whether within or outside Victoria) having similar functions to those of the Board;\n\n(i) subject to this Act, to acquire, hold or dispose of any interest in real or personal property, with or without consideration;\n\n(j) to accept or refuse grants or donations of money or other property (whether by deed, will or otherwise);\n\n(k) to fix and collect reasonable fees for anything done under this Act, in addition to collecting fees prescribed under the regulations;\n\n(l) to erect, maintain, remove, alter or dismantle buildings, enclosures and improvements of all kinds, or to alter the location of those buildings, structures or improvements.\n\n\t13 Provision of services\n\n(1) The Board may provide or arrange for the provision of—\n\n(a) restaurant or refreshment services; or\n\n(b) services of any other kind—\n\nat a zoological park (whether or not those services are provided during the times that the zoological park is open to the public), despite anything to the contrary in any Order in Council reserving that land.\n\n(2) Services provided in accordance with subsection (1)(b) must be consistent with the functions of the Board.\n\nS. 13(3) amended by No. 74/2000 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 146.1).\n\n(3) The Board may apply for and hold a licence or permit under the **Liquor Control Reform Act 1998** in respect of any premises or place within a zoological park where services are provided in accordance with this section.\n\n\t14 Crowd control\n\n(1) For the safety and well being of the public, and to prevent overcrowding in a zoological park, the Chief Executive Officer, or a director of a zoological park may prohibit or restrict further admission of the public to the zoological park or part of the zoological park in a manner determined by the Chief Executive Officer or the director.\n\n(2) A person who prohibits or restricts the admission of the public to a zoological park must cause a notice setting out the details of the prohibition or restriction to be displayed at each entrance to that park.\n\n(3) The Chief Executive Officer or a director of a zoological park may prohibit or restrict admission of the public under subsection (1) even if the zoological park is expressed to be open to the public.\n\n(4) The Chief Executive Officer or a director of a zoological park may by instrument delegate to a person or class of persons any of the powers of the Chief Executive Officer or director under this section, except this power of delegation.\n\n\t15 Board as occupier in certain circumstances\n\nS. 15(1) amended by No. 30/2014 s. 15.\n\n(1) The word ***owner*** in section 3 of the **Fences Act 1968**, in relation to zoological parks, is deemed to include the Board.\n\n(2) Despite anything to the contrary in the **Fences Act 1968**, the occupier of land adjoining a zoological park is not required to contribute towards the cost of constructing or repairing any dividing fence constructed by the Board.\n\n(3) The Board may impound livestock trespassing in any zoological park in accordance with the **Impounding of Livestock Act 1994** as if the Board were the owner or occupier within the meaning of that Act of that zoological park.\n\n\t16 Delegation\n\nThe Board may, by instrument, delegate its functions or powers under this Act, other than this power of delegation, to—\n\n(a) a member of the Board; or\n\n(b) the members of a committee of the Board; or\n\n(c) the Chief Executive Officer; or\n\n(d) the Chief Finance and Accounting Officer of the Board (however titled); or\n\n(e) the directors of the zoological parks; or\n\n(f) any other member of its staff or class of members of staff specified in the instrument of delegation.\n\n\t17 Immunity of Board members\n\n(1) A member of the Board is not personally liable for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith—\n\n(a) in carrying out a function or power under this Act; or\n\n(b) in the reasonable belief that the act or omission was in the carrying out of a function or power under this Act.\n\n(2) Any liability resulting from an act or omission that would, but for subsection (1), attach to a member of the Board, attaches instead to the Board.\n\nPt 2 Div. 2 (Heading) substituted by No. 53/2017 s. 58.\n\nDivision 2—Corporate planning documents and financial matters\n\nS. 18 substituted by No. 53/2017 s. 59.\n\n\t18 Corporate planning documents of the Board\n\n(1) The Minister, in writing, may request the Board to prepare a corporate planning document to provide to the Minister.\n\n(2) The Board must prepare a corporate planning document if requested by the Minister.\n\n(3) A request under subsection (1) must—\n\n(a) specify the date by which the corporate planning document must be provided to the Minister; and\n\n(b) specify the information to be included in the corporate planning document and the form in which the information must be provided.\n\n(4) A corporate planning document may be amended at any time by the Board with the approval of the Minister.\n\n(5) The Minister, in writing, may direct the Board to amend a corporate planning document at any time by including or omitting any specified information.\n\n(6) The Board must comply with a direction under subsection (5).\n\nS. 19 repealed by No. 53/2017 s. 60.\n\n* * * * *\n\n\t20 Board to notify Minister of significant affecting events etc.\n\nIf the Board is of the opinion that matters have arisen that may prevent or significantly affect the achievement of—\n\n(a) the objectives of the Board under the corporate plan; or\n\n(b) financial targets under the plan—\n\nthe Board must immediately notify the Minister of its opinion and the reasons for the opinion.\n\n\t21 General Account\n\n(1) The Board must keep an account called the General Account.\n\n(2) The Board must ensure that there is paid into the General Account—\n\n(a) all money standing to the credit of the Zoological Board of Victoria in the bank accounts established under section 15A of the **Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1967** immediately before its repeal; and\n\n(b) all fees received or recovered under this Act; and\n\n(c) all other money received by it or on its behalf.\n\n(3) The Board may pay money out of the General Account—\n\n(a) to meet any expenses incurred in carrying out its functions or powers;\n\n(b) in paying or repaying money borrowed by it under this Act, together with any charges or interest on that money;\n\n(c) in paying remuneration, allowances or expenses to which its members, staff or any members of its committees are entitled;\n\n(d) for any other purpose authorised by this Act.\n\nDivision 3—Powers over land\n\n\t22 Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 does not apply to zoological parks\n\nThe provisions of the **Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978** or of any other Act or enactment relating to the management and control of Crown lands or reserves does not apply to zoological parks, but those parks are to be managed as provided in this Act.\n\n\t23 Zoological parks\n\nThe Board is responsible for the management of the zoological parks but does not own them.\n\n\t24 Governor in Council may declare land to be zoological park\n\n(1) The Governor in Council, by Order published in the Government Gazette, may declare land which is vested in the Crown and reserved either temporarily or permanently under the **Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978**—\n\n(a) as a site for a zoological park; or\n\n(b) as a State wildlife reserve within the meaning of the **Wildlife Act 1975**—\n\nto be a zoological park to which this Act applies.\n\n(2) On and from the making by the Governor in Council of an Order under subsection (1), the land in respect of which the Order was made is subject to this Act and must be administered by the Board as a zoological park.\n\n(3) The Governor in Council, by Order published in the Government Gazette, may revoke or vary an Order made under subsection (1).\n\n\t25 Managed Crown land\n\n(1) The Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister may, by Order published in the Government Gazette, place under the Board's management any Crown land specified in the Order that is not part of a zoological park.\n\n(2) The Minister must not recommend that land is to be placed under the Board's management if to do so would be inconsistent with any Act or reservation relating to the land.\n\n(3) The Order may—\n\n(a) state which of the Board's functions and powers are exercisable in relation to the managed land; or\n\n(b) impose any other restrictions or conditions on the management of the land that the Governor in Council thinks fit; or\n\n(c) revoke the appointment of any committee of management to the extent that it applies to the managed land.\n\n(4) On the revocation of an Order under this section, the land to which an Order applied ceases to be under the Board's management and its management reverts to the Crown.\n\n\t26 Managed freehold land\n\n(1) The Board may enter into an agreement with the owner or registered proprietor of an estate in fee simple in land other than Crown land under which the land is placed under the Board's management.\n\n(2) The agreement may—\n\n(a) state which of the Board's functions or powers are exercisable in relation to the managed land; or\n\n(b) impose any other restrictions or conditions on the management of the land; or\n\n(c) authorise the Board on behalf of the owner to do anything necessary to carry out the agreement; or\n\n(d) contain any other provision concerning the management of the land.\n\n(3) The agreement—\n\n(a) may be ended or varied by agreement between the parties; and\n\n(b) unless registered under a provision applied by subsection (5), ends when there is a change in the ownership of the land.\n\n(4) An agreement must include the written consent of any person having an interest, mortgage, charge or other encumbrance over the land affected by it.\n\n(5) Division 2 of Part 9 of the **Planning and Environment Act 1987** applies to the agreement as if—\n\n(a) it were an agreement under that Division; and\n\n(b) that Division referred to the Board instead of the responsible authority; and\n\n(c) sections 174 to 180 and 184 were omitted.\n\n\t27 Land acquired by gift\n\nIf the Board acquires land by gift (whether by deed, will or otherwise) it may, despite anything to the contrary in this Act, do anything necessary to comply with the terms of the gift.\n\n\t28 When does acquired land become managed land?\n\nThe Board may determine in writing that land acquired by the Board is managed land if—\n\n(a) the Board considers that the land is suitable to be included as a zoological park or to be managed by the Board; and\n\n(b) the Minister so approves.\n\n\t29 Notice of managed land\n\nThe Board must publish in the Government Gazette a notice that land (other than Crown land) has become managed land as soon as possible after—\n\n(a) the land is acquired by the Board and the Board has determined under section 28 that it is to be managed land; or\n\n(b) the Board enters into an agreement to manage the land under this Division.\n\n\t30 Notice where land ceases to be managed land\n\n(1) The Board may surrender to the Crown any land which it owns, whether it is managed land or not.\n\n(2) As soon as possible after the land owned by the Board ceases to be managed land, the Board must publish notice of the fact in the Government Gazette.\n\n\t31 Board's powers in relation to acquired land\n\nThe Board may in relation to acquired land—\n\n(a) maintain its existing state or use; and\n\n(b) exercise any other management powers that it thinks fit and the Minister approves.\n\n\t32 Disposal of land\n\nThe Board may dispose of any interest in land which it owns.\n\n\t33 Leases licences and permits\n\n(1) This section applies despite anything in the **Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978**.\n\n(2) In relation to zoological parks, managed  \nland or acquired land the Board may, on any consideration, rental, fees or other terms it thinks fit—\n\nS. 33(2)(a) amended by No. 53/2017 s. 61(1).\n\n(a) with the approval of the Minister, grant leases, each of which is for a term not exceeding 21 years; and\n\nS. 33(2)(b) amended by No. 53/2017 s. 61(2).\n\n(b) with the approval of the Minister, grant licences, each of which is for a term of more than 12 months but not more than 5 years; and\n\n(c) grant permits, each of which is for a term of 12 months or less.\n\n(3) A lease, licence or permit granted under this section must be for a purpose that is consistent with the Board's functions.\n\n(4) Without limiting the purposes for which a lease, licence or permit may be granted under this section, a lease, licence or permit may be granted to provide access through or within a zoological park, managed land or acquired land.\n\nS. 33A inserted by No. 40/2020 s. 116.\n\n\t33A Management of certain land at Healesville\n\n(1) Despite anything to the contrary in this Act, the Board must manage the Yellingbo land in accordance with the purposes set out in section 17E(3)(a) of the **National Parks Act 1975**.\n\n(2) In this section—\n\n***Yellingbo land*** means that part of the land shown on the plan in Part 3 of Schedule 1 that is shown coloured pink on the plan lodged in the Central Plan Office and numbered LEGL./19–280.\n\nPart 3—Chief Executive Officer and staff\n\nS. 34 amended by No. 53/2017 s. 62.\n\n\t34 Appointment of Chief Executive Officer\n\nThe Board by instrument, may appoint a Chief Executive Officer of the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board.\n\nSs 35, 36 repealed by No. 53/2017 s. 63.\n\n* * * * *\n\n\t37 Appointment of acting Chief Executive Officer\n\n(1) The Board may, by instrument, appoint a person to act as the Chief Executive Officer during—\n\n(a) any period when the Chief Executive Officer is absent from duty or for any other reason unable to perform his or her duties; or\n\n(b) a vacancy in the office of the Chief Executive Officer.\n\n(2) An appointment of a person as acting Chief Executive Officer has effect during the absence, inability or vacancy, but the person must not continue to act in the office for more than 6 months.\n\n(3) An appointment as acting Chief Executive Officer is on such other terms and conditions, including conditions as to the payment of remuneration, allowances and expenses as are determined by the Board.\n\n(4) A person appointed as acting Chief Executive Officer, while so acting, has all the powers and may perform all the duties of the Chief Executive Officer.\n\n(5) The Board may at any time terminate the appointment of a person as acting Chief Executive Officer.\n\n\t38 Chief Executive Officer's role\n\nThe Chief Executive Officer—\n\n(a) is subject to the direction of the Board; and\n\n(b) has the day to day control and management of the zoological parks, managed land and other property for which the Board is responsible.\n\n\t39 Staff of the Board\n\nThe Board may employ directors of the zoological parks and any other persons it considers necessary for the purposes of this Act.\n\nPart 4—Enforcement and regulations\n\n\t40 Who may take proceedings?\n\nProceedings under this Act or the regulations may be taken by—\n\n(a) the Board; or\n\n(b) the Chief Executive Officer; or\n\n(c) a person authorised by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer either generally or in a particular case; or\n\n(d) an authorised officer within the meaning of section 3(1) of the **Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987**.\n\n\t41 Regulations\n\n(1) The Governor in Council may make regulations for or with respect to—\n\n(a) the preservation of public order in zoological parks and on managed land;\n\n(b) public safety in zoological parks and on managed land;\n\n(c) prohibiting or regulating traffic and entry by persons, animals or vehicles in zoological parks and on managed land;\n\n(d) the closure to the public of any part or parts of a zoological park that the Board considers necessary for the protection and management of the zoological parks or public safety, whether or not the park or part of the park is expressed to be open to the public;\n\n(e) the care, protection and management of land, property, structures and improvements in zoological parks and on managed land;\n\n(f) the care, protection and management of the zoological collections;\n\n(g) fees and charges for entry into zoological parks and onto managed land, including concessional charges and the mechanisms for determining concessional charges;\n\n(h) times at which the zoological parks and managed land are to be open or closed to the public;\n\n(i) conditions of entry to the zoological parks and managed land and conditions of use of facilities or services;\n\n(j) prohibiting or regulating the carrying on of a trade or business in the zoological parks or on managed land;\n\n(k) the protection of flora and fauna in zoological parks and on managed land;\n\n(l) any other matter or thing required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed or necessary to be prescribed to give effect to this Act.\n\n(2) The regulations made under this Act may—\n\n(a) be of general or limited application; and\n\n(b) differ according to differences in time, place or circumstances; and\n\n(c) confer discretions or powers or impose duties on any specified person or specified class of person; and\n\n(d) provide in a specified case or class of case for the exemption of persons, vehicles, zoological parks or parts of zoological parks or a class of person, vehicles, zoological parks or parts of zoological parks from any of the provisions of the regulations, whether unconditionally or on specified conditions and either wholly or to such an extent as is specified; and\n\n(e) impose specific, minimum or maximum fees and provide for the waiver or reduction of fees; and\n\n(f) impose penalties not exceeding 20 penalty units for contravention of the regulations.\n\nS. 41(3) inserted by No. 51/2014 s. 9(Sch. 2 item 23.3).\n\n(3) Any regulations made under this Act for or with respect to the issuing of film permits must not be inconsistent with the film friendly principles.\n\n\t42 Warning notices\n\nThe Board must cause brief particulars of the offences for which penalties may be imposed under the regulations to be displayed in a conspicuous place at or near each entrance to the zoological parks.\n\nPart 5—Repeals, transitional provisions and amendments to other Acts\n\nDivision 1—Repeals and transitional provisions\n\nS. 43 repealed by No. 53/2017 s. 64.\n\n* * * * *\n\n\t44 Definitions\n\nIn this Division—\n\n***new Board*** means the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board established under this Act;\n\n***old Act*** means the **Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1967**;\n\n***old Board*** means the Zoological Board of Victoria established under the old Act.\n\n\t45 Transitional provisions relating to the Board\n\nOn the commencement of this Division—\n\n(a) the old Board is abolished and its members go out of office; and\n\n(b) the new Board is the successor in law of the old Board; and\n\n(c) all rights, assets, liabilities and obligations of the old Board existing immediately before the Board's abolition become the rights, assets, liabilities and obligations of the new Board; and\n\n(d) the new Board is substituted for the old Board as a party in any proceeding, contract, agreement, arrangement, lease, licence or permit commenced or made by, against or in relation to the old Board; and\n\n(e) the new Board may continue and complete any other continuing matter or thing commenced by, against or in relation to the old Board.\n\n\t46 Superseded references\n\nOn or after the commencement of this Division, unless the context otherwise requires, a reference in—\n\n(a) any Act other than this Act; or\n\n(b) a subordinate instrument within the meaning of the **Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984**; or\n\n(c) any other document whatever—\n\nto—\n\n(d) the old Act is deemed to be a reference to the **Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995**; and\n\n(e) the old Board is a reference to the new Board.\n\nS. 47 repealed by No. 53/2017 s. 64.\n\n* * * * *\n\n\t48 Staff\n\nA person who, immediately before the commencement of this Division was employed by the old Board becomes, on that commencement, an employee of the new Board on the same terms and conditions and with the same rights and accrued and accruing entitlements as he or she had before that commencement.\n\nS. 49 repealed by No. 53/2017 s. 64.\n\n* * * * *\n\nPt 5 Div. 2 (Heading and ss 50, 51) repealed by No. 29/2011 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 112), new Pt 5 Div. 2 (Heading and new ss 50–52) inserted by No. 53/2017 s. 65.\n\nDivision 2—Parks and Crown Land Legislation Amendment Act 2017\n\nNew s. 50 inserted by No. 53/2017 s. 65.\n\n\t50 Definition\n\nIn this Division—\n\n***commencement day*** means the day on which Part 11 of the **Parks and Crown Land Legislation Amendment Act 2017** comes into operation.\n\nNew s. 51 inserted by No. 53/2017 s. 65.\n\n\t51 Constitution and membership of the Board\n\nOn the commencement day, an appointment to the Board made under section 9(2)(a) as in force immediately before that day is terminated and the person appointed to the Board under that section goes out of office.\n\nNew s. 52 inserted by No. 53/2017 s. 65.\n\n\t52 Corporate planning documents of the Board\n\nOn the commencement day, a corporate plan of the Board prepared under section 18 as in force immediately before that day is taken to be a corporate planning document prepared under section 18.\n\nPt 5 Div. 3 (Heading and ss 52–55) amended by No. 45/1997 s. 40, repealed by No. 29/2011 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 112).\n\n* * * * *\n\nSchedules\n\nSchedule 1—Zoological parks\n\nPart 1—Land at Royal Park\n\n![]()\n\nPart 2—Land at Werribee\n\n![]()\n\nSch. 1 Pt 3 substituted by No. 45/1997  \ns. 39.\n\nPart 3—Land at Healesville\n\n![]()\n\nSchedule 2—Membership and procedure of the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board\n\n\t1 Terms of appointment\n\n(1) A member of the Board holds office for a period, not exceeding 3 years, specified in the instrument of his or her appointment.\n\n(2) A member of the Board is eligible for re‑appointment.\n\n(3) The instrument of appointment of a member  \nof the Board may specify terms and conditions of appointment.\n\nSch. 2 cl. 1(4) amended by No. 46/1998  \ns. 7(Sch. 1), substituted by Nos 108/2004 s. 117(1) (Sch. 3 item 239), 80/2006 s. 26(Sch. item 119).\n\n(4) The **Public Administration Act 2004** (other than Part 3 of that Act) applies to a member in respect of the office of member.\n\n\t2 Chairperson and deputy chairperson\n\n(1) The Minister must appoint—\n\n(a) one of the members to be chairperson; and\n\n(b) one of the members to be deputy chairperson.\n\n(2) If the chairperson is absent or unable to perform his or her duties as chairperson, the deputy chairperson must act as chairperson and, while acting as chairperson, has all the powers and duties of the chairperson.\n\n\t3 Terms of appointment of chairperson and deputy chairperson\n\n(1) A person appointed as chairperson or deputy chairperson holds that office for a period not exceeding 3 years and is eligible for re-appointment.\n\n(2) The instrument of appointment of the chairperson or deputy chairperson may specify terms and conditions of appointment.\n\n(3) A person appointed as chairperson or deputy chairperson ceases to hold that office on ceasing to be a member of the Board.\n\n\t4 Resignation and removal\n\n(1) A member of the Board may resign the office of member by writing signed by the member and addressed to the Governor in Council.\n\n(2) The Governor in Council may at any time remove a member of the Board from office.\n\n\t5 Vacancies\n\nThe office of a member of the Board becomes vacant if the member—\n\n(a) without the chairperson's approval, fails to attend 3 consecutive meetings of the Board; or\n\n(b) becomes bankrupt; or\n\n(c) is convicted of an indictable offence or an offence which, if committed in Victoria, would be an indictable offence.\n\n\t6 Committees\n\nFor the purposes of this Act, the Board may—\n\n(a) appoint any committees of its members that it considers necessary and may abolish any such committee; and\n\n(b) determine the procedure of each committee.\n\nSch. 2 cl. 7 amended by No. 53/2017 s. 66.\n\n\t7 Fees and allowances\n\nA member of the Board is entitled to receive the fees, travelling and other allowances from time to time fixed by the Minister in respect of that member.\n\n\t8 Validity of decisions\n\n(1) An act or decision of the Board is not invalid merely because of—\n\n(a) a defect or irregularity in, or in connection with, the appointment of a member; or\n\n(b) a vacancy in the membership of the Board, including a vacancy arising from the failure to appoint an original member.\n\n(2) Anything done by or in relation to a person purporting to act as chairperson, deputy chairperson or as a member is not invalid merely because—\n\n(a) the occasion for the appointment had not arisen; or\n\n(b) there was a defect or irregularity in relation to the appointment; or\n\n(c) the appointment had ceased to have effect; or\n\n(d) the occasion for the person to act had not arisen or had ceased.\n\n\t9 Who presides?\n\nThe person who is to preside at a meeting of the Board is—\n\n(a) the chairperson, if he or she is present; or\n\n(b) the deputy chairperson, if the chairperson is absent; or\n\n(c) if both the chairperson and the deputy chairperson are absent, a member elected to preside by the members of the Board present at the meeting.\n\n\t10 Proceedings of the Board\n\n(1) Subject to subsection (2), meetings of the Board are to be held at such times and places as the chairperson determines.\n\n(2) The chairperson may at any time convene a meeting, but must do so when requested by a member.\n\n(3) A majority of the members for the time being constitutes a quorum of the Board.\n\n(4) A question arising at a meeting must be determined by a majority of votes of members present and voting on that question and, if the voting is equal, the person presiding has a casting vote as well as a deliberative vote.\n\n(5) The person presiding must ensure that minutes are kept of each of its meetings.\n\n(6) Subject to this Schedule, the Board may regulate its own proceedings.\n\n\t11 Disclosure of interest\n\n(1) A member of the Board who has a direct or pecuniary interest in a contract or other matter being dealt with by the Board must disclose the nature of that interest at a meeting of the Board as soon as possible after becoming aware of the interest.\n\n(2) A member of the Board who holds an office or possesses property as a result of which, directly or indirectly, duties or interests may be created in conflict with the member's duties as a member, must disclose that fact at a meeting of the Board as soon as possible after becoming aware of the potential conflict.\n\nSch. 2 cl. 11(3) amended by No. 74/2000 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 146.2).\n\n(3) The person presiding at a meeting at which a disclosure under this clause is made must cause that disclosure to be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.\n\n(4) A person who has made a disclosure under this clause must not take any further part in the discussion of or vote on the contract or other matter to which the disclosure relates.\n\n\n\nEndnotes\n\n1 General information\n\nSee [www.legislation.vic.gov.au](http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au) for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.\n\n*Minister's second reading speech—*\n\n*Legislative Assembly: 12 October 1995*\n\n*Legislative Council: 1 November 1995*\n\nThe long title for the Bill for this Act was \"A Bill to establish the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board and define its functions, to provide for the management and administration of zoological parks and gardens, to repeal the **Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1967**, to amend the **Borrowing and Investment Powers Act 1987** and the **Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987**, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and for other purposes.\".\n\nThe **Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995** was assented to on 5 December 1995 and came into operation as follows:\n\nSections 1, 2 on 5 December 1995: s. 2(1); rest of Act on 30 April 1996: Special Gazette (No. 45) 30 April 1996 page 1.\n\nINTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)\n\nStyle changes\n\nSection 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.\n\nReferences to ILA s. 39B\n\nSidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided section or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subsections or subclauses, the original section or clause becomes subsection or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression \"(1)\" at the beginning of the original section or clause.\n\nInterpretation\n\nAs from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:\n\n• Headings\n\nAll headings included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any heading inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; sections; clauses; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms. See section 36(1A)(2A).\n\n• Examples, diagrams or notes\n\nAll examples, diagrams or notes included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Act. See section 36(3A).\n\n• Punctuation\n\nAll punctuation included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 forms part of that Act. Any punctuation inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. See section 36(3B).\n\n• Provision numbers\n\nAll provision numbers included in an Act form part of that Act, whether inserted in the Act before, on or after 1 January 2001. Provision numbers include section numbers, subsection numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).\n\n• Location of \"legislative items\"\n\nA \"legislative item\" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of an Act is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.\n\n• Other material\n\nAny explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of an Act.  \nSee section 36(3)(3D)(3E).\n\n2 Table of Amendments\n\nThis publication incorporates amendments made to the **Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995** by Acts and subordinate instruments.\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n**Miscellaneous Acts (Omnibus No. 3) Act 1997, No. 45/1997**\n\n| Assent Date: | 11.6.97 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 40 on 29.4.96: s. 2(2); s. 39 on 11.6.97: s. 2(1) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995** |\n\n\n**Public Sector Reform (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1998, No. 46/1998**\n\n| Assent Date: | 26.5.98 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 7(Sch. 1) on 1.7.98: s. 2(2) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995** |\n\n\n**Statute Law Revision Act 2000, No. 74/2000**\n\n| Assent Date: | 21.11.00 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 3(Sch. 1 item 146) on 22.11.00: s. 2(1) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995** |\n\n\n**Public Administration Act 2004, No. 108/2004**\n\n| Assent Date: | 21.12.04 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 117(1)(Sch. 3 item 239) on 5.4.05: Government Gazette 31.3.05 p. 602 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995** |\n\n\n**Public Sector Acts (Further Workplace Protection and Other Matters) Act 2006, No. 80/2006**\n\n| Assent Date: | 10.10.06 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 26(Sch. item 119) on 11.10.06: s. 2(1) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995** |\n\n\n**Statute Law Revision Act 2011, No. 29/2011**\n\n| Assent Date: | 21.6.11 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 3(Sch. 1 item 112) on 22.6.11: s. 2(1) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995** |\n\n\n**Fences Amendment Act 2014, No. 30/2014**\n\n| Assent Date: | 15.4.14 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 15 on 22.9.14: Special Gazette (No. 317) 16.9.14 p. 1 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995** |\n\n\n**Filming Approval Act 2014, No. 51/2014**\n\n| *Assent Date:* | 12.8.14 |\n| --- | --- |\n| *Commencement Date:* | S. 9(Sch. 2 item 23) on 1.3.15: s. 2(2) |\n| *Current State:* | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995** |\n\n\n**Parks and Crown Land Legislation Amendment Act 2017, No. 53/2017**\n\n| *Assent Date:* | 24.10.17 |\n| --- | --- |\n| *Commencement Date:* | Ss 56–66 on 15.12.17: Special Gazette (No. 433) 12.12.17 p. 1 |\n| *Current State:* | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995** |\n\n\n**Parks and Crown Land Legislation Amendment Act 2020, No. 40/2020**\n\n| *Assent Date:* | 1.12.20 |\n| --- | --- |\n| *Commencement Date:* | S. 116 on 1.5.21: Special Gazette (No. 189) 27.4.21 p. 1 |\n| *Current State:* | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995** |\n\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n3 Amendments Not in Operation\n\nThis version does not contain amendments that are not yet in operation.\n\n4 Explanatory details\n\nNo entries at date of publication.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains focused on its original purpose: establishing and empowering the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board to manage Victoria's zoos. While amendments have added specific provisions (such as filming approvals in 2014, updated corporate planning requirements in 2017, and the Yellingbo land management obligation in 2020), these are incremental adjustments within the original scope rather than mission creep. The Act has not expanded to regulate private zoos, wildlife parks generally, or unrelated activities."},"complexity_factors":["Moderate length (approximately 50 operative sections plus schedules)","Multiple amendment layers visible in the text (sections marked as inserted/substituted by amending Acts in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020)","Cross-references to at least 8 other Acts (Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978, Wildlife Act 1975, Planning and Environment Act 1987, Fences Act 1968, Impounding of Livestock Act 1994, Liquor Control Reform Act 1998, Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987, Filming Approval Act 2014, National Parks Act 1975)","Several defined terms in section 3 (acquired land, managed land, zoological collections, etc.) but not excessive","Conditional logic in land management provisions (e.g., section 25(3) allows Orders to restrict which functions apply to managed land)","Transitional provisions in Part 5 dealing with succession from the old 1967 Act and later amendments","Schedule-based land descriptions (Schedule 1) with plan references rather than metes and bounds","Some nested conditions in leasing provisions (section 33) with ministerial approval requirements for longer terms"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does:**\n\nThis Act creates the **Zoological Parks and Gardens Board** — the body that runs Victoria's major zoos (Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo, and Healesville Sanctuary). It sets out what the Board can do, how it's structured, and how it manages the land and animals under its care.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n* **Visitors** — anyone going to the zoo (rules about entry, fees, crowd control, and behaviour)\n* **The Board and its staff** — the people appointed to run the zoos, including the Chief Executive Officer and zoo directors\n* **Landowners near zoos** — particularly regarding fences and livestock that wander onto zoo land\n* **Businesses** — anyone wanting to lease space in a zoo, film at a zoo, or provide services like restaurants\n* **The Victorian Government** — the Minister oversees the Board, and the Crown owns the zoo lands\n\n**Key things the law covers:**\n\n* **Establishing the Board** — up to 9 appointed members with expertise in areas like zoology, business, conservation, or education (section 9)\n* **What the Board must do** — conserve wildlife, run educational programs, do research, and make the zoos enjoyable for the public (section 10)\n* **Powers over land** — the Board manages zoo land (even though it doesn't own it) and can acquire, lease, or license land for zoo purposes (sections 22–33)\n* **Special rules for Healesville** — a specific section (33A) requires the Board to manage part of Healesville Sanctuary (the \"Yellingbo land\") according to National Parks Act purposes\n* **Filming** — the Act works with the *Filming Approval Act 2014* so film permits can be issued for zoo locations (section 4A)\n* **Enforcement** — regulations can be made for public safety, animal protection, and entry conditions, with penalties for breaches (section 41)\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThis law ensures Victoria's zoos are run professionally as conservation and education institutions, not just tourist attractions. It balances the Board's independence with government oversight, protects the animals and land, and gives the Board commercial flexibility (like leasing space or selling intellectual property) to fund its work. It also ensures continuity — when the old Zoological Board was abolished in 1996, all its assets and staff transferred seamlessly to the new Board."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Since the Act's original 1995 foundation, subsequent amendments have broadened the Board's practical operating scope beyond the purely custodial and managerial functions set out at enactment. Notable extensions include: (1) explicit integration with filming approvals and film‑friendly principles (s 4A, s 41(3)), (2) strengthened corporate planning and Ministerial direction powers (s 18) that increase central oversight of Board strategy and reporting, (3) clearer and expanded commercialisation powers — including intellectual property management and licensing, on-site hospitality and liquor licensing (ss 12(d)–(f), 13), and explicit leasing powers with Ministerial approval for long leases (s 33), and (4) specific land-management directives (for example, Yellingbo/Healesville in s 33A inserted 2020). These additions remain within the Act's stated objectives (conservation, public enjoyment, education and research) but materially increase the Board's commercial and regulatory responsibilities, the Minister's control over strategic documents and approvals, and the range of third‑party activities permitted within park lands."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple land categories with distinct rules: 'zoological parks' (Schedule 1, s 24), 'managed land' (ss 25–26) and 'acquired land' (s 3 and ss 28, 31)","Cross-references to several other Acts (Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 s 22; Filming Approval Act 2014 ss 4A, 41(3); Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 s 13(3); Fences Act 1968 and Impounding of Livestock Act 1994 s 15; Planning and Environment Act 1987 s 26(5))","Delegation and layered decision-making: Board, Minister, CEO, directors and authorised officers (ss 8, 16, 34, 37, 38, 40)","Corporate planning regime with Ministerial directions and amendment powers (s 18) and mandatory notification of significant events (s 20)","Commercialisation and IP provisions (s 12(d)–(f)) plus fee-setting and leasing rules requiring Ministerial approval for longer leases (s 12(k), s 33)","Schedule 2 contains governance, appointment, vacancy and conflict-of-interest rules with procedural detail (Schedule 2, cll 1–11)","Multiple amendment insertions and consequential transitional provisions across years (notably inserts from 2014, 2017, 2020) reflected in disjointed numbering and notes","Regulatory drafting flexibility: regulations may differ by time/place/class and confer discretions or exemptions (s 41(2)), creating conditional rules and exceptions","Notice and publication obligations for land status changes (ss 29–30) and a General Account framework (s 21) introducing administrative steps"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does (mechanically)\n\n- Establishes a corporate body called the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board (the \"Board\") with perpetual succession, a common seal and the ability to sue and be sued (s 6).\n- Sets out the Board's functions: conserve and manage the parks and collections, promote public enjoyment and education, undertake research and advise the Minister (s 10).  \n- Gives the Board broad powers to operate (s 11) and specific powers to contract, acquire and dispose of specimens and property, manage intellectual property, provide consultancy, affiliate with other bodies, accept donations and charge fees (s 12).  \n- Allows the Board to provide visitor services (including restaurants and to apply for liquor licences) (s 13), and to manage crowd admissions for safety (s 14).\n- Provides statutory categories of land the Board manages: \"zoological parks\" (Schedule 1 and s 24), \"managed land\" (Crown or freehold land placed under management, ss 25–26), and \"acquired land\" (owned by the Board but not part of a park, s 3).  \n- Confers powers to grant leases (up to 21 years with Minister approval), licences and short-term permits for use of park or managed land (s 33).  \n- Requires a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and gives the CEO day‑to‑day control of the parks under Board direction (ss 34, 37, 38).  \n- Establishes corporate planning obligations: the Minister may request corporate planning documents and may direct amendments; the Board must notify the Minister promptly of events that may significantly affect achievement of objectives or financial targets (s 18, s 20).  \n- Creates financial arrangements (a General Account into which Board money is paid and from which permitted expenses are met) (s 21).  \n- Removes application of Crown reserves legislation to zoological parks so the parks are managed under this Act (s 22).  \n- Provides enforcement points: who may bring proceedings (s 40), power to make regulations (including fees and entry conditions) with penalties up to 20 penalty units (s 41), and requirements to display brief particulars of offences at entrances (s 42).  \n\nWho is affected\n\n- Board members and the Minister: appointment, oversight and Ministerial directions (ss 8, 9; Schedule 2).  \n- The CEO and Board staff: day‑to‑day management and employment (ss 34, 38, 39).  \n- Visitors and the general public: entry conditions, opening hours, crowd control, and potential fees (ss 14, 41).  \n- Businesses and third parties: potential lessees, licensees and permit-holders for commercial activities within parks (s 33), providers of services (s 13), and parties dealing with Board-owned land (ss 25–33).  \n- Filmmakers: the Act is designated \"filming approval legislation\" and film permit rules must be consistent with film‑friendly principles (s 4A, s 41(3)).  \n- Adjacent landowners: specific rules about fences and impounding trespassing livestock where the Board is treated as occupier/owner for certain Acts (s 15).\n\nWhy it matters (stated purpose and how the law achieves it)\n\n- The Act's stated purposes are to set up the Board and provide for the management and administration of Victoria's zoological parks and gardens (s 1) and its objectives include conservation, public enjoyment, education and research (s 4).  \n- Mechanisms used to pursue those goals include statutory management responsibility for specific park lands (s 23–24 and Schedule 1), powers to run visitor services and educational programs (ss 10, 12, 13), and ability to hold and exchange animals and plants for scientific and educational purposes (s 12(a)).\n\nPolicy and practical implications (incentives, costs, trade‑offs and implementation friction)\n\n- Revenue incentives and commercialisation: the Board can charge fees (s 12(k)), accept donations (s 12(j)), exploit intellectual property (s 12(d)–(f)), run on-site services (s 13) and grant leases/licences (s 33). These powers create clear incentives for the Board to pursue earned‑revenue activities alongside conservation and education functions.  \n- Ministerial control vs operational autonomy: the Board acts on behalf of the Crown and is subject to the Minister's general direction (ss 7–8). The Minister can require and direct corporate planning documents (s 18) and must approve certain leases and the scope of management for Crown land (ss 25, 33). This structure centralises key choices (appointments, major land and commercial decisions) in the executive.  \n- Delegation and line management: the Board may delegate most functions to committees, the CEO or staff (s 16). That concentrates operational day‑to‑day decisions with the CEO and directors (ss 37–39), while strategic decisions and approvals remain at Board/Minister level.  \n- Administrative and compliance burdens: the Board must maintain a General Account and follow prescribed accounting and notice requirements (s 21; ss 29–30 require Gazette notices when land status changes). Corporate planning and mandatory notification to the Minister of significant events (s 20) create ongoing reporting duties.  \n- Land and contract flexibility with statutory checks: the Board has broad powers to acquire, manage and dispose of land (ss 24–33) and to enter into long leases subject to Ministerial approval (s 33). The Planning and Environment Act's Division 2 is applied to freehold management agreements (s 26(5)), which imposes statutory registration and planning conveyancing mechanisms.  \n- Competition and third‑party effects: the Act enables third parties to operate commercially inside parks (s 33). That can foster business opportunities (hospitality, retail, filming) but also produces concentrated beneficiaries (lessees/licensees) whose arrangements are subject to Ministerial approval.  \n- Limited penal deterrence: regulations may set penalties up to 20 penalty units (s 41(2)(f)), which is a relatively low maximum for regulatory non‑compliance — most detailed enforcement will therefore rely on administrative powers and conditions attached to permits, leases and licences.  \n- Specific practical constraints and protections: adjacent landowners are relieved of some fence‑cost obligations (s 15(2)), the Board is treated as occupier for certain livestock impounding and fence provisions (s 15(1), (3)), and the Act preserves the ability to comply with gifts' terms (s 27).\n\nConcrete sections to watch for those implementing or affected by the Act\n\n- Board powers and restrictions: ss 10–13, 16, 33.  \n- Land management and classification: ss 22–33 and Schedule 1.  \n- Ministerial oversight and corporate planning: ss 8, 18, 20.  \n- CEO and staff responsibilities: ss 34, 37–39.  \n- Filming and entertainment permissions: s 4A and s 41(3).  \n\nSummary takeaway\n\nThe Act sets up a statutory Board responsible for managing specified zoological parks and related land, gives it broad operating, commercial and land‑management powers, ties it into Ministerial oversight through corporate planning and approvals, and provides routine enforcement and regulatory tools. Those arrangements open revenue and partnership opportunities for the Board (fees, leases, IP exploitation, services and filming) while imposing planning, reporting and Ministerial-approval constraints that shape how the Board balances commercial activity with conservation, education and public access obligations."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available information, the Act appears to have remained focused on its original purpose of governing zoological parks and gardens in Victoria. Version history indicates amendments have been made since 1995, but there is no indication of significant scope creep or departure from the original intent."},"complexity_factors":["Establishes a statutory body (Board) with specific governance rules, which requires understanding of corporate/public law concepts","Intersects with other legislation such as animal welfare laws, public land management, and financial accountability frameworks","Contains provisions about employment, contracts, and delegation of powers that add layers of legal nuance","Limited publicly available detail in the provided excerpt makes full assessment difficult — version history suggests amendments over time that may have added complexity","Relatively narrow and specific subject matter keeps overall complexity moderate"],"plain_english_summary":"The Act creates a statutory Board to govern Victoria’s zoological parks and gardens, giving it powers over management, staff, finances, animal care and exhibition, and authority to charge fees and run commercial activities.  \n\nIt affects zoo visitors, staff and management, animals housed in the parks, and taxpayers/government by imposing governance, accountability and public‑purpose duties (conservation, education and community enjoyment)."},"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/zoological-parks-and-gardens-act-1995","history":"/api/acts/zoological-parks-and-gardens-act-1995/history","analysis":"/api/acts/zoological-parks-and-gardens-act-1995/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/zoological-parks-and-gardens-act-1995/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/zoological-parks-and-gardens-act-1995/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/zoological-parks-and-gardens-act-1995/documents"}}