98Action for damages

98 Action for damages

S. 98(1) amended by Nos 76/1998 s. 3(1)(aa)(i), 19/2018 s. 83(1), 42/2021 s. 45(1)(b).

(1) If because of a person's contravention of a relevant law—

S. 98(1)(a) amended by Nos 19/2018 s. 83(1), 42/2021 s. 45(1)(a).

(a) the Secretary, Parks Victoria or the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority incurs charges costs or expenses; or

(b) property is lost damaged or destroyed—

the Secretary, Parks Victoria or the Authority may recover from that person in a court of competent jurisdiction damages for that contravention.

S. 98(2) amended by Nos 76/1998 s. 3(1)(aa)(i), 56/2003 s. 6, 19/2018 s. 83(2), 42/2021 s. 45(2).

(2) If in relation to property mentioned in subsection (3)(b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) the Secretary, Parks Victoria or the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority would, if the Secretary, Parks Victoria or the Authority owned or occupied the property, have an action for damages or be able to obtain other relief at law or in equity the Secretary, Parks Victoria or the Authority may, on behalf of the Crown, recover those damages or obtain that relief by action in a court of competent jurisdiction.

(3) In subsection (1) property includes any of the following—

S. 98(3)(a) amended by No. 76/1998 s. 3(1)(aa)(i).

(a) property of the Secretary;

S. 98(3)(ab) inserted by No. 19/2018 s. 83(3).

(ab) property of Parks Victoria;

S. 98(3)(ac) inserted by No. 42/2021 s. 45(3).

(ac) property of the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority;

(b) crown land;

(c) any natural feature on Crown land;

(d) any road structure improvement facility or thing on Crown land;

(e) forest produce;

(f) wildlife within the meaning of the Wildlife Act 1975;

S. 98(3)(g) inserted by No. 92/1995 s. 162(2).

(g) fish or protected aquatic biota within the meaning of the Fisheries Act 1995.

S. 98(4) amended by Nos 76/1998 s. 3(1)(aa)(i), 19/2018 s. 83(4), 42/2021 s. 45(4).

(4) The Secretary, Parks Victoria or the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority may bring an action under subsection (1) or (2) whether or not the person has been charged with an offence in respect of the contravention of a relevant law.

(5) In proceedings under this section relating to property lost damaged or destroyed a court may award damages (not exceeding the value of the property lost damaged or destroyed) which it considers appropriate.