ACTIn ForceAct
Environment Protection Act 1997
3DPrinciples applying to Act
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3D Principles applying to Act
(1) A person administering this Act must have regard to the following
principles where relevant:
(a) the principle of a shared responsibility for the environment,
including through—
(i) acknowledging environmental needs in economic and
social decision-making; and
(ii) public education about and public involvement in
decisions about protection, restoration and enhancement of
the environment;
(b) the precautionary principle;
(c) the inter-generational equity principle;
(d) the waste minimisation principle;
(e) the polluter pays principle;
(f) the principle of ecologically sustainable development.
ecologically sustainable development means the effective integration
of economic and environmental considerations in decision-making
processes, achievable through implementation of the following:
(a) the precautionary principle;
(b) the inter-generational equity principle;
(c) conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity;
(d) improved valuation and pricing of environmental resources.
inter-generational equity principle means that the present generation
should ensure that the health, diversity and productivity of the
environment is maintained or enhanced for the benefit of future
generations.
polluter pays principle means that polluters should bear the
appropriate share of the costs that arise from their activities.
precautionary principle means that, if there is a threat of serious or
irreversible environmental damage, a lack of full scientific certainty
should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent
environmental degradation.
waste minimisation principle means controlling the generation,
storage, collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste to
reduce, minimise and, where practical, eliminate harm to the
environment.