3Interpretation

3 Interpretation

(1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:

Chairperson means the Chairperson of the Commission.

Commission means the Resource Assessment Commission established by section 5.

Commissioner means the Chairperson or a special Commissioner.

Commonwealth authority means:

(a) a body or an authority established for a public purpose by or under a law of the Commonwealth (other than the Administration of the Territory of Norfolk Island established under subsection 5(2) of the Norfolk Island Act 1979); or
(b) a body corporate:
(i) incorporated under a law of the Commonwealth or a State; and
(ii) in which the Commonwealth has a controlling interest.

conservation means the management of the human use of the biosphere so that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit to present generations while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations, and includes the preservation, maintenance, sustainable utilisation, restoration and enhancement of the environment.

development means the modification of the biosphere to satisfy human needs and improve the quality of life.

Division, in relation to an inquiry, means the Chairperson and the special Commissioners (if any) for the inquiry.

ecosystem means a dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro‑organism communities and their non‑living environment interacting as a functional unit.

environment includes:

(a) ecosystems and their constituent parts, including people and communities; and
(b) natural and physical resources; and
(c) the qualities and characteristics of locations, places and areas; and
(d) the social, economic and cultural aspects of a thing mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c).

evidence, in relation to an inquiry, includes a submission to an inquiry, whether oral or written.

inhabited external Territory means:

(a) Norfolk Island;
(b) the Territory of Christmas Island; or
(c) the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

inquiry means an inquiry held under paragraph 16(3)(a).

Judge means: