Royal Botanic Gardens Act 1991

Version No. 030

Royal Botanic Gardens Act 1991

No. 87 of 1991

Version incorporating amendments as at
15 December 2017

table of provisions

Section Page

Part 1—Preliminary 1

1 Purposes 1

2 Commencement 1

3 Definitions 1

3A Filming Approval Act 2014 4

4 Act binds the Crown 4

5 Objectives 4

Part 2—The Royal Botanic Gardens Board 6

Division 1—Establishment and membership 6

6 Establishment 6

7 Board represents Crown 6

8 Board member's immunity 6

9 Board's accountability 7

10 Membership and procedure 7

Division 2—Functions and general powers 7

11 Functions 7

12 General powers 9

13 Delegation 9

Division 3—Miscellaneous specific powers 9

14 Specific powers 9

15 Services 11

Division 4—Powers over land 11

16 Botanic gardens 11

17 Managed Crown land 11

18 Managed freehold land 12

19 Notice of managed land 13

20 Land acquired by gift 13

21 When is acquired land not managed land? 13

22 Notice where land ceases to be managed land 14

23 Disposal of land 14

24 Leases, licences and permits 14

Division 5—Powers over the State botanical collection 15

25 Additions to the collection 15

26 Maintaining the collection 16

27 Disposal of the collection 16

Division 6—Works 16

28 Board may carry out works 16

Division 7—Finance and reporting 17

29 General fund 17

30 Borrowing and investment powers 18

31 Treasurer's guarantees 18

32 Agreements with Secretary 19

33 Secretary's access to financial information 19

35 Corporate planning documents of the Board 19

Part 3—The Director and staff 21

Division 1—The Director 21

38 Appointment of Director 21

41A Appointment of acting Director 21

42 Reappointment to public service and superannuation 22

43 Director's role 22

44 Director must give Secretary financial information 23

Division 2—Chief botanist and other staff 23

45 Nomination of chief botanist 23

46 Role of the chief botanist 23

47 Delegation by chief botanist 23

48 Other staff 24

Division 3—General 24

49 Staff not subject to Public Administration Act 2004 24

Part 4—Enforcement and regulations 25

50 Who may take proceedings? 25

50A Offences 25

50B Requirement to give name and address 25

50C Authorised officers must identify themselves 27

51 Regulations 27

Part 5—Amendments and transitional provisions 30

Division 2—Transitional provisions 30

53 Assets and liabilities to vest in Board 30

54 Reservations and tenures to continue 31

55 Gifts, trusts etc. 31

57 Transferred staff 32

58 Superannuation and reappointment to the public service 32

59 References to government botanist 33

60 Transitional provisions—Parks and Crown Land Legislation Amendment Act 2017 34

Schedules 35

Schedule 1—Botanic Gardens 35

Schedule 2—Membership of the Board 36

Schedule 3—Procedure of the Board 40

Endnotes 42

1 General information 42

2 Table of Amendments 44

3 Amendments Not in Operation 46

4 Explanatory details 47

Version No. 030

Royal Botanic Gardens Act 1991

No. 87 of 1991

Version incorporating amendments as at
15 December 2017

The Parliament of Victoria enacts as follows:

Part 1—Preliminary

1 Purposes

The main purposes of this Act are—

(a) to establish the Royal Botanic Gardens Board and define its functions;

(b) to establish a position of Director, Royal Botanic Gardens;

(c) to provide for the management of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne and the National Herbarium of Victoria;

(d) to make consequential amendments to Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981.

2 Commencement

This Act comes into operation on a day to be proclaimed.

3 Definitions

(1) In this Act—

S. 3(1) def. of authorised officer inserted by No. 86/2003 s. 3(1)(b).

authorised officer means a person appointed as an authorised officer under the Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987 for the purposes of this Act;

Board means the Royal Botanic Gardens Board established under Part 2;

S. 3(1) def. of botanic gardens amended by No. 86/2003 s. 3(1)(a).

botanic gardens means Crown lands for the time being described in Schedule 1, as added to, removed or altered under subsection (2);

chief botanist means the person designated as chief botanist under Division 2 of Part 3;

S. 3(1) def. of corporate planning document inserted by No. 53/2017 s. 42.

corporate planning document means—

(a) a statement of corporate intent; or

(b) a corporate plan; or

(c) a business plan;

S. 3(1) def. of Director amended by No. 38/1995 s. 4.

Director means the Director, Royal Botanic Gardens appointed under Division 1 of Part 3 and includes a person acting as Director under section 41A;

S. 3(1) def. of Director-General repealed by No. 76/1998 s. 32(a)(i).

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S. 3(1) def. of film friendly principles inserted by No. 51/2014 s. 9(Sch. 2 item 17.1).

film friendly principles has the same meaning as in the Filming Approval Act 2014;

S. 3(1) def. of film permit inserted by No. 51/2014 s. 9(Sch. 2 item 17.1).

film permit has the same meaning as in the Filming Approval Act 2014;

managed land means land, other than the botanic gardens, managed by the board, whether or not the Board is owner;

National Herbarium means—

(a) the building on the land shown hatched on the plan in Part 1 of Schedule 1 known as the National Herbarium of Victoria; and

(b) any other place under the management of the Board that the Board designates as part of the National Herbarium;

S. 3(1) def. of Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne inserted by No. 86/2003 s. 3(1)(b).

Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne means the lands for the time being described in Part 2 of Schedule 1, as added to, removed or altered under subsection (2);

S. 3(1) def. of Secretary inserted by No. 76/1998 s. 32(a)(ii).

Secretary means the body corporate established by Part 2 of the Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987;

State botanical collection means the collection of—

(a) botanical specimens;

(b) paintings, photographs and drawings and other artistic material;

(c) documents of all kinds—

for the time being located at the National Herbarium;

transferred assets and liabilities means—

(a) assets which are, or the management of which is, transferred to the Board under Division 2 of Part 5; or

(b) liabilities transferred to the Board under that Division.

S. 3(2) substituted by No. 86/2003 s. 3(2).

(2) The Governor in Council, by Order published in the Government Gazette, may add an area of Crown land to or remove an area of Crown land from the Crown land shown in Part 2 of Schedule 1 or alter an area of Crown land shown in Part 2 of Schedule 1.

S. 3(3) inserted by No. 46/1998 s. 7(Sch. 1), repealed by No. 76/1998 s. 32(b).

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S. 3A inserted by No. 51/2014 s. 9(Sch 2 item 17.2).

3A Filming Approval Act 2014

This Act is filming approval legislation within the meaning of the Filming Approval Act 2014.

4 Act binds the Crown

This Act binds the Crown not only in right of Victoria but also, so far as the legislative power of the Parliament permits, the Crown in all its other capacities.

5 Objectives

The following are the objectives of this Act—

(a) to conserve, protect and improve the botanic gardens and managed land and their collections of living plants;

(b) to conserve and enhance the State botanical collection and National Herbarium;

(c) to provide for the use of the State botanical collection or plants or plant specimens at the botanic gardens or managed land for scientific or reference purposes, consistent with accepted international practice;

(d) to increase public knowledge and awareness of plants and plant communities;

S. 5(e) amended by No. 86/2003 s. 4(a).

(e) to provide for the use of the botanic gardens for education, public enjoyment and tourism;

S. 5(f) inserted by No. 86/2003 s. 4(b).

(f) to provide for—

(i) the carrying out of and contribution to research into biodiversity; and

(ii) the conservation of biodiversity.

Part 2—The Royal Botanic Gardens Board

Division 1—Establishment and membership

6 Establishment

(1) There is established by this Act a body corporate to be called the "Royal Botanic Gardens Board".

(2) The Board—

(a) has perpetual succession; and

(b) shall have a common seal; and

(c) subject to this Act, is capable of acquiring, holding or disposing of real or personal properties; and

(d) may sue and be sued in its corporate name; and

(e) may do or suffer anything that bodies corporate may by law do or suffer.

(3) The common seal of the Board must be kept in the custody that the Board may direct and must not be used except as authorised by the Board.

(4) All courts must take judicial notice of the seal of the Board affixed to a document and must presume that it was properly affixed.

7 Board represents Crown

The Board, in carrying out its functions and powers, acts on behalf of the Crown.

8 Board member's immunity

(1) A member of the Board is not personally liable for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith—

(a) in carrying out a function or power under this Act; or

(b) in the reasonable belief that the act or omission was in the carrying out of a function or power under this Act.

(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.

9 Board's accountability

In carrying out its functions and powers, the Board is subject to the general direction and control of the Minister.

10 Membership and procedure

(1) Schedule 2 contains provisions about the membership of the Board.

(2) Schedule 3 contains provisions about the procedure of the Board.

Division 2—Functions and general powers

11 Functions

The following are the functions of the Board—

(a) to conserve, protect, manage and improve the botanic gardens and managed land and their collections of living plants;

(b) to maintain, conserve and improve the State botanical collection and the National Herbarium;

(c) to conserve qualities of cultural or historical significance associated with the botanic gardens or managed land;

S. 11(d) substituted by No. 86/2003 s. 5(a).

(d) to carry out and contribute to botanical and horticultural research and research into biodiversity;

(e) to carry out or encourage the carrying out of surveys of vegetation;

(f) to increase public knowledge and awareness of the botanic gardens and the State botanical collection and of plants and plant communities, through—

(i) publications;

(ii) providing educational information and advisory services;

(g) to promote and increase public enjoyment of the botanic gardens and managed land and of plants and plant communities;

S. 11(h) substituted by No. 86/2003 s. 5(b).

(h) to conserve biodiversity and increase the public awareness of the need for the conservation of biodiversity and the threat to biodiversity;

(i) to provide advice and assistance to managers of other botanical gardens and public gardens in Victoria;

S. 11(ia) inserted by No. 38/1995 s. 5.

(ia) to provide specialist advice and services on horticulture, arboriculture and landscaping and the maintenance of gardens to public bodies and, subject to the approval of the Minister, to corporations;

(j) to advise the Minister on—

(i) any matter relating to the Board's functions or powers; or

(ii) any matter referred to it by the Minister;

(k) to carry out any other functions conferred by or under this or any other Act.

12 General powers

(1) The Board may do anything necessary or convenient to enable it to carry out its functions.

(2) The Board's specific powers do not limit the general powers conferred by this section.

13 Delegation

(1) The Board may, by instrument under seal, delegate any of its functions or powers (except this power of delegation) to—

(a) a committee of the Board; or

(b) the Director; or

(c) any of its members; or

(d) any member of its staff.

(2) A delegation under subsection (1) may be made to a specified person or class of persons referred to in that subsection.

Division 3—Miscellaneous specific powers

14 Specific powers

For the purpose of carrying out its functions, the Board has, subject to this Act, the following powers—

(a) to give or to take botanical specimens by way of loan or exchange with scientific or educational institutions;

(b) to enter into contracts, agreements or arrangements and carry them out;

(c) to publish information;

(d) to apply for, obtain and hold (whether alone or jointly with any other person) any intellectual property rights;

(e) to assign or grant licences in respect of those intellectual property rights, with or without consideration;

(f) to enter into agreements or arrangements concerning the commercial exploitation of those intellectual property rights;

(g) to provide consultancy or advisory services to any Minister, government department, public statutory authority or other person whatever;

(h) to become a member or affiliate of any body, corporate or unincorporate, having similar functions to those of the Board;

(i) subject to this Act, to acquire, hold or dispose of any interest in real or personal property, with or without consideration;

(j) to accept or refuse grants or donations of money or other property (whether by deed, will or otherwise);

(k) to fix and collect reasonable fees for anything it does under this Act, except entry fees mentioned in paragraph (l);

(l) to collect—

(i) any prescribed fees for entry to the botanic gardens, managed land or any part of those lands; and

(ii) any money owing in respect of leases, licences or permits under this Act;

S. 14(m) amended by Nos 38/1995 s. 6, 86/2003 s. 6, 53/2017 s. 43.

(m) to sell or dispose of plants, including to carry on a business of selling plants;

(n) to designate any place under its management as part of the National Herbarium;

(o) to spend money received by it in carrying out its functions and powers.

15 Services

(1) The Board may provide or arrange for the provision of restaurant or refreshment services or services of any other kind at the botanic gardens or on managed land despite anything in the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 or any Order in Council reserving the land.

(2) Those services must be consistent with the objectives of this Act and the functions of the Board.

Division 4—Powers over land

16 Botanic gardens

The Board is responsible for the management of the botanic gardens but does not own them.

17 Managed Crown land

(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 the botanic gardens.

(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.

(3) The Order—

(a) may state which of the Board's functions and powers are exercisable in relation to the managed land;

(b) may impose any other restrictions or conditions on the management of the land that the Governor in Council thinks fit;

(c) may revoke the appointment of any committee of management to the extent that it applies to the managed land.

(4) On the revocation of an Order under this section, the land to which the Order applied ceases to be under the Board's management and its management reverts to the Crown.

18 Managed freehold land

(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.

(2) The agreement—

(a) may state which of the Board's functions or powers are exercisable in relation to the managed land;

(b) may impose any other restriction or condition on the management of the land;

(c) may authorise the Board on behalf of the owner to do anything necessary to carry out the agreement;

(d) may contain any other provision concerning the management of the land.

(3) The agreement—

(a) may be ended or varied by agreement between the parties;

(b) unless registered under a provision applied by subsection (5), ends when there is a change in the ownership of the land.

(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.

(5) Division 2 of Part 9 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 applies to the agreement as if—

(a) it were an agreement under that Division;

(b) that Division referred to the Board instead of the responsible authority;

(c) sections 174 to 180 and 184 were omitted.

19 Notice of managed land

The Board must publish in the Government Gazette a notice that land (other than Crown land) has become managed land as soon as possible after—

(a) the land is acquired by the Board; or

(b) the Board enters into an agreement to manage the land under this Division.

20 Land acquired by gift

If 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.

21 When is acquired land not managed land?

(1) Land acquired by the Board does not become managed land to the extent to which—

(a) the Board considers it unsuitable to be included in the botanic gardens or to be managed by the Board; and

(b) the Minister approves.

(2) The Board may in relation to land to which subsection (1) applies—

(a) maintain its existing state or use; and

(b) exercise any other management powers that it thinks fit and the Minister approves.

22 Notice where land ceases to be managed land

(1) The Board may surrender to the Crown any land which it owns, whether it is managed land or not.

(2) As soon as possible after land owned by the Board ceases to be managed land, the Board must publish notice of the fact in the Government Gazette.

23 Disposal of land

The Board may dispose of any interest in land which it owns.

24 Leases, licences and permits

(1) This section applies despite anything in the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978.

(2) The Board may, in relation to the botanic gardens or managed land, on any consideration, rental, fees or other terms it thinks fit—

S. 24(2)(a) amended by Nos 38/1995 s. 7(1), 53/2017 s. 44(1).

(a) with the approval of the Minister, grant leases, each of which is for a term not exceeding 21 years;

S. 24(2)(b) amended by Nos 86/2003 s. 7, 53/2017 s. 44(2).

(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 10 years;

(c) grant permits, each of which is for a term of 12 months or less.

(3) A lease, licence or permit under this section must be for a purpose that will promote the objectives of this Act and the Board's functions.

S. 24(3A) inserted by No. 38/1995 s. 7(2).

(3A) Despite subsection (3), the Board may grant a lease for residential purposes of any residence situated in the botanic gardens.

(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 the botanic gardens or managed land.

S. 24A inserted by No. 86/2003 s. 8, repealed by No. 53/2017 s. 45.

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Division 5—Powers over the
State botanical collection

25 Additions to the collection

(1) As soon as possible after the chief botanist receives from the Board botanical specimens or other property acquired by the Board for inclusion in the State botanical collection, the chief botanist must determine in writing whether or not to add them to the collection.

(2) The Board may sell or dispose of any botanical specimens or other property which the chief botanist determines should not be included in the State botanical collection.

26 Maintaining the collection

The Board must not remove any part of the State botanical collection from the National Herbarium, except in carrying out its functions and powers under this Act.

27 Disposal of the collection

(1) The Board must not sell, lease or otherwise dispose of anything in the State botanical collection unless it considers, after consulting the chief botanist, that the material is worthless or no longer suitable for inclusion in the collection.

(2) Before selling anything in the State botanical collection the Board must—

(a) publish notice of its intention in a newspaper circulating generally throughout Victoria; and

(b) get the approval of the Governor in Council.

(3) If this section, section 26 or another provision of this Act concerning the State Botanical collection is inconsistent with the Public Records Act 1973, the provision of this Act prevails.

Division 6—Works

28 Board may carry out works

(1) For the purpose of carrying out its functions and powers, the Board may, in relation to the botanic gardens or managed land, carry out any works it thinks fit.

(2) In subsection (1) works includes works for the construction, alteration, extension or demolition of improvements on land.

(3) The Governor in Council, by Order published in the Government Gazette, may direct that the Board must get the approval of the Minister before carrying out works—

(a) of a type specified in the Order; or

(b) with a value greater than that specified in the Order.

(4) The Board must comply with an Order under subsection (3).

S. 28(5) repealed by No. 101/1994 s. 69.

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Division 7—Finance and reporting

29 General fund

(1) The Board must keep a fund called the General Fund.

(2) The Board must ensure that there is paid into the General Fund—

(a) all fees and penalties received or recovered under this Act; and

(b) all other money received by it or on its behalf.

(3) The Board may pay money out of the General Fund—

(a) to meet any expenses incurred in carrying out its functions or powers;

(b) in paying or repaying money borrowed by it under this Act, together with any charges or interest on that money;

(c) in paying remuneration allowances or expenses to which its members, staff or any members of its committees are entitled;

(d) for any other purpose authorised by this Act.

(4) The Board must ensure that all money in the General Fund that is not immediately required for its purposes must be kept in an account or accounts at a financial institution or institutions approved by the Treasurer for the purpose.

30 Borrowing and investment powers

(1) With the approval of the Treasurer, the Board may borrow money on any terms and conditions that the Treasurer approves.

(2) With the approval of the Treasurer, the Board may invest money in the General Fund in any manner the Treasurer approves.

31 Treasurer's guarantees

(1) The Treasurer may on behalf of the Government of Victoria guarantee the repayment of any loan (and any associated costs, charges and interest) taken out by the Board.

(2) The Treasurer may impose conditions on any guarantee given under this section.

(3) Any sum required by the Treasurer to fulfil a guarantee given under this section must be paid out of the Consolidated Fund (which is, by this subsection, appropriated to the necessary extent).

(4) Any sum received by the Treasurer in respect of any sum paid by the Treasurer under subsection (3) must be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

32 Agreements with Secretary

S. 32(1) amended by No. 76/1998 s. 32(c).

(1) With the Minister's approval, the Board and the Secretary may enter into an agreement—

(a) for the provision of services to or for each other; or

(b) for the use of each other's staff.

S. 32(2) amended by No. 76/1998 s. 32(c).

(2) The Board and the Secretary may do anything necessary to carry out an agreement under subsection (1).

33 Secretary's access to financial information

S. 33(1) amended by No. 76/1998 s. 32(c).

(1) The Secretary and each person authorised by the Secretary has a right of access at all times to the accounts and financial records of the Board.

S. 33(2) amended by No. 76/1998 s. 32(c).

(2) The Board must give to the Secretary any financial information or assistance that it is able to give and the Secretary requires.

S. 34
repealed by No. 31/1994 s. 4(Sch. 2 item 73).

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S. 35 substituted by No. 53/2017 s. 46.

35 Corporate planning documents of the  Board

(1) The Minister, in writing, may request the Board to prepare a corporate planning document to provide to the Minister.

(2) The Board must prepare a corporate planning document if requested by the Minister.

(3) A request under subsection (1) must—

(a) specify the date by which the corporate planning document must be provided to the Minister; and

(b) specify the information to be included in the corporate planning document and the form in which the information must be provided.

(4) A corporate planning document may be amended at any time by the Board with the approval of the Minister.

(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.

(6) The Board must comply with a direction under subsection (5).

Ss 36, 37 repealed by No. 31/1994 s. 4(Sch. 2 item 73).

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Part 3—The Director and staff

Division 1—The Director

S. 38 substituted by No. 53/2017 s. 47.

38 Appointment of Director

(1) The Board, by instrument, may appoint a Director, Royal Botanic Gardens.

(2) The Director holds office for a term specified in the instrument of appointment.

Ss 39–41 repealed by No. 53/2017 s. 48.

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S. 41A inserted by No. 38/1995 s. 8.

41A Appointment of acting Director

(1) The Board may, by instrument in writing, appoint a person to act as the Director during—

(a) any period when the Director is absent from duty or for any other reason unable to perform his or her duties; or

(b) a vacancy in the office of the Director.

(2) An appointment of a person as acting Director has effect during the absence, inability or vacancy but the person must not continue to act in the office for more than 6 months.

(3) An appointment as acting Director is on such other terms and conditions, including conditions as to the payment of allowances and expenses, as are determined by the Board.

(4) A person appointed as acting Director, while so acting, has all the powers and may perform all the duties of the Director.

(5) The Board may at any time terminate the appointment of a person as acting Director.

42 Reappointment to public service and superannuation

S. 42(1) substituted by No. 46/1998 s. 7(Sch. 1).

(1) If immediately before his or her appointment the Director was an employee in the public service he or she—

(a) is eligible to be employed in the public service at the termination of his or her appointment as Director with a classification and emolument corresponding with or higher than that which he or she held or received in the public service immediately before being appointed Director as if service as Director had been service in the public service;

(b) for the purposes of long service leave, is to be taken to continue to be an employee in the public service for the period of that appointment.

(2) If the Director was, immediately before appointment, an officer within the meaning
of the State Superannuation Act 1988 or a corresponding previous enactment, he or she continues, subject to that Act, to be an officer within the meaning of that Act while appointed as Director.

43 Director's role

The Director—

(a) is the Board's chief executive officer; and

(b) is subject to the direction of the Board; and

(c) has the day to day control and management of the botanic gardens, managed lands, the State botanical collection and the other property for which the Board is responsible.

S. 44 amended by No. 76/1998 s. 32(c).

44 Director must give Secretary financial information

The Director must give to the Secretary any information about the financial operations and financial affairs of the Board that the Secretary requires.

Division 2—Chief botanist and other staff

45 Nomination of chief botanist

(1) The Board may appoint an appropriately qualified person to be the chief botanist, may determine that person's terms and conditions of appointment (including remuneration), and may, subject to those terms and conditions of appointment, remove that person from office.

(2) The chief botanist is to be appointed as soon as practicable after the commencement of this Act.

46 Role of the chief botanist

The chief botanist—

(a) is responsible to the Director for the management of the State botanical collection and of research programs relating to it;

(b) is responsible for advising the Board on botanical matters;

(c) has the other functions conferred on the chief botanist by or under this or any other Act.

47 Delegation by chief botanist

The chief botanist may by instrument delegate any of his or her functions or powers as chief botanist under this Act or any other Act (except this power of delegation) to any person whom he or she considers appropriately qualified to carry them out.

48 Other staff

The Board may employ as many other staff as it considers necessary to assist it in carrying out its functions and powers, may determine their terms and conditions of employment (including remuneration), and may, subject to those terms and conditions, dismiss them.

Division 3—General

S. 49 amended by No. 46/1998 s. 7(Sch. 1), substituted by No. 108/2004 s. 117(1) (Sch. 3 item 177.1).

49 Staff not subject to Public Administration Act 2004

A person appointed or employed under this Part is not, in respect of that appointment or employment, subject to the Public Administration Act 2004.

Part 4—Enforcement and regulations

50 Who may take proceedings?

Proceedings under this Act or the regulations may be taken by—

(a) the Board; or

(b) the Director; or

S. 50(c) amended by No. 38/1995 s. 9.

(c) any person authorised by the Board or the Director either generally or in a particular case; or

S. 50(d) inserted by No. 38/1995 s. 9, amended by No. 86/2003 s. 9.

(d) an authorised officer.

S. 50A inserted by No. 38/1995 s. 10.

50A Offences

A person must not—

(a) take, destroy or damage any item in the State botanical collection; or

(b) take, destroy or damage any flora in the botanic gardens; or

(c) take, destroy or injure any fauna in the botanic gardens.

1. 50 penalty units.

S. 50B inserted by No. 86/2003 s. 10.

50B Requirement to give name and address

(1) If an authorised officer believes, on reasonable grounds, that a person has committed an offence against this Act or the regulations, the officer may ask the person to state his or her name and ordinary place of residence or business.

(2) In making a request under subsection (1), the officer must inform the person of the grounds for his or her belief that the person has committed the offence.

(3) A person must not, in response to a request under subsection (1)—

(a) refuse or fail to comply with the request without a reasonable excuse for doing so; or

(b) state a name that is false in a material detail; or

(c) state an address that is not the full and correct address of his or her ordinary place of residence or business.

1. 5 penalty units.

(4) If a person states a name and address in response to a request under subsection (1) and the officer suspects on reasonable grounds that the stated name and address may be false, the officer may request the person to produce evidence of the correctness of the name and address.

(5) A person to whom a request under subsection (4) is made must comply with the request, unless he or she has a reasonable excuse for not doing so.

1. 5 penalty units.

(6) It is not an offence for a person to fail to comply with a request under subsection (1) or (4)—

(a) if the authorised officer did not inform the person, at the time the request was made, that it is an offence to fail to comply with the request; or

(b) if the authorised officer did not identify himself or herself in accordance with section 50C before making the request.

S. 50C inserted by No. 86/2003 s. 10.

50C Authorised officers must identify themselves

An authorised officer must produce proof of his or her identity and official status—

(a) before exercising a power under section 50B; and

(b) at any time during the exercise of a power under section 50B, if asked to do so.

51 Regulations

(1) The Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Board may make regulations for or with respect to—

(a) the botanic gardens and managed land, including but not limited to—

(i) the preservation of good order and decency;

(ii) the safety of the public;

(iii) prohibiting or regulating traffic and parking;

S. 51(1)(a)(iv) amended by No. 38/1995 s. 11(1).

(iv) the care, protection, management and improvement;

(v) the care, protection and management of the State botanical collection;

(vi) prohibiting or regulating the lighting of fires;

(vii) prohibiting or regulating the holding of meetings and other activities;

(viii) entry fees;

(ix) prohibiting or regulating entry by persons, animals or vehicles;

(x) prohibiting or regulating the carrying on of trade or businesses;

(xi) the protection of flora and fauna;

(b) 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.

(2) The regulations—

(a) may be of general or limited application; and

(b) may differ according to differences in time, place or circumstances; and

(c) may confer discretions or powers or impose duties on any persons; and

(d) may impose specific, minimum or maximum fees; and

(e) may provide for the reduction, waiver or refund of fees, in whole or in part; and

(f) may empower the Minister to grant exemptions from the regulations, to impose conditions on those exemptions and to revoke those exemptions;

S. 51(2)(g) substituted by No. 38/1995 s. 11(2).

(g) may impose penalties not exceeding 20 penalty units for contravention of the regulations.

S. 51(2)(h) repealed by No. 38/1995 s. 11(2).

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S. 51(2A) inserted by No. 51/2014 s. 9(Sch. 2 item 17.3).

(2A) Any regulations made or having effect under this Act for or with respect to the issuing of film permits must not be inconsistent with the film friendly principles.

S. 51(3) amended by No. 78/2010 s. 24(Sch. 1 item 25).

(3) Regulations made or having effect under this Act may be disallowed in whole or in part by resolution of either House of Parliament.

Part 5—Amendments and transitional provisions

Pt 5 Div. 1 (Heading
and s. 52) repealed by No. 70/2013 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 48).

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Division 2—Transitional provisions

53 Assets and liabilities to vest in Board

(1) On the commencement of this section—

(a) the following vest in the Board—

(i) the State botanical collection;

(ii) all assets of the Crown or the Director-General located at or used solely in connection with the botanic gardens that are not part of the land, or treated as being part of the land, in the botanic gardens;

(b) all liabilities or obligations of the Crown or the Director-General in relation to the assets vested in the Board under paragraph (a) become liabilities and obligations of the Board.

(2) In relation to the transferred assets and liabilities—

(a) the Board is the successor in law of the Crown and the Director-General;

(b) a reference in an agreement or a document of any kind to the Crown or the Director-General must, on and from the commencement of this section, be taken to be a reference to the Board;

(c) all proceedings of any kind pending or existing by, against or in relation to the Crown or the Director-General have effect as if they were proceedings by, against or in relation to the Board and may be continued and completed accordingly.

54 Reservations and tenures to continue

(1) Subject to this section, the transfer of any property, or the transfer of the management of any property, to the Board under this Division does not affect any reservation, lease, licence, permit or other authority existing over the property or over the land on which the property is located immediately before the transfer.

(2) A lease, licence, permit or other authority granted by or on behalf of the Crown, a Minister or the Director-General and existing over—

(a) any land in the botanic gardens; or

(b) any other property which is, or the management of which is, transferred to the Board under this Division—

has effect on and from the commencement of this section as if granted by the Board and if any reference in it to the Crown, a Minister or the Director-General were a reference to the Board.

55 Gifts, trusts etc.

A gift, disposition, trust or trust fund made, declared or created in favour of the Crown or the Director-General for the purposes of the botanic gardens or any property which is, or the management of which is, transferred to the Board under this Division takes effect on and from the commencement of this section (to the extent that it is capable of doing so) in favour of the Board.

S. 56 repealed by No. 53/2017 s. 49.

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57 Transferred staff

(1) On the date of commencement of this section all officers or employees now under the Public Service Act 1974 employed at the botanic gardens or the National Herbarium become employees of the Board.

(2) The terms and conditions (including remuneration and leave entitlements) of employment of people transferred under this section must not be less favourable than those applying to them immediately before their transfer.

(3) For the purpose of long service leave entitlements as employees of the Board of those transferred under this section, their service with the public service must be taken to be service with the Board.

(4) There must be paid out of the Consolidated Fund (which is, by this subsection, appropriated to the necessary extent) any amount determined from time to time by the Treasurer after consultation with the Minister to be the component of any entitlement to paid sick leave or pay in lieu of long service leave attributable to the service with the public service of a person transferred under this section.

58 Superannuation and reappointment to the public service

(1) A person who becomes an employee of the Board under this Division may apply for promotion or transfer to an office in the public service or appeal against the promotion or transfer of another person to an office in the public service as if he or she were an officer in the public service.

S. 58(2) repealed by No. 46/1998
s. 7(Sch. 1).

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S. 58(3) amended by No. 46/1998
s. 7(Sch. 1).

(3) A person who becomes an employee of the Board under this Division is eligible to be appointed to a position in the public service with a classification and emolument corresponding with or higher than that which he or she held in the public service immediately before transfer to the Board, as if service with the Board were service in the public service.

(4) A person appointed to the public service under subsection (3) must be taken, while serving with the Board, to have continued to be an officer in the public service for the purposes of long service leave entitlements, but leave or pay in lieu of leave taken while serving with the Board must be taken into account in determining those entitlements.

(5) If a person who becomes an employee of the Board under this Division was, immediately before the transfer, an officer within the meaning of the State Superannuation Act 1988 or a corresponding previous enactment he or she continues, subject to that Act, to be an officer within the meaning of that Act while serving with the Board.

59 References to government botanist

On the commencement of this section a reference in any document to the government botanist must be taken to be a reference to the chief botanist.

S. 60 repealed by No. 86/2003 s. 11, new s. 60 inserted by No. 53/2017 s. 50.

60 Transitional provisions—Parks and Crown Land Legislation Amendment Act 2017

(1) On the commencement day, a corporate plan of a Board prepared under section 35 as in force immediately before that day is taken to be a corporate planning document prepared under section 35.

(2) On the commencement day, an appointment to the Board made under clause 1(2)(a) of Schedule 2 as in force immediately before that day is terminated and the person appointed to the Board under that clause goes out of office.

(3) In this section—

commencement day means the day on which Part 9 of the Parks and Crown Land Legislation Amendment Act 2017 comes into operation.

S. 61 inserted by No. 86/2003 s. 12, repealed by No. 53/2017 s. 51.

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Schedules

Schedule 1—Botanic Gardens

Part 1—Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne

The area shown bordered red on the plan bearing the identifying reference LEGL/91–46 and lodged in the Central Plan Office.

Sch. 1 Pt 2 substituted by No. 86/2003 s. 15(Sch.).

Part 2—Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne

03-127

Schedule 2—Membership of the Board

1 Members

(1) The Board consists of 7 members appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister.

Sch. 2 cl. 1(2) amended by No. 76/1998
s. 32(d), substituted by No. 53/2017 s. 52.

(2) The members of the Board must be people who, in the Minister's opinion, have knowledge or expertise in one or more of the following fields—

(a) botany or horticulture;

(b) business management, financial management or public administration;

(c) recreation provision, education or tourism;

(d) nature conservation.

(3) A person cannot be appointed a member of the Board if he or she—

Sch. 2 item 1(3)(a) amended by No. 42/1995 s. 224(Sch. 2 item 33(a)).

(a) is the Director;

Sch. 2 item 1(3)(b) repealed by No. 42/1995 s. 224(Sch. 2 item 33(b)).

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2 Term of office

(1) A member of the Board holds office for a term, which must not exceed 4 years, specified in the instrument of his or her appointment.

(2) A member of the Board is eligible for re‑appointment.

3 Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson

Sch. 2 cl. 3(1) amended by No. 53/2017 s. 53.

(1) From among the members of the Board there must be appointed a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson.

(2) The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson must be appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister.

Sch. 2 cl. 3(3) substituted by No. 86/2003 s. 13.

(3) A person appointed as Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson holds office for the period that is specified in the instrument of his or her appointment to that office (which must not be longer than the remaining period of his or her appointment as a member).

Sch. 2 cl. 3(3A) inserted by No. 86/2003 s. 13.

(3A) A person appointed as Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson is eligible for re-appointment to that office.

(4) A person appointed as Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson ceases to hold that office on ceasing to be a member of the Board.

4 Terms and conditions of office

In the instrument of appointment of the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson or a member of the Board, the Governor in Council may specify terms and conditions of appointment not inconsistent with this Schedule.

5 Resignation

The Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson or a member of the Board may resign that office by letter addressed and delivered to the Minister.

6 Removal from office

The Governor in Council may at any time remove from office the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson or a member of the Board.

7 Vacancies

The office of a member of the Board becomes vacant if the member—

Sch. 2 item 7(a) repealed by No. 42/1995 s. 224(Sch. 2 item 33(c)).

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(b) is absent from 3 consecutive meetings of the Board without the permission of—

(i) the Minister, in the case of the Chairperson; or

(ii) the chairperson, in the case of any other member; or

(c) is appointed as Director.

Sch. 2 cl. 8 amended by No. 46/1998 s. 7(Sch. 1), substituted by Nos 108/2004 s. 117(1) (Sch. 3 item 177.2), 80/2006 s. 26(Sch. item 93).

8 Member subject to Public Administration Act 2004

The Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson, or a member of the Board is, in respect of that office, subject to the Public Administration Act 2004 (other than Part 3 of that Act).

9 Remuneration and allowances

(1) The Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson or a member of the Board is entitled to receive—

(a) the remuneration from time to time fixed by the Governor in Council in respect of that office; and

(b) the travelling or other allowances and expenses from time to time fixed by the Governor in Council in respect of that office

Sch. 2 cl. 9(2) repealed by No. 53/2017 s. 54.

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10 Committees

(1) The Board may—

(a) establish any committees it considers necessary and define the constitution and functions of each committee so established;

(b) determine the procedure of each committee;

(c) change the constitution or functions of a committee;

(d) dissolve a committee.

(2) A person may be a member of a committee established by the Board even though he or she is not a member of the Board.

(3) The Director is an ex-officio member of each committee established by the Board.

(4) A member of a committee established by the Board is entitled to receive any travelling or other expenses determined by the Board.

Schedule 3—Procedure of the Board

1 Quorum

(1) A quorum of the Board is four members.

(2) At a meeting at which a quorum of the Board is present, the decision of the majority of the members present and voting at the meeting is the decision of the Board.

2 Who presides?

(1) The person who is to preside at a meeting of the Board is—

(a) the Chairperson, if he or she is present;

(b) the Deputy Chairperson, if the Chairperson is absent;

(c) a member elected by the members present at the meeting, if the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson are absent.

(2) The person presiding at a meeting of the Board has a casting as well as a deliberative vote.

3 General procedure

Subject to this Schedule the procedure of the Board is in its discretion.

4 Validity of decisions

A decision of the Board is not invalid only because of—

(a) a vacancy in its membership; or

(b) a defect or irregularity in the appointment of the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson or a member.

5 Declaration of interest

(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 declare the nature of the interest at a meeting of the Board, as soon as possible after becoming aware of the interest.

(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 member must declare that fact at a meeting of the Board as soon as possible after becoming aware of the potential conflict.

(3) The person presiding at a meeting at which a declaration under this clause is made must cause it to be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

(4) A person who has made a declaration under this clause must not take any further part in the discussion of or vote on, the contract or matter to which the declaration relates.

Sch. 4 repealed by No. 86/2003 s. 14.

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Endnotes

1 General information

See www.legislation.vic.gov.au for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.

Minister's second reading speech—

Legislative Assembly: 31 October 1991

Legislative Council: 20 November 1991

The long title for the Bill for this Act was "A Bill to establish the Royal Botanic Gardens Board and define its functions, to provide for the management of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, and the National Herbarium of Victoria, to make consequential amendments to the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 and for other purposes.".

The Royal Botanic Gardens Act 1991 was assented to on 10 December 1991 and came into operation on 1 July 1992: Government Gazette 1 July 1992 page 1629.

INTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)

Style changes

Section 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.

References to ILA s. 39B

Sidenotes 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.

Interpretation

As from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:

• Headings

All 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).

• Examples, diagrams or notes

All 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).

• Punctuation

All 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).

• Provision numbers

All 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).

• Location of "legislative items"

A "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.

• Other material

Any explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of an Act.
See section 36(3)(3D)(3E).

2 Table of Amendments

This publication incorporates amendments made to the Royal Botanic Gardens Act 1991 by Acts and subordinate instruments.

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Financial Management (Consequential Amendments) Act 1994, No. 31/1994

Project Development and Construction Management Act 1994, No. 101/1994

Royal Botanic Gardens and Victorian Conservation Trust (Amendment) Act 1995, No. 38/1995

Equal Opportunity Act 1995, No. 42/1995

Public Sector Reform (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1998, No. 46/1998

Conservation, Forests and Lands (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1998, No. 76/1998

Royal Botanic Gardens (Amendment) Act 2003, No. 86/2003

Public Administration Act 2004, No. 108/2004

Public Sector Acts (Further Workplace Protection and Other Matters) Act 2006, No. 80/2006

Subordinate Legislation Amendment Act 2010, No. 78/2010

Statute Law Revision Act 2013, No. 70/2013

Filming Approval Act 2014, No. 51/2014

Parks and Crown Land Legislation Amendment Act 2017, No. 53/2017

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3 Amendments Not in Operation

There are no amendments which were Not in Operation at the date of this publication.

4 Explanatory details

No entries at date of publication.