ATNS - Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements project

Print this page
Director of National Parks and Wildlife
Category:	Organisation
Binomial Name:	Australian Commonwealth Government
Date:	1 January 1975
Sub Category:	Statutory Body
Place:	Canberra
	Click this link to search this location with google maps
State/Country:	Australian Capital Territory, Australia
	Click this link to search this location with google maps
Summary Information:
The Director of National Parks and Wildlife was established as a corporation sole by the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 (Cth), which was replaced on 16 July 2000 by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth). The new Act continues the corporation in existence, as the Director of National Parks.
Detailed Information:
The functions of the Director of National Parks are: a. to administer, manage and control Commonwealth reserves and conservation zones; b .to protect, conserve and manage biodiversity and heritage in Commonwealth reserves and conservation zones; c. to cooperate with any country in matters relating to the establishment and management of national parks and nature reserves in that country; d. to provide, and assist in the provision of, training in the knowledge and skills relevant to the establishment and management of national parks and nature reserves; e. to carry out alone or in cooperation with other institutions and persons, and to arrange for any other institution or person to carry out, research and investigations relevant to the establishment and management of Commonwealth reserves; f. to make recommendations to the Minister in relation to the establishment and management of Commonwealth reserves; g. to administer the Australian National Parks Fund; h. any other functions conferred on the Director under any other Act; and i. to do anything incidental or conducive to the performance of any of the functions mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (h) (inclusive). Upon the commencement of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service established by the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act to assist the Director, ceased to exist. The Director is now assisted in the performance of the Director's functions by staff of Parks Australia, a division of Environment Australia (the Department of the Environment and Heritage). Management of reserves established in Commonwealth marine areas is undertaken by the Marine and Water Division of Environment Australia under delegation from the Director. The Director is required to provide an annual report to the Minister for presentation to the Parliament. He is required to perform his functions and exercise his powers in accordance with any directions given by the Minister.