National Parks Act 1975

Parks Victoria may enter into an agreement with—

Melbourne Water Corporation for the management by Melbourne Water Corporation of a Melbourne water supply catchment area; or

Barwon Water for the management by Barwon Water of the Barwon water supply catchment area; or

Wannon Water for the management by Wannon Water of the Wannon water supply catchment area.

An agreement under subsection (1)—

must be in writing; and

must be consistent with the objects of this Act and with the duties imposed on Parks Victoria by sections 17(2)(ba), 17(3) and 32H; and

may be amended from time to time or terminated by a further written agreement between the parties.

An agreement under subsection (1)—

must specify those duties, functions and powers imposed on Parks Victoria by or under this Act which may be carried out by the managing water authority that has entered into the agreement in relation to the designated water supply catchment area to which the agreement relates; and

must specify those functions and powers of the managing water authority which may be performed by the managing water authority in relation to the designated water supply catchment area; and

may provide for the management and control by the managing water authority of any property within the designated water supply catchment area; and

must contain provisions with respect to—

the protection of conservation values within the designated water supply catchment area; and

fire protection and fire management within the area; and

prohibiting and regulating the activities of people within the area and access to the area by people; and

once-only harvesting of forest produce from those areas shown cross-hatched on the plans referred to in Parts 10 and 39 of Schedule Two, and the rehabilitation of those areas; and

procedures to be followed to prevent or settle disputes concerning the management of the area that arise between the parties during the currency of the agreement including the submission of any unresolved dispute to the Minister, the Minister responsible for the managing water authority and (in the case of Melbourne Water Corporation) the Treasurer, for a decision that is to be binding on the parties.

It is deemed to be a term of any agreement under subsection (1) that, despite any other provision of this Act, it is the function of the managing water authority to determine the policy necessary in a designated water supply catchment area—

to protect the area for the purposes of water supply; and

to maintain the water quality of and otherwise protect the water resources in the area; and

to restrict human activity for the purposes of giving effect to paragraphs (a) and (b).