CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT IN THE RANGELANDS: A CRTICIAL EXAMINATION OF THE PASTORAL LAND ACT 1992 (NT)

FREYA DAWSON

ABSTRACT:

This article provides a case study of the land management provisions of the Pastoral Land Act 1992 (NT) (Pastoral Land Act). It considers the extent to which these provisions are likely to achieve the ecological sustainability of pastoral land use in the environment of the Northern Territory rangelands, with a particular focus on biodiversity conservation. I ask whether this law is appropriately adapted to the challenges of the particular environment to which it applies. The analysis derives from knowledge of the Northern Territory rangeland environment, an understanding of the conservation issues in the Northern Territory landscape and from the literature on environmental regulation. It is a textual analysis of the legislation, rather than an empirical study of the practical operation or implementation of the Pastoral Land Act It will be argued that there are some serious problems with the way land management responsibilities are framed in the legislation as well as weaknesses in the chosen enforcement mechanisms.