2017/07—Jervis Bay Territory Legislation Update

24 July 2017

The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development has completed a four-year project to update and improve legislation for the management of rural fire safety, emergency events or states of emergency and marine safety in the Jervis Bay Territory (JBT). Because of its proximity to NSW, JBT's legislation is as similar to NSW legislation as possible.

Updates to the following Ordinances and Rules are now in place:

• Jervis Bay Territory Rural Fires Ordinance and Rule 2014: provides for rural fire management in the JBT through the JBT Rural Fire Service, the JBT Fire Management Committee and JBT Bush Fire Management Plans.
• Jervis Bay Territory Emergency Management Ordinance 2015: provides for emergency management and rescue operations in the JBT through the JBT Emergency Management Committee and JBT Emergency Management Plan. It also sets out the powers of the Minister for Local Government and Territories, police and other emergency service officers during emergency events or states of emergency.
• Jervis Bay Territory Marine Safety Ordinance and Rule 2016: provides for the safe use of marine vessels in JBT waters and that their operators are subject to the similar safety and licencing requirements as those in NSW.

The legislation was developed in consultation with key JBT stakeholders and can be viewed on the Federal Register of Legislation at www.legislation.gov.au. Australian Standard AS1799.1—2009 (Small craft—General requirements for power boats), referred to in the Jervis Bay Territory Marine Safety Ordinance 2016, can be viewed at the Jervis Bay Territory Administration office free of charge.