Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002:front:0:p27
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 73651–76689

associations about management of the park.
Joint management responsibility for decision-making was formalised when the Board of Management was established (see below). Successful joint management is based on a partnership of trust, commitment, and shared responsibility which involves bringing together Bininj/Mungguy and Balanda knowledge and experience and interweaving the two law systems together in making decisions. Making this work requires Bininj/Mungguy and Balanda learning from each other, respecting each other's culture and bringing together the different approaches. At the core of shared decision-making is open communication and mutual commitment to looking after country and culture.
Shared decision-making in the park requires consultation and active participation in the process from both Bininj/Mungguy and Balanda to ensure decisions respect cultural protocols and meet obligations under the EPBC Act and other relevant Australian laws.

Under Bininj/Mungguy cultural protocols and practices, Bininj/Mungguy are responsible for making decisions about their country and are guided by customary decision-making structures, seniority and kinship obligations.
    'Bininj laws must be followed, with Balanda law backing up Bininj law.'
   Jonathon Nadji, Bunitj clan
Board of Management

The Board of Management for the park was established in 1989 under the NPWC Act and continued under the EPBC Act. The composition of the Board must be agreed between the Minister (who appoints Board members) and the Northern Land Council, but the Act requires a majority of Board members must be Indigenous persons nominated by the traditional owners of land in the park. Bininj/Mungguy representation on the Board covers the geographic spread of Aboriginal people within the Kakadu region as well as the major language groups, and the Board has determined that the Chairperson be appointed from the Aboriginal members of the Board. Under the EPBC Act, the Board of Management has the functions of preparing the management plan with the Director, making decisions concerning implementation of the plan (including allocation of resources and setting priorities), monitoring management of the park and providing advice to the Minister on all aspects of the future development of the park.

Governance workshops and training were held for Board members in 2010 and 2011 to facilitate and support shared decision-making by the Board within the joint management partnership. This resulted in a number of governance documents being produced including Board meeting rules and member handbook.

Director of National Parks

The EBPC Act gives the Director the function of administering, managing and controlling the park and protecting biodiversity and heritage in the park. The Act and the EPBC Regulations give the Director a number of specific powers to assist in the performance of these functions, for example power to determine park entry and use charges (subject to approval of the Minister), to control certain activities and to issue