6.7 Law Enforcement
Background
Rangers and wardens are appointed pursuant to the National Parks and
Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 and exercise the powers and functions
conferred on them by the Act and its associated Regulations. In
addition, under Section 38 of the Act any member of the Australian
Federal Police is ex officio a warden and the Gardens cooperates with
the Police in relevant matters. The Regulations have been reviewed
and amended recently to make them more applicable to the requirements
of the Gardens.
Staff appointed as rangers or wardens have received training in law
enforcement procedures. When breaches of Regulations have been
detected, however, the matter has been dealt with by counselling and
warning of offenders rather than prosecution.
Management prescriptions
Objectives
The objectives are to ensure that appropriate Regulations are
established and enforced and to ensure that staff and visitors
understand the Regulations.
Implementation
The Regulations will be reviewed and amended as necessary to give
effect to this Plan. Staff will continue to identify law enforcement
problems and make recommendations for a workable law enforcement
strategy. Cooperation with the Australian Federal Police on relevant
matters will continue.
Emphasis will continue to be placed on providing appropriate training
for staff involved in law enforcement and raising visitor awareness
and understanding of the Regulations. Consideration will be given to
the need for provision of additional information to meet this end.
Staff will continue to monitor visitor use of the Gardens to ensure
proper use and prevent activities that threaten the facilities or
integrity of the Gardens.