PROTECTORS OF PUBLIC LANDS
(PPL VIC)
The Protectors of Public Lannds (Victoria) is a coalition of community action groups and environmental organisations, whose charter is to protect and preserve significant public lands in public ownership for present and future generations.
Significant public land, once sold, is land lost to the people forever. When governments sell land that is of significance or value to the people, they are also selling our childrens' future. Governments shall not be allowed to act in this way. The public, as represented by community groups and environmental organisations, being concerned at the alienation of significant public lands, has resolved to come together and form a coalition with the following Charter.
CHARTER
1. Public lands belong to the people.
2. No National, State or Local Government or government department or body 'owns' public lands, they are held in trust for the people.
3. All public land that is of significance must remain in public ownership and control.
4. Public land is of significance where it is of environmental, heritage, natural, cultural, social, historic, scientific, aesthetic, ecological, or indigenous value, or is capable at present or in the future of having a value or use the benefit of which to the public outweighs any public benefit from sale or alienation by lease.
5. In relation to public land that is of significance:
(a) no privatisation;
(b) any lease must enhance significance and have public support after due
process;
(c) maximisation of public access compatible with significance;
(d) proper protection and conservation;
(e) proper and genuine consultation with the public.
ADDENDUM: PROTECTORS OF PUBLIC LANDS
(PPL) - PRIVATE LANDS OF PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE
1. Private land is of public significance where:
(a) The land has environmental, heritage, natural, cultural, social, historic, scientific, aesthetic, ecological or indigenous value to the public, or(b) The land is capable at present or in the future of having a value or use that would be of demonstrable benefit to the public.
2. Where private land is of public significance:
(a) Its value(s) should be preserved and protected, and(b) Consideration should be given to the public purchase or acquisition on just terms of suchland where -(i) The land is of considerable public significance, and(ii) It is in the public interest to purchase or acquire the land because of its public significance, public utility, prior public ownership, location, zoning, the nature and history of its ownership, or otherwise.