Use Decision-Making

The facilitation ofprivate property rights has traditionally been at the centre ofour legal system. This philosophy has now been further entrenched in Australia following a recent decision of the High Court, which resembles the "takings " decisions of the United States Supreme Court. Such an approach to land use law presents real obstacles to the achievement ofecologically sustainable development. Mechanisms must be devised and incorporated in land use decision-making which resolve coriflict between public interest andpriJlllte property.~ rights. Unless the exercise ofprivate property rights is made subject to a public interest land stewardship ethic, ecologically sustainable land use will not be achieved