Dams Safety Act 2015

An authorised officer may, on any premises lawfully entered, do anything that, in the opinion of the officer, is necessary to be done for the purposes of this Part, including (but not limited to) the following—

examine and inspect any part of the premises or any article or thing on the premises,

take and remove samples,

make such examinations, inquiries, tests and surveys as the officer considers necessary,

take such photographs, films, audio, video and other recordings as the authorised officer considers necessary,

require records to be produced for inspection,

examine and inspect any records,

copy any records,

seize anything that the officer has reasonable grounds for believing is connected with an offence under this Act or the regulations,

do any other thing that the officer is empowered to do under this Part.

If the authorised officer takes any document or thing under this section, the authorised officer must—

give notice of the taking of the document or thing to the person apparently in charge of it or to a manager of the premises, and

return the document or thing to that person or the premises within 7 days after taking it.

A person may accompany an authorised officer and take all reasonable steps to assist an authorised officer in the exercise of the authorised officer’s functions under this section if the authorised officer is of the opinion that the person is capable of providing assistance to the authorised officer in the exercise of those functions.

For the purpose of enabling an authorised officer to exercise any of the functions of an authorised officer under this section in connection with any premises, Dams Safety NSW may, by notice in writing given to the owner or occupier of the premises, require the owner or occupier to provide such reasonable assistance and facilities as are specified in the notice within a specified time and in a specified manner.