Dangerous Goods Act 1998

The Competent Authority may carry out or cause to be carried out work or repairs if the Competent Authority reasonably believes that:

a dangerous situation exists;

the work or repairs are necessary to repair damage or to minimise or avert damage or a risk that has resulted or is likely to result from the dangerous situation;

the person in charge of the dangerous goods cannot be found; and

either:

the circumstances require immediate action or intervention; or

giving a prohibition notice or improvement notice to a person would not be appropriate.

For the purposes of subsection (1), the Competent Authority may:

by his or her employees or agents, enter in or on premises or a place or vehicle with machinery necessary to carry out the work or repairs or remove property; or

authorise a person and the employees and agents of the person to enter in or on premises or a place or vehicle with machinery necessary to carry out the work or repairs or remove property.

The cost reasonably incurred by the Competent Authority in carrying out work under subsection (1) is a debt due and payable to the Territory.

A person in charge of dangerous goods involved in a dangerous situation and a person who caused or contributed to the dangerous situation are jointly and severally liable for the costs reasonably incurred by the Competent Authority in carrying out work under subsection (1).

A certificate, purporting to be signed by the Competent

Authority or an officer appointed under section 17(1), specifying details of the costs reasonably incurred in carrying out the work under subsection (1) is evidence of those costs.