Geothermal Energy Act 2009

(1) Subject to this Act, a geothermal energy officer may, in relation to a geothermal authority area do any of the following:

(a) enter and inspect the area at any time, with the assistants the officer considers necessary;

(b) require the assistance of the geothermal authority holder, the operator, a contractor or another member of the workforce to obtain access to parts of the area or information necessary to enable the officer to perform the officer's functions;

(c) require a person to give the officer information that is reasonably necessary:

(d) require the geothermal holder, the operator, a contractor or another member of the workforce to attend and answer questions in connection with an investigation into:

(f) direct the operator to take action to ensure compliance with the geothermal operations plan for the area or other obligations under this Act;

(g) close all or part of the area if the officer has assessed there is an immediate risk of a serious accident;

(h) if the officer reasonably believes that an offence against this Act has been, is being or is about to be committed – seize or secure any thing the officer reasonably believes has been, is being or is about to be used in connection with the commission of the offence;

(ii) ensure compliance with this Act or the operations plan for the area; or

(2) A geothermal officer exercising a power under subsection (1)(h) may do so without a warrant and with the assistance the officer considers necessary.

(3) As soon as practicable after an officer seizes a thing under subsection (1)(h), the officer must:

(b) deliver the thing to the Minister or a person authorised in writing by the Minister to accept delivery of it.

(4) A person must not contravene a requirement given to the person under this section.

Fault element: Strict liability offence.

Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units.

(5) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (4) if the defendant establishes a reasonable excuse.