Mineral Resources Act 1989

The Minister may grant or refuse to grant the water monitoring authority.

However, the water monitoring authority must not be granted unless an environmental authority for the water monitoring authority has been issued.

The Minister may, before deciding the application, seek advice about the application from the chief executive of the department in which the Water Act is administered.

A water monitoring authority must state its area and each mineral development licence or mining lease to which it relates.

A water monitoring authority may also state—

conditions or other provisions of the authority, other than conditions or provisions that are—

inconsistent with division 2 or section 334ZZF or 334ZZG or any other mandatory condition for water monitoring authorities; or

inconsistent with a condition of any mineral development licence or mining lease to which the authority relates; or

the same as, or substantially the same as, or inconsistent with any relevant environmental condition for a water monitoring activity for the authority; and

the day it takes effect.

However, the provisions of a water monitoring authority may exclude or restrict the carrying out of water monitoring activities, if the exclusion or restriction does not prevent the holder of the mineral development licence or mining lease to which it relates from complying with the holder’s underground water obligations.

The Minister may, as a condition of deciding to grant the water monitoring authority, require the applicant to do all or any of the following within a stated reasonable period—

pay the annual rent for the first year of the authority;

give security for the authority.

If the applicant does not comply with the requirement, the application may be refused.