Marine Farming Planning Act 1995

Within 12 months after the Minister approves the preparation of a draft plan, or within any longer period the Minister allows, the planning authority must submit a copy of the draft plan to the Panel.

Within 9 weeks after a draft plan is submitted or within any longer period the Minister allows, the Panel, if it considers that – it is suitable for exhibition, must refer it to the Minister for approval for it to be publicly exhibited; or it is not suitable for exhibition – must alter it and refer it to the Minister for approval for the draft plan, as altered, to be publicly exhibited; or must require the planning authority to alter it in a specified manner and within a specified period.

A draft plan is suitable for exhibition if it – complies with section 21; and contains any matter relating to environmental management of finfish farming that the Director, EPA, in a notice under section 17A(1), requires the Panel to include in the draft plan or any draft plan; and outlines any marine farming zone; and identifies any maximum leasable area; and is accompanied by an environmental impact statement; and contains draft management controls.

Subsections (2) and (3) apply in relation to an altered draft plan as if it had not previously been submitted to the Panel.