Water Management Act 1999

The Minister may vary a well driller's licence at any time.

The variation may be effected – on the Minister's own motion after consulting the licensee; or consequent on an application made by the licensee.

For the purposes of subsection (2)(b), the application must – be in accordance with section 12A; and specify, if applicable, any other class of licence sought; and specify, if applicable, any additional endorsements sought.

The Minister may – approve the application; or if the applicant agrees, approve the application as if it were for variations of a more limited kind than those actually applied for; or refuse the application.

However, the Minister must not approve the application unless he or she is reasonably satisfied that – the applicant is, if applicable, qualified to physically undertake well works of the relevant class; and any additional endorsements are appropriate for the class of licence and the applicant is qualified to employ the drilling methods to which the endorsements relate; and the applicant has no convictions for offences of a serious kind against this Part or for offences against section 283; and the applicant has or satisfies any prescribed competencies; and under Division 2 of Part 13, no more than the prescribed number of demerit points have been allocated to the licence.

If subsection (4)(c) applies, the Minister is to notify the licensee as soon as practicable of – the refusal; and the reasons for the refusal; and any rights of review or appeal under Part 14.

The variation of a well driller's licence under this section takes effect when the licensee is given notice of it or on such later date as the Minister, by the notice, specifies.

The Minister, on varying a well driller's licence may issue a fresh form of the licence to reflect the variations.