Water Act 1989

The Minister, by instrument, must appoint a panel of persons to consider comments made under section 22R(f) on a draft review, and the persons appointed to the panel must be persons who have knowledge of or experience in the matters that the panel is to consider.

Subject to anything specified by the Minister in the instrument of appointment of the panel, it may regulate its own proceedings.

After considering all comments referred to it, the panel must report its findings to the Minister within the period specified by him or her.

The panel may include in its report any recommendations that it thinks fit.

A member of the panel is entitled to be paid any fees and allowances fixed by the Governor in Council.

The Minister is not bound by the report of the panel under this section.

The Minister must make a copy of the report of the panel under this section available for inspection by the public within one month after the report is received by the Minister.

A panel appointed under this section must ensure that its report under subsection (3) is made within the period specified by the Minister which must be not later than 6 months after the panel is appointed under subsection (1).