OFFSHORE MINERALS ACT 1994 - SECT 18 Reserved block

OFFSHORE MINERALS ACT 1994 - SECT 18

  (1)   Subject to subsection   ( 3), the Joint Authority for a Commonwealth - State offshore area may declare that a block in the offshore area is a reserved block.

Note 1:   A reserved block may be put up for tender by a Joint Authority publishing in the Gazette a tender block licence notice (see sections   74 and 218).

Note 2:   Paragraph 23(b) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 allows a single declaration under this subsection to be made in respect of 2 or more blocks.

  (2)   Subject to subsection   ( 3), the responsible Commonwealth Minister may declare that a block in an external territory offshore area is a reserved block.

Note 1:   A reserved block may be put up for tender by the responsible Commonwealth Minister publishing in the Gazette a tender block licence notice (see sections   74 and 218).

Note 2:   Paragraph 23(b) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 allows a single declaration under this subsection to be made in respect of 2 or more blocks.

  (3)   A declaration under subsection   ( 1) or (2) must not be made in relation to a block if:

  (a)   a licence over that block is in force; or

  (b)   an application for a licence over that block has been made and has not been determined.

  (4)   A declaration under subsection   ( 1) or (2) must be made by notice published in the Gazette.