OFFSHORE MINERALS ACT 1994 - SECT 59 Discussions about blocks applied for

OFFSHORE MINERALS ACT 1994 - SECT 59

  (1)   The Designated Authority may ask the applicant to discuss with the Designated Authority the blocks covered by the application.

  (2)   The request under subsection   ( 1) must be:

  (a)   made in writing; and

  (b)   given to the applicant.

  (3)   The Designated Authority for a Commonwealth - State offshore area must ask the applicant to participate in discussions under subsection   ( 1) if the responsible Commonwealth Minister asks the Designated Authority to do so.

  (4)   If, after discussions, the Designated Authority and the applicant agree on the blocks to be covered by the application, the applicant is taken to have applied for an exploration licence over the blocks agreed on.

  (5)   The Designated Authority must give the applicant written confirmation of the agreement as soon as possible after the agreement is reached.

  (6)   The Designated Authority may include in the written confirmation a direction that the applicant must advertise the revised application under section   60.

  (7)   If the Designated Authority and the applicant do not agree on the blocks to be covered by the application:

  (a)   the Joint Authority may make a written determination specifying the blocks to be covered by the application; and

  (b)   the applicant is taken to have applied for an exploration licence over the blocks specified in the determination.

  (8)   The Designated Authority may include in the written determination a direction that the applicant must advertise the revised application under section   60.

  (9)   If the Joint Authority makes a determination under subsection   ( 7), the Designated Authority must give a copy of the determination to the applicant as soon as possible after the determination is made.