New South Wales Consolidated Acts

MINING ACT 1992 - SECT 31

31 Dwelling-houses, gardens and significant improvements

(1) The holder of an exploration licence may not exercise any of the rights conferred by the licence over the surface of land:

(a) on which, or within the prescribed distance of which, is situated a dwelling-house that is the principal place of residence of the person occupying it, or

(b) on which, or within the prescribed distance of which, is situated any garden, or

(c) on which is situated any significant improvement other than an improvement constructed or used for mining purposes only,

except with the written consent of the owner of the dwelling-house, garden or improvement (and, in the case of the dwelling-house, the written consent of its occupant).

(2) The prescribed distance is:

(a) 200 metres (or, if a greater distance is prescribed by the regulations, the greater distance) for the purposes of subsection (1) (a), and

(b) 50 metres (or, if a greater distance is prescribed by the regulations, the greater distance) for the purposes of subsection (1) (b).

(3) A written consent given under this section is irrevocable.

(4) This section does not apply with respect to a dwelling-house, garden or significant improvement owned by the holder of the exploration licence or, if the holder is a corporation, by a related corporation.

(5) If a dispute arises as to whether or not subsection (1) applies in a particular case, any party to the dispute may apply to the Land and Environment Court for a determination of the matter.