WATER ACT 1912 - SECT 13B Ministerial Corporation may prescribe maximum areas etc for which water may be appropriated for irrigation

WATER ACT 1912 - SECT 13B

13B Ministerial Corporation may prescribe maximum areas etc for which water may be appropriated for irrigation

(1) In respect of any river, including tributaries thereto and effluents therefrom, or any section of a river, including tributaries thereto and effluents therefrom, or any lake, the Ministerial Corporation may from time to time prescribe:

(a) the maximum area of land within the holding of any occupier for the irrigation of which water may be taken under a licence,

(b) the maximum area of any class of crops or plantings within the holding of any occupier for which water may be taken under a licence,

(c) the maximum quantity of water per hectare of any class of crops or plantings which may be taken for irrigation under a licence during any period of twelve months commencing on the first day of July.

(2) Where a prescription has been made under the provisions of subsection (1) a licence shall not be granted in respect of any work, for the taking of water from the river, or section of the river, or lake covered by the prescription, for:

(a) the irrigation of a greater area of land or a greater area of any class of crops or plantings, or

(b) the taking of a greater quantity of water,

than that prescribed.

(3) The Ministerial Corporation may, when renewing a licence, under which an area of land or of any class of crops or plantings could be irrigated in excess of the maximum area prescribed under the provisions of subsection (1), or under which a quantity of water per hectare of any class of crops or plantings may be taken in excess of the maximum quantity prescribed under the provisions of subsection (1), renew the licence for the irrigation of that maximum area or quantity of water only, or renew the licence subject to a condition that the area of land or of any class of crops or plantings which could be irrigated under the licence shall be progressively reduced to the said maximum area within a period not exceeding five years.