(1)  On the application of a water entity to which this Division applies or a group of landowners in accordance with this Division, the Minister may appoint, name and define –

(a) a water supply district; or

(b) an irrigation district; or

(c) a riverworks district; or

(d) a drainage district –

so as to give a water entity administrative control of, and responsibility for, that water district.

(2)  A water district referred to in subsection (1) may be defined as –

(a) the whole or part of a catchment area of a certain watercourse or lake; or

(b) a specified area of land.

(3)  A riverworks district may not include –

(a) permanent timber production zone land within the meaning of the Forest Management Act 2013 ; or

(b) Crown land subject to a forest permit under the Forest Management Act 2013 ; or

(c) land acquired by the Crown for the purposes of forestry –

unless the notice is expressed to be made with the agreement of the Minister having the administration of the Forest Management Act 2013 .

(4)  If a proposed water district is wholly or partly within an existing water district, the Minister –

(a) must consult with the water entity administering the existing district on the application for the establishment of the water district; and

(b) must not establish the water district if it would have a material adverse effect on the administration of the existing district.