(1)  Where a water management plan has been adopted under section 28 or an interim water management plan is in force, a water entity or a group of landowners may apply to the Minister for an order that the water entity or a proposed water entity is to be responsible for the administration of the whole or a part of the plan.

(2)  The application –

(a) must be in accordance with section 12A ; and

(b) is to be made jointly by persons who hold the majority of licences granted to take water from the water resource or water resources to which the plan relates; and

(c) must recite an agreement by those persons to create a water entity; and

(d) must include particulars of –

(i) the water entity or proposed water entity; and

(ii) the functions for which the water entity would be responsible; and

(iii) the proposed arrangements for funding the water entity’s administration.

(3)  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

(4)  The Minister must give notice of the application –

(a) in the Gazette and at least once in a local newspaper; and

(b) to all licensees who may take water from the water resource or water resources to which the relevant water management plan relates.

(5)  The notice is to –

(a) include full details of the application; and

(b) invite written representations from any persons who may be affected by the application; and

(c) state a period of at least 28 days from the publication of the notice in the Gazette , during which the representations may be made and the address to which they are to be sent.