WATER MANAGEMENT ACT 1999 - SECT 8 Functions and duties of the Minister
WATER MANAGEMENT ACT 1999 - SECT 8
Functions and duties of the Minister
(1) The functions and duties of the Minister under this Act are (a) to manage the water resources of Tasmania in accordance with the objectives of this Act; and(b) to develop and coordinate policies relating to the sustainable use and development of those water resources; and(c) to allocate the water available from watercourses, lakes and wells and dispersed surface water in a manner consistent with the objectives of this Act; and(d) to compile, maintain and update information in respect of the water resources of Tasmania; and(e) to promote public awareness of the importance of Tasmania's water resources and to encourage the conservation of those resources; and(f) to encourage community involvement in water resource management; and(g) any other functions and duties imposed on the Minister by this Act, including, but not limited to, functions and duties imposed under Part 8 in relation to dam works.(2) When making a decision under this Act that is based wholly or partly on an assessment of the quantity of water available or the period or periods during which water is available from a water resource, the Minister must take into account (a) the needs of the major ecosystems that depend on that water resource for water; and(b) any effect that the decision may have on the commercial operations of major users of water from that water resource.