Groundwater Act.

The Act consists of 33 sections divided into 4 Parts: Preliminary (I); Administration (II); Groundwater (III); Miscellaneous (IV).
Part III is divided into 4 Divisions: Proclaimed regions (1); wells (2); Duties relating of wells (3); the Tribunal (4).
The Minister shall appoint a Groundwater Advisory Committee under section 7. Duties of the Director of Mines are set out in section 8. This Government officer shall ensure: (a) that a high quality of groundwater is maintained; (b) that the supplies of groundwater are not unduly depleted; (c) that groundwater is utilised equitably in the best interests of Tasmania; and (d) that proper standards are observed in the drilling of wells for the taking of groundwater. The Governor may, by Proclamation, declare that any area in Tasmania specified in the Proclamation shall be a Proclaimed region for the purposes of this Act. Owners of wells in Proclaimed regions shall notify the Director regarding wells in their ownership in accordance with section 10. Sections 11 to 14 further regulate construction and use in Proclaimed regions. The Director may serve well orders on owners or occupiers of the land on which a well is situated. By such Order the Director may direct the owner or occupier to close supply of groundwater, restrict the amount of water taken, etc. (sect. 16). For the purposes of this Act there shall be a Tribunal that shall handle appeals regarding permits issued or refused under this Act (sect. 23).