19AMinister may declare access areas

19A Minister may declare access areas

19A Minister may declare access areas

(1) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, declare an access area comprising—

(a) a specified geographical area of the State, and

(b) specified generation, storage or network infrastructure, including planned or existing infrastructure.

(2) The geographical area that forms part of the access area must not include any part of the geographical area that forms part of—

(a) a renewable energy zone, or

(b) another access area.

(3) The network infrastructure that forms part of an access area may extend outside the geographical area specified in the declaration.

(4) A declaration must include the following—

(a) a map showing the geographical area,

(b) the infrastructure planner appointed by the Minister for the access area or part of the access area,

(c) other matters prescribed by the regulations.

(5) The Minister may declare an access area only if the Minister is satisfied—

(a) making the declaration is—

(i) consistent with the objects of this Act, and

(ii) in the public interest, and

(b) of any other matters prescribed by the regulations.

(6) A declaration must be published on the Department’s website.

(7) The regulations may make further provision about the exercise of the Minister’s functions under this section.

s 19A: Ins 2025 No 80, Sch 1[6].