170Application for and issue of search warrant

170 Application for and issue of search warrant (1) An environmental officer may apply to a judicial officer for a search warrant to enter land or premises: (a) by appearing in person before the judicial officer; or (b) if it is not practicable to appear in person – by telephone, radio or other means of communication. (2) If the judicial officer is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to permit the environmental officer to enter the land or premises, the judicial officer may issue a warrant directed to the environmental officer. (3) If the judicial officer issues a warrant on an application made under subsection (1)(b), the judicial officer must: (a) complete and sign the warrant (the original warrant); and (b) record on the original warrant the reasons for issuing it; and (c) inform the environmental officer by telephone, radio or other means of communication of its terms. (4) When informed of the terms of the warrant under subsection (3)(c), the environmental officer must as soon as practicable: (a) complete 2 copies of the form of warrant in the terms provided by the judicial officer; and (b) write on each copy the name of the judicial officer and the date and time of the issue of the original warrant; and (c) forward one copy to the judicial officer. (5) The environmental officer may use the remaining copy of the warrant to exercise the powers granted by the original warrant. (6) If the judicial officer is satisfied, after comparing the forwarded copy with the original warrant, that the copy is in substance identical to the original warrant, the judicial officer must certify the copy as being in substance identical to the original warrant. Environment Protection Act 2019 159 judicial officer means any of the following: (a) a Supreme Court Judge; (b) an Associate Judge; (c) a Local Court Judge.