20Periodical audits of safety and operating plans

20 Periodical audits of safety and operating plans

20 Periodical audits of safety and operating plans

(1) A network operator must, each year, lodge with the Secretary a report on its safety and operating plan from a nominated auditor that includes a certificate by the auditor that states—

(a) the safety and operating plan complies with this Regulation, and

(b) the following measures are being maintained—

(i) measures implemented to prevent hazardous events identified in the plan from occurring,

(ii) measures implemented to protect operating personnel, plant, equipment, the community and the environment if a hazardous event occurs, and

(c) there are properly trained and equipped personnel available to maintain the plan, and

(d) the plan is adequate and appropriate having regard to changes in the gas network since a certificate was last issued by a nominated auditor in accordance with this section or section 19, and

(e) all measures to rectify non-compliance with the plan detected in a previous audit have been undertaken and are effective.

Maximum penalty—

(a) for a corporation—2,000 penalty units, or

(b) for an individual—100 penalty units.

(2) The report must be lodged within 28 days after the anniversary of the date on which the safety and operating plan was lodged under section 16.

(3) The Secretary may, on the application of a network operator at least 14 days before the end of a period within which a report must be lodged under subsection (2), extend the period by written notice if the network operator provides a report from the nominated auditor indicating the following—

(a) the reasons why the network operator requires the period to be extended,

(b) whether an audit has been carried out,

(c) if there is a failure to comply with the safety and operating plan,

(d) the measures the network operator proposes to take to rectify the non-compliance,

(e) the period of time within which the network operator has undertaken to rectify the non-compliance.