4Interpretation

4 Interpretation

(1) In this Act—

S. 4(1) def. of authority amended by No. 64/2012 s. 3(1).

authority means an exploration permit, a special access authorisation, a special drilling authorisation, a retention lease or an extraction licence;

Crown land means land that is, or that is by any Act deemed to be, unalienated land of the Crown, and—

(a) includes land of the Crown that is—

(i) reserved permanently or temporarily by or under any Act; and

(ii) occupied by a person under a lease, licence or other right under this or any other Act;

(b) does not include land that is subject to a licence granted under Part 3A of the Victorian Plantations Corporation Act 1993;

S. 4(1) def. of current authority holder inserted by No. 64/2012 s. 3(2).

current authority holder means the holder of a primary authorisation;

S. 4(1) def. of Department amended by Nos 70/2013 s. 4(Sch. 2 item 21), 41/2025 s. 4(Sch. 2 item 15).

Department means the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action;

S. 4(1) def. of drilling authorisation area inserted by No. 64/2012 s. 3(2).

drilling authorisation area means an area specified in a special drilling authorisation granted under Part 5B;

S. 4(1) def. of exploration permit inserted by No. 64/2012 s. 3(2).

exploration permit means an exploration permit granted under section 20A;

S. 4(1) def. of extraction licence inserted by No. 64/2012 s. 3(2).

extraction licence means an extraction licence granted under Part 4;

geothermal energy means the heat energy contained or stored in rock, geothermal water or any other material occurring naturally within the earth;

geothermal energy exploration has the meaning set out in section 5;

geothermal energy extraction has the meaning set out in section 6;

geothermal energy operation means any activity relating to geothermal energy exploration or to geothermal energy extraction;