57CGeneral criteria the Minister must consider

57C General criteria the Minister must consider

(1) In determining whether or not to grant a special access authorisation, the Minister must take into account the geological and geophysical nature of the area in respect of which the application is made, and any discoveries that have been made in the area by any other person.

(2) The Minister must not grant an application for an authorisation unless he or she is satisfied that the applicant—

(a) has the technical qualifications (or has employees that have the technical qualifications), has access to the technical advice and has the financial resources that will be necessary to enable the geothermal energy exploration proposed in the application to be undertaken; and

(b) has the ability to comply with this Act.

(3) The Minister must not grant an authorisation in respect of an area unless he or she is satisfied that the size of the area is appropriate having regard to the geothermal energy exploration proposed in respect of the area by the person applying for the authorisation.

S. 57D inserted by No. 64/2012 s. 4.