72Partial transfers of permits and licences

72 Partial transfers of permits and licences

(1) The holder of an exploration permit or an extraction licence may apply to the Minister to transfer part of the area specified in the permit or licence to another person.

(2) The Minister may transfer the area specified in the permit or licence if, in the opinion of the Minister, the transfer will maintain or increase geothermal energy operations in that area.

(3) A transfer is to be effected by the issue of a separate permit or licence to the other person.

(4) The separate permit or licence—

(a) expires when the permit or licence from which it was derived expires; and

(b) is subject to the same conditions as applied to that permit or licence (unless those conditions are varied by the Minister in accordance with this Act).

(5) The Minister must not approve a transfer under this section that, in his or her opinion, is not in the best interests of the people of Victoria.