180Excision of area from authority

180 Excision of area from authority

(1) The Minister may excise an identified area from an authority if the Minister is satisfied—

(a) that no operations have been carried out in the identified area in accordance with the work program in the last 2 years; and

(b) excision of the identified area will not interfere with the ongoing operations of the holder of the authority; and

(c) excision of the identified area from the authority area is in the public interest.

(2) Before deciding to excise an identified area from an authority under subsection (1), the Minister—

(a) must consult with the holder of the authority; and

(b) may consult with an independent panel or any relevant public authority for a recommendation concerning excision of the identified area.

(3) The Minister may amend an authority (including any condition of the authority) to give effect to his or her decision to excise an identified area from the authority under this section.