51Power to remove obstructions

51 Power to remove obstructions

(1) The Minister may remove, or authorise the removal of, any obstruction to navigation in such manner as the Minister thinks fit (whether or not the Minister has issued a direction for its removal under subsection 50(1)). The obstruction may be removed by its destruction if it is reasonable to do so in the circumstances. (2) The Commonwealth may recover as a debt in a court of competent jurisdiction the reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Commonwealth in the exercise of the Minister’s powers under this section from the owner of, or person responsible for, the obstruction to navigation.