5Application of Act

5 Application of Act

(1)  Subject to this section, this Act applies to all land and minerals in the State.

(2)  [Section 5 Subsection (2) substituted by No. 38 of 2006, s. 4, Applied:18 Dec 2006] Subject to subsection (3) , this Act does not apply to the surface, or within 15 metres below the surface, of any land which is set apart or dedicated for any public purpose, other than as –

(a) a public reserve within the meaning of the Crown Lands Act 1976 ; or

(b) [Section 5 Subsection (2) amended by No. 50 of 2013, Sched. 1, Applied:11 Dec 2013] permanent timber production zone land within the meaning of the Forest Management Act 2013 .

(3)  The Minister, by order and with the agreement of any other appropriate Minister, may declare that this Act or any specified provision of this Act applies to –

(a) [Section 5 Subsection (3) amended by No. 38 of 2006, s. 4, Applied:18 Dec 2006] .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

(b) any specified land set apart or dedicated for any public purpose.

(4)  The Minister, by order, may declare that any specified area of land or any specified mineral is exempt from this Act.

(4A)  [Section 5 Subsection (4A) inserted by No. 44 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:21 Nov 2017] A person must not explore, undertake mining on, or remove minerals from, any area of land in contravention of an order under subsection (4) .

(5)  [Section 5 Subsection (5) amended by No. 24 of 2013, s. 6, Applied:28 Jun 2013] The holder of an exploration licence or a special exploration licence must not exercise any right conferred by the licence within an area of land exempted under subsection (4) without the Minister's approval.