135Time for making decision on protection zone application

135 Time for making decision on protection zone application

(1) The Regulator must make a decision on a protection zone application before the end of the period (the decision period) of 60 days after the day the application is made. Extension of decision period by consultation period (2) The decision period is extended by the period: (a) beginning on the day the Regulator publishes a notice under section 134 in relation to the application; and (b) ending on the day specified in the notice under paragraph 134(2)(f). Other extensions of decision period (3) The Regulator may, by written notice to the applicant, extend the decision period by a period specified in the notice. (4) The notice must set out the reasons for the extension.

Note: For example, the Regulator may extend the decision period if the Regulator gives a notice under subsection 133(1) (notification of certain protection zone applications), subsection 136(1) (requesting further information) or subsection 138(1) (proposing to refuse the application), or for other reasons.

(5) To avoid doubt, the Regulator may extend the decision period more than once. Failure to make decision within decision period does not affect validity (6) A failure by the Regulator to comply with subsection (1) does not affect the validity of any decision made on the application or anything done by the Regulator in dealing with the application.