18Reserved block

18 Reserved block

18 Reserved block

(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Minister may declare that a block in coastal waters is a reserved block.

Note 1—

A reserved block may be put up for tender by the Minister publishing in the Gazette a tender block licence notice (see sections 74 and 218).

Note 2—

Section 8 (c) of the Interpretation Act 1987 allows a single declaration under this subsection to be made in respect of 2 or more blocks.

(2) A declaration under subsection (1) must not be made in relation to a block if:

(a) a licence over that block is in force, or

(b) an application for a licence over that block has been made and has not been determined.

(3) A declaration under subsection (1) must be made by notice published in the Gazette.