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Petroleum Act 1984
89RStop work notices
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89R Stop work notices
(1) The CEO may issue a stop work notice if:
(a) the CEO believes on reasonable grounds that circumstances
exist that would allow the cancellation or revocation of:
(i) a petroleum interest; or
(ii) an environment management plan; or
(iii) any other authorisation that relates to an activity
conducted under a petroleum interest; and
(b) the CEO considers that action should be taken to prevent or
minimise environmental harm, or harm to any person,
infrastructure or other property while:
(i) an investigation is carried out or concluded; or
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(ii) a decision is made about the steps that should be taken
in the circumstances; or
(iii) action is taken to address the circumstances or any
related matter.
(2) A stop work notice must:
(a) be in writing given to the holder of the relevant petroleum
interest; and
(b) specify the grounds on which it is issued.
(3) A stop work notice may direct the holder of the petroleum interest to
do one or more of the following:
(a) to discontinue, or not commence, a specified activity
indefinitely or for a specified period or until further notice from
the CEO;
(b) to not carry on a specified activity except in accordance with
any conditions specified in the notice;
(c) to take action to prevent, minimise, manage or remediate any:
(i) environmental harm including by rehabilitating any
aspect of the environment; or
(ii) harm to a person, infrastructure or property, or any
potential harm (including the risk of harm and future
harm) to or potential adverse effect on a person,
infrastructure or property;
(d) without limiting paragraph (c), to take action to address any
matter that the CEO considers to be a significant threat to:
(i) the environment; or
(ii) any person, infrastructure or property;
(e) to take action for a purpose that is connected with, or ancillary
to, action directed under a preceding paragraph or to deal with
any other matter that may be relevant in the circumstances.
(4) The CEO may, by written notice given to the person to whom a stop
work notice is issued, vary or revoke the notice.
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(5) A stop work notice:
(a) applies to the holder of the petroleum interest and may also be
expressed to apply to an employee, agent or contractor of the
holder of the petroleum interest; and
(b) may be given to a holder of a petroleum interest by giving it to
an employee, agent or contractor of the holder of the
petroleum interest.
(6) If a stop work notice is expressed to apply to an employee, agent or
contractor of the holder of a petroleum interest, a reference in
subsection (3) to the holder of a petroleum interest extends to the
other person or persons to whom the stop work notice applies.