32Declaration of restricted area

32 Declaration of restricted area

S. 32(1) amended by No. 1/2024 s. 65(1).

(1) If the Minister reasonably believes or suspects that there is a possibility that an exotic pest or disease is present in or may be introduced into any area within Victoria (including the whole of Victoria), the Minister may by order published in the Government Gazette—

(a) declare the area to be a restricted area; and

(b) specify any prohibitions, restrictions and requirements that are to operate in the restricted area.

(2) The order must identify the classes or descriptions of any plant, plant product, used package, used equipment, earth material or beehive that is affected by it.

S. 32(2A) inserted by No. 1/2024 s. 65(2).

(2A) The order must specify whether it applies to the movement of a thing identified in the order under subsection (2) in relation to one or more of the following—

(a) into the restricted area;

(b) within the restricted area;

(c) from the restricted area.

(3) If the Minister is satisfied that any livestock or livestock product within the meaning of the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 is a vector of an exotic pest or disease, the Minister may specify in an order under subsection (1) any prohibitions, restrictions or requirements which are to operate in the restricted area with respect to that vector and the order must identify the classes or description of vector that are affected by the order.

S. 32(4) amended by No. 1/2024 s. 84.

(4) The Minister must ensure that notice of an order declaring a restricted area is published on an approved alternative publication Internet site.

(5) An order under this section remains in force for a period of 12 months or any shorter period that is specified in the order, unless sooner revoked.

(6) The Minister may from time to time, by notice published in the Government Gazette, extend the duration of an order under this section for any period not exceeding 12 months.