39Agreements incidental to land matters

39. Agreements incidental to land matters

(1) In order to facilitate the acquisition of, or dealing with, land to be acquired, an energy operator may enter into agreements relating to incidental matters and things necessary to give effect to the powers of the energy operator.

(2) Where the fee simple of, or any other estate or interest in, any land is vested in an energy operator but the energy operator for the time being does not require the exclusive use and occupation of the land then —

(a) section 191 of the Land Administration Act 1997 shall not have effect in relation to that land notwithstanding that it is not being used for a public work where the energy operator certifies to the Minister administering the Land Administration Act 1997 that the land —

(i) will in the future be required to be used for a public work within the meaning of the Public Works Act 1902; or

(ii) is presently or may in the future be so required but the requirement does or may not extend to a requirement for exclusive use and occupation;

and

(b) the energy operator may grant to any person —

(i) a lease or licence to occupy the land or any part of the land, either exclusively or concurrently with the energy operator; or

(ii) any other interest in or right to use that land or any part of that land.

(2a) Where a lease, licence or other interest or right granted in relation to land under subsection (2) is stated in that grant as being by way of consideration for the acquisition of the land, or an estate or interest in the land, by an energy operator the grant shall not be revoked without compensation unless the parties otherwise agree.

(3) Where an energy operator exercises the powers conferred by subsection (2), then unless an agreement entered into between the energy operator and the person to whom the lease, licence, interest or right is granted otherwise provides, the grant —

(a) shall be deemed to be subject to a condition that the energy operator shall be indemnified against any costs, damages, claims, or expenses arising therefrom; and

(b) subject to subsection (2a) may be terminated without any liability for compensation thereby arising, on not less than 21 days prior written notice.

[Section 39 amended: No. 24 of 1986 s. 18; No. 89 of 1994 s. 11, 39 and 41; No. 31 of 1997 s. 26(7) and 143; No. 58 of 1999 s. 83(1) and (3).]