6Acid sulfate soils

6 Acid sulfate soils

6.1 Acid sulfate soils

(1) The objective of this clause is to ensure that development does not disturb, expose or drain acid sulfate soils and cause environmental damage.

(2) Development consent is required for the carrying out of works described in the table to this subclause on land shown on the Acid Sulfate Soils Map as being of the class specified for those works.

| Class of land | Works | | 1 | Any works. | | 2 | Works below the natural ground surface.Works by which the watertable is likely to be lowered. | | 3 | Works more than 1 metre below the natural ground surface.Works by which the watertable is likely to be lowered more than 1 metre below the natural ground surface. | | 4 | Works more than 2 metres below the natural ground surface.Works by which the watertable is likely to be lowered more than 2 metres below the natural ground surface. | | 5 | Works within 500 metres of adjacent Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 land that is below 5 metres Australian Height Datum and by which the watertable is likely to be lowered below 1 metre Australian Height Datum on adjacent Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 land. |

(3) Development consent must not be granted under this clause for the carrying out of works unless—

(a) an acid sulfate soils management plan has been prepared for the proposed works in accordance with the Acid Sulfate Soils Manual and has been provided to the consent authority, and

(b) the consent authority is satisfied that any disturbance of acid sulfate soils resulting from the works will be managed so as to minimise adverse impacts on natural waterbodies, wetlands, native vegetation, agriculture, fishing, aquaculture and urban and infrastructure activities.

(4) Despite subclause (2), development consent is not required under this clause for the carrying out of works if—

(a) a preliminary assessment of the proposed works prepared in accordance with the Acid Sulfate Soils Manual indicates that an acid sulfate soils management plan is not required for the works, and

(b) the preliminary assessment has been provided to the consent authority and the consent authority has confirmed the assessment by notice in writing to the person proposing to carry out the works.

(5) Despite subclause (2), development consent is not required under this clause for the carrying out of any of the following works by a public authority (including ancillary work such as excavation, construction of access ways or the supply of power)—