16Securing a site or restricting access to bus or vessel

16 Securing a site or restricting access to bus or vessel

(1) For the purpose of protecting evidence that might be relevant for compliance and investigative purposes, an authorised officer may—

(a) secure the perimeter of any site at any place; or

S. 16(1)(b) amended by No. 41/2019 s. 30(2).

(b) restrict access to a bus or vessel.

S. 16(2) amended by No. 41/2019 s. 30(2).

(2) An authorised officer may secure the perimeter of a site or restrict access to a bus or vessel under subsection (1) by whatever means the authorised officer considers appropriate.

(3) A person must not, without the permission of an authorised officer—

(a) enter or remain at a site the perimeter of which is secured under this section; or

S. 16(3)(b) amended by No. 41/2019 s. 30(2).

(b) enter or board or remain on a bus or vessel access to which has been restricted under this section.

(4) Subsection (3) does not apply if the person—

S. 16(4)(a) amended by No. 41/2019 s. 30(2).

(a) enters or remains at the site or enters or boards or remains on the bus or vessel to ensure the safety of persons; or

S. 16(4)(b) amended by No. 41/2019 s. 30(2).

(b) enters or remains at the site or enters or boards or remains on the bus or vessel to remove deceased persons or animals from the site or bus or vessel; or

(c) enters or remains at the site to move a road vehicle, or the wreckage of a road vehicle, to a safe place; or

S. 16(4)(d) amended by No. 41/2019 s. 30(2).

(d) enters or remains at the site or enters or boards or remains on the bus or vessel to protect the environment from significant damage or pollution.

(5) An authorised officer must not unreasonably withhold a permission referred to in subsection (3).