Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION (SEA DUMPING) ACT 1981 - SECT 16

  (1)   If the Minister considers that a regulated occurrence is likely to:

  (a)   cause an obstruction, or constitute a danger, to vessels; or

  (b)   result in harm to human or marine life; or

  (c)   result in an interference with the exercise of the sovereign rights of Australia as a coastal State:

  (i)   to explore the seabed and subsoil beneath Australian waters; and

  (ii)   to exploit the natural resources of the seabed and subsoil beneath Australian waters;

then the Minister may cause to be taken such steps as the Minister considers proper to repair or remedy any condition, or to mitigate any damage, arising from the occurrence.

  (2)   In this section:

"regulated occurrence" means any of the following:

  (a)   the dumping of controlled material into Australian waters;

  (b)   the incineration at sea in Australian waters of controlled material;

  (c)   an artificial reef placement in Australian waters;

  (d)   a contravention of a condition of a permit.