(1) The Authority must, by writing, establish an advisory committee, to be known as the Basin Community Committee.
Committee's functions
(2) The Basin Community Committee's function is to advise the Authority about the performance of the Authority's functions, including advising about:
(a) engaging the community in the preparation of each draft Basin Plan; and
(b) community matters relating to the Basin water resources; and
(c) matters referred to the Committee by the Authority.
Note: The Basin Community Committee also has the functions conferred on it by the Agreement (see section 18F).
Subcommittees
(3) The Basin Community Committee must establish:
(a) an irrigation subcommittee; and
(b) an environmental water subcommittee; and
(c) an Indigenous water subcommittee, to guide the consideration of Indigenous matters relevant to the Basin's water resources;
and may establish other subcommittees.
Membership
(4) The Basin Community Committee consists of a Chair and up to 16 other members as the Authority appoints from time to time under subsection 204(1). Any member of the Committee may be the Committee Chair.
Note: For eligibility for appointment, see subsection 204(3).
(5) The Basin Community Committee's membership must include:
(a) at least one Authority member; and
(b) at least 8 individuals who are water users or representatives of one or more water users; and
(c) at least 2 Indigenous persons with expertise in Indigenous matters relevant to the Basin's water resources.
(6) The Authority must call for expressions of interest from the public before appointing a member of the Committee under subsection 204(1).
Water users etc.
(7) In this section:
"water user" means a person who:
(a) is engaged in irrigated agriculture; or
(b) is engaged in environmental water management; or
(c) uses water for industrial purposes; or
(d) uses stock and domestic water; or
(e) is engaged in interception activities with a significant impact (whether on an activity - by - activity basis or cumulatively) on water resources.
(8) An instrument under subsection (1) is not a legislative instrument.