Victorian Current Acts

WATER ACT 1989 - SECT 22P

    (1)     If, in the opinion of the Minister, a long-term water resources assessment has identified—

        (a)     a decline in the long-term availability of surface water or groundwater which has a disproportionate effect on the environmental water reserve or on the allocation of water for consumptive purposes; or

        (b)     a deterioration in waterway health for reasons related to flow—

the Minister must undertake a review to determine the action that is required to be taken—

        (c)     to restore the balance between the environmental water reserve and the allocation of water for consumptive purposes; or

S. 22P(1)(d) amended by No. 23/2019 s. 17(1)(b).

        (d)     to restore the health of waterways.

S. 22P(2) inserted by No. 23/2019 s. 17(2).

    (2)     In undertaking a review under subsection (1), the Minister must have regard to any relevant—

        (a)     economic and environmental matters; and

        (b)     Aboriginal cultural values and uses of waterways; and

        (c)     social and recreational matters.

S. 22P(3) inserted by No. 23/2019 s. 17(2).

    (3)     Despite subsection (1), the Minister is not required to undertake a review under that subsection if the Minister endorses a Sustainable Water Strategy or a review of a Sustainable Water Strategy that determines the action that is required to be taken to address the matters referred to in subsection (1)(c) or (d).

S. 22PA inserted by No. 23/2019 s. 18.