The Taungurung Land Use Activity Agreement (LUAA) sets out standard Conditions for exploration, retention and prospecting authorisations.
Where applicants accept these conditions in writing, the issuing of such authorisations is a Routine activity. If these conditions are not accepted, it would be a Negotiation (Class A) activity.
The conditions are found in Schedule 4 of the LUAA. This web page summarises key aspects of the conditions, but applicants and Earth Resources staff handling those applications should read Schedule 4 in full.
Period of operation
The Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC) and the State have agreed that the standard ERIA Conditions in Schedule 4 will be in place for 18 months from 11 August 2020, the deate when the LUAA commenced.
After that time, either:
- they will be replaced with a new set of Conditions, or
- the granting of exploration, retention and prospecting licences will revert to being Negotiation (Class A) activities.
What the Standard ERIA Conditions cover
Broadly speaking, the Conditions set out requirements regarding:
- minimising interference with the Traditional Owners’ entry, occupation and use of the land in exercise of their Traditional Owner rights
- consulting with the TLaWC throughout the period of the authorisation, keeping them informed, and providing various kinds of information
- paying specified amounts to TLaWC (upfront, annual or per-activity).
What kinds of ERIAs have these Standard Conditions?
The Earth Resource or Infrastructure Authorisations (ERIAs) to which these Conditions may apply include:
- an exploration licence, prospecting licence or retention licence granted under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990
- an exploration permit or retention lease granted under the Petroleum Act 1998, Geothermal Energy Resources Act 2005, or Greenhouse Gas Geological Sequestration Act 2008
- a special access authorisation or a special drilling authorisation granted under the Petroleum Act 1998
- a greenhouse gas assessment permit, greenhouse gas holding lease, petroleum exploration permit or petroleum retention lease granted under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2010
- any other authorisation granted under these Acts for the purpose of exploration.