New South Wales: Energy and Utilities Administration Act 1987 (NSW)

Energy and Utilities Administration Act 1987 No 103 An Act to constitute the Energy Corporation of New South Wales and define its functions; and for other purposes. Part 1 Preliminary 1 Name of Act This Act may be cited as the Energy and Utilities Administration Act 1987. 2 Commencement (1) Sections 1 and 2 shall commence on the date of assent to this Act. (2) Except as provided by subsection (1), this Act shall commence on such day as may be appointed by the Governor and notified by proclamation published in the Gazette. 3 Definitions (1) In this Act— area of operations, in relation to Sydney Water Corporation, has the same meaning as it has in the Sydney Water Act 1994. Board means the Board of the Corporation. Board member means a member of the Board appointed by the Minister under section 7(2). Chief Executive Officer means the person employed in the Public Service under the Government Sector Employment Act 2013 as the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Climate Change Fund means the Climate Change Fund established under section 34E. contributions order means an order under section 34J. Corporation means the Energy Corporation of New South Wales constituted by section 6. corrosion protection system has the same meaning as it has in the Electricity Supply Act 1995. Department means the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. designated energy users—see section 34B. designated water users—see section 34A. electrical equipment means any appliance, wire, fitting, cable, conduit, meter, insulator, apparatus or material that uses, conveys or controls (or that is designed or intended to use, convey or control) electricity. electrical installation has the same meaning as it has in the Electricity Supply Act 1995. electricity supply authority has the same meaning as it has in the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017. energy means energy, power or fuel. energy savings action plan means a savings action plan relating to the use of energy. energy service includes the supply or distribution of energy. financial year means the year commencing 1 July. licensed distributor means a person who is required to hold a distributor's licence under the Electricity Supply Act 1995. local government area, in relation to a local council, means the area within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1993 of the council. public authority means a public or local authority constituted by or under an Act other than this Act, and includes any other body prescribed by the regulations. Public Service employee has the same meaning as in the Government Sector Employment Act 2013. regulation means a regulation made under this Act. savings action plan means a savings action plan prepared under Division 4 of Part 6A. savings measure, in relation to energy or water, means a program, project or other measure— (a) to reduce the use of, or demand for, energy or water, or (b) to promote awareness or acceptance of the need to reduce the use of energy or water. savings order means an order made under section 34D. Secretary means the Secretary of the Department. State agency means— (a) a public or local authority constituted by or under an Act (including a local council), or (b) a Public Service agency, or (c) a statutory body representing the Crown, or (d) a State owned corporation (including any subsidiary of a State owned corporation) within the meaning of the State Owned Corporations Act 1989. State water agency means— (a) Sydney Water Corporation, or (a1) Gosford City Council, or (a2) Wyong Shire Council, or (b) any other State agency prescribed by the regulations that provides any water service in a water savings area, and includes— (c) a licensed operator, or licensed retailer, within the meaning of the Water Industry Competition Act 2006. (d) (Repealed) water savings action plan means a savings action plan relating to the use of water. water savings area means— (a) the area of operations of Sydney Water Corporation, or (a1) the local government area of Gosford City Council under the Local Government Act 1993, or (a2) the local government area of Wyong Shire Council under the Local Government Act 1993, or (b) any other area or areas of the State prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this definition. water service includes any of the following— (a) the storage or supply of water, (b) the disposal of waste water, (c) the provision of a sewerage, stormwater or drainage service. Note— The Interpretation Act 1987 contains definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Act. (2) In this Act— (a) a reference to a function includes a reference to a power, authority and duty, and (b) a reference to the exercise of a function includes, where the function is a duty, a reference to the performance of the duty. (3) A reference in this Act to the allocation of energy or energy resources includes a reference to the allocation of energy or energy resources in the event that there is insufficient to meet demand. (4) Notes included in this Act do not form part of this Act. 4 Act binds the Crown This Act binds the Crown, not only in right of the State but also, so far as the legislative power of Parliament permits, the Crown in all its other capacities. Part 2 Objects 5 Objects (1) The objects of this Act in relation to energy are— (a) to secure the best management of the supply and use of energy in the State, (b) to provide an authoritative source of advice to the Government and the community on energy matters and their co-ordination, (c) to apply the State's energy resources, technologies and associated expertise to promote economic development and employment in the State, (d) to promote and maintain the efficiency and accountability of energy producers and suppliers and their responsiveness to community needs and expectations, (e) to promote the most cost-effective long term match of energy supply and demand, and (f) to promote the safe and effective utilisation of energy. (2) In the administration of Acts relating to energy, regard shall, to the maximum extent possible having regard to the needs of the State and available resources, and subject to any directions of the Minister, be had to the objects of this Act. (3) The objects of this Act in relation to water are— (a) to reduce the demand for water in water savings areas, and (b) to stimulate investment in innovative water savings measures for use in water savings areas, and (c) to increase public awareness and acceptance of the need to save water in water savings areas, and (d) to improve access to a wider range of water saving technologies in water savings areas, and (e) to encourage the use of non-potable water in water savings areas as an alternative to potable water. Part 3 Energy Corporation Division 1 Constitution of Corporation 6 Constitution of Corporation (1) There is constituted by this Act a corporation with the corporate name of the Energy Corporation of New South Wales. (2) The Corporation is taken to be the continuation of the Corporation constituted under this Act, section 7 immediately before the repeal of that section by the Energy Legislation Amendment Act 2023. (3) The Corporation is a NSW government agency. Note— See the Interpretation Act 1987, section 13A. (4) The Corporation is subject to the control and direction of the Minister. (4A) The Corporation is also subject to the control and direction of the Secretary, but only to the extent necessary to enable the Secretary to exercise the Secretary's functions under this Act or another Act. (5) The Department and the Corporation must, to the maximum extent possible, act in a complementary way to achieve a unified administration of this Act and other Acts conferring or imposing functions on the Corporation. Division 2 Management of Corporation 7 Constitution of Board of Corporation (1) There is to be a Board of the Corporation. (2) The Board consists of at least 3 and not more than 8 Board members appointed by the Minister. (3) The Minister must appoint Board members who, in the Minister's opinion, have skills and experience that— (a) are relevant to the administration of the Corporation, and (b) will assist the Corporation in exercising its functions. (4) At least 1 Board member must have skills and experience in community engagement. (5) The Minister must appoint a Board member as Chairperson of the Board. (6) Schedule 1 contains provisions about the members and procedure of the Board. 8 Functions of Board (1) The Board has the following functions— (a) to determine the policies of the Corporation and give directions to the Chief Executive Officer in relation to the functions of the Corporation, (a1) to ensure, as far as practicable, the proper and efficient performance of the functions of the Corporation and the Chief Executive Officer, (b) other functions conferred or imposed on the Board by this Act or another law or prescribed by the regulations. (2) To avoid doubt, the Board must not direct the Chief Executive Officer in relation to employer functions the Chief Executive Officer may have under the Government Sector Employment Act 2013, section 31. 8A Board committees (1) The Board may establish committees to assist the Board in connection with the Board's functions. (2) A committee need not include a member of the Board. (3) The procedure for calling meetings of a committee and conducting business at the meetings must be determined by the Board or, subject to a determination of the Board, by the committee. (4) The Board may dissolve a committee. 9 Staff of Corporation Persons may be employed in the Public Service under the Government Sector Employment Act 2013 to enable the Corporation to exercise its functions. Note— The Government Sector Employment Act 2013, section 59 provides that the persons employed for the Corporation, or whose services the Corporation makes use of, may be referred to as officers or employees, or members of staff, of the Corporation. The Constitution Act 1902, section 47A precludes the Corporation from employing staff. 10 Control and management of Corporation (1) All decisions relating to the functions of the Corporation must be made by or under the authority of the Board. (2) The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the day-to-day management of the affairs of the Corporation, subject to the policies and directions of the Board. (3) An act, matter or thing done in the name of, or on behalf of, the Corporation by or under the authority of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer is taken to have been done by the Corporation. (4) A direction of the Minister under section 6(4) and a direction of the Secretary under section 6(4A) prevail over a policy or direction of the Board to the extent of an inconsistency. Division 3 Miscellaneous 10A Delegation (1) The Corporation may delegate the exercise of any of its functions, other than this power of delegation, to the following— (a) the Chief Executive Officer, (b) an advisory committee established by the Corporation under section 10B, (c) a Public Service employee, (d) a person of a class prescribed by the regulations. (2) The Corporation may subdelegate a function delegated to the Corporation by the Minister to the persons specified in subsection (1), unless the Minister otherwise provides in the instrument of delegation. (3) The Chief Executive Officer may delegate the exercise of any of the Chief Executive Officer's functions, other than this power of delegation, to the following— (a) a member of staff of the Corporation, (b) a person of a class prescribed by the regulations. (4) The Chief Executive Officer may subdelegate a function delegated to the Chief Executive Officer by the Minister or the Corporation to the following, unless the Minister or the Corporation otherwise provides in the instrument of delegation— (a) a member of staff of the Corporation, (b) a person of a class prescribed by the regulations. Note— The Minister's functions may be delegated under section 45. 10B Advisory committees (1) The Corporation may establish advisory committees to give advice and assistance to the Corporation in connection with the Corporation's functions. (2) The procedure for calling advisory committee meetings and conducting business at advisory committee meetings must, subject to this Act and the regulations, be determined by the Corporation. (3) The Corporation may dissolve an advisory committee. 10C Protection from personal liability (1) A protected person, or an individual acting under the direction of a protected person, is not personally subject to civil liability for anything done or omitted to be done— (a) in good faith, and (b) for the purposes of exercising functions under this Act or the regulations. (2) The liability instead attaches to the Crown. (3) In this section— civil liability includes an action, claim or demand. protected person means the following— (a) the Corporation, (b) a Board member, (c) the Chief Executive Officer, (d) a member of an advisory committee of the Corporation, (e) a member of a committee of the Board. Part 4 Functions of Energy Corporation 11 Objects and general functions (1) The objects of the Corporation are— (a) to carry out such investigations relating to the locating and the development, extraction, provision, allocation, transportation, distribution, pricing, conservation, utilisation and conditions of supply of energy and energy resources as it considers appropriate or as the Minister directs, (b) to plan the locating and the development, extraction, provision, allocation, transportation, distribution, pricing, conservation, utilisation and conditions of supply of energy and energy resources in such manner as it considers appropriate or as the Minister directs, (c) to assist and advise, and make reports and recommendations to, the Minister in respect of matters relevant to this Act and any other Act administered by the Minister, (d) to review plans or draft plans for the development, extraction, provision, allocation, transportation, distribution, pricing, conservation, utilisation and conditions of supply of energy and energy resources prepared by any energy undertakings operating in the State, and (e) in accordance with this Act, to acquire and dispose of energy and energy resources or operations connected with the locating and the development, extraction, provision, transportation, distribution, conservation or utilisation of energy and energy resources, and (f) to promote energy conservation and measures to increase the efficiency of energy supply, transmission and use. (2) The Corporation— (a) has and may exercise the functions conferred or imposed on it by or under this or any other Act, and (b) without limiting any other provision conferring or imposing functions on it, may, subject to this Act, do all such things and engage in all such activities as are reasonably required for it to carry out its objects. (3) Nothing in this Act authorises the Corporation to engage in the generation of electricity or the supply of electricity except in connection with its own undertakings. (4) Except as provided by section 15, nothing in this Part authorises anything to be compulsorily acquired. 12 Functions (1) The Corporation may also do any or all of the following— (a) investigate the extent of the energy resources available within the State, (b) carry out, or commission the carrying out of, such inspections, tests, investigations, surveys, experiments, boring, drilling and exploration as it considers necessary or desirable to enable it to effectively exercise its functions under this or any other Act, (c) evaluate the future demands for energy and energy resources within the State and the capacity of the State to meet those demands, whether from internal resources or otherwise, and assess the impact of any lack of energy or energy resources on the development of the State or any part of the State, (d) promote the locating and the development, extraction, provision, transportation, distribution, conservation and utilisation of energy and energy resources, (e) (Repealed) (f) disseminate or promote the dissemination of information regarding the locating and the development, extraction, provision, allocation, transportation, distribution, pricing, conservation, utilisation and conditions of supply of energy and energy resources, (g) carry out, commission or co-ordinate research, development and demonstration with respect to any matter relating to energy or energy resources, (h) assist and co-operate with authorities of the Commonwealth and other States and Territories in the planning and co-ordination of policies related to energy and energy resources, (i) have consultations, and make arrangements, with any public authority in respect of the exercise or undertaking by that authority of anything within that authority's functions that may affect energy or energy resources, (j) undertake negotiations on behalf of, or in co-operation with, persons who are interested in making energy or energy resources available for use by the community, (k) formulate proposals to assist with the provision by a gas producing, extracting or transporting undertaking of a bulk supply of gas to a gas distributing undertaking including a scheme to enable that gas to be provided, (l) acquire a gas producing or distributing undertaking by agreement, (m) undertake, or cause to be undertaken, the construction of works or apparatus to be used for or in connection with the locating or the development, extraction, provision, transportation, distribution, conservation or utilisation of energy or energy resources, (n) maintain and operate any undertaking constructed or acquired by it under this or any other Act. (1A) (Repealed) (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Corporation may— (a) promote and regulate the adoption of standards of plant, equipment, frequency and voltage for the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity, and (b) promote and encourage the safety of persons and property in relation to electricity, and without limiting the generality of that function, promote and encourage the safety of persons and property in relation to— (i) the installation, maintenance and use of electric lines, works, electrical installations and corrosion protection systems, and (ii) the sale or hire of electrical equipment, and (c) without limiting the generality of paragraph (b), issue or publish public statements or warnings relating to— (i) electrical equipment, electrical installations or corrosion protection systems that, in the opinion of the Corporation are, or are potentially, unsafe, and (ii) safety in relation to electricity generally, and (d) promote and encourage the development and use of the natural resources of the State in connection with the generation of electricity, and (e) promote and encourage the use of electricity, especially its use for industrial and manufacturing purposes and for the purpose of primary production, and (f) advise any person engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution or supply of electricity on all matters of and concerning such generation, transmission, distribution and supply, and (g) consider the advisability of amending the law relating to the generation, transmission, distribution, supply and use of electricity, and report on that to the Minister, and (h) do such other acts as may be necessary or expedient for those purposes. (3) The Corporation may exercise, in its own name, any function of an electricity supply authority under this or any other Act as if it were such an authority, if the Corporation is of the opinion that it is necessary to do so in order to protect the life or health of any person. (4) Except as provided by subsection (5), nothing in this Part limits or otherwise affects the functions of TransGrid (or any other energy transmission operator under the Energy Services Corporations Act 1995). (5) The Corporation may, in relation to TransGrid (or any other energy transmission operator under the Energy Services Corporations Act 1995), exercise the functions referred to in subsection (2) (a) and (b). 12A Corporation's service delivery priorities The Corporation must determine the Corporation's service delivery priorities, having regard to the Minister's expectations for service delivery established by a Statement of Expectations issued to the Corporation by the Minister, if any. 12B Corporate plan (1) The Corporation must, before the beginning of each financial year, prepare a corporate plan for the financial year. (2) The corporate plan must— (a) be made in accordance with the regulations, if any, and (b) specify the following— (i) the Corporation's service delivery priorities, (ii) other matters prescribed by the regulations. (3) The corporate plan must be consistent with a Statement of Expectations issued to the Corporation by the Minister no later than 4 months before the beginning of the financial year to which the corporate plan relates. (4) The Corporation must, as far as practicable, exercise its functions in accordance with the corporate plan. (5) The regulations may deal with corporate plans, including the following— (a) the preparation of corporate plans, (b) consultation on draft corporate plans, (c) the publication of corporate plans. (6) This section is subject to a requirement made under this Act, including a requirement in a direction by the Minister or the Secretary under this Act. 12C Corporation to give information to Minister The Corporation must— (a) give the Minister the information relating to the Corporation's activities that the Minister may require, and (b) keep the Minister informed of the general conduct of the Corporation's activities and of significant developments in the Corporation's activities. 13 Review of plans and draft plans (1) The Corporation shall review any plan or draft plan required to be submitted to the Corporation by or under any other Act. (2) In reviewing such a plan or draft plan, the Corporation may do any or all of the following— (a) advertise the plan or draft plan in such manner as it considers appropriate, (b) cause the plan or draft plan to be published in such manner as it considers appropriate, (c) invite comments on the plan or draft plan from the public or any persons or groups, (d) conduct an inquiry under section 21, (e) refer the whole or part of the plan or draft plan to a consultant for review or comment by the consultant, (f) exercise any other relevant functions conferred or imposed on it by or under this or any other Act. (3) Nothing in this section limits the exercise by the Corporation of any of its functions. 14 Purchase etc of certain shares (1) The Corporation may, on behalf of the Crown, negotiate and enter into agreements for the purposes of, or in connection with, the acquisition, holding, dealing with, and disposal of shares in any company having (whether expressly or otherwise) among its objects— (a) the carrying out of investigations or research into energy or energy resources, or (b) the locating, development, extraction, transportation, distribution, conservation, utilisation, acquisition or disposal of energy or energy resources. (2) Such an agreement may be entered into by the Corporation only with the approval of the Governor given on the recommendation of the Minister with the concurrence of the Treasurer. (3) Such an agreement may be executed, on behalf of the Corporation, only by 2 or more persons authorised for the purpose by the Governor on that recommendation and with that concurrence. (4) The Corporation may do all things authorised or required by such an agreement to be done and all incidental things, and may also do such things as are necessary or convenient to be done for the purpose of carrying into effect and implementing the terms of any such agreement. (5) Without affecting the generality of subsection (4), the Corporation may— (a) acquire, hold, deal with and dispose of shares in a company to which an agreement entered into by it under this section relates, and (b) do all such things as are appropriate by reason of its being a holder of any such shares, including the appointment of any director or directors of any such company. (6) Any appointment of such a director shall not be made except with the approval of the Minister and the Treasurer. (7) The fact that any director of a company so appointed is accustomed to act in accordance with the directions or instructions of a Minister of the Crown does not constitute that Minister a director of the company. 15 Acquisition of land (1) The Corporation may, for the purposes of this Act or any other Act administered by the Minister, acquire land (including an interest in land) by agreement or by compulsory process in accordance with the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991. (2) For the purposes of the Public Works Act 1912, any such acquisition of land is taken to be for an authorised work and the Corporation is, in relation to that authorised work, taken to be the Constructing Authority. (3) Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the Public Works Act 1912 do not apply in respect of works constructed under this Act. (4) Despite the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991, section 55, a strategic benefit payment to which a person is entitled must be disregarded in determining the amount of compensation to which the person is entitled under that Act, Part 3. (5) In this section— strategic benefit payment has the same meaning as in the Electricity Supply Act 1995, section 44. 16 Power to accept gifts etc of property (1) The Corporation may acquire by gift, bequest or devise any property for any of the purposes of this Act or any other Act administered by the Minister and may agree to carry out the conditions of the gift, bequest or devise. (2) The rule of law relating to remoteness of vesting does not apply to any condition of a gift, bequest or devise to which the Corporation has agreed. 17 Disposal of and dealings with land vested in Corporation (1) The Corporation shall not sell, lease, exchange or otherwise deal with or dispose of land acquired by or vested in the Corporation except with the approval of the Minister and subject to such terms and conditions as the Minister may impose. (2) The Minister's approval is not required to a lease of land where the term of the lease is less than 3 years. 18 Contracts (1) The Corporation may make and enter into contracts with any person for the carrying out of works or the performance of services or the supply of goods or materials in connection with the exercise of its functions. (2) A contract under this section shall be deemed for the purposes of the Constitution Act 1902 to be a contract for or on account of the Public Service of New South Wales. 19 Arrangements with public authorities (1) The Corporation may enter into an arrangement or agreement with any public authority that— (a) the public authority shall act as agent of the Corporation for the purposes of this Act or any other Act administered by the Minister, or (b) the Corporation shall act as agent of the public authority for the purposes of this Act or any other Act administered by the Minister, on such terms and conditions as are agreed on between the Corporation and the public authority. (2) Notwithstanding anything in any other Act, any public authority may enter into any such arrangements or agreements and may do or suffer anything necessary or expedient for carrying out any such arrangements or agreements. 20 Arrangements for investigation and research The Corporation may enter into arrangements with— (a) a Minister of the Crown of any State, a Minister of State of the Commonwealth or a Department or instrumentality of any State or of the Commonwealth, (b) a university or another tertiary institution, or (c) any other body or person, with respect to the conduct of any investigation, study or research that may be necessary or desirable to enable the Corporation to exercise its functions. Part 5 Inquiries 21 Inquiries into energy matters (1) The Minister or the Corporation may conduct an inquiry, and the Corporation shall conduct an inquiry if directed to do so by the Minister, into— (a) any matter relating to the locating or the development, extraction, provision, allocation, transportation, distribution, pricing, conservation, utilisation or conditions of supply of energy or energy resources, or (b) without affecting the generality of paragraph (a), any plan or draft plan referred to in section 11 or 13. (2) The Minister or the Corporation may, by order in writing, authorise, subject to the terms of the authorisation— (a) an advisory committee established by the Corporation under section 10B, or (b) any other person, to examine, and report to the Minister or the Corporation on, any matter in connection with an inquiry. (3) Nothing in this section limits the power of the Minister or the Corporation to conduct an examination in connection with an inquiry under this section, and the Minister or the Corporation may conduct such an examination even though another body or person has been authorised to do so. (4) No matter or thing done by— (a) a member of a committee, or (b) any other person, authorised under this section to examine, and report to the Minister or the Corporation on, any matter in connection with an inquiry shall, if the matter or thing was done in good faith for the purposes of the inquiry, subject the member or person personally to any action, liability, claim or demand. (5) The regulations may make provision about the travelling expenses and compensation that may be paid to persons attending or giving evidence at an inquiry or examination under this section. 22 Royal Commission powers at inquiries (1) For the purposes of an inquiry or examination under section 21— (a) the Minister, the person conducting it on behalf of the Corporation or the chairperson of the committee conducting it has the functions, protections and immunities conferred on a chairperson of a Royal Commission by Division 1 of Part 2 of the Royal Commissions Act 1923, and (b) a member of the committee conducting it has the functions, protections and immunities conferred on a commissioner by that Division. (2) The Royal Commissions Act 1923 (except section 13 and Division 2 of Part 2) applies to and in respect of an inquiry or examination under section 21. Part 6 Emergency provisions 23 Definitions In this Part— AEMO means the Australian Energy Market Operator Limited ACN 072 010 327. cyber security incident means acts, events or circumstances involving, or likely to involve, 1 or more of the following— (a) unauthorised access to computer data or a computer program, (b) unauthorised modification of computer data or a computer program, (c) unauthorised impairment of electronic communication to or from a computer, (d) unauthorised impairment of the availability, reliability, security or operation of a computer, computer data or a computer program. declared form of energy means a form of energy or energy resources specified in an order under section 24. form of energy or energy resources means a form of energy or energy resources other than electricity. inspector means a person authorised, for the time being, under section 31. place includes a building, structure and mine. supply includes the following— (a) distribution, provision, sale, storage and transport of energy or energy resources, (b) production or extraction of energy or energy resources. use of energy includes consumption of energy. 24 Declaration of energy supply emergency (1) The Premier may, by written order, declare an energy supply emergency if satisfied that— (a) the supply of a form of energy or energy resources to the State or part of the State is disrupted to a significant degree, or (b) the supply of a form of energy or energy resources to the State or part of the State is at risk of disruption to a significant degree, or (c) due to a cyber security incident the operations of a person that supplies a form of energy within the State— (i) are disrupted to a significant degree, or (ii) are at risk of disruption to a significant degree. (2) A declaration under this section has effect from the date specified in the order. (3) A declaration under this section remains in force— (a) for the period specified in the order, or (b) if the order does not specify a period in which the declaration remains in force—until revoked by the Premier by written order. (4) As soon as practicable after making or revoking a declaration under this section, other than a declaration made because of a cyber security incident, the Premier must arrange for the declaration or revocation to be— (a) made publicly available in the way the Premier considers appropriate, and (b) published in the Gazette. 25 Direction during energy supply emergency (1) While a declaration under section 24(1)(a) or (b) is in force, the Minister may by order give directions the Minister considers reasonably necessary to respond to the energy supply emergency including directions for the following matters— (a) to control, direct, restrict or prohibit the supply or use of a declared form of energy, whether generally or for a purpose specified in the direction, (b) to direct a person who supplies a declared form of energy to supply it to a person specified in the direction, (c) to direct a person to comply with the terms and conditions determined by the Minister for the supply of a declared form of energy, (d) to direct a person to whom a declared form of energy is supplied to accept the declared form of energy, (e) other matters the Minister considers necessary to give effect to— (i) the declaration, or (ii) a recommendation made by a qualified person under section 28. (2) A direction may— (a) operate throughout the whole of the State or in a specified part of the State, and (b) operate for a specified period, time or occasion, and (c) be of general operation or have limited operation according to a time, place, circumstance, condition or restriction specified in the direction, and (d) authorise a specified person to enter land or a building or structure, used for or in connection with the supply of the declared form of energy, and (e) authorise a specified person to take possession or control of or use property, a business or an undertaking used for or in connection with the supply of the declared form of energy. (3) A direction may be revoked by the Minister. (4) A direction or revocation of a direction— (a) must be published in the Gazette and on publication is taken to have been served on or brought to the notice of all persons concerned or affected by it, and (b) without affecting the application of paragraph (a)—may, if it applies to a specified person, be given to the person verbally or in writing. (5) If a direction or the revocation of a direction is given verbally under subsection (4)(b), written confirmation of the direction or revocation must be given to the person as soon as practicable. 26 Cyber security directions (1) While a declaration under section 24(1)(c) is in force, the Minister may, by written order, give a direction (a cyber security direction) to a person requiring the person to take the action the Minister considers reasonably necessary to— (a) respond to the impact of the incident on the person's information technology systems, or (b) prevent the incident having an impact on the person's information technology systems. (2) The Minister's written order under subsection (1) must include a copy of the Premier's declaration of the energy supply emergency under which the cyber security direction is given. (3) A cyber security direction— (a) has effect for the period specified in the direction, and (b) may be varied or revoked by a subsequent direction under this section. 27 Requirement to provide information (1) The Minister may, by written notice (an information notice), require a person to provide information for 1 or more of the following purposes— (a) to determine whether the supply of a form of energy or energy resources to the State or any part of the State has been, or is likely to be, disrupted to a significant degree, (b) to determine whether there is, or is likely to be, a cyber security incident affecting the effective supply of a form of energy or energy resources to the State or any part of the State, (c) to plan and prepare for the exercise of powers under this Part if the supply of a form of energy or energy resources is disrupted to a significant degree, (d) the administration or execution of this Part. (2) Without limitation, an information notice given to a person may require the person to provide the following information to the Minister— (a) information about a cyber security incident that the Minister reasonably believes affects the person, (b) the person's plan to respond to cyber security incidents, (c) information about the actions the person has taken, or intends to take, in response to a cyber security incident. (3) An information notice must specify— (a) the way the information must be provided, and (b) the reasonable time in which the information must be provided. (4) An information notice may be given whether or not a declaration of an energy supply emergency is in force. (5) A person must not— (a) without lawful excuse fail to comply with an information notice given to the person, or (b) provide information, in purported compliance with an information notice, that is false or misleading in a material respect. Maximum penalty— (a) for a corporation—2,000 penalty units, or (b) for an individual—100 penalty units. (6) In addition to service under section 43A, an information notice may be given to a person by— (a) email, to an email address specified by the person for the giving of information notices, or (b) another method authorised by the regulations for the giving of information notices. 27A Disclosure of information provided to Minister (1) The Minister must not disclose information provided to the Minister under section 27 except— (a) with the consent of the person who provided the information, or (b) if the Minister is satisfied that the information is not confidential in nature, or (c) in connection with the administration or execution of this Act, or (d) to AEMO, or (e) to a person prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this section, or (f) in accordance with a requirement under an Act or law. (2) The Minister may give a direction to a person to whom the Minister has given information under subsection (1) prohibiting or restricting the person from disclosing the information if the Minister is satisfied that it is appropriate to give the direction because of the confidential nature of the information. (3) A person must comply with a direction given to the person under subsection (2). Maximum penalty— (a) for a corporation—2,000 penalty units, or (b) for an individual—100 penalty units. 28 Appointment of qualified person to investigate certain industrial matters (1) In this section— industrial matter has the same meaning as in the Industrial Relations Act 1996. qualified person means a Member of the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales or other person having qualifications which the Minister considers appropriate to carry out the functions under this section of a person appointed under this section. (2) If a declaration is in force under section 24, the Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, appoint a qualified person to investigate any industrial matter specified or described in the order, being an industrial matter with respect to any one or more of the following— (a) the supply of a declared form of energy, (b) persons engaged in the supply of a declared form of energy, (c) the use of a declared form of energy. (3) A qualified person appointed under this section may carry out the functions given to the person under subsection (4) even though the declaration under section 24 that was in force when the person was so appointed has ceased to be in force. (4) A qualified person appointed under this section shall, as soon as practicable after being appointed, investigate the industrial matter specified or described in the order and make a report and recommendation to the Minister with respect to that industrial matter. (5) For the purposes of any investigation under this section— (a) a qualified person appointed under this section has the powers, authorities, protections and immunities conferred on the chairperson of a Royal Commission by Division 1 of Part 2 of the Royal Commissions Act 1923, and (b) section 24 of the Local Court Act 2007 applies to or in respect of a witness or person summoned by or appearing before a qualified person in the same way as it applies to or in respect of a person appearing before the Local Court. (6) The provisions of the Royal Commissions Act 1923 (section 13 and Division 2 of Part 2 excepted) apply to and in respect of any witness or person summoned by or appearing before a qualified person appointed under subsection (2) in the same way as they apply to and in respect of a witness or person summoned by or appearing before the chairperson of a Royal Commission under that Act. 29 Disruption of supply (1) If a person is convicted of failing to comply with a direction given by the Minister under section 25, the Minister may direct the person to discontinue the supply of the declared form of energy. (2) A direction under subsection (1) ceases to have effect— (a) on the date determined by the Minister, or (b) when the relevant direction made by the Minister under section 25 ceases to have effect. 30 Failure to comply with Minister's direction A person must not fail to comply with a direction given by the Minister under section 25, 26 or 29. Maximum penalty— (a) for a corporation—2,000 penalty units, or (b) for an individual—100 penalty units. 31 Appointment of inspectors (1) The Minister may authorise a person to carry out inspections and tests for the purposes of this Part. (2) The Minister shall provide an inspector with a certificate of the inspector's authority in the prescribed form. (3) An inspector, in exercising in any place any function conferred or imposed under this Part, shall, if so required by a person apparently in charge of that place, produce the certificate of authority to that person. 32 Functions of inspectors (1) The functions of an inspector under this section may be exercised only— (a) if a declaration of an energy supply emergency is in force under section 24, and (b) for the form of energy specified in the declaration. (2) An inspector may— (a) enter and inspect any land or place on, in or from which a form of energy or energy resource is or may reasonably be believed by the inspector to be extracted, developed, produced, provided, supplied, stored, transported, distributed or utilised, (b) inspect and test any plant or equipment on or in any such land or place, being plant or equipment which is or may reasonably be believed by the inspector to be used for or in connection with the extraction, development, production, provision, supply, storage, transportation, distribution or utilisation of a form of energy or energy resource, (c) conduct such tests as the inspector considers appropriate to determine any matter relating to the extraction, development, production, provision, supply, storage, transportation, distribution or utilisation of a form of energy or energy resource, (d) take samples of a form of energy or energy resource or any substance used in connection with the extraction, development, production, provision, supply, storage, transportation, distribution or utilisation of a form of energy or energy resource, (e) require any person on any such land or place to produce any accounts, records, books or other documents relating to the extraction, development, production, provision, supply, storage, transportation, distribution or utilisation of a form of energy or energy resource, (f) take copies of, or extracts or notes from, any such accounts, records, books or other documents, (g) require any person on any such land or place to answer questions or otherwise furnish information relating to the extraction, development, production, provision, supply, storage, transportation, distribution or utilisation of a form of energy or energy resource on, in or from the land or place, and (h) require the owner or occupier of any such land or place to provide the inspector with such assistance and facilities as are reasonably necessary to enable the inspector to exercise the inspector's functions under this section. (3) The functions conferred under this section are in aid of and not in derogation from any other functions exercisable apart from this section. 33 Obstruction etc of inspectors (1) A person shall not— (a) prevent an inspector from exercising or performing any function conferred on the inspector under section 32, (b) hinder or obstruct an inspector in the exercise of any such functions, (c) refuse or fail to comply with any requirement or answer any question of an inspector, (d) furnish an inspector with information knowing that it is false or misleading in a material particular, or (e) impersonate an inspector. Maximum penalty— (a) for a corporation—200 penalty units, or (b) for an individual—50 penalty units. (2) It is a sufficient defence to a prosecution for an offence under subsection (1) (c) by reason of the failure of the defendant to answer a question of an inspector under section 32 if the defendant proves that the defendant did not know, and could not with reasonable diligence ascertain, the answer to the question. (3) A person is not excused from answering any question of an inspector under section 32 on the ground that the answer might tend to incriminate the person or make the person liable to a penalty, but the information furnished by the person is not admissible against the person in any proceedings, civil or criminal, except for an offence under subsection (1). (4) If— (a) an answer to a question of an inspector under section 32, or (b) any information whatever, is given to an inspector by an officer of a corporation within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth, the answer and information are, for the purposes of any proceedings against the corporation under this Act, binding on and admissible in evidence against the corporation. (5) Subsection (4) does not apply if it is proved that the answer or information was given in relation to a matter in respect of which the officer had no authority to bind the corporation. 34 Miscellaneous matters (1) This Part has effect notwithstanding anything whether expressed or implied in any other Part of this Act or in any other Act or in any judgment or order or in any contract or agreement, whether oral or in writing, or in any deed, document, security or writing. (2) All powers given by or under this Part or in any proclamation or regulation made or any notice or direction given under this Part shall be in aid of and not in derogation from any other powers exercisable apart from this Part. (3) No action, claim or demand shall lie or be made or allowed by or in favour of any person against the Crown or any responsible Minister or any person acting in the execution of this Part or any proclamation, regulation, notice, order or direction made or given thereunder for or in respect of any damage, loss or injury sustained or alleged to be sustained by reason of the enactment of this Part or of its operation or of anything done or purporting to be done under this Part or under any such proclamation, regulation, notice, order or direction. Part 6A Water and energy savings Division 1 General 34A Designated water users The following persons and bodies are designated water users for the purposes of this Part— (a) any local council that has all or part of its local government area located within a water savings area, (b) any other person or body (or person or body belonging to a class of persons or bodies) prescribed by a savings order that uses water in a water savings area. 34B Designated energy users The following persons and bodies are designated energy users for the purposes of this Part— (a) any State agency, (b) any other person or body (or person or body belonging to a class of persons or bodies) prescribed by a savings order that uses energy. 34C Exemptions A savings order may exempt specified persons and bodies (or specified classes of persons and bodies) from any or all of the provisions of this Part or the regulations relating to designated water users or designated energy users (or both). 34D Savings orders (1) The Minister may, by order published on the NSW legislation website, make provision for any matter that is required or permitted to be prescribed or otherwise dealt with by a savings order under a provision of this Act. Note— The Minister may amend or repeal an order made under this section. See section 43 of the Interpretation Act 1987. (2) Sections 40, 41 and 42 of the Interpretation Act 1987 apply to a savings order in the same way as they apply to a statutory rule. Division 2 Climate Change Fund 34E Establishment of Climate Change Fund There is to be established in the Special Deposits Account a fund called the "Climate Change Fund" (referred to in this Part as the Fund). 34F Purposes of Climate Change Fund The purposes of the Fund are as follows— (a) to provide funding to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts of climate change associated with water and energy activities, (b) to provide funding to encourage water and energy savings and the recycling of water, (c) to provide funding to reduce the demand for water and energy, including addressing peak demand for energy, (d) to provide funding to stimulate investment in innovative water and energy savings measures, (e) to provide funding to increase public awareness and acceptance of the importance of climate change and water and energy savings measures, (f) to provide funding for contributions made by the State for the purposes of national energy regulation. 34G Payments into Climate Change Fund (1) There is payable into the Fund— (a) all money received from contributions required to be made to the Fund under Division 3, and (b) all money advanced by the Treasurer for the Fund, and (c) all money appropriated by Parliament for the purposes of the Fund, and (d) the proceeds of the investment of money in the Fund, and (e) all money directed or authorised to be paid into the Fund by or under this or any other Act or law, and (f) all money received from voluntary contributions to the Fund made by any other person or body, and (g) all money received from the repayment of a grant that was paid out of the Fund under section 34H(1)(a). (2) Without limiting subsection (1) (f), State agencies are authorised by this section to make voluntary contributions to the Fund. (3) Subsection (2) does not authorise a State water agency or a licensed distributor to refuse to pay a contribution to the Fund that is payable under Division 3. 34H Payments out of Climate Change Fund (1) There is payable from the Fund— (a) any money, including a repayable grant, approved by the Minister to fund all or any part of the cost of any measure that the Minister is satisfied promotes a purpose referred to in section 34F, and (b) any money approved by the Minister to fund all or any part of the contributions that the State is required to make for the purposes of national energy regulation, and (c) any money required to meet administrative expenses related to the Fund, and (d) any money required to meet administrative expenses of the Minister in connection with the Minister's functions under this Act in relation to savings action plans, and (d1) $50 million between 2021 and 2030 to develop the green hydrogen sector, including— (i) the production of hydrogen using renewable energy, and (ii) the supply, use and export of hydrogen produced using renewable energy, and (e) any money directed or authorised to be paid from the Fund by or under this or any other Act or law. (2) In exercising the Minister's functions under subsection (1) (a) (but without limiting the generality of that paragraph), the Minister may— (a) approve selection criteria from time to time to be applied to determine the kinds of water or energy savings measures that will be eligible for funding, and (b) approve the funding of community grants from the Fund, being grants awarded on the basis of their merit in advancing one or more of the purposes referred to in section 34F, established through a competitive selection process, and (c) require a person or body seeking funding for a water or energy savings measure to do either or both of the following as a precondition to applying for or obtaining funding— (i) to submit a water savings action plan or energy savings action plan (as the case requires) that includes details about the measure, (ii) to provide any other information requested by the Minister about the measure, and (d) obtain and have regard to any advice, recommendations or other information provided to the Minister by a committee established by the Minister under Division 5, or by any other person or body, that the Minister considers relevant. (3) The Minister is to produce an annual report detailing fund allocations and programs and anticipated benefits, by reference to key performance indicators, to be achieved in advancing any one or more of the purposes referred to in section 34F. (4) The annual report is to include an evaluation of the effectiveness of each program as it is completed under the Fund. (5) The annual report is to be tabled in each House of Parliament within 6 months after the end of the financial year to which it relates. (6) The Minister is to publish each annual report so as to promote, to the NSW public, schemes, technologies and processes that address climate change and to inform the NSW public about consumer choices and procurement decisions. 34I Investment of money in Climate Change Fund The Minister may invest money in the Fund— (a) if the Minister is a GSF agency for the purposes of Part 6 of the Government Sector Finance Act 2018—in any way that the Minister is permitted to invest money under that Part, or (b) if the Minister is not a GSF agency for the purposes of Part 6 of the Government Sector Finance Act 2018—in any way approved by the Treasurer. Division 3 Required contributions to Climate Change Fund 34J Minister may require State water agencies or licensed distributors to make contributions to Climate Change Fund (1) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, require any one or more State water agencies or licensed distributors to make an annual contribution for a specified financial year to the Fund. Note— The Minister may amend or repeal an order made under this section. See section 43 of the Interpretation Act 1987. (2) A contributions order— (a) must specify the annual contributions payable by each State water agency or licensed distributor to which the order applies (being an amount that does not exceed the maximum amount, if any, prescribed by the regulations), and (b) may specify that an annual contribution may be paid by instalments during the financial year to which the order applies, and (c) must specify the time or, in the case of an annual contribution that is payable by instalments, the times at which any contribution required under the order is to be made, and (d) may be made before or during the financial year to which the order relates. Editorial note— For orders under this section (and orders under section 34P made before its repeal and taken to be made under this section) see Gazettes No 62 of 30.5.2005, pp 1893, 1894; No 23 of 17.2.2006, p 881; No 68 of 26.5.2006, p 3214; No 72 of 2.6.2006, p 3911; No 95 of 28.7.2006, p 5982; No 139 of 5.10.2007, p 7684; No 43 of 18.4.2008, p 2754; No 66 of 1.5.2009, p 1954; No 90 of 19.6.2009, p 3137; No 125 of 11.9.2009, p 5069; No 184 of 27.11.2009, p 5854; No 91 of 9.7.2010, p 3422; No 130 of 26.11.2010, p 5633; No 52 of 27.5.2011, p 3388; No 22 of 27.2.2012, p 555; No 100 of 28.9.2012, p 4136; No 65 of 31.5.2013, p 2307; No 87 of 5.7.2013, p 3391; No 61 of 4.7.2014, p 2532; No 53 of 26.6.2015, p 1947; No 55 of 30.6.2016, p 1849; No 78 of 7.7.2017, p 3873; No 68 of 6.7.2018, pp 4193, 4194 and No 182 of 20.8.2020, n2020-3799. From April 2021, PCO is no longer updating notes in provisions of in force titles about related gazette notices. To search for related gazette notices, please use the Gazette Search functionality. 34K General provisions relating to contributions orders (1) The Minister is to cause a copy of a contributions order to be served on the State water agencies or licensed distributors to which the order applies as soon as is reasonably practicable after the order is published in the Gazette. (2) A failure to comply with subsection (1) does not affect the validity of a contributions order. (3) Despite any other Act or law, a State water agency or licensed distributor to which a contributions order applies must pay into the Fund such amounts at such times as may be required by the order. (4) An amount that is payable by a State water agency or licensed distributor under a contributions order may be recovered by the Minister as a debt in any court of competent jurisdiction for payment into the Fund. 34L Special provisions relating to contributions orders applying to State water agencies (1) If a State water agency to which a proposed contributions order is to apply is constituted by or under an Act that is administered by a Minister other than the Minister administering section 34J of this Act, the order may be made only with the concurrence of the Minister administering the Act by or under which the agency is constituted. (2) If a State water agency to which a proposed contributions order is to apply is a local water utility within the meaning of the Water Management Act 2000 but not a State owned corporation, the Minister must consult with each of the following before making the order— (a) the State water agency, (b) the Local Government and Shires Association of New South Wales. (3) If the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal is required by or under the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act 1992 to determine a maximum price for a water service provided by a State water agency, any requirement imposed on the agency by a contributions order to pay an amount into the Fund is to be treated for the purposes of section 16A of that Act as a requirement with which the agency must comply in providing the service. Note— Section 16A of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act 1992 enables the Minister responsible for a government agency to direct the Tribunal, when it makes a determination of the maximum price for a government monopoly service provided by the agency, to include in the maximum price an amount representing the efficient cost of complying with a specified requirement imposed on the agency. It also enables the Minister to direct the Tribunal, when it makes a determination of the methodology for fixing the maximum price for the service, to include in the methodology a factor representing such a cost. 34M Special provisions relating to contributions orders applying to licensed distributors A proposed contributions order that is to apply to a licensed distributor may be made only with— (a) the concurrence of the Treasurer, and (b) if section 14 (Licences) of the Electricity Supply Act 1995 is administered by a Minister other than the Minister administering section 34J of this Act—the concurrence of the Minister administering section 14 of that Act. 34N Exemptions for electricity used by green hydrogen producers (1) A licensed distributor to which a contributions order applies must not recover charges from a person who buys electricity exempted under this section for the purpose of paying the annual contributions under a contributions order. (2) The Minist