This Act aims at promoting exploration for geothermal energy resources and production of geothermal energy in the Territory by implementing a scheme to give suitably qualified persons the right to occupy areas of land to conduct activities necessary for the exploration and production; and to provide for protection of the environment during the exploration and production. The Act sets out procedures and requirements for obtaining: geothermal exploration permits which give the permit holder the exclusive right to conduct exploration for geothermal energy resources in the permit area; geothermal retention licences according the exclusive right to conduct activities in the licence area that are necessary to evaluate the development potential of the geothermal energy resources discovered in the area; and geothermal production leases according the exclusive right to conduct activities in the lease area related to the production of geothermal energy and the generation of power. The Act further requires, before the approval of the geothermal operations plan, a security for the payment of costs and expenses that may be incurred by the Minister in relation to: preventing, minimizing or rectifying environmental harm or rehabilitating the geothermal authority area.
Australia · 2009-05-26