23   Approval of plans

(1)  The Minister may:

(a)  approve a draft catchment action plan submitted by an authority, without alteration or with such alteration as the Minister thinks fit, or

(b)  refer the draft plan back to the authority for further consideration.

(2)  The Minister is not to approve a draft catchment action plan unless the Minister is satisfied (having regard to the advice of the Natural Resources Commission) that:

(a)  the plan complies with State-wide natural resource management standards, and

(b)  the plan promotes the achievement of State-wide natural resource management targets,

      so far as they relate to the area of operations of the authority.

(3)  Before making any alterations to the draft plan, the Minister must consult the authority.