Division 2 Environment Protection Community Consultation Forums

23   Establishment of Consultation Forums

There is established by this Act:

(a), (b)  (Repealed)

(c)  the Hunter Region Environment Protection Community Consultation Forum, and

(d)  the Illawarra Region Environment Protection Community Consultation Forum.

24   Membership and procedure of Consultation Forums

(1)  A Consultation Forum is to consist of:

(a)  the Chairperson, or his or her nominee, who is to be Chairperson of the Consultation Forum, and

(b)  12 members appointed by the Minister, of whom:

(i)  3 are to be representatives of industry (including, for the purposes of the Hunter Region Environment Protection Community Consultation Forum, 1 representative of the rural sector chosen from a panel of nominees provided to the Minister by the New South Wales Farmers’ Association), and

(ii)  3 are to be representatives of non-government organisations whose charters include, as a primary aim, environment protection (including at least 1 representative chosen from a panel of nominees provided to the Minister by the Nature Conservation Council of New South Wales), and

(iii)  3 are to be representatives of authorities of the State, and

(iv)  3 are to be representatives of local government authorities or associations.

(2)  The Minister may seek from relevant authorities or organisations nominations of persons for appointment as members of a Consultation Forum.

(3)  Schedule 2 has effect with respect to the members and procedure of a Consultation Forum.

25   Function of Consultation Forums

(1)  The function of a Consultation Forum is to advise the Authority on community concerns and attitudes about environmental protection.

(2)  Any advice given to the Authority by a Consultation Forum may be given either at the request of the Authority or without any such request.