An Act to consolidate the Acts relating to Public Works.
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Name of Act
This Act may be cited as the Public Works Act 1912.s 1: Am 1975 No 103, Sch 1 (1); 1976 No 27, Sch 11 (1). Subst 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
2 Repeals and savings
(1) The Acts mentioned in the First Schedule to this Act are, to the extent therein expressed, hereby repealed.(2) All persons appointed under the Acts hereby repealed and holding office at the time of the passing of this Act shall be deemed to have been appointed hereunder.(3) All regulations made under the authority of any Act hereby repealed and being in force at the time of the passing of this Act shall be deemed to have been made under the authority of this Act; and any references in any such regulation to any enactments hereby repealed shall be construed as references to the corresponding enactments contained in this Act.
3 Definitions
In this Act, unless the context or subject-matter otherwise indicates or requires:Authorised work means any work the carrying out of which has been authorised in manner herein provided, and includes any work so authorised under any Act hereby repealed.Committee means the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works as constituted under the provisions of this Act, or of any Act hereby repealed.Constructing Authority means the Minister empowered to carry out any authorised work.Council means the council of an area under the Local Government Act 1993.Court means the Supreme Court of New South Wales.Government debentures includes any Government stock issued by the Government of New South Wales pursuant to any statutory power.Prescribed means prescribed by this Act, or by regulations made pursuant hereto.s 3: Am 1941 No 54, sec 24 (a); 1970 No 52, Second Sch (am 1972 No 41, Second Sch); 1978 No 118, Sch 2 (1); 1986 No 205, Sch 2; 1988 No 114, Sch 4; 1993 No 32, Sch 2; 2001 No 121, Sch 2.176 [1].
4 Incorporation of Constructing Authority
For the purpose of facilitating the acquisition and disposal of land under this Act the Constructing Authority, when a Minister, is hereby declared to be a corporation sole under the name of “the Minister”, and by that name shall have perpetual succession and an official seal, sue and be sued, and take all legal proceedings, with power to purchase, take and hold lands to the Minister and the Minister’s successors for the purposes of this Act, and also to dispose of any superfluous lands in accordance with the provisions of this Act, and to give effectual discharges in respect thereof to any purchaser.
4A (Repealed)
s 4A: Ins 1929 No 18, sec 5 (a). Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
5 Regulations
The Governor on the recommendation of the Committee may frame regulations for giving effect to this Act.Editorial note—See Interpretation Act 1987, sec 39.s 5: Am 1937 No 35, Second Sch; 1987 No 48, Sch 32.
5A Savings and transitional provisions
The Ninth Schedule has effect.s 5A: Ins 1986 No 136, Sch 1 (1).
Part 2 The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works
Division 1 Constitution of and general provisions relating to the Committee
6 Definitions
In this Division, unless the context or subject-matter otherwise indicates or requires:Clerk means Clerk of Assembly, or any officer acting in his or her place.Member means member of the Legislative Assembly.Speaker means Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
7 Constitution etc of Parliamentary Committee on Public Works
(1) In every Parliament, a committee of members of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly, to be called the “Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works”, shall be elected in manner hereinafter provided. Three of the persons so to be elected shall be members of the Legislative Council, and four shall be members of the Legislative Assembly.(2) Such seven persons shall hold office as a joint committee (subject to the provisions of section eleven hereof) for the duration of the Parliament for the time being, but shall cease to hold office as soon as such Parliament expires by dissolution or effluxion of time, and shall have and may exercise such powers and authorities, perform such duties, and be liable to such obligations, as are by this Act vested in or imposed upon such committee.s 7: Am 1922 No 19, sec 2 (1).
8 Names of members to be notified
The names of the persons from time to time elected to be members of such Committee shall be notified in the Gazette with all convenient despatch.
9 Election of members of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works
(1) Upon a resolution being passed by the Assembly that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works be appointed, of the passage of which the Legislative Council shall be informed by Message asking its concurrence, the Speaker shall fix a date, being within a period of fourteen days from the passing of the resolution, up to and including which the Speaker shall receive nominations of members of the Legislative Assembly for election and appointment as members of the Committee.(2) Every such nomination shall be made and signed by at least five members, on a form provided by the Speaker for that purpose, and shall be delivered to the Clerk together with the written consent to the nomination of the member nominated.(3) Where members to the number hereinbefore required, and no more or less, are nominated, the Speaker shall declare such members to be elected as members of the Committee.(4) Where members to a less number than that so required are nominated, the Speaker shall declare such members to be elected as members of the Committee, and shall at the same time declare such other members as the Speaker thinks fit, being sufficient to make up such required number, to be elected as members of the Committee.(5) Where members to a greater number than that so required are nominated, the Speaker shall appoint a day, being not later than the seventh day from the last day during which nominations may be received, upon which a ballot shall take place for the election of members of the Committee.(6) Upon the day so appointed, the Clerk, for the purpose of such ballot, shall furnish every member with a ballot-paper in the form of the Second Schedule to this Act containing the names of the members nominated in alphabetical order of surnames.(7) Every member shall vote by striking out the names of the members whom the member does not wish to be elected, and the member shall be deemed to have voted for the members whose names are not struck out on the member’s ballot-paper. No ballot-paper shall be deemed to be valid if the member has voted for more or less members than the number to be elected.(8) Every member after the member has voted as aforesaid shall deliver the member’s ballot-paper to the Clerk, giving the Clerk time to note as hereinafter mentioned every paper previously presented.(9) The Clerk, on the presentation of every ballot-paper, shall place his or her initials against the name of the member presenting the ballot-paper on a list containing the name of all the members of the Legislative Assembly, and the list of members so initialled shall be kept on record with the other proceedings of the ballot.(10) The votes shall be counted by the Clerk, and the result of the ballot shall be delivered to the Speaker, together with the records of the proceedings of the ballot.(11) The members, to such required number as aforesaid, who receive the greatest number of votes at the ballot shall be declared by the Speaker to be elected as members of the Committee. Where two or more members receive the same number of votes, the Speaker shall declare which of the said members receiving the same number of votes shall be elected.s 9: Am 1922 No 19, sec 2 (2).
10 Election of members of Legislative Council as members of Committee
The provisions of section nine other than the provisions for passing a resolution that the committee be appointed shall, mutatis mutandis, be observed in the election of members of the Legislative Council to serve on the Committee, and in carrying out such provisions the President of the Legislative Council and the Clerk of Parliaments, or officer acting in his or her place, shall respectively be charged with the duties and powers in the said section imposed and conferred on the Speaker and Clerk respectively.The date to be fixed by the President for the election shall be within a period of fourteen days from the date of the concurrence of the Legislative Council with the resolution of the Assembly.s 10: Am 1922 No 19, sec 2 (3).
11 Vacation of office
(1) Any member of the Committee may resign his or her seat on such Committee by writing under his or her hand addressed to the Governor.(2) The seat of any such member shall also be deemed to have become vacant:(a) for any reason which would vacate his or her seat as a member of the Assembly or Council (as the case may be).(b) (Repealed)s 11: Am 1980 No 15, sec 3.
12 Vacancies
Where a vacancy occurs in the Committee, the same shall be filled by nomination and election as aforesaid within thirty-five days from the occurrence of the vacancy if Parliament is then in session, or within thirty-five days after the next meeting of Parliament should such vacancy occur during any recess or adjournment.Provided that the respective proportions in respect to the representation on the Committee of members of the Legislative Council and members of the Assembly hereinbefore prescribed shall be observed in the filling up of all such vacancies.
13 Quorum
Any three members of the Committee shall form a quorum competent to exercise all powers and authorities and to incur all obligations conferred or imposed by this Act upon the Committee.Provided that no quorum shall consist exclusively of members of the Legislative Council or of the Legislative Assembly.
14 Chairperson or vice-chairperson
There shall be a chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Committee who shall be elected by the members of the Committee at their first meeting, or as soon after such meeting as may be practicable. The chairperson or, in case of the chairperson’s absence or other disability, the vice-chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Committee.Provided that at any meeting of the Committee at which a quorum is present, the members in attendance, may, in the absence of the chairperson and vice-chairperson, appoint one of their number then present to be temporary chairperson, and such temporary chairperson shall have, during the absence of the chairperson and vice-chairperson, all the powers given by this Act to the chairperson or vice-chairperson of the Committee.
15 Division—casting vote
(1) All questions which arise in any Committee shall be decided by a majority of votes of the members present, and when the votes are equal the chairperson shall have a second or casting vote.(2) In all cases of divisions the names of the persons voting shall be stated on the minutes and in the report.
16 Declaration of members of Committee
Every member of the Committee, before entering on the duties of his or her office or sitting at any meeting of such Committee, shall make and subscribe a declaration in the form of the Third Schedule hereto.
17 Power to sit during recess, and in open court
The Committee may sit and transact business during any adjournment or recess as well as during the session, and may sit at such times and in such places, and conduct their proceedings in such manner as may seem most convenient for the proper and speedy dispatch of business, and such Committee shall sit in open court.s 17: Am 1925 No 11, sec 2.
18 Reports
The Committee shall, before the commencement of each session of Parliament, make a report to the Governor of their proceedings under this Act; and such report shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament within fourteen days after the making thereof, if Parliament is then sitting, and if not, then within fourteen days after the commencement of the next session.
19 Minutes
The Committee shall keep full minutes of their proceedings in such manner as the Governor may direct.
20 Evidence taken before previous Committees
Where any public work is referred to any Committee, and such Committee lapses or ceases to have legal existence, before it reports on such public work, the evidence taken before such Committee and before any sectional committee shall, nevertheless, be considered by any subsequent committee to whom the same public work may be referred for report pursuant to this Act as if such evidence had been given before and for the information and guidance of such subsequent committee.
Division 2 Powers of the Committee
21 Powers of Committee
For the purposes of this Act the Committee shall have the following powers, that is to say:(a) they may, by themselves or by any person appointed by them to prosecute an inquiry, enter and inspect any land, building, place, or material, the entry or inspection of which appears to them requisite, upon the prescribed notice being given to the owners or occupiers of such land, building, place, or material,(b) they may require, by summons under the hand of the chairperson or vice-chairperson, the attendance of all such persons as they may think fit to call before them and examine, and may require answers or returns to such inquiries as they think fit to make,(c) they may, in the prescribed manner, require and compel the production of all books, maps, plans, papers, and documents relating to the matters before them,(d) they may, by their chairperson or vice-chairperson, examine witnesses on oath; or where a witness, if examined before a superior court of record, would be permitted to make a solemn declaration, or to give evidence in any other way than upon oath, then by such declaration or otherwise as the case may be.
22 Powers of Committee in respect of witnesses
(1) If any person:(a) whose expenses have been paid or tendered to the person neglects to appear, or(b) wilfully insults the Committee or any member thereof, or(c) misbehaves before the Committee, or(d) interrupts the proceedings of the Committee, orthe chairperson or vice-chairperson may commit any such offender to gaol for any time not exceeding one month, or may impose upon the person a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars and in default of immediate payment thereof may commit such offender to gaol for any time not exceeding one month unless the fine is sooner paid.(e) being summoned or examined as a witness in any inquiry or matter pending before the Committee, refuses to be sworn, or to produce any document mentioned in the summons served upon the person, or to make a solemn declaration as aforesaid, or prevaricates in the person’s evidence, or refuses to answer any lawful question,In any such case of committal the chairperson or vice-chairperson shall issue a warrant in the Form A contained in the Fourth Schedule hereto, and such warrant shall be good and valid without any other warrant order or process whatsoever, and the sheriff, the sheriff’s deputy, and all officers of the police force and gaolers to whom the same is addressed shall obey it.(2) Where any person who has been duly served with a summons to attend as a witness before the Committee, and whose expenses have been paid or tendered to the person fails to appear in obedience to the person’s summons, the chairperson or vice-chairperson, upon proof of such person having been duly served with such summons, and that such person’s non-appearance was without just cause or reasonable excuse, may issue a warrant in the form or to the effect of Form B of the Fourth Schedule hereto to bring such person before the Committee to give evidence.(3) Every person required by the Committee to attend as a witness shall be allowed such expenses as would be allowed to a witness attending on subpoena before a superior court of record, and, in case of dispute as to the amount to be allowed, the same shall be referred to the Prothonotary of the Supreme Court who, on request under the hand of the chairperson of the Committee, shall ascertain and certify the proper amount of such expenses.s 22: Am 1978 No 118, Sch 2 (2).
23 Assessors
(1) The Committee may, in the exercise of any power by this Act conferred on them, call in the aid of one or more assessors, who shall be persons of engineering or other technical knowledge, or possessing special local knowledge or experience.(2) There shall be paid to such assessors such remuneration as the Committee may recommend and the Governor may approve and as Parliament may provide.
24 Functions of Committee
The Committee shall, subject to the provisions contained in section thirty-four, consider and report upon all public works to be executed after the passing of this Act (and whether such works are continuations, completions, repairs, reconstructions, extensions, or new works), in all cases where the estimated cost of completing such works exceeds $1,000,000.In considering and reporting on any such work as aforesaid, the Committee shall have regard to the stated purpose thereof, and to the necessity or advisability of carrying it out; and, where such work purports to be of a reproductive or revenue producing character, the Committee shall have regard to the amount of revenue which such work may reasonably be expected to produce, and to the present and prospective public value of such work; and generally the Committee shall, in all cases, take such measures and procure such information as may enable them to inform or satisfy the Legislative Assembly as to the expediency of carrying out the work in question.s 24: Am 1978 No 118, Sch 1 (1).
Division 3 Sectional committee
25 Constitution etc of sectional committees
(1) The Committee may at any meeting constitute sectional committees of itself for all purposes of this Act by appointing three or more of its members to be a sectional committee.(2) Every sectional committee shall have, and may exercise, for the purpose of carrying out any business or inquiry delegated to them by the Committee either at or after the time of their appointment, all the powers by this Act conferred on the Committee, and shall sit in open court.(3) Every sectional committee shall appoint a chairperson or temporary chairperson, who shall be the person to exercise the powers conferred by this Act on, or in the name of, the chairperson or vice-chairperson of the Committee.
26 Further powers of sectional committee
The powers and provisions respectively conferred by and contained in the fifteenth, seventeenth, twenty-first, twenty-second, and twenty-third sections of this Act shall be exercisable by and applicable to every sectional committee appointed as aforesaid.
27 Reports of sectional committees
Every such sectional committee shall make its report as soon as practicable to the Committee, of and in respect to all matters delegated to it by such Committee; and such report with any evidence taken by such sectional committee shall be dealt with by the Committee in all respects, so far as possible, as reports of select committees are dealt with by the Legislative Assembly.
28 Limit of number of sectional committees etc
Not more than two sectional committees shall be appointed or shall sit at the same time; but the Committee may sit at any time notwithstanding that any such sectional committee or committees may be sitting at the same time.
Division 4 Committee’s remuneration
29 Fees to be paid to members of Committee
The members of every Committee shall each receive, by way of remuneration for their services as such members, a fee for each attendance at a summoned meeting of such Committee at which a quorum was present, according to the following scale:(a) the chairperson, or member presiding at any meeting in the chairperson’s absence, six dollars thirty cents for each sitting,(b) every other member, four dollars twenty cents for each sitting.s 29: Am 1916 No 6, sec 7 (2).
30 Fees to be a charge on consolidated revenue
The fees made payable under this Division of this Act shall be charged on the consolidated revenue fund, and the certificate of the chairperson or vice-chairperson of the Committee shall be a sufficient warrant and authority, and discharge to the Treasurer for the payment of such fees from such fund.
31 Travelling expenses
(1) In addition to the sum payable to every member of the Committee as a sitting fee, the member shall be paid a further sum of three dollars per diem on account of expenses incurred by the member in, and in the course of travelling, whether by land or water, whenever such expenses and charges have been incurred bona fide in the performance of the member’s duties as a member of such Committee, whilst outside the boundaries of the county of Cumberland.(2) Such expenses and charges shall be chargeable in the same manner, and be paid by the same person, and on the like certificate, and in other respects in like manner as in the case of fees for sittings.(3) In all cases in which a sectional committee of the Committee is engaged in the inspection of any public works outside the county of Cumberland, each day or part of a day occupied in such inspection shall be deemed to constitute one attendance of such committee, and to entitle each member thereof to a fee of four dollars twenty cents.s 31: Am 1916 No 6, sec 7 (2).
32 (Repealed)
s 32: Rep 1916 No 6, sec 7 (1).
33 Office of profit
Nothing in this Division of this Act shall be taken to constitute the office of any member of the said Committee an office of profit, so as to render such member incapable of sitting or voting as a member of the Legislature, or to make void the election of such member.
Part 3 Public works, how authorised and how contracts made
34 Conditions precedent to commencing public works
(1) No public work of any kind, the estimated cost of completing which exceeds $1,000,000, and whether such work is a continuation, completion, repair, reconstruction, extension, or a new work, shall be commenced, unless sanctioned as hereinafter provided:(a) Every such proposed work shall, in the first place, be submitted and explained in the Legislative Assembly by some member of the Executive Council having a seat in such Assembly (hereafter termed “the Minister”).The explanation shall comprise an estimate of the cost of such work when completed, together with such plans and specifications or other descriptions as the Minister deems proper, and an estimate of the probable revenue to be derived therefrom. Such estimate, plans, specifications, or descriptions shall be prepared and be authenticated or verified in the prescribed manner.(b) Upon motion, in the usual manner, made by the Minister or by any member of the Assembly such proposed work shall be referred to the Committee for their report thereon.(c) The Committee shall, with all convenient dispatch, deal with the matter so referred to them, and, for that purpose may exercise all powers by this Act conferred on such Committee.(d) The Committee shall, as soon as conveniently practicable, regard being had to the nature and importance of the proposed work, report to the Legislative Assembly the result of their inquiries.(e) After the receipt of such report the said Assembly shall, by resolution, declare, either that it is expedient to carry out the proposed work or that it is not expedient to carry out the same.Provided that the said Assembly, instead of declaring affirmatively or negatively as aforesaid, may resolve that the report of the Committee shall, for reasons or purposes to be stated in the resolution, be remitted for their further consideration and report to the said Committee; in which case such Committee shall consider the matter of such new reference, and report thereon accordingly.(1A) (Repealed)(2) Provided that the Governor may, with respect to any public work the estimated cost of which does not exceed $1,000,000, direct that the same shall be carried out under this Act, in which case all the powers and provisions of this Act relating to authorised works shall be applicable to such work, and the same shall for all purposes of this Act be deemed to be an “authorised work”, and the Minister on whom the carrying out of such work devolves shall for the like purposes be deemed a “Constructing Authority”.(3) Where the council of an area within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1993 has made an application under section 57 of that Act for the construction, by the Minister, of a work of water supply or sewerage or any work incidental to water supply or sewerage, for the council’s area or part thereof, or for two or more areas as defined in the said Act or parts thereof, the Governor, notwithstanding that the estimated cost of the work exceeds the sum of $1,000,000, may direct that the work shall be carried out under this Act, in which case all the powers and provisions of this Act relating to authorised work shall be applicable to such work, and the same shall for the purposes of this Act be deemed to be an authorised work.(4) Where the Minister is of opinion that a work of water supply, sewerage or drainage should be constructed, the Governor, notwithstanding that the estimated cost of the work exceeds the sum of $1,000,000, may direct that such work shall be carried out under this Act, in which case all the powers and provisions of this Act relating to authorised works shall be applicable to such work, and the same shall for the purposes of this Act be deemed to be an authorised work.(5) For the purposes of this section, an extension or improvement of a work of water supply, sewerage or drainage shall be deemed to be an authorised work.(6) Where the Minister is of opinion that a work being:(a) a public school, a teachers’ college, a technical college or a detention centre within the meaning of the Children (Detention Centres) Act 1987,(b) a hospital, or a mental hospital, or an institution for the treatment of the physically or mentally ill,should be constructed, the Governor, notwithstanding that the estimated cost of the work exceeds the sum of $1,000,000, may direct that such work shall be carried out under this Act, in which case all the powers and provisions of this Act relating to authorised works shall be applicable to such work, and the same shall for all purposes of this Act be deemed to be an “authorised work” and the Minister on whom the carrying out of such work devolves shall for the like purposes be deemed a “Constructing Authority”.(c) public offices or a public building,For the purposes of this subsection any such work shall include its continuation, completion, repair, reconstruction or extension.s 34: Am 1916 No 69, sec 13; 1924 No 40, sec 2; 1928 No 37, sec 5; 1935 No 30, sec 2 (a); 1941 No 54, sec 24 (b); 1961 No 31, sec 2 (a); 1978 No 118, Schs 1 (2), 2 (3); 1986 No 205, Sch 2; 1987 No 58, Sch 3; 1988 No 114, Sch 4; 1995 No 11, Sch 1.
35 Notification of resolution
Every resolution of the Legislative Assembly declaring that it is expedient or not expedient to carry out any such proposed work shall be notified in the Gazette.
36 Under what circumstances negatived proposals may be re-submitted
If any such resolution declares that it is not expedient to carry out any proposed work, no proposal for a public work in substance identical with the work referred to in such resolution shall be submitted to the Legislative Assembly until after the expiration of one year from the notification of such resolution as aforesaid, unless the Governor, by writing under the Governor’s hand addressed to the Committee, declares that, in the Governor’s opinion and in view of the public interest, it is desirable that any such proposal should be re-submitted to the said Assembly.
37 Resolution when to be sufficient authority for execution of works etc
(1) Every resolution of the Legislative Assembly declaring that it is expedient to carry out the work specified or mentioned in such resolution shall be deemed to impose a statutory duty on the Minister to introduce a Bill into the said Assembly to sanction the carrying out of such work, upon the passing whereof by the Legislature and in such form as the Legislature may think fit, the authorisation of such work shall become absolute, and the Constructing Authority shall thereupon carry out such work, enter into such contracts, and take all such necessary steps for the proper execution thereof as such Authority may think proper.Provided that no such contracts shall exceed in the aggregate by more than ten per centum the estimate for the same submitted as hereinbefore provided.(2) Where the Governor has:(a) pursuant to subsection two or six of section thirty-four of this Act directed that a work shall be carried out under this Act, the Constructing Authority, orshall enter into such contracts and take all such necessary steps for the proper execution thereof as such Constructing Authority or Minister, as the case may require, may think proper.(b) pursuant to subsection three or four of section thirty-four of this Act directed that a work shall be carried out under this Act, the Minister,s 37: Am 1961 No 31, sec 2 (b).
38 Contracts how made
(1) All contracts referred to in subsections one and two of section thirty-seven of this Act may be made as follows, that is to say:(a) with respect to any contract which, if made between private persons, would be by law required to be in writing and under seal, the Constructing Authority or the Minister, as the case may require, may make such contract in writing and under seal, and in the same manner may vary or discharge the same,(b) with respect to any contract which, if made between private persons, would be by law required to be in writing and signed by the parties to be charged therewith, the Constructing Authority or the Minister, as the case may require, may make such contract in writing, and in the same manner may vary or discharge the same,(c) with respect to any contract which, if made between private persons, would by law be valid although made by parol only and not reduced into writing, the Constructing Authority or the Minister, as the case may require, may make such contract by parol only without writing, and in the same manner may vary or discharge the same.(2) All such contracts so made shall be effectual in law and shall be binding upon the Constructing Authority, or the Minister, on behalf of the Crown, and all other parties thereto, their heirs, executors, or administrators, as the case may be; and on any default in the execution of any such contract either by the said Authority or the Minister, or any other party thereto, such actions or suits may be brought either by or against the said Authority, or the Minister, as might be brought had the same contracts been made between private parties.s 38: Am 1961 No 31, sec 2 (c).
Part 4 Preliminary conditions relating to the acquisition of land
39 Acquisition of land for authorised works
The Minister may, for the purposes of an authorised work, acquire land (including an interest in land) by agreement or by compulsory process in accordance with the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991.s 39: Am 1940 No 1, sec 4 (a); 1988 No 114, Sch 4. Subst 1991 No 22, Sch 1. Am 1992 No 34, Sch 2.
40 Acquisition of land for public purposes other than authorised works
(1) This section applies to the acquisition of land for the purposes of any work other than an authorised work.(2) The Minister may acquire land (including an interest in land) by agreement or by compulsory process in accordance with the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 for the purposes of:(a) a public work or undertaking specified in section 41 if money has been appropriated from the Consolidated Fund (or is otherwise lawfully available) for or towards the carrying out of the work or undertaking, or(b) a school site or a site for public offices or public buildings.(3) The Minister is, in relation to the acquisition of land under this section, taken to be the Constructing Authority.s 40: Am 1941 No 54, sec 24 (c); 1946 No 55, sec 5 (a); 1986 No 205, Sch 2. Subst 1991 No 22, Sch 1. Am 1992 No 34, Sch 2.
41 Public works etc specified
The following shall for the purposes of the last preceding section be deemed to be public works and undertakings, that is to say:(a) works for and in connection with the supply of water to or for the sewerage of any city, town, or district,(aa) works of drainage, including pipes, drains, ditches or channels,(ab) works for the prevention of floods or the control of flood waters,(b) buildings for the occupation of either or both of the Houses of the Legislature or for public offices,(c) hospitals, lunatic asylums, court-houses, gaols, watch-houses, lock-ups, police barracks or quarters,(d) light-houses, observatories, pilot stations, quarantine stations or grounds,(e) public schools or any other schools authorised to be established wholly or in part at the public cost by any Act in force for the time being,(f) public libraries, mechanics’ institutes, or schools of art,(g) public wharves, ferries, piers, jetties, and bridges,(h) public parks, or grounds for public recreation, or places for bathing, and for the reclamation of land for or in connection therewith,(i) public cemeteries,(j) public wells or works for the conservation of water,(k) the protection and preservation of any cave or place of scientific interest,(l) the establishment of public abattoirs,(m) breakwaters, leading marks or beacons for the purposes of navigation, docks, slips, the protection of river banks, the excavation of new channels, landing-places for silt, and any other works for the improvement of harbours or rivers,(n) quarries, or works for procuring stone, gravel, earth, or any other material required for the construction of or any purpose connected with any such public work or undertaking as aforesaid.For the purposes of this section any such named work or undertaking shall be taken to include any extension of, or approach to, or subsidiary work in connection with any such named work or undertaking.s 41: Am 1935 No 30, sec 2 (b); 1941 No 54, sec 24 (d); 1978 No 118, Sch 2 (4).
Part 5
42–49 (Repealed)
pt 5: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 42: Am 1978 No 118, Sch 2 (5). Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 43: Am 1973 No 40, sec 3; 1987 No 143, Sch 2; 1988 No 119, sec 69. Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 44: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 45: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 46: Am 1930 No 44, sec 34 (2) (b); 1937 No 35, Second Sch; 1961 No 31, sec 2 (d); 1979 No 169, sec 3 (a). Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 47: Am 1916 No 6, sec 2. Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 48: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 49: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
pt 6, div 2: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
Part 6 Provisions applicable to every case where land is taken or acquired under this Act
Division 1 Interpretation
50 Definition
In this Part of this Act, unless the context or subject-matter otherwise indicates or requires:Public work means any work to which this Act applies, and includes authorised work.
Divisions 2–5
50A–79 (Repealed)
s 50A: Ins 1970 No 60, First Sch. Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
ss 51–53: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
ss 54–56: Am 1970 No 52, Second Sch (am 1972 No 41, Second Sch). Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 57: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
ss 58–64: Am 1970 No 52, Second Sch (am 1972 No 41, Second Sch). Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
pt 6, div 3 (s 65): Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
pt 6, div 4: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 66: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 67: Am 1970 No 52, Second Sch (am 1972 No 41, Second Sch). Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 68: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 69: Am 1970 No 52, Second Sch (am 1972 No 41, Second Sch). Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 70: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 71: Am 1970 No 52, Second Sch (am 1972 No 41, Second Sch). Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 72: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 73: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 74: Am 1970 No 52, Second Sch (am 1972 No 41, Second Sch). Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 75: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
pt 6, div 5 (ss 76–79): Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
Division 6 Powers and duties of Constructing Authority
80 Powers of Constructing Authority
For the carrying out of any public work the Constructing Authority and all persons acting under the Constructing Authority:(a) may enter into and upon the lands and grounds of any person whomsoever, and survey and take levels of the same, and ascertain and stake or set out, take and appropriate, for the purposes herein mentioned, such parts thereof as may be necessary and proper for the laying out, making and using any public work, and all other works, matters, and conveniences connected therewith,(b) may in or upon such lands, or any lands adjoining or contiguous thereto, bore, dig, cut, trench, embank and sough, remove or lay, take, carry away and use any earth, stone, timber, gravel, or sand, or any other materials or things dug, raised, or obtained therein, in constructing such public work and other works, out of any lands contiguous or adjoining thereto, and which may be proper or necessary for making, maintaining, altering, repairing, or using any such public work, or which may hinder, prevent, or obstruct the constructing, reconstructing, making, maintaining, altering, repairing, adding to, extending, or using the same respectively,(c) may make or construct in, upon, across, under, or over any lands, streets, roads, rivers, streams, or other waters, within the lands described in the plans or mentioned in the books of reference of any public work, or any correction thereof, such temporary or permanent inclined planes, tunnels, embankments, aqueducts, bridges, roads, ways, passages, conduits, drains, piers, arches, cuttings, fences, as are considered necessary,(d) may alter the course of any rivers (not navigable), streams or watercourses for the purpose of constructing and maintaining tunnels, bridges, passages, or other works over or under the same, or for any other necessary purpose; and also may divert or alter, as well temporarily as permanently, the course of any such rivers or streams of water, streets, roads, or ways, or raise or sink the level of any such rivers or streams, streets, roads or ways, in order the more conveniently to carry the same over, or under, or by the side of, any such public work, as may be thought proper,(e) may make drains or conduits into, through, or under any lands adjoining any public work, for the purpose of conveying water from or to the same,(f) may in or upon any such public work or any lands adjoining or near thereto, erect and construct such houses, warehouses, offices, and other buildings, yards, stations, wharves, engines, machinery, apparatus, and other works and conveniences as shall be thought requisite,(g) may alter, or repair, or discontinue the before-mentioned works or any of them and substitute others in their stead,(h) where any public work is constructed in or passes through any wood-lands or forest, may fell or remove any trees standing thereon, within the distance of 46 metres from either or every side of such work,(i) and generally may do all other acts necessary for constructing, reconstructing, making, maintaining, altering, repairing, adding to, extending, and using such public work.s 80: Am 1975 No 72, Sch.
81 (Repealed)
s 81: Am 1961 No 31, sec 2 (e). Rep 1994 No 44, Sch 19.
82 Power to take temporary possession of land
(1) The Constructing Authority and all persons authorised by the Constructing Authority may enter, from time to time, upon any lands:(a) being within a distance of not more than 200 metres from the nearest boundary of the public work, as delineated on the plans thereof, and(b) not being a garden, orchard, or plantation attached or belonging to a house, nor a park, planted walk, avenue, or ground ornamentally planted, andand may occupy the said lands, as long as may be necessary for the construction, reconstruction, repair, alteration, addition, to, or extension of the public works or the works connected therewith, and may use the same for any of the following purposes (that is to say):(c) not being nearer to the dwelling-house of the owner of any such lands than a distance of 500 metres,(d) for the purpose of taking earth or soil by side cuttings therefrom,(e) for the purpose of depositing soil thereon,(f) for the purpose of obtaining materials therefrom for the construction, reconstruction, repair, alteration, addition to or extension of the public work or such other works as aforesaid,(g) for the purpose of forming roads thereon to, or from, or by the side of the public work.(2) In exercise of the powers aforesaid the Constructing Authority and all such persons may deposit, and also manufacture and work upon such lands materials of every kind used in constructing the public work, and also may take from any such lands any timber, and also dig and take from or out thereof any clay, stone, gravel, sand, or other things found therein, useful or proper for constructing the said work or any such roads as aforesaid, and for the purposes aforesaid may erect thereon workshops, sheds, and other buildings of a temporary nature.(3) Nothing in this Act contained shall exempt the Constructing Authority from any action for nuisance or other injury, if any, done in the exercise of the powers hereinbefore given, to the lands or habitations of any party other than the party whose lands shall be so taken or used for any of the purposes aforesaid.(4) Provided that no stone or slate quarry, brickfield, or other like place which, at the time of the passing of this Act is commonly worked or used for getting materials therefrom for the purpose of selling or disposing of the same, shall be taken or used by the Constructing Authority, either wholly or in part, for any of the purposes lastly hereinbefore mentioned.s 82: Am 1975 No 72, Sch; 2001 No 56, Sch 2.33.
83 Authority to separate the lands before using them
If any such lands are used for any of the purposes aforesaid, the Constructing Authority shall, if required so to do by the owner or occupier thereof, separate the same by a sufficient fence from the lands adjoining thereto with such gates as may be necessary for the convenient occupation of such lands; and, in case of any difference between the owners or occupiers of such lands and the Constructing Authority as to the necessity for such fences and gates, then with such fences and gates as the Governor deems necessary for the purposes aforesaid.
84 Compensation to be made for temporary occupation
In any of the cases aforesaid, where the Constructing Authority takes temporary possession of lands by virtue of the powers herein granted, the Constructing Authority shall:(a) within one month after the Constructing Authority’s entry upon such lands, upon being required to do so, pay to the occupier of the said lands the value of any crop or dressing that may be thereon, as well as full compensation for any other damage of a temporary nature which the occupier may sustain by reason of the Constructing Authority so taking possession of the occupier’s lands,(b) during such occupation of the said lands, pay half-yearly or quarterly to such occupier or the owner of the lands, as the case may require, a rent, to be agreed upon by the parties, or, if they cannot agree, to be fixed by a Local Court,(c) within six months after the Constructing Authority has ceased to occupy the said lands, pay to such owner and occupier or pay into Court as prescribed by rules of Court, for the benefit of all parties interested, as the case may require, compensation for all permanent or other loss, damage or injury that may have been sustained by them, by reason of the exercise as regards the said lands of the powers herein granted, including the full value of all such clay, stone, gravel, sand, and other things taken from such land.s 84: Am 1970 No 52, Second Sch (am 1972 No 41, Second Sch); 2001 No 121, Sch 2.176 [2].
85 Claims for compensation
(1) A person who wishes to claim compensation under this Division must lodge a claim for compensation with the Constructing Authority.(2) The Constructing Authority may accept the claim for compensation (in whole or in part) or reject the claim.(3) A claim for compensation is taken to have been rejected if the Constructing Authority has not dealt with the claim within 60 days after receiving the claim or within 60 days after completion of the public work concerned (whichever is the later). However, the Constructing Authority is not precluded from accepting the claim after that time.s 85: Subst 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
86 Crossing of roads
If the public work crosses any public highway or carriage road, then such work shall not be carried across, over or under such road, unless the proposed place and mode of such crossing and the immediate approaches thereto, and all other necessary works connected therewith, and the provisions to be adopted for the protection of the public using the same have been previously notified, and have been approved of by the Governor.
87 Before roads interfered with, others to be substituted
If, in the exercise of the powers hereby granted, it is found necessary to cross, cut through, raise, sink, or use any part of any road, whether carriage road, horse road, tram road or railway, either public or private, so as to render it impassable for, or dangerous, or extraordinarily inconvenient to passengers or carriages or to the persons entitled to the use thereof, the Constructing Authority shall, before the commencement of any such operations, cause a sufficient road to be made instead of the road to be interfered with, and shall at the public expense maintain such substituted road in a state as convenient for passengers and carriages as the road so interfered with or as nearly so as may be.
88 Remedy for damage from interruption of road
If any party entitled to a right of way over any road so interfered with by the Constructing Authority suffers any special damage because the Constructing Authority fails to cause another sufficient road to be made before it interferes with the existing road, such party may recover the amount of such special damage from the Constructing Authority in the Supreme Court.s 88: Am 1970 No 52, Second Sch (am 1972 No 41, Second Sch).
89 Restoration of roads interfered with
(1) If the road so interfered with can be restored compatibly with the formation and use of the public work, the same shall, with all reasonable expedition, be restored to as good a condition as it was in at the time when it was first interfered with by the Constructing Authority or as near thereto as may be.(2) If such a road cannot be restored compatibly with the formation and use of the public work, the Constructing Authority shall cause the new or substituted road or some other sufficient substituted road to be, with all reasonable expedition, put into a permanently substantial condition, equally convenient as the former road or as near thereto as circumstances will allow.
90 Approaches and fences
If the public work crosses any highway (other than a public carriage-way) on the level, the Constructing Authority shall make and at all times maintain convenient ascents and descents and other convenient approaches with hand-rails or other fences; and shall, if such highway is a bridle-way, erect and at all times maintain good and sufficient gates, and if the same is a footway, good and sufficient gates or stiles on each side of the said work where the highway communicates therewith.
91 Accommodation works
The Constructing Authority shall make, and at all times maintain, the following works (hereinafter called accommodation works), for the accommodation of the owners and occupiers of lands adjoining any public work, that is to say:(a) such and so many convenient gates, bridges, arches, culverts, and passages over, under or by the sides of or leading to or from the public work as are necessary for the purpose of making good any interruptions caused by the public work to the use of the land through, in, or upon which such public work is made or constructed; and such work shall be made forthwith after such public work or part of it passing over such lands has been laid out or formed or during the formation thereof,(b) sufficient posts, rails, hedges, ditches, mounds, or other fences for separating the land, taken for or for the use of the public work, from the adjoining lands not taken and protecting such lands from trespass, or the cattle of the owners of occupiers thereof from straying thereout, in consequence of such public work; together with all necessary gates made to open towards such adjoining lands and not towards the public work. All necessary stiles, and such posts, rails, and other fences shall be made forthwith after the taking of any such lands, if the owners thereof so require, and such other works as soon as conveniently may be,(c) all necessary arches, tunnels, culverts, drains, or other passages either over or under, or by the sides of the public work, of such dimensions as will be sufficient, at all times, to convey the water as clearly from the lands lying near or affected by such public work as before the making of the public work or as nearly so as may be; and such works shall be made from time to time as the public work proceeds.Provided that the Constructing Authority shall not be required to make such accommodation works in such a manner as would prevent or obstruct the working or using of the public work; nor to make any accommodation works with respect to which the owners and occupiers of the lands have agreed to receive and have been paid compensation instead of the making them.
92 Differences as to accommodation works to be settled by Governor
If any difference arises respecting the kind or number of any accommodation works or the dimensions or sufficiency thereof or respecting the maintaining thereof, the same shall be determined by the Governor, who shall also appoint the time within which such works shall be commenced and executed.
93 Power to owners of lands to make additional accommodation works
If any owner or occupier of lands affected by such public work considers the accommodation works made by the Constructing Authority or directed by the Governor to be made by the Constructing Authority insufficient for the commodious use of his or her lands, such owner or occupier, at any time, at his or her own expense, may make such further works for that purpose as he or she thinks necessary, and as are agreed to by the Constructing Authority.
94 Such works to be constructed under the superintendence of the Constructing Authority’s engineer
If the Constructing Authority so desires, all such last-mentioned accommodation works shall be constructed under the superintendence of the engineer or other officer superintending the making or construction of any public work, and according to plans and specifications to be submitted to and approved by the Constructing Authority.Provided that the Constructing Authority shall not be entitled to require either that plans should be adopted which would involve a greater expense than that incurred in the execution of similar works by the Constructing Authority, or that the plans selected should be executed in a more expensive manner than that adopted in similar cases by the Constructing Authority.
95 Owners to be allowed to cross until accommodation works are made
Until the Constructing Authority has made the bridges or other proper communications which, under the provisions herein contained, it is required to make between lands intersected by the public work, and no longer, the owners and occupiers of such lands and any other person whose right-of-way is affected by the want of such communication, and their respective servants may, at all times, freely pass and repass with carriages, horses, and other animals directly (but not otherwise) across the part of the public work constructed or made through, in, or upon their respective lands, solely for the purpose of occupying the same lands or for the exercise of such right-of-way, and so as not to obstruct the passage along such public work or to damage the same.Provided that if the owner or occupier of any such lands has, in his or her arrangements with the Constructing Authority, received or agreed to receive compensation for or on account of any such communications instead of the same being formed, such owner or occupier or those claiming under the owner or occupier shall not be entitled so to cross the public work.
96 As to damages
In the exercise of the powers granted by this Act, the Constructing Authority and all other persons shall do as little damage as possible; and, if required, full satisfaction shall be made in manner herein provided, to all persons interested in any lands or hereditaments which are used, injured, or prejudicially affected, for all damages sustained by them by reason of the exercise of such powers.s 96: Am 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
97 Houses not to be damaged without notice
(1) Nothing in this Act contained shall empower the Constructing Authority or any person, in the exercise of the powers granted by this Act to injure, or damage any messuage, dwelling-house, or other permanent building, or the immediate appurtenances thereof, without the consent in writing of the owner and occupier thereof respectively, until after the expiration of three months from the time the Constructing Authority has given notice to such owner that the same is required under this Act.(2) This section does not apply to anything done after land has been acquired by the Constructing Authority.s 97: Am 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
Division 7 Superfluous lands
98 Sale or lease of lands not wanted for any work
(1) The Constructing Authority may, with the approval of the Governor, sell or lease, in such manner, upon such terms and conditions and subject to such easements, covenants, provisions, exceptions and reservations as the Constructing Authority may deem expedient, any lands acquired under the provisions of this Act either before or after the commencement of the Public Works (Amendment) Act 1961 and which are not required for the purposes of any work for which they were acquired.(2) All moneys received by the Constructing Authority pursuant to any sale or lease made under subsection one of this section shall be applied in such manner as the Governor directs.s 98: Subst 1961 No 31, sec 2 (f). Am 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
99 Lands to be conveyed to the purchasers
(1) Upon payment or tender to the Constructing Authority of the purchase money in respect of any sale under subsection one of the last preceding section, the Constructing Authority shall convey the lands, for and on behalf of the Crown to the purchasers thereof, by deed duly registered.(2) A deed so executed and registered shall be effectual to vest the lands comprised therein in the said purchaser for the estate so purchased by the purchaser.
100 Receipts
A receipt under the hand and seal of the Constructing Authority shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser of any such lands for the purchase money in such receipt expressed to be received.
Part 7
101–131 (Repealed)
pt 7: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 101: Am 1980 No 196, Sch 1. Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 102: Am 1970 No 52, Second Sch (am 1972 No 41, Second Sch); 1979 No 205, Sch 2, Part 1. Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 103: Am 1916 No 6, sec 3. Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 104: Am 1970 No 52, Second Sch (am 1972 No 41, Second Sch); 1979 No 205, Sch 2, Part 1. Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 105: Rep 1979 No 205, Sch 2, Part 1.
s 106: Am 1916 No 6, sec 4; 1970 No 52, Second Sch (am 1972 No 41, Second Sch). Rep 1979 No 205, Sch 2, Part 1.
ss 107–117: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 118: Am 1916 No 6, sec 5. Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
ss 119–122: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 123: Am 1916 No 6, sec 6. Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 124: Subst 1970 No 52, Second Sch (am 1972 No 41, Second Sch). Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 125: Am 1975 No 72, Sch; 1980 No 196, Sch 1. Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 126: Am 1946 No 55, sec 5 (b); 1975 No 103, Sch 1 (2). Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 126A: Ins 1975 No 103, Sch 1 (3) (am 1976 No 66, sec 3 (a) (b)). Am 1979 No 205, Sch 2, Part 1; 1986 No 136, Sch 1 (2). Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 126B: Ins 1975 No 103, Sch 1 (3). Am 1979 No 205, Sch 2, Part 1. Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 127: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 128: Am 1978 No 118, Sch 2 (6). Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
ss 129–131: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
Part 8 Provisions applicable in every case where land is taken or acquired for authorised works
Division 1 Exercise of powers by Constructing Authority
132 Powers of purchasing lands
The powers of acquiring lands for authorised works by this Act conferred upon the Constructing Authority may be exercised from time to time, and whether the particular work for which lands may have been acquired has actually been constructed or not.s 132: Am 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
133 Powers of sale and purchase of lands
The Constructing Authority may sell and convey any lands so acquired, or any part thereof, in such manner and for such considerations and to such persons as the Constructing Authority may think fit, and may purchase other lands for the like purposes, and afterwards sell and convey the same, and so from time to time.
Divisions 2, 3
134–140 (Repealed)
pt 8, div 2: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 134: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 135: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 136: Am 1970 No 52, Second Sch (am 1972 No 41, Second Sch). Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 137: Am 1978 No 118, Sch 2 (7). Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
pt 8, div 3: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 138: Am 1929 No 18, sec 5 (b). Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 139: Am 1975 No 72, Sch. Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
s 140: Am 1970 No 52, Second Sch (am 1972 No 41, Second Sch); 1975 No 72, Sch. Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
Division 4 Lands containing minerals
140A Act subject to Mining Act 1973 and Coal Mining Act 1973
This Act is subject to the Mining Act 1973 and the Coal Mining Act 1973.s 140A: Ins 1976 No 27, Sch 11 (2). Am 1976 No 98, Sch 11.
141 Constructing Authority entitled to minerals
(1) In this section minerals means mines or deposits of minerals within land taken under this Act after the commencement of the Public Works and Local Government (Amendment) Act 1967, including land so taken after that commencement pursuant to the authority conferred by any other Act, whether passed before or after that commencement.(2) Subject to this section, the Constructing Authority shall be entitled to all minerals other than:(a) minerals that are expressly excepted in the notification of the taking, orbut any exception referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be deemed not to include minerals that necessarily must be dug or carried away or used in the construction of the works.(b) minerals that were vested in Her Majesty immediately before the taking, not being minerals so vested that:(i) are expressly appropriated as such in the notification of the taking, or(ii) necessarily must be dug or carried away or used in the construction of the works,(3) Subject to subsection (3A), the Governor may, by notification published in the Gazette:(a) before payment of compensation for the taking of minerals within the land described in the notification, anddeclare that minerals taken and within the land so described are divested from the Constructing Authority or, where some other person is specified, that person, and vested in a specified person for a specified estate, subject to all trusts, obligations, estates, interests, contracts, charges, rates and rights-of-way or other easements from which they were freed and discharged upon the taking, other than such of them as may be expressly excepted in the notification, and thereupon those minerals shall be divested and shall vest accordingly.(b) before any disposition of those minerals, being a disposition made by the Constructing Authority or other person in whom, by or under this or any other Act, they are vested in consequence of the taking,For the purposes of this subsection and of any notification published thereunder minerals shall not include any minerals that, immediately before the taking, were vested in Her Majesty or any minerals that necessarily must be dug or carried away or used in the construction of the works.(3A) Where a resumption application relating to land taken under this Act (whether or not pursuant to the authority conferred by any other Act passed before or after the commencement of this subsection) has been lodged under section 31A (2) of the Real Property Act 1900 with the Registrar-General:(a) a notification under subsection (3) published in the Gazette after the commencement of this subsection may not divest from the Constructing Authority, or other person in whom they are vested, the minerals taken and within that land, and(b) any transfer of those minerals after that land has been brought under the provisions of the Real Property Act 1900 shall, for the purposes of subsection (5), be deemed, upon its registration under that Act, to vest those minerals under this section in the transferee.(4) Upon publication of a notification under subsection (3), the Constructing Authority or other person from whom they are declared by the notification to be divested shall, in respect of minerals vested under that subsection by the notification:(a) where the minerals so vested are under the provisions of the Real Property Act 1900, make a request under section 46C of that Act in relation to those minerals and furnish such of the evidence required in connection therewith as may be in his or her possession or under his or her control, or(b) where the minerals so vested are not under the provisions of the Real Property Act 1900, forward a copy of the notification of the vesting to the Registrar-General who shall, upon receipt thereof, cause a memorandum of the vesting of those minerals to be prepared and registered in the General Register of Deeds kept under the Registration of Deeds Act 1897 and, for the purposes of that Act, that memorandum shall be deemed to be a registration copy of an instrument duly registered under that Act.(4A) A request made by the Constructing Authority or another person in compliance with subsection (4) (a) shall be deemed to have been made by the person entitled so to do under section 46C of the Real Property Act 1900.(5) Where, pursuant to a vesting under this section, a person has become entitled to an estate or interest in minerals equivalent to an estate or interest in those minerals converted by section forty-five of this Act into a claim for compensation the person shall, notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, be deemed never to have been entitled to compensation pursuant to that claim.(6) For the purposes of this section, where land described in a notification published under subsection three of this section is land that by any Act is declared upon the taking thereof to be vested in Her Majesty as Crown land within the meaning of the Crown Lands Consolidation Act 1913, as amended by subsequent Acts, or land that is reserved under section 25A of that Act, as so amended, the minerals taken and within that land (other than minerals that, immediately before the taking, were vested in Her Majesty and minerals that necessarily must be dug or carried away or used in the construction of the works) shall be deemed never to have been so vested or reserved and sections forty-three and forty-four and subsection one of section forty-five of this Act shall, in the case of minerals so deemed never to have vested, be deemed to have applied to and in respect of those minerals, upon the taking thereof.(7) The costs and expenses of making any request or effecting any registration under subsection four of this section shall be borne by the Constructing Authority or the other person referred to in that subsection and no stamp duty shall be chargeable in respect of any such request or any instrument whereby minerals are vested under this section.(8) Without limiting the discretion conferred upon the Registrar-General by section 46C of the Real Property Act 1900, the Registrar-General shall not, when creating a folio of the Registrar kept under that Act or making recordings in that Register in respect of minerals pursuant to a request made under subsection (4) (a), be required to make any recordings in that Register, other than:(a) such recordings as may, in the Registrar-General’s opinion, be necessary with respect to the vesting of the minerals in the person and for the estate specified, in the notification of the vesting of those minerals, as the person in whom, and the estate for which, they were thereby vested, and(b) any recordings relating to the land described in the notification, being recordings that appeared in that Register immediately before the taking of that land, other than recordings relating only to estates or interests excepted in the notification.(9) Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the provisions of sections one hundred and forty-two to one hundred and forty-nine, both inclusive, of this Act.(10) In this section, a reference to a notification of the taking of land includes a reference to an acquisition notice under the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991.s 141: Subst 1967 No 53, sec 2. Am 1979 No 169, sec 3 (b); 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
142 Working of mines on or near authorised work
(1) If the owner, lessee, or occupier of any mines or minerals lying under any authorised work or any work connected therewith, or within 40 metres from the boundary thereof, is desirous of working the same, such owner, lessee, or occupier shall give to the Constructing Authority notice in writing of his or her intention so to do, thirty days before the commencement of working.(2) Upon the receipt of such notice, the Constructing Authority may cause such mines to be inspected by any person appointed by the Constructing Authority for the purpose.(3) If it appears to the Constructing Authority that the working of such mines or minerals is likely to damage the authorised work, and if the Constructing Authority is willing to make compensation for such mines or any part thereof to the owner, lessee, or occupier, then such owner, lessee, or occupier shall not work or get such minerals.(4) If the Constructing Authority and such owner, lessee, or occupier do not agree as to the amount of such compensation, the same shall be settled as in other cases of disputed compensation as provided in the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991.s 142: Am 1975 No 72, Sch; 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
143 If Constructing Authority unwilling to purchase, owner may work the mines
(1) If before the expiration of such thirty days the Constructing Authority does not state the Constructing Authority’s willingness to treat with the owner, lessee, or occupier for the payment of such compensation, such owner, lessee, or occupier may work the said mines or any part thereof for which the Constructing Authority has not agreed to give compensation.Provided that such work shall be done in a manner proper and necessary for the beneficial working of the mine, and according to the usual manner of working such mines in the district where the same are situate.(2) If any damage or obstruction is occasioned to the authorised work by improper working of such mines, the same shall be forthwith repaired or removed, as the case may require, and such damage made good by the owner, lessee, or occupier of such mines or minerals and at his or her own expense.(3) If such repair or removal is not forthwith carried out by such owner, lessee, or occupier, or, if the Constructing Authority thinks fit, without waiting for the same to be so carried out, the Constructing Authority may carry out the same and recover from such owner, lessee, or occupier the expense occasioned thereby by proceedings in the Court.s 143: Am 1970 No 52, Second Sch (am 1972 No 41, Second Sch).
144 Mining communications
(1) If the working of any such mines under the authorised work or within the abovementioned distance therefrom is prevented as aforesaid, by reason of apprehended injury to such authorised work, the respective owners, lessees, and occupiers of such mines and whose mines extend so as to lie on both sides of the authorised work may cut and make so many airways, headways, gateways, or water-levels through the mines, measures, or strata, the working whereof is so prevented, as may be requisite to enable them to ventilate, drain, and work their said mines.(2) No such airway, headway, gateway, or water-level shall be of greater dimensions or section than the prescribed dimensions and sections, and where no dimensions are prescribed, not greater than 2.5 metres wide and 2.5 metres high, or of such a nature as to injure or to impede the passage on, to, through or over the same.s 144: Am 1975 No 72, Sch.
145 Constructing Authority to make compensation for injury done to mines
(1) The Constructing Authority shall from time to time pay the owner, lessee, or occupier of any such mines, lying on both sides of the authorised work:(a) all such additional expenses and losses as such owner, lessee, or occupier incurs by reason of the severance of the lands lying over such mines by the authorised work, or of the continuous working of such mines being interrupted as aforesaid, or by reason of the same being worked in such manner and under such restrictions, as not to prejudice or injure the railway, and(b) for any minerals not taken or purchased by the Constructing Authority which cannot be obtained by reason of making or constructing and maintaining the authorised work.(2) If any dispute or question arises between the Constructing Authority and such owner, lessee, or occupier as aforesaid, touching the amount of such losses or expenses, the same shall be settled by arbitration as hereinbefore mentioned.
146 Constructing Authority to make compensation for any airway or other work made necessary by the railway
If any loss or damage is sustained by the owner or occupier of the lands lying over any such mines, the working whereof has been so prevented as aforesaid, by reason of the making of any such airway or other work as aforesaid, which or any like work would not have been necessary to be made but for the working of such mines having been so prevented as aforesaid, the Constructing Authority shall make full compensation to such owner or occupier for the loss or damage so sustained by the owner or occupier, if the owner or occupier is not also the owner, lessee, or occupier of any mine under such lands in connection with which such airway or other work has been made.
147 Power to Constructing Authority to enter and inspect the working of mines
For better ascertaining whether any such mines are being worked or have been worked so as to damage the authorised work, the Constructing Authority, after giving twenty-four hours’ notice in writing, may enter upon any lands, through, in, on or near which the authorised work is constructed, and wherein any such mines are being worked or are supposed so to be, and may enter into and return from any such mines or the works connected therewith. For that purpose the Constructing Authority may make use of any apparatus or machinery belonging to the owner, lessee, or occupier of such mines, and may use all necessary means for discovering the distance from authorised work to the parts of such mines which are being worked or about so to be.
148 Penalty
If any such owner, lessee, or occupier of any such mine refuses to allow any person, appointed by the Constructing Authority for that purpose, to enter into and inspect any such mines or works in manner aforesaid, every person so offending shall for every such refusal forfeit to the Constructing Authority a sum not exceeding 0.5 penalty unit.s 148: Am 1993 No 47, Sch 1.
149 Mines worked contrary to this Act
(1) If it appears that any such mines have been worked contrary to the provisions of this Act, or any Act hereby repealed, the Constructing Authority may give notice to the owner, lessee, or occupier thereof to construct such works and to adopt such means as may be necessary or proper for making safe the authorised work and preventing injury thereto.(2) If, after such notice, any such owner, lessee, or occupier does not forthwith proceed to construct the works necessary for making safe such authorised work, the Constructing Authority may construct such works and recover the expense thereof from such owner, lessee, or occupier by proceedings in the Court.s 149: Am 1970 No 52, Second Sch (am 1972 No 41, Second Sch).
Division 5 Gates
150 Penalty on persons omitting to fasten gates
(1) If any person omits to shut and fasten any gate set up at either side of any authorised work for the accommodation of the owners or occupiers of the adjoining lands as soon as the person and the carriages or cattle or other animals under the person’s care have passed through the same, the person shall be liable for every such offence to a penalty not exceeding 0.5 penalty unit.(2) Every such penalty may be recovered in a summary way before a Local Court at the suit of any person authorised by the Constructing Authority.s 150: Am 1993 No 47, Sch 1; 1999 No 31, Sch 4.77.
Part 9 National works
pt 9: Rep 1988 No 114, Sch 4. Ins 1993 No 32, Sch 2.
151 Declaration of national works
(1) The Governor may, by proclamation, declare any road, bridge, ferry, wharf, public reserve or public work of any kind in any area to be a national work.(2) A national work is, for the purposes of this Act, taken to be an authorised work and the Minister is taken to be the Constructing Authority.(3) A work may be a national work whether or not it is a new work or an existing work.s 151: Am 1940 No 1, sec 4 (b); 1978 No 118, Sch 2 (8). Rep 1988 No 114, Sch 4. Ins 1993 No 32, Sch 2.
152 Functions of Minister
(1) The Minister is to maintain, manage and administer national works.(2) The Minister has, and may exercise and enjoy, the powers and immunities of a council under the Local Government Act 1993 for the purpose of the construction, control, protection, maintenance and management of national works.s 152: Rep 1988 No 114, Sch 4. Ins 1993 No 32, Sch 2.
153 National works may be handed over to councils
(1) The Minister, with the agreement of a council, may, by notice published in the Gazette, declare that a national work is handed over, either temporarily or permanently, to a council.(2) A work which is handed over to a council is to be maintained, managed and administered by the council and ceases to be a national work while it is so maintained, managed and administered.s 153: Am 1975 No 72, Sch. Rep 1988 No 114, Sch 4. Ins 1993 No 32, Sch 2.
154 National works etc may be handed over to Roads and Traffic Authority
(1) The Minister, with the agreement of the Roads and Traffic Authority, may, by notice published in the Gazette, declare that:(a) a road, bridge, ferry or tunnel that is a national work, oris handed over, either temporarily or permanently, to the Roads and Traffic Authority.(b) any other road, bridge, ferry or tunnel that is maintained, managed and administered by the Minister,(2) A road, bridge, ferry or tunnel which is handed over to the Roads and Traffic Authority is to be maintained, managed and administered by the Authority and (in the case of a national work) ceases to be a national work while it is so maintained, managed and administered.(3) The Roads and Traffic Authority has, and may exercise and enjoy, the powers and immunities of a council under the Local Government Act 1993 for the purpose of the control, protection, maintenance, and management of any road, bridge, ferry or tunnel maintained, managed and administered by it.(4) The Roads and Traffic Authority, with the agreement of a council, may, by notice published in the Gazette, declare that a road, bridge, ferry or tunnel:(a) that is maintained, managed and administered by the Authority pursuant to this section, andis handed over, either temporarily or permanently, to a council.(b) that was, immediately before it was handed over to the Authority, a national work,(5) A work which is handed over to a council is to be maintained, managed and administered by the council.s 154: Rep 1988 No 114, Sch 4. Ins 1993 No 32, Sch 2.
155 Resolution of disputes
(1) Any dispute arising under section 153 or 154 between the Minister and a public authority may be resolved by agreement between the Minister and the Minister administering the Act under which the public authority is constituted.(2) Any dispute arising under section 154 between the Roads and Traffic Authority and a council may be resolved by agreement between the Ministers administering the Acts under which those public authorities are constituted.(3) If agreement cannot be reached, the dispute is to be resolved by the Premier.(4) A public authority must comply with any direction arising out of the resolution of the dispute under this section.ss 155–158: Ins 1993 No 32, Sch 2.
156 Closure of national works
The Minister may temporarily or permanently close a national work to the public and may dismantle any structure and dispose of its materials.ss 155–158: Ins 1993 No 32, Sch 2.
157 Appointment of councils as agents
(1) The Minister may appoint a council as the Minister’s agent for the care, control and management of a national work.(2) The council may act as the Minister’s agent even if the national work concerned is partly outside the council’s area.(3) A council acting as the Minister’s agent may take legal proceedings in its own name to recover penalties for offences relating to a national work.ss 155–158: Ins 1993 No 32, Sch 2.
158 Regulations
(1) The Governor may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to:(a) the construction, control, management, maintenance and protection of national works, and(b) the regulation, restriction or suspension of the use by the public of national works, and(c) the collection of fees and charges for the use of any national work other than a road or bridge.(2) A regulation may create an offence punishable by a penalty not exceeding 5 penalty units.ss 155–158: Ins 1993 No 32, Sch 2.
159 Proceedings for offences
Proceedings for an offence against a regulation made under this Part are to be dealt with summarily before a Local Court.s 159: Ins 1993 No 32, Sch 2. Am 2001 No 121, Sch 2.176 [3].
Part 10 Other matters relating to councils etc
pt 10 (ss 160, 161): Ins 1993 No 32, Sch 2.
160 Minister to have certain functions
The Minister has, and may exercise and enjoy, the powers and immunities of a council under the Local Government Act 1993, for the following purposes:(a) the construction, control, protection, maintenance and management of roads, bridges, ferries, wharves or public works of any kind in the Western Division,(b) the construction, and protection during construction, of any works carried out by the Minister for a council.pt 10 (ss 160, 161): Ins 1993 No 32, Sch 2.
161 Minister may construct works etc on behalf of councils
The Minister may, at the request of the Minister for Local Government, erect, construct or carry out for a council, any works necessary or convenient in connection with any works or undertakings that the council might lawfully erect, construct or carry out.pt 10 (ss 160, 161): Ins 1993 No 32, Sch 2.
First Schedule
(Section 2)
Reference to Act | Title or short title | Extent of repeal |
No 26, 1900 | The whole | |
No 58, 1901 | The whole | |
No 5, 1904 | The whole | |
No 1, 1908 | Public Works (Interest) Act 1908 | The whole |
No 4, 1911 | The whole |
Second Schedule
(Section 9 (6))
Form of Ballot-Paper
Election of Members of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works
Names of members nominated
(In alphabetical order of surnames)
Andrews, Charles.
Briggs, Henry.
Carey, George.
Directions
(1)
Each member shall vote by striking out the names of the members whom the member does not wish to be elected.
(2)
The member must leave uncancelled as many names as there are members to be elected, and no more or less.
(3)
After voting, the member must deliver the member’s paper to the Clerk, giving the Clerk time to note every paper previously presented.
Third Schedule
(Section 16)
I, A.B., do solemnly and sincerely promise and declare that, according to the best of my skill and ability, I will faithfully, impartially, and truly execute the office and perform the duties of a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works.
(Signed) A.B.
Fourth Schedule
(A)
(Section 22 (1))
To the Sheriff of New South Wales, the Sheriff’s deputy and all officers of the Police Force of the said State, and to the keeper of the gaol at
THESE are to command you, the said Sheriff and all officers as aforesaid, to apprehend A.B. (the offender), and to convey the offender to the said gaol, and to deliver the offender to the said keeper thereof, together with this warrant; and you, the said keeper, are hereby required to receive the offender into your custody in the said gaol, and the offender there safely to keep for the term of [or unless the sum of shall be sooner paid], I, the undersigned of the (or ), having now here adjudged the said A.B. [to pay a fine of , and in default of immediate payment thereof] to be imprisoned for the said term, for that the offender, the said A.B.,
[Here state the offence to the following effect, as the case may require].
That A.B. having been duly summoned as a witness, and having had his or her expenses paid or tendered, neglected to appear before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, (or) that A.B., wilfully insulted the said committee, (or) C.D., one of the members of the said committee, (or) that A.B. interrupted the proceedings of the said committee, (or) that A.B., misbehaved before the said committee, (or) that A.B. having been summoned or being examined as a witness in a certain inquiry or matter pending before the said committee, refused to be sworn or to produce a certain document mentioned in the summons served on the offender, viz., , (or) that A.B. having been so summoned, refused to be sworn or to make a solemn declaration pursuant to the Public Works Act 1912 (or) that A.B. was guilty of prevarication in his or her evidence, or refused to answer a certain lawful question.
Given under my hand this day of .
C.D.,Chairperson (or Vice-Chairperson) of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works.
(B)
(Section 22 (2))
Form of warrant
In the matter of the Public Works Act 1912 and
To the Sheriff of New South Wales, the Sheriff’s deputy and assistants, and to all officers of the Police Force of the said State.
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of section twenty-two of the said Act, it has this day been proved to me that , of , has been duly summoned to attend and give evidence before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works pursuant to the Public Works Act 1912, but has failed to appear.
This is to require you forthwith to apprehend the said , and to detain the said in custody and bring the said before the said committee to give evidence.
Given under my hand and seal at aforesaid, this day of in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and
A.B.,Chairperson (or Vice-Chairperson) of the said Committee.
Fifth Schedule–Eighth Schedule (Repealed)
Fifth Sch: Am 1975 No 72, Sch. Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
Sixth, Seventh Schs: Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
Eighth Sch: Am 1970 No 52, Second Sch (am 1972 No 41, Second Sch). Rep 1991 No 22, Sch 1.
Ninth Schedule Savings and transitional provisions
(Section 5A)
1 Previous interest rate under section 126AThe interest payable under section 126A (1) in respect of any period before the commencement of the Public Works (Interest) Amendment Act 1986 is payable at the rate at which it would have been payable had that Act not been enacted.2 Interest rate pending Treasurer’s notificationUntil a notification is published under section 126A (5) on or after the commencement of the Public Works (Interest) Amendment Act 1986, the interest rate payable under section 126A (1) on and from that commencement is:(a) where the total amount of compensation is less than $50,000—12 per cent per annum, or(b) where the total amount of compensation is $50,000 or more—12.5 per cent per annum.
Ninth Sch: Ins 1986 No 136, Sch 1 (3).