Western Australian Consolidated Acts

RIGHTS IN WATER AND IRRIGATION ACT 1914 - SECT 5E

5E .         Civil remedy where unlawful taking of water or degradation of water resource

        (1)         Subsection (2) applies if —

            (a)         a person contravenes section 5C and the contravention affects —

                  (i)         the exercise by a person of a right referred to in section 5C(1)(c); or

                  (ii)         the taking of water by a person under a licence under section 5C;

                or

            (b)         a person taking or using water from a water resource does not take all reasonable steps to minimise the degradation of the water resource.

        (2)         The contravention is a breach of statutory duty that is actionable at the suit of — 

            (a)         in respect of subsection (1)(a), a person referred to in subsection (1)(a)(i) or (ii); or

            (b)         in respect of subsection (1)(b), a person directly affected by the degradation of the water resource referred to in that subsection.

        (3)         Subsection (2) has effect subject to the defences and other incidents applying to actions for breach of statutory duty.

        [Section 5E inserted by No. 49 of 2000 s. 18.]

        [Heading inserted by No. 119 of 1984 s. 3; amended by No. 49 of 2000 s. 19.]