73. Public participation

  1. Before exercising a power that, in terms of this Act, must be exercised in accordance which this section, the Minister or MEC, as the case may be, must give notice of the proposed exercise of the relevant power -
    1. in the Gazette; and
    2. in at least one newspaper distributed nationally or, if the exercise of power will only affect a specific area, in at least one newspaper distributed in that area.
  2. The notice must -
    1. invite members of the public to submit to the Minister or MEC, as the case may be, within no less than 30 days of publication of the notice in the Gazette, written representations on or objections to the proposed exercise of power; and
    2. contain sufficient information to enable members of the public to submit representations or objections.
  3. The Minister or MEC, as the case may be, may, in appropriate circumstances, allow any interested person or community to present oral representations or objections to the Minister or MEC, or a person designated by the Minister or MEC.
  4. The Minister or MEC, as the case may be, must give due consideration to all representations or objections received or presented before exercising the relevant power.