Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act, 2007 (Act No. 21 of 2007)Chapter 3 : Management and Control of Astronomy Advantage AreasPart 3 : Restrictions24. Identified activities in coordinated astronomy advantage area |
| (1) | The Minister may declare identified activities which, if undertaken in a coordinated astronomy advantage area may have a detrimental effect on astronomy and related scientific endeavours within any astronomy advantage area. |
| (2) | Activities which are declared under subsection (1) may include any activity in any of the following categories: |
| (a) | The construction, expansion or operation of any fixed radio frequency interference source; |
| (b) | activities capable of causing light pollution, including the installation or operation of street lighting, outdoor security lights, laser promotional lights or self-lit billboards; and |
| (c) | other activities capable of causing radio frequency interference. |
| (3) | The Minister may only declare an identified activity in terms of subsection (1) after consultation with the Minister responsible for the execution, approval or control of such activity. |
| (4) | Before making a declaration under subsection (1) the Minister must— |
| (a) | conduct a public participation process in terms of section 42; and |
| (b) | subject to subsection (5), notify all persons listed in the permanent register of interested and affected parties for the relevant astronomy advantage area whose existing rights are likely to be directly affected by any such notice. |
| (5) | The notification contemplated in subsection (4)(b) must be in writing and must be— |
| (a) | made prior to commencing the public participation process contemplated in subsection (4)(a); |
| (b) | sent by registered post or such other method as the relevant person may have agreed to; and |
| (c) | sent at the address given by such person or as indicated in the register of permanent interested and affected parties. |
| (6) | A declaration made under subsection (1) may— |
| (a) | be made in respect of coordinated astronomy advantage areas generally; |
| (b) | distinguish between coordinated astronomy advantage areas designated for radio or optical astronomy or a combination of these; or |
| (c) | be made in respect of a specific coordinated astronomy advantage area or specified coordinated astronomy advantage areas. |