Meteorology Act 1955

Act No. 6 of 1955 as amended

This compilation was prepared on 3 March 2008
taking into account amendments up to Act No. 138 of 2007

The text of any of those amendments not in force
on that date is appended in the Notes section

The operation of amendments that have been incorporated may be
affected by application provisions that are set out in the Notes section

Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing,
Attorney‑General’s Department, Canberra

Contents

1 Short title [see Note 1]

3 Interpretation

4 Extension to Territories

5 The Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology

6 Functions of the Bureau

7 Powers of the Director

8 Charges

9 Regulations

Notes

An Act relating to the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology

1  Short title [see Note 1]

  This Act may be cited as the Meteorology Act 1955.

3  Interpretation

  In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:

the Bureau means the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology established by this Act.

the Director means the Director of Meteorology.

4  Extension to Territories

 (1) Subject to subsection (2), this Act extends to all the Territories.

 (2) The Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette, declare that this Act shall, on a date specified in the notice, cease to extend to a Territory specified in the notice.

5  The Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology

 (1) For the purposes of this Act, there shall be a Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology and a Director of Meteorology.

 (2) The Bureau shall be under the charge of the Director, who shall, subject to the directions of the Minister, have the general administration of this Act.

6  Functions of the Bureau

 (1) The functions of the Bureau are:

 (a) the taking and recording of meteorological observations and other observations required for the purposes of meteorology; and

 (b) the forecasting of weather and of the state of the atmosphere; and

 (c) the issue of warnings of gales, storms and other weather conditions likely to endanger life or property, including weather conditions likely to give rise to floods or bush fires; and

 (d) the supply of meteorological information; and

 (e) the publication of meteorological reports and bulletins; and

 (f) the promotion of the use of meteorological information; and

 (g) the promotion of the advancement of meteorological science, by means of meteorological research and investigation or otherwise; and

 (h) the furnishing of advice on meteorological matters; and

 (i) co‑operation with the authority administering the meteorological service of any other country (including a Territory specified under subsection 4(2)) in relation to any of the matters specified in the preceding paragraphs of this subsection; and

 (j) such other functions as are conferred on the Bureau by any other Act.

 (2) The Bureau shall perform its functions under this Act in the public interest generally and in particular:

 (a) for the purposes of the Defence Force;

 (b) for the purposes of navigation and shipping and of civil aviation; and

 (c) for the purpose of assisting persons and authorities engaged in primary production, industry, trade and commerce.

7  Powers of the Director

 (1) The Director has such powers as are necessary to enable the Bureau to perform its functions under section 6 (including any of its functions under Part 7 of the Water Act 2007), and, in particular, may:

 (a) establish meteorological offices and observing stations;

 (b) arrange with any Department, authority or person to take and record meteorological observations and transmit meteorological reports and information;

 (c) arrange means of communication for the transmission and reception of meteorological reports and information; and

 (d) arrange for the training of persons in meteorology.

 (2) The Departments and authorities with which, and the persons with whom, arrangements may be made under the last preceding subsection include Departments and authorities of a State or Territory and persons in the service of such a State or Territory of such a Department or authority.

8  Charges

  The Director may, subject to any directions of the Minister, make charges for forecasts, information, advice, publications and other matter supplied pursuant to this Act or Part 7 of the Water Act 2007.

9  Regulations

  The Governor‑General may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, prescribing all matters which by this Act are required or permitted to be prescribed, or which are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.

Notes to the Meteorology Act 1955

Note 1

The Meteorology Act 1955 as shown in this compilation comprises Act No. 6, 1955 amended as indicated in the Tables below.

Table of Acts

Table of Amendments