(1) The Commissioner may by writing addressed to the appropriate officer advise any Government department or public authority as to the alienation, disposal, occupation, care or use of any Crown lands in any case where the Commissioner considers that the matter of land degradation or soil conservation is relevant in respect of such alienation, disposal, occupation, care or use.

(2) Copies of such advice shall be forwarded to the appropriate officer of any Government department which the Commissioner considers should be informed of such advice and may be published by the Commissioner.

(3) Any Government department or public authority may refer to the Commissioner for investigation and report any question as to the appropriate use of any Crown land having regard to considerations of land degradation and soil conservation.

(4) Every Government department shall upon a request by the Commissioner in writing addressed to the appropriate officer make available to the Commissioner any records of measures or operations for the prevention or mitigation of land degradation or any reports as to land degradation, soil conservation or the utilisation of land whether undertaken, made or received before or after the commencement of this Act.

[Section 19 amended by No. 42 of 1982 s. 20 and 42; No. 47 of 1994 s. 9.]