After section 339F of the Principal Act , the following sections are inserted in Division 3:

339G.     Electronic collection or inspection of information, records or documents in an emergency

(1)  Subject to subsection (2) and despite any other provision of this Act, if the general manager of a council is satisfied that an emergency exists that makes the collection, or inspection, of any information, record or document in person at a public office impracticable, the general manager may authorise, in writing, for any information, record or document –

(a) that is required under a provision of this Act to be collected in person at a public office, to be made available for collection, free of charge, by electronic means; or

(b) that is required under a provision of this Act to be inspected in person at a public office, to be made available for inspection –

(i) free of charge by electronic means; and

(ii) on request, by sending a paper copy to a person by post, free of charge.

(2)  Subsection (1)(b) does not apply to an inspection under section 259(1) or section 261A .

339H.   Attestation and imprint of common seal electronically

Despite any other provision of this Act, any action that is required, under a provision of this Act, to be taken by means of a physical action such as –

(a) the attestation of the execution of a document; or

(b) the imprint of a common seal on a document –

may be taken by electronic means.