Development Proposals

What land does NSW Maritime own?

NSW Maritime owns the beds of Sydney Harbour and its tributaries, Botany Bay, Port Kembla Harbour and Newcastle Harbour.

Sydney Harbour includes North Harbour, Middle Harbour, Parramatta River, Lane Cove River and Duck River.

The ownership of these lands generally extends up to mean high water mark but in some cases may also include some adjoining dry land.

What role does NSW Maritime play in the development approval process?

Under the provisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 (EP&A Act) and other relevant legislation, NSW Maritime has four separate development approval roles with respect to its own land and adjacent foreshore land, ie as land owner; as consent authority in the development approval process, as a determining authority; and as a construction approval authority.

The summary below outlines the stages in the development approval process in which NSW Maritime is involved. For more information about these stages, and the rules which apply to each, click on the appropriate links.

Minimisation of Structures

One objective of the the Sydney Regional Environmental Plan (Sydney Harbour Catchment) 2005 is to minimise the extent and number of waterside structures in the W6 and W7 zones (the 'minimisation objective').

To assist applicants, NSW Maritime has developed a procedure to outline how this objective is to be interpreted by the Authority's Property Planning Branch.

Summary of NSW Maritime’s roles in the development approval process for foreshore land

• Development on NSW Maritime's land

• Development on dry land which adjoins NSW Maritime's land

If you wish to obtain hard copies of any of the guidelines or forms or make an application, please contact:

The Property Development Co-ordinator
Maritime Property Division
NSW Maritime
Locked Bag 5100
Camperdown NSW 1450

Phone: 9364 2419
Fax: 9364 2444
Email: bwright@maritime.nsw.gov.au