Wetland Leases

Wetland Lease categories

NSW Maritime administers more than 2,000 wetland leases covering foreshore structures in Sydney Harbour and tributaries, some structures in Botany Bay, in Newcastle Harbour and in Port Kembla Harbour. These structures range from harbour steps, to private boating facilities such as jetties, ramps, pontoons and mooring pens to marinas, boat repair facilities, wharves, seawalls, boatsheds, restaurants and seaplane bases.

Wetland leases are divided into the following categories:

Commercial Leases

Commercial leases are in general long-term registered leases of duration between 5 and 25 years for marinas, restaurants, licenced/registered clubs, boatsheds, boat repair facilities and similar commercial occupations. For information on the Commercial Lease Policy click here.

Domestic Leases

Domestic leases relate to boating facilities that front residential waterfront properties, such as jetties, ramps, pontoons, tidal baths, slipways, steps, landing platforms and boatsheds.

Pensioner rental concessions are available to lessees or licensees who hold an eligible pension card issued by Centrelink or the Commonwealth Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Changes to Domestic Leasing Arrangements

NSW Maritime has reviewed aspects of its domestic leasing arrangements to simplify the leasing formulae and streamline lease administration. NSW Maritime has also prepared detailed procedures which support the provisions of the domestic leasing arrangements document.

Community Use

Structures provided by local councils for community purposes such as tidal swimming enclosures, wharves and jetties as well as community organisations not providing services in competition with the private sector have leases for community use.

Government Leases

These relate to occupations by Commonwealth and State Government Departments. These sometimes support government trading enterprises such as the Sydney Ferries Corporation.