SOUTH AUSTRALIAN CROWN LANDS

Approximately one fifth of South Australia is classified as Crown land and incorporates some of the state's most iconic sites and treasured natural resources.

Public land comprises approximately 26 million hectares, and is managed by the department on behalf of the South Australian people for the benefit of the community.

Crown land may be:

•.reserved for national parks to protect our natural environment  

•.licensed for a particular activity or use such as conservation, grazing, agriculture, jetties and pontoons, boat ramps, coastal protection works, houseboat mooring, retaining walls and bee-keeping  

•.leased for a range of purposes that includes agriculture, conservation and irrigation and other activities 

•.dedicated to a custodian for a specific purpose such as community parks, state heritage sites, town squares, community halls, coastal lands, waterway corridors, sporting grounds, war memorials, cemeteries, racetracks, showgrounds, caravan parks, camping areas, traveling stock routes, channel reserves, rest areas, walking tracks and community and government infrastructure and facilities  

•.unalienated or all other public land.   

Identifying Crown land

All land in South Australia is identified by a land title reference. Private land is held under a Certificate of Title (CT) which certifies the person named o the title document is the legal owner. Private land is administered under the Real Property Act 1886.

Crown land has a different land title reference to private land and may be listed as a Crown Record (CR) or a Crown Lease (CL) and is administered under the Crown Land Management Act 2009.

Online mapping tools

These online tools can be used to identify a land's title reference.

.Nature Maps: online mapping system to research a property. Visit Enviro Data SA  

.South Australian Property and Planning Atlas (SAPPA): online mapping system to research a property, formally called Property Location Browser. Visit SAPPA  

.South Australian Integrated Land Information System (SAILIS): provides land title details and other associated information. Visit SAILIS  - fees may apply  

For more information about researching land or a property visit SA.GOV.AU.

Accessing Crown land

The department is responsible for ensuring Crown land is managed effectively and equitably for the public good. This means there are some activities you will require special permission for, or access rights, or tenure over the land.

Activities requiring permission

Under the Crown Land Management Act 2009 the following activities are not permitted on Crown land without permission.

•.Camping for a period of longer than 3 weeks  

•.Mooring a houseboat for longer than 3 weeks  

•.Agricultural or horticultural activities  

•.Removing or interfering with fossils. view fact sheets: Crown land and fossicking and Crown land and fossils  

•.Destroying or interfering with Aboriginal Heritage items  

•.Driving motor vehicles, including four wheel drives and motorcycles, off roads or dirt tracks  

•.Building or erecting structures or fixtures  

•.Cutting down, lopping branches or damaging vegetation, whether alive or dead. view fact sheet: Crown land and tree/bush removal  

•.Littering, dumping or abandoning property  

•.Closing off or obstructing roads, including erecting fences, gates or any other obstruction  

Temporary access - events

If you wish to have temporary use or access to Crown land for an event or a specific purpose you will need approval.

To support your request, you need to provide:

•    Land details, description and a map
•    Dates of access required
•    Sufficient time prior to the activity - minimum of four weeks’ notice.
•    Details of the proposed activity - relevant party, dates, timeframes, activities
•    Proof of public indemnity insurance - Certificate of Currency

If the land is dedicated, that is land allocated to a custodian for a specific purpose, you will need to enquire directly with the custodian.

Find out more about identifying Crown land. or applying for an event permit.

Hunting 

Hunting is generally not permitted on Crown land in the interest of public safety. However, during the prescribed duck and quail season, hunting may be undertaken with relevant permits in South Australia’s Game Reserves.

For further information see hunting permits or contact the department's licences and permits team.

Misuse of Crown land

The department is responsible for compliance of unauthorised activities, occupation or misuse of Crown land pursuant to the Crown Land Management Act 2009.

A person who commits any offense against the Crown Land Management Act 2009. may incur an expiation charge of $315, or a penalty fee of up to $20,000 depending on the severity of the offense. Offenses that also contravene other Acts may incur additional penalties and in some cases imprisonment.

To report an offense on Crown land contact us. To report criminal offenses contact the South Australian Police.

Crown land tenure

Types of tenure

Crown land can be accessed by the public on a casual basis, however if you would like access for an extended period of time you will require authorisation.

Crown land may be held under a range of tenure types, or in some cases sold:

•.Licence - A Crown Licence may be issued to a person or organisation for a specific purpose over a specific area of Crown land. A licence is a non-exclusive right to the land.  

•.Lease - A Crown Lease may be issued to a person or organisation to have exclusive right to occupy a specific area of Crown land.  

•.Dedication - Dedicated land is Crown land that has been reserved for a specific public purposes, including recreation, conservation and emergency services.  

•.Easement - An easement is an ongoing registered right to use a portion of land for a particular purpose. An easement is not ownership or an exclusive right to the land.  

•.Purchasing Crown land - In some circumstances Crown land may be sold.  

If you are unsure of the type of tenure you have or want, contact us. If you know what type of tenure transaction you would like, complete the relevant application form.

Assessing tenure

The department undertakes a range of assessments when considering the issue of tenure. These may include;

•.    native title  

•.    biodiversity and native vegetation  

•.    current state and national policies  

•.    local and state strategic planning  

•.    development plans and zoning  

•.    community consultation  

•.    access, existing infrastructure or easements.  

Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis and other assessments may be necessary.

Authorisation to use, access and occupy Crown land is subject to the Crown Land Management Act 2009 which ensures that all Crown land is used in a manner consistent with ecologically, sustainable land management practices.

Assessment time-frames

Crown land assessments may take months to complete depending on the type of tenure requested and the location of the subject Crown land.

Some assessments have legislated mandatory time-frames and notification durations such as native title notifications which is a minimum of 8 weeks and will impact on assessment time-frames.

Other approvals

You may need approval from the Minister to:

•    apply for, amend, transfer, or cancel a licence over Crown land
•    apply for, amend, transfer or purchase a Crown lease
•    sublease a lease
•    apply for, amend or revoke a dedication
•    issue a commercial lease over dedicated Crown land

If you are unsure if you require approval, contact us.

You will also need approval if you would like to purchase or develop Crown land or require temporary access for an event or other activities requiring a permit.

If you would like to approach the department with a proposal for a new or innovative idea that supports our state's development and is of benefit to South Australians, find out more about our unsolicited proposal process

For property professionals

The Crown Lands Program team is responsible for the administration of Crown land under the Crown Land Management Act 2009 and in accordance with Premier and Cabinet Circular 114 Government Real Property Management 2019.

Crown land transactions have a high level of assessment and specialised knowledge is required to transact.