Conservation > Land conservation > Crown lands > Lease

Leases

What is a Crown lease?

Crown leases are a registered agreement between the Crown and a lessee. Unlike licences, leases are an exclusive right to occupy the land.

Prior to the Crown Land Management Act 2009, Crown leases came in a variety of forms including:

• perpetual leases (held by the lessee in perpetuity, not for 99 years as commonly believed)
• term leases
• irrigation leases
• war service leases.

What if I no longer require the lease?

You may apply to DENR to surrender your lease. If the surrender is approved, you will be required to cease using the land, remove all improvements and leave the land in a clean and tidy state.

Find out more about surrendering a lease.

Can I purchase land subject to a lease?

In some cases, the holder of a lease over Crown land may give up (surrender) their lease to purchase a title to the land (fee simple title).

Find out more about how to convert a lease to a title.