Crown land used predominantly for commercial purposes — including large-scale tourism and leisure developments undertaken by private enterprise under statutory development agreements — is not exempt from local government rating as land held for a 'public purpose' under s 6.26(2)(a)(i) of the Local Government Act 1995 (WA), even where the development includes elements of public benefit such as government offices, public recreation facilities, and environmental conservation. An exclusive licence to enter Crown land under a development agreement carries with it exclusive occupation where the agreement cannot be performed without such occupation, rendering the land 'occupied' for rating purposes.
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