Crown Lands Act 1976

Subject to this Act, the Minister may with the approval of the Governor, sell Crown land including any estate or interest therein in such manner, to such persons, and on such terms and conditions as he thinks fit.

Notwithstanding anything in subsection (1), the approval of the Governor is not required – for the sale of Crown land by auction or otherwise in accordance with section 18; or for the sale of any Crown land by public tender; or for the sale of a piece of Crown land the area of which is less than 500 hectares.

Before the Minister sells any Crown land, the Director-General shall fix the reserve price of the land and, in so fixing that price, he shall have regard to – the valuation of the land; and the cost of any improvements effected or to be effected on, to, or in respect of the land; and the value of trees growing thereon which have or may have commercial or industrial uses; and any expenses incurred in the sale of, and the cost of providing title to, the land.

Subject to section 18(3)(a), the Minister shall not sell any Crown land at a price that is less than the price fixed by the Director-General in respect of that land.

Every sale of Crown land shall be effected by means of a contract in writing.

Terms and conditions of a contract may provide for the payment of purchase-moneys by instalments.

Where Crown land is sold under this Act, the Minister has power, in the name and on behalf of Her Majesty, to convey and alienate the land in fee simple.

Before any rural land is sold under this Act the Minister shall obtain from the Forestry corporation continued by section 6 of the Forest Management Act 2013 a report in respect of that land and if the Forestry corporation recommends against the sale of that land by reason of timber growing thereon the Minister shall obtain the approval of the Governor-in-Council before he sells the land.

The provisions of this section also apply to the sale of an estate or interest in Crown land.