Crown land

Crown land sales

Crown land is land that is not privately owned.

This includes land on which government facilities, such as hospitals and schools are located.

Crown land in the Northern Territory (NT) is managed by the Crown Land Estate under a range of laws and regulations including the Crown Lands Act 1992.

How it's released and sold

Crown land is a valuable public asset.

The Territory supports release of land for appropriate development and use.

For fairness and transparency, public competitive processes are used when Crown land is released for sale or lease.

Direct applications are only accepted in special circumstances.

All Crown land release processes must be fair, open and impartial, and follow legislation and probity considerations.

Development requirements and contracts are determined on a case-by-case basis and aim to maximise the benefits of Crown land releases and minimise risk to the NT.

Current market valuations are used to determine the rental and purchase prices.

Valuations will be done on the basis of highest and best use of the land. They will account for particular constraints or requirements imposed as part of the release.

Valuations are sought from independent valuers with Certified Practising Valuers (CPV) accreditation or from the Valuer General.

The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics is responsible for the sale of Crown land and real property owned by the NT Government.

For more information, read the policies:

Development of community infrastructure is supported by making appropriate Crown land available to eligible community groups and local government councils.

Find out more about Crown land grants for community groups.

More information

You can also read more about how to buy Crown land and Crown land management.

For more information, contact the Crown Land Estate office.


Crown land grants for community groups

Appropriate Crown land is available for eligible community groups to develop community infrastructure at reduced or no rental cost.

Community groups can lease community infrastructure through a public and competitive process, or through a direct application.

A direct application must clearly address the matters set out in the Release of Crown Land Policy PDF (898.2 KB)

Community groups should share facilities where possible to minimise costs and increase the benefit and use of Crown land.

To be eligible, community groups must be:

  • incorporated
  • not-for-profit
  • based in the Northern Territory (NT).

To apply follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the application

Fill in the direct sale or grant of Crown land application PDF (77.0 KB).

Step 2. Contact the Crown Land Estate Office

Contact your nearest Crown Land Estate Office to make a time to discuss your organisation's interest in a community Crown land grant.

You will need to provide all of the following:

  • completed application form
  • why your group wants to apply for a community Crown land grant
  • what your group wants to do if your application is successful
  • details or plans of any buildings you may want to construct
  • details of costing and finances for the project.

Step 3. Submit your application

After meeting with a project officer, if your application is eligible and suitable land is available, you will receive access to the online application system.

There is a non-refundable application fee of $814.

Step 4. Pay the application fee

You will receive an invoice for the application fee after submitting your application.

Your application will not proceed until you have paid your application fee.

Once your application has been submitted and paid for, the department will make sure:

  • you have the necessary financial and other resources, including expertise, to complete the proposed development within a reasonable time
  • the scale of the proposed development is appropriate to the site
  • the proposed development follows land use planning principles and the NT Planning Scheme
  • native title implications have been addressed
  • the impact on the environment has been considered.

Successful applications will be offered a lease of Crown land with conditions.

Length of the lease

Most leases are initially for the construction period of the proposed development.

Once the development has been completed, the lease converts to a long-term Crown lease that covers the life of the development.

For more information on Crown leases read the Leases of Crown Land Policy on the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics website.

Prescribed property

A prescribed property notice will be registered on the Crown lease under the Associations Act 2003.

Prescribed property is land that was granted by, or purchased using funds obtained under a grant from, the NT or Australian Government. It includes an interest, whether legal or equitable, in the property.

Prescribed property also includes grants received from the NT or the Australian Government for improvements on the land. Read more about prescribed property on the transferring property page.

An incorporated association can't dispose of, charge or otherwise deal with the Crown lease without consent from the relevant minister.

Contact

For more information contact the Crown Land Estate Office.


Crown land management

The Crown Land Estate is responsible for managing Crown land in the Northern Territory (NT).

This includes all of the following:

  • Crown land licences
  • building leases
  • temporary use of Crown land for a range of events
  • maintenance of Crown land, including:
    • litter control
    • weed control
    • fire breaks
    • management of illegal uses
  • permits to discharge a firearm on Crown land.

Read more about the weed management strategy on Crown land on the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics website.

Find out more about Crown land sales and how to buy Crown land.

The public can use Crown land for activities that comply with the law, and:

  • are not of a commercial nature
  • do not create a disturbance to the land.

For more information about use of Crown land read the usage of vacant Crown land policy PDF (801.5 KB).

Commercial activities on Crown land require a licence granted under the Crown Lands Act 1992. A licence is required for large organised activities of a non-commercial nature, such as:

  • festivals
  • concerts
  • weddings
  • advertised community events.

The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics is responsible for the licensing of Crown land that is under its care and control. Licensing of Crown land is guided by the licences of Crown land policy PDF (806.1 KB).

To apply for a licence to use Crown land, contact your nearest Crown Land Estate office.

If you see any illegal dumping taking place, you can contact a Crown Land Estate office.

You should record the following:

  • the registration plate of any vehicle involved
  • the date
  • time
  • location.

These reports can be made anonymously.

Specific Crown land has been set aside to allow for the discharge of a firearm.

This helps you apply for a firearms licence from the NT Police.

For information on who can apply for a firearms licence, read firearms licences and weapons.

For details on rules and regulations around hunting and shooting in the NT, read hunting and shooting.

To apply for a permit to discharge a firearm on Crown Land, read shooting on vacant Crown land.

Contact

For more information, contact the Crown Land Estate office.


Contact a Crown Land Estate office

Crown Land Estate from the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics manages Crown land across the Northern Territory (NT) and support the release and use of Crown land for economic development.

The Crown Land Estate manages:

  • maintenance of Crown land
  • grants for community infrastructure
  • release of Crown land
  • administration of Crown leases and licences
  • acquiring land and other interests.

Contacts

Email: CrownLand.Estate@nt.gov.au

Darwin

Level 5 Energy House
18-20 Cavenagh Street
Darwin NT 0800

GPO Box 1680
Darwin NT 0801

Phone: 08 8999 6886
Fax: 08 8999 5404

Alice Springs and Tennant Creek

Ground floor
Green Well Building
50 Bath Street
Alice Springs NT 0870

PO Box 2130
Alice Springs NT 0871

Phone: 08 8951 9200
Fax: 08 8951 9222

Katherine

Level 1 Government Centre
5 First Street
Katherine NT 0850

PO Box 2390
Katherine NT 0851

Phone: 08 8973 8926
Fax: 08 8973 8944