Proposed lease of Crown land at Dolans Bay by direct negotiation

Crown Lands recently sought community feedback on the proposed lease of Crown Land located at Parthenia Street, Dolans Bay NSW to provide for the expansion of the existing marina.

Community members were invited to provide feedback on the proposed lease between 13 January 2025 and 4 April 2025.

A total of 245 submissions were received. The community showed strong connections to the Crown land at Dolans Bay, valuing it as a recreational and social asset, and expressed their shared desire to protect:

• safe public access
• sensitive environmental values
• existing amenity and scenic values
• current recreational use.

Many of the submissions raised concerns relating to planning matters, rather than the potential impact of the proposed Crown land lease on community use and enjoyment.

Community feedback showed that the decision to lease the land for a marina expansion is directly linked to the outcome of a planning application.

As the proponent of the marina expansion has not yet provided detailed plans showing how the community’s concerns will be addressed, further site investigations and studies will be required.

In view of the above information, the decision has been made to:

1. Not grant a lease over an expanded area unless the proponent can properly demonstrate it can adequately address, mitigate or manage the concerns raised through this engagement.
2. Provide the proponent with all non-confidential and redacted semi-confidential submissions from this engagement to ensure it is fully informed of community expectations and can consider whether the concerns raised can be addressed, mitigated or appropriately managed in the development of a planning application.
3. Permit the proponent to apply for a Site Investigation Licence (which does not entitle the holder to occupy the land) to undertake more detailed investigations, feasibility studies and consultation with the aim of developing a proposal that adequately addresses community concerns and is capable of gaining development consent.
4. Subject to satisfying point 3, Crown Lands provide Landowner’s Consent to allow the proponent to lodge a development application with the relevant planning authority for a marina expansion, noting that the community would be afforded further opportunity to provide feedback on the planning application.
5. Only if the proponent obtains development consent for a marina expansion that responds meaningfully to community concerns raised in this engagement, and the planning authority’s satisfaction, should Crown Lands consider granting a lease over an expanded area.
6. Subject to meeting all relevant Crown Land’s Leasing Policy and applications requirements, Crown Lands consider granting a lease over the existing marina site.

Feedback on this proposal closed at 11:59 pm, Friday 4 April 2025.