VPRS 19940 Direct Lease Files

This series comprises files documenting the leasing of Crown land by the responsible minister to third parties. Direct leases may be over both reserved and unreserved Crown land. The files contain lease agreements, rent valuation reports, rent reviews, plans, correspondence, ministerial approvals and ministerial briefs pertaining to the lease. A lease is an agreement in which the landlord agrees to give a tenant the exclusive right to occupy land for a specific term, subject to the lease terms and conditions. A licence gives permission to the holder to carry out a permitted activity on the land without the right of exclusive occupation. Crown land refers to lands reserved and/or administered under the Crown Land (Reserves Act) 1978, the Land Act 1958 and the Forests Act 1958. Under these Acts, a private entity may be responsible for the management of Crown land through a direct lease. Types of leases include both community and commercial use leases. The lease will often relate to the installation and use of infrastructure on the land. As at 2025, leases are negotiated and managed by the Leasing Unit in Land Management at the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (VA 5285). For the full record of the management of a Crown land reserve, see VPRS 19937 Crown Reserve Files.