Beekeeping on public land
To keep bee hives (an Apiary) on public land in NSW you must hold a permit or license to do so from the government agency that manages the land.
In line with the new policy framework for apiary sites on public land, we are now standardising how permits are issued across all agencies.
Recently vacated available sites are now being allocated via an Expressions of Interest process and will be published on the EOI Process page of this website.
All Long Term Vacant sites are now published within the BPASS apiary sites portal. Read more about Long Term Vacant sites on the Long Term Vacant sites page.
To receive notifications about the publishing of EOI and Long Term Vacant sites please send an email to apiary.sites@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
Apiary Site Pricing
An initial site fee is payable immediately on application for the site. This includes access to the site until the end of the annual permit period. After this, fees are payable annually in accordance with each agency's schedule:
- LLS fees are due in June for the July to June year,
- Forestry Corporation fees are due in September for the October to September year, and
- NPWS fees are due in December for the January to December year.
Note that applications for new permits close to the end of the permit year may require two payments: the initial fee on application and the annual fee for the new permit year (which will be invoiced once the original permit is issued).
The site fee is updated annually in accordance with Consumer Price Index figures from the ABS. As of the latest update on the 21st August 2021 the pricing is $187.69 + GST = $206.46 inc GST.
As part of the NSW Government Drought Assistance Package the government has announced plans to waive annual fees for existing public bee site permits. Visit Drought Hub for more information.
For enquiries about existing permits please contact the respective agencies with the details below.
2021 Forestry Corporation Fire Waivers
NSW DPI and Forestry Corporation are finalising arrangements for waiving apiary site permit fees for the 2021/2022 permit period for sites that were severely damaged in the 2019-20 bushfires. Read about the fire waiver arrangements on the Fire Waivers Page.
Unauthorised Placement of Hives on Public Lands
It is illegal to place beehives on public lands without authorisation of the land manager. Illegal placement of hives risks the biosecurity of other beekeepers on adjoining land and may be a safety risk for other public uses of those lands. Fines may apply if hives are placed without permission and apiary permits may be cancelled if apiarists do not comply with the terms of their apiary sites terms and conditions including only placing hives within areas included in their permit.
Illegally placed hives on public lands should be reported through the Apiary Sites Service desk at apiary.sites@dpi.nsw.gov.au or (02) 6391 3464 during business hours.
Contacts
If you want to seek permission to keep bees on public land, review the available sites on the BPASS portal. If you have any queries about new or existing permits contact the Apiary Sites Service Desk on apiary.sites@dpi.nsw.gov.au. If you have an operational question about your existing sites (e.g. physical access, site information) please contact your local land manager contacts.
Forestry Corporation of NSW
Forestry Corporation NSW manage the majority of public forestry areas that are not in National Parks or Reserves. Current information about Apiary permits is on the Forestry Corporation Permits page. All available potential sites are currently published on the BPASS portal.
For operational questions about East Coast Forests contact Kim Drysdale, Public Information Officer
Phone: 02 6585 3744
Email: kim.drysdale@fcnsw.com.au
For operational questions about Western NSW Forests contact Kirrily Collings, Administrative Assistant
Phone: 0439 092 177
Email: kirrily.collings@fcnsw.com.au
Local Land Services
The Local Land Services (LLS) manage travelling stock routes (TSR’s) and other crown land which may be suitable for beekeeping sites. sites. All vacant sites are now published on the BPASS portal. For operational questions about apiary sites only contact the regional contacts below.
Table 1: Local Land Services regional offices
Region | Contact | Position | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Central Tablelands | Mary Roberson | Customer Service Administrative Officer | 02 6392 3000 | |
Central West | Chris Robinson | TSR Administration | 02 6841 6521 | |
Greater Sydney | NA | No permits being issued currently. | NA | NA |
Hunter | Peter Fotheringham | TSR & Emergency Management SLSO | 0409 034 557 | |
Murray | Judy Gillett | Customer Service Officer | 03 5886 1203 | |
North Coast | Gabrielle Blackwell | LSO TSR | 02 6623 3911 | |
North West | Emma Budge | Customer Service Officer | 02 6790 7600 | |
Northern Tablelands | Jess O'Brien | Customer Service Officer | 02 6720 8300 | |
Riverina | Hayley Johns-Woodland | Customer Service Officer | 02 6923 6300 | |
South East | Bonty Burhop | Customer & Admin officer | 02 6118 7700 | |
Western | Kerryn Hart | Senior Land Services Officer TSR | 03 5021 9401 |
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
The creation of new apiary sites in NPWS parks and reserves is not permitted under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 unless it can clearly and demonstrably benefit the conservation of nature in the park.
Please review the NPWS beekeeping policy or refer NPWS apiary enquiries to NPWS.ParkSupport@environment.nsw.gov.au.
Crown Lands
Beekeeping on other Crown Lands may be permitted on suitable sites if approval is granted by the land manager and a permit is issued under the Forestry Act. To enquire about a particular crown land location please follow the process outlined on the Beekeeping on Crown Lands in NSW page.
