Beekeeping on public land

To keep beehives (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.

Following the new policy framework for apiary sites on public land, we are now standardising the administration of apiary sites permits across all agencies.

The first pilot of the EOI allocation process will be run with a limited number of available sites.  Other than these sites at this stage of the transition enquiries should continue to be made directly with the agencies responsible for the land you wish to locate your beehives on.

Contacts

Contact details for the main public agencies are listed below.

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.

For East Coast Forests contact Kim Drysdale, Public Information Officer
Phone: 02 6585 3744
Email: kim.drysdale@fcnsw.com.au

For Western NSW Forests contact Kirrily Cain, Administrative Assistant
Phone: 02 6841 4214
Email: kirrily.cain@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. Each LLS region has an apiary contact. Find out what region you are in.

Table 1: LLS contact details

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

NPWS parks and reserves have very limited potential for new apiary sites in accordance with their beekeeping policy. Apiary enquiries can be referred to park.businesses@environment.nsw.gov.au.