Blue Mountains City Council

Nature Based Recreation Licensing

Nature Based Recreation Licensing

Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) has developed a licensing system for Nature Based Recreation activities conducted on Crown Lands managed by Council. The system was developed in consultation with the Nature Based Recreation industry and community through the development of the 'Nature Based Recreation Strategy'. Click here to access the Strategy.

 

Licensing was introduced in 2004 requiring all commercial and organised group activities to have a Nature Based Recreation Licence while operating on Crown Lands managed by Council. The revenues generated by the licence fee system supplements existing funds to enable the ongoing management of nature based recreation sites and the restoration of areas degraded by nature based recreation impacts. There will be continued discussion with licensees regarding on-ground works required and opportunities for organisations to further assist in managing nature based recreation impacts cooperatively with Council.

Does this scheme apply to you?

If you are a business, club, group, or organisation conducting activities on Council managed lands then you will probably require a licence. Note that your public liability insurance policy also requires that you have permission to use the place you conduct these activities and this licence will legitimise your use and formally grant this permission. If you are a private recreational user or a small group of friends then you will not need a licence.

 

Licences available:
  • Casual Licence
    Maximum group size of 20
    Usage no greater than 6 times per year
  • Annual Licence
    Usage greater than 6 time a year
  • Special Events Licence
    Groups greater than 20 people

Nature Based Recreation Licensing Fees

Categories of Licence
Total Fee (Including GST)
Comments
One Day Casual Licence
$30.00
Maximum of 6 permits issued to any one organisation per year
Maximum of 20 people per permit
Special Events Licence
$100.00
Groups greater than 20
Maximum group size and number of trips per year is at the discretion of the Environmental Manager
Initial licence application fee (one off) for use of Council land for organised nature based recreation including abseiling and horseback riding
$2,110.00
Except educational institutions: $260
Valid from 1 September for 12 months applies specifically for abseiling and horse riding due to higher environmental impact of these activities
Initial licence application fee (one off) for use of Council land for organised nature based recreation excluding abseiling and horseback riding
$260.00
Valid from 1 September for 12 months
Generally for all other activities
Annual renewal licence application fee for all nature based recreation activities
$260.00
This is for renewal of an existing valid licence only
Valid from 1 September for 12 months
Half day use fee - per person
$1.50
Half day is equivalent to 0 - 4 hours
Whole day use fee - per person
$3.00
Whole day classified as 4 - 24 hours

Please Note: These fees and charges are effective from 1 September 2011. From 1 September 2012 there will be the following fee changes:
  • Half day use fees will rise from $1.50 to $2.00
  • Whole day use fees will rise from $3.00 to $4.00
  • Special Events Licence fees will rise from $100 to $105

What to do next

If you require a licence to conduct your activities then complete and return the appropriate application form, which may be downloaded at right. Study the licence to understand your responsibilities under the licence agreement and begin preparing the information you need to submit with the licence application.

 

If you have any queries about this information or how it applies to you and your organisation please do not hesitate to contact the Environmental Sustainability Administration Officer on (02) 4780 5588 or email  council@bmcc.nsw.gov.au if you have any further queries.