Reserves

A reservation is the processing of land from alienation and setting aside of State land for a specified purpose, generally a public purpose – in effect, the dedication of land to that purpose.

Reserves comprise approximately 16 per cent of the total area of the State (417,056 km2).

• Legislative overview
• Our role
• Administration and management procedures and practices

Legislative overview

The Land Administration Act 1997 (LAA) (external link) is Western Australia's current legislation dealing with the disposition of State land. The LAA is administered by the Minister in her statutory role as Minister for Lands.

Part 4 of the Act provides for the creation and administration of reserves of State land.  Under section 41 of the LAA the Minister may set aside State lands by Ministerial Order in the public interest.

The Parks and Reserves Act 1895 (external link) provides for the appointment of boards of management to control and administer reserves.

Our role

Reservation action is normally initiated by the Department following community or Government request, land planning decisions, or as a result of the subdivision of land.

Aside from reservations arising out of the processes of the Planning and Development Act 2005, decisions in relation to the creation of reserves are generally the responsibility of the Manager of the relevant regional team. Each regional team is responsible for effecting disposition and administering relevant law and policy.

The LAA requires consultation with the relevant local government and statutory authorities prior to the exercise of an LAA power.

Administration and management procedures and practices

Chapter 4 of the Crown land administration and registration practice manual provides detailed information on reserves, including:

• creation of reserves;

• management of reserves;

• management orders;

• reserve classifications;

• types of reserves;

• management plans; and 

• reserve actions (dealings/transactions on reserves).

Chapters 1 and 2 should also be referred to.

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In addition, the Department has produced a brochure on reserves which provides summary information on:

• classification and management of reserves;

• management plans;

• conservation estate;

• management under other statutes;

• changes to class A reserves and conservation estate reserves;

• leases of reserves and mall reserves; 

• reserves arising from the subdivisional process;

• policies;

• how long the process takes; and 

• fees and charges.