More information
Management of public unleased land in the ACT
The ACT Government manages and maintains over 6,800 hectares of public urban open space and adjoining facilities. This includes urban parks, sportsgrounds, public cemeteries, dog parks, playgrounds, skateparks, outdoor exercise equipment, street and park furniture, paths, green infrastructure such as trees, shrubs, grasses and more.
The Urban Open Space Land Management Plan (PDF 32.8 MB) provides an overarching and consistent direction for managing our urban open spaces. It provides information about how the ACT Government manages these spaces on the community’s behalf, including the variety of land types and the range of facilities available.
Some land such as school grounds, sportsgrounds and other venues such as the National Arboretum, Exhibition Park in Canberra, Canberra Stadium and Manuka Oval are managed by individual areas and should have enquiries directed to them in the first instance.
Please contact the National Capital Authority for enquiries about the use of areas gazetted as national land. This includes Commonwealth Park, Federation Mall, Kings Park, lawns of Old Parliament House, Lake Burley Griffin, Aspen Island (Carillon) and the Rose Garden.
Penalties for using public land without a permit
Failure to comply with the Public Unleased Land Act 2013 can result in compliance and enforcement action being taken against you. The ACT Government is constantly patrolling the ACT region. Compliance action could result in on the spot fines, direction notices and/or court action. For further information on how to obtain a permit to use public land please see placing an object on public land or event bookings on public land.
Fossicking in the ACT
You cannot obtain a licence to fossick in the ACT. This is mainly due to the ACT being surrounded by nature reserves that are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 2014.
