Contents

Part I--Preliminary                                                                                                                 1

1............ Short title [see Note 1] ....................................................................... 1

2............ Commencement [see Note 1] .............................................................. 1

3............ Extension of Act to external Territories ............................................. 1

4............ Application to the Crown .................................................................. 1

5............ Operation of Territory laws ............................................................... 1

Part II--Interpretation                                                                                                          3

6............ Definitions .......................................................................................... 3

7............ Meaning of authorised person ............................................................ 5

Part III--Temporary entry on, and occupation of, land                                     6

8............ Powers additional to other powers ..................................................... 6

9............ Notice to be given before powers exercised ........................................ 6

10.......... Power to enter on, and examine, land ................................................. 6

11.......... Power to occupy land temporarily ..................................................... 7

12.......... Powers in relation to land temporarily occupied ................................ 7

13.......... Obligations in relation to exercise of powers ...................................... 8

14.......... Order to enforce exercise of powers ................................................... 8

15.......... Exercise of powers not an acquisition of an interest in land ............... 9

Part IV--Acquisition of interests in land                                                                  10

16.......... Modes of acquisition ........................................................................ 10

17.......... Nature of interests that may be acquired .......................................... 10

18.......... Authorities with limited powers ...................................................... 10

19.......... Steps in acquisition by agreement .................................................... 10

20.......... Steps in acquisition by compulsory process .................................... 11

21.......... Acquisitions to be in accordance with Act ....................................... 11

Part V--Pre‑acquisition procedures                                                                            13

Division 1--Pre‑acquisition declarations                                                          13

22.......... Declaration that land is suitable for acquisition ................................ 13

23.......... Publication of pre‑acquisition declarations ....................................... 15

24.......... Acquisitions where land required urgently etc. ................................ 15

25.......... Effect of section 24 certificate on pre‑acquisition declaration .......... 16

Division 2--Reconsideration and review                                                          17

26.......... Application for reconsideration of pre‑acquisition declaration ........ 17

27.......... Reconsideration of pre‑acquisition declaration ................................. 17

28.......... Application for review of pre‑acquisition declaration ...................... 18

29.......... Application of Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act to applications for review   19

30.......... Review of pre‑acquisition declaration .............................................. 19

31.......... Considerations to be taken into account on review .......................... 19

33.......... Minister to consider Administrative Appeals Tribunal's recommendations           21

Division 3--Miscellaneous                                                                                       22

34.......... Interpretation .................................................................................... 22

35.......... Correction of mistakes in authorising documents ............................. 22

36.......... Consequences of variation of authorising documents ....................... 22

37.......... Notification of confirmation or revocation of authorising documents 22

38.......... Registration of authorising documents ............................................. 23

39.......... Owner of interest in land required to disclose existence of authorising documents 23

Part VI--Acquisition procedures                                                                                  24

40.......... Acquisition by agreement ................................................................. 24

41.......... Acquisition by compulsory process ................................................ 25

42.......... Special provision regarding land in public park ............................... 26

43.......... When pre‑acquisition declaration becomes absolute ........................ 26

44.......... Notice requiring acquisition .............................................................. 27

45.......... Acquisitions not affected by failure to comply with post‑acquisition requirements               28

46.......... Disallowance of acquisition of interest in land in public park .......... 28

47.......... Entry into possession by acquiring authority .................................. 29

48.......... Notification of compulsory acquisition declarations ........................ 30

49.......... Effect of acquisition of mortgage interest on rights of mortgagee ..... 30

50.......... Correction of compulsory acquisition declarations .......................... 30

51.......... Registration of compulsory acquisition declarations ........................ 31

Part VII--Compensation for compulsory acquisition of interests in land 32

Division 1--Entitlement to compensation                                                        32

52.......... Entitlement to compensation ............................................................ 32

53.......... Mortgagees may waive rights in respect of mortgage interests ........ 32

Division 2--Amount of compensation-interests other than mortgage interests              33

54.......... Division does not apply in relation to acquisition of mortgage interests                 33

55.......... Amount of compensation--general principles ................................. 33

56.......... Meaning of market value .................................................................. 34

57.......... Special provision where market value determined upon basis of potential of land 35

58.......... No general market for interest acquired ............................................ 35

59.......... Interest affected by planning restriction ........................................... 36

60.......... Matters to be disregarded in assessing compensation ...................... 37

61.......... Acquisition of a dwelling .................................................................. 37

62.......... Interest subject to mortgage .............................................................. 38

63.......... Crown land ....................................................................................... 38

Division 3--Amount of compensation-mortgage interests                    39

64.......... Interpretation .................................................................................... 39

65.......... Amount of compensation ................................................................. 39

66.......... Particulars of mortgages may be required ......................................... 40

Division 4--Claims for, and offers of, compensation                                  42

67.......... Claims for compensation .................................................................. 42

68.......... Effect of compensation claim in respect of acquisition of mortgage interest            42

69.......... Amounts paid in respect of mortgage liabilities extinguished by section 68            43

5>70.......... Minister either to accept claim and offer compensation or to reject claim               43

71.......... Rejection of claims--review by Administrative Appeals Tribunal . 44

72.......... Rejection of claims--declaration by Federal Court .......................... 45

73.......... Combination of actions under section 72 and proceedings for determination of compensation               46

74.......... Consequences of not seeking review of decision to reject claim ....... 47

74A....... Minister may make offer of compensation where no claim is made 47

75.......... Person may accept or reject Minister's offer of compensation ....... 48

76.......... Minister to reconsider offer of compensation and to make final offer 48

77.......... Person may accept or reject Minister's final offer of compensation 49

Division 5--Determination of compensation payable                                 50

78.......... Determination of compensation by pre‑acquisition agreement ........ 50

79.......... Determination of compensation by post‑acquisition agreement ...... 50

80.......... Determination of compensation by arbitration or by expert ............ 50

81.......... Determination of compensation by Administrative Appeals Tribunal 51

82.......... Determination of compensation by Federal Court ........................... 51

83.......... Persons not entitled to seek determination of compensation by more than one means           52

84.......... Separate rights of mortgagee and mortgagor to determination of compensation       52

Division 6--Payment of compensation                                                               54

85.......... Advance payment on account of compensation ............................... 54

86.......... Minister may pay rates etc. ............................................................. 54

87.......... Payment of compensation ................................................................ 54

88.......... Relationship between advances on account of, and payments of, compensation    55

89.......... Repayment of advances where no entitlement to compensation ..... 56

89A....... Lands Acquisition Account .............................................................. 56

90.......... Crediting of amounts of compensation to the Account .................... 56

91.......... Interest payable on compensation--interests other than mortgage interests           57

92.......... Interest payable on compensation--mortgage interests ................... 58

Division 7--Courts to ensure just terms                                                          60

93.......... Courts to ensure just terms .............................................................. 60

Part VIII--Compensation for exercise of powers under Part III and failure to acquire     61

Division 1--Entitlement to compensation                                                        61

94.......... Interpretation .................................................................................... 61

95.......... Entitlement to compensation--exercise of powers under Part III ... 61

96.......... Entitlement to compensation--pre‑acquisition declaration or section 24 certificate made but acquisition not proceeded with ................................................................................................... 61

Division 2--Claims for, and offers of, compensation                                  63

97.......... Claims for compensation .................................................................. 63

98.......... Minister either to accept claim and offer compensation or to reject claim               63

99.......... Rejection of claims--review by Administrative Appeals Tribunal . 64

100........ Rejection of claims--declaration by Federal Court .......................... 65

101........ Combination of actions under section 100 and proceedings for determination of compensation             66

101A..... Minister may make offer of compensation where no claim is made 66

102........ Person may accept or reject Minister's offer of compensation ....... 68

103........ Minister to reconsider offer of compensation and to make final offer 68

104........ Person may accept or reject Minister's final offer of compensation 69

Division 3--Determination of compensation payable                                 70

105........ Determination of compensation by agreement ................................. 70

106........ Determination of compensation by arbitration or by expert ............ 70

107........ Determination of compensation by Administrative Appeals Tribunal 70

108........ Determination of compensation by Federal Court ........................... 71

109........ Persons not entitled to seek determination of compensation by more than one means           71

Division 4--Payment of compensation                                                               73

110........ Advance payment on account of compensation ............................... 73

111........ Payment of compensation ................................................................ 73

112........ Relationship between advances on account of, and payments of, compensation    73

113........ Repayment of advances where no entitlement to compensation ..... 74

114........ Crediting of amounts of compensation to the Account .................... 74

115........ Interest payable on compensation .................................................... 75

Part IX--Persons with limited powers to deal with interests in land        76

116........ Federal Court may approve certain acts ........................................... 76

Part X--Dealings in land vested in acquiring authorities                               77

117........ Disposals to be in accordance with Part ........................................... 77

118........ Vesting of interests in Commonwealth authorities ........................... 78

119........ Disposal of interests in land ............................................................. 78

120........ Disposal may be made subject to reservation of interest ................. 78

121........ Interest in land to be offered first to former owner .......................... 78

122........ Dedication for public purpose .......................................................... 80

123........ Expungement of easements ............................................................... 80

124........ Mining etc. on certain land ............................................................... 81

Part XI--Interests in overseas land                                                                            84

125........ Minister to approve acquisition, disposal etc. of interests in overseas land            84

Part XII--Miscellaneous                                                                                                   86

126........ Indexation of subsection 61(2) amount ............................................ 86

127........ General power of Federal Court to adjust rights .............................. 87

128........ Federal Court may order stay of proceedings under mortgage ......... 87

129........ Power of Federal Court to extend time limits ................................... 88

130........ Jurisdiction of Federal Court ............................................................ 88

131........ Award of costs in Administrative Appeals Tribunal proceedings ... 88

132........ Orders to obtain possession ............................................................. 89

133........ Injunctions ........................................................................................ 90

134........ Effect of conveyance of Crown land ................................................ 90

135........ Payments to be a good discharge ...................................................... 91

136........ Execution of documents for and on behalf of Commonwealth ......... 91

137........ How documents are to be given ........................................................ 91

138........ Notice of signatures .......................................................................... 92

139........ Delegation ......................................................................................... 92

140........ Regulations ....................................................................................... 93

Notes                                                                                                                                             95

An Act relating to the acquisition of land by the Commonwealth and certain authorities and dealings with land so acquired, and for other purposes

  

Notes to the Lands Acquisition Act 1989

Note 1

The Lands Acquisition Act 1989 as shown in this compilation comprises Act No. 15, 1989 amended as indicated in the Tables below.

For all relevant information pertaining to application, saving or transitional provisions see Table A.

Table of Acts

Act	Number and year	Date of Assent	Date of commencement	Application, saving or transitional provisions
Lands Acquisition Act 1989	15, 1989	17 Apr 1989	9 June 1989 (see Gazette 1989, No. S185)
Telecommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1997	59, 1997	3 May 1997	Schedule 1 (items 35, 36): (a)	--
Audit (Transitional and Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 1997	152, 1997	24 Oct 1997	Schedule 2 (items 889-893): 1 Jan 1998 (see Gazette 1997, No. GN49) (b)	--
Judiciary Amendment Act 1999	7, 1999	31 Mar 1999	Schedules 1-3: 1 Sept 1999 (see Gazette 1999, No. S395) Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Environmental Reform (Consequential Provisions) Act 1999	92, 1999	16 July 1999	Schedule 3 (items 46, 47): 16 July 2000 (c)	Sch. 4 (item 72) and Sch. 9 (item 2)
Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999	146, 1999	11 Nov 1999	Schedule 1 (item 555): 5 Dec 1999 (see Gazette 1999, No. S584) (d)	--
Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Act 2005	8, 2005	22 Feb 2005	S. 4 and Schedule 1 (items 167-171, 496): Royal Assent	S. 4 and Sch. 1 (item 496)
Administrative Appeals Tribunal Amendment Act 2005	38, 2005	1 Apr 2005	Schedule 1 (items 222, 223): 16 May 2005	--
Lands Acquisition Legislation Amendment Act 2008	82, 2008	12 July 2008	Schedules 1-3: 3 Sept 2008 (see F2008L03227)	Sch. 2 (item 48) and Sch. 3 (item 5)

(a)     The Lands Acquisition Act 1989 was amended by Schedule 1 (items 35 and 36) only of the Telecommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1997, subsection 2(2)(d) of which provides as follows:

                 (2)   The following provisions commence on 1 July 1997:

                              (d)   Schedule 1;

(b)    The Lands Acquisition Act 1989 was amended by Schedule 2 (items 889-893) only of the Audit (Transitional and Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 1997 subsection 2(2)of which provides as follows:

                 (2)   Schedules 1, 2 and 4 commence on the same day as the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997.

(c)     The Lands Acquisition Act 1989 was amended by Schedule 3 (items 46, 47) and Schedule 4 (items 67-71) only of the Environmental Reform (Consequential Provisions) Act 1999, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to this section, this Act commences when the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 commences.

(d)     The Lands Acquisition Act 1989 was amended by Schedule 1 (item 555) only of the Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999, subsections 2(1) and (2) of which provide as follows:

                 (1)   In this Act, commencing time means the time when the Public Service Act 1999 commences.

                 (2)   Subject to this section, this Act commences at the commencing time.

Table of Amendments

ad. = added or inserted     am. = amended     rep. = repealed     rs. = repealed and substituted
Provision affected	How affected
Part I
S. 5......................................	am. No. 82, 2008
Part II
S. 6 .....................................	am. No. 152, 1997; No. 8, 2005
Part III
S. 12 ...................................	am. No. 59, 1997
Part IV
S. 21....................................	am. No. 82, 2008
Part V
Division 2
S. 31....................................	am. No. 92, 1999
S. 32....................................	rep. No. 38, 2005
Division 3
S. 38....................................	am. No. 7, 1999
Part VI
S. 40....................................	am. No. 82, 2008
S. 42....................................	rs. No. 92, 1999
S. 51....................................	am. No. 7, 1999
Part VII
Division 2
S. 55....................................	am. No. 7, 1999
Division 3
S. 65....................................	am. No. 7, 1999
Division 4
S. 74A.................................	ad. No. 82, 2008
Heading to s. 75..................	am. No. 82, 2008
Ss. 75, 76............................	am. No. 82, 2008
Heading to s. 77..................	am. No. 82, 2008
Division 5
S. 79....................................	rs. No. 82, 2008
Ss. 82, 83............................	am. No. 82, 2008
Division 6
S. 85....................................	am. No. 82, 2008
S. 87....................................	am. No. 7, 1999
S. 89A ................................	ad. No. 152, 1997
	rs. No. 8, 2005
Heading to s. 90 .................	am. No. 152, 1997
	rs. No. 8, 2005
S. 90....................................	am. No. 152, 1997; No. 8, 2005
S. 91....................................	am. No. 82, 2008
Part VIII
Division 1
Ss. 95, 96............................	am. No. 82, 2008
Division 2
S. 101A...............................	ad. No. 82, 2008
Heading to s. 102................	am. No. 82, 2008
Ss. 102, 103........................	am. No. 82, 2008
Heading to s. 104................	am. No. 82, 2008
Division 3
S. 105..................................	rs. No. 82, 2008
Ss. 108, 109........................	am. No. 82, 2008
Division 4
S. 110..................................	am. No. 82, 2008
Heading to s. 114 ...............	am. No. 152, 1997
	rs. No. 8, 2005
S. 114 .................................	am. No. 152, 1997; No. 8, 2005
S. 115..................................	am. No. 82, 2008
Part X
S. 117..................................	am. No. 82, 2008
S. 122..................................	am. No. 82, 2008
S. 123..................................	am. No. 7, 1999
S. 124..................................	am. No. 92, 1999; No. 82, 2008
Part XII
S. 127..................................	am. No. 82, 2008
S. 131..................................	am. No. 38, 2005
S. 138..................................	am. No. 82, 2008
S. 139..................................	am. No. 146, 1999
S. 140..................................	am. No. 82, 2008

Table A

Application, saving or transitional provisions

Environment Reform (Consequential Provisions) Act 1999 (No. 92, 1999)

Schedule 4

72  Transitional provision

The amendments of section 124 of the Lands Acquisition Act 1989 made by this Schedule do not affect the validity of any regulations made for the purposes of that section before the commencement of the amendments.

Schedule 9 

2  Compensation for acquisition of property

When compensation is necessary

(1)        If, apart from this item, the operation of this Act would result in an acquisition of property from a person that would be invalid because of paragraph 51(xxxi) of the Constitution (which deals with acquisition of property on just terms) the Commonwealth must pay the person a reasonable amount of compensation.

Definition

(2)        In this item:

acquisition of property has the same meaning as in paragraph 51(xxxi) of the Constitution.

Court can decide amount of compensation

(3)        If the Commonwealth and the person do not agree on the amount of compensation to be paid, the person may apply to the Federal Court of Australia for the recovery from the Commonwealth of a reasonable amount of compensation fixed by the Court.

Other compensation to be taken into account

(4)        In assessing compensation payable by the Commonwealth, the Court must take into account any other compensation or remedy arising out of the same event or situation.

Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Act 2005 (No. 8, 2005)

4  Saving of matters in Part 2 of Schedule 1

             (1)  If:

                     (a)  a decision or action is taken or another thing is made, given or done; and

                     (b)  the thing is taken, made, given or done under a provision of a Part 2 Act that had effect immediately before the commencement of this Act;

then the thing has the corresponding effect, for the purposes of the Part 2 Act as amended by this Act, as if it had been taken, made, given or done under the Part 2 Act as so amended.

             (2)  In this section:

Part 2 Act means an Act that is amended by an item in Part 2 of Schedule 1.

Schedule 1

496  Saving provision--Finance Minister's determinations

If a determination under subsection 20(1) of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 is in force immediately before the commencement of this item, the determination continues in force as if it were made under subsection 20(1) of that Act as amended by this Act.

Lands Acquisition Legislation Amendment Act 2008 (No. 82, 2008)

Schedule 2

48  Application

(1)        The amendments made by items 1 to 18 apply to an acquisition by compulsory process of an interest in land, if the acquisition is made after the commencement of those items.

(2)        The amendments made by items 19 to 46 apply to a loss to which Division 1 of Part VIII of the Lands Acquisition Act 1989 applies, if the loss is suffered after the commencement of those items.

Schedule 3

5  Application

The amendments made by items 3 and 4 apply to an acquisition by agreement of an interest in land if the acquisition is made after the commencement of those items.