Expressions of Interest from Islanders Who Would Like to Lease Portions 74 and 75

Overview The Lord Howe Island Board is seeking expressions of interest from Islanders who would like to lease Portions 74 and 75, near Old Settlement Beach, for cultivation and grazing. About In March 2026 the Board sought expressions of interest for short term grazing rights over the same land. After consulting the Lord Howe Island Board Committee, the Board decided to withdraw that process and instead offer the land under a conventional tenure. This document opens that new process. What a special lease is A special lease is a formal lease of Crown land for a fixed term of up to 10 years, granted under the Lord Howe Island Act 1953. Only the Minister can grant a special lease, and only if the Board recommends it. The Board's role is to assess who is interested, decide whether to recommend a lease and to whom, and report to the Minister. Purpose This is a first step. It tells the Board who is interested in the land. It does not grant a lease and does not guarantee one. Its purpose is to let the Board consider the level of interest openly and fairly before it makes any recommendation. Eligibility You must hold a lease in perpetuity for residence under section 21 of the Lord Howe Island Act 1953 Under the Act, a special lease can only be granted to someone who holds a section 21 lease, and you need to hold it at the time the lease is granted, not just when you apply If you hold a section 21 lease jointly with someone else, you can apply jointly If you are not sure whether you hold a qualifying lease, please contact the Board before you apply How the Board will decide Before the Minister can grant a lease, the Act requires the Board to report on whether there is any objection to granting the lease, whether in the public interest or otherwise, and on the merits of the application. On the public interest, the Board will consider whether the proposed use protects the surrounding environment, keeps the land productive, and fits the zoning of the land. On the merits, the Board will consider: Whether you hold a qualifying section 21 lease Whether your proposed use is genuinely cultivation and grazing How you plan to manage the land, including fencing and protecting the adjoining protected areas Whether you can meet the lease conditions The term you are seeking If more than one eligible expression of interest is received, the Board may rank them, may recommend a lease over part of the land only, may decide not to recommend anyone, or may offer the land again. The Board is not required to accept any expression of interest. A lease is only granted if the Board recommends it and the Minister approves it, and detailed lease terms are settled at the time the lease is issued.