{"id":"cultural-and-recreational-lands-act-1963","name":"Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963","slug":"cultural-and-recreational-lands-act-1963","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":174026,"registerId":"vic-cultural-and-recreational-lands-act-1963-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963","content":"Version No. 023\n\n**Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963**\n\n**No. 7101 of 1963**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n1 August 2018\n\n**table of provisions**\n\n*Section Page*\n\n1 Short title 1\n\n2 Definitions 1\n\n2A Orders declaring recreational lands 3\n\n3 Compulsory acquisition of recreational lands 3\n\n4 Rates 3\n\n5 Charges for services provided to recreational lands 5\n\n6 Question on operation or application of Act determined by Minister 6\n\nEndnotes 7\n\n1 General information 7\n\n2 Table of Amendments 9\n\n3 Amendments Not in Operation 11\n\n4 Explanatory details 12\n\n**Version No.** **023**\n\n**Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963**\n\n**No. 7101 of 1963**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n1 August 2018\n\nAn Act to amend the Law in relation to the Acquisition and Rating of Certain Lands used for Cultural Recreational Sporting and similar purposes.\n\n**BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly of Victoria in this present Parliament assembled and by the authority of the same as follows (that is to say):**\n\n\t1 Short title\n\nThis Act may be cited as the **Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963**.\n\n\t2 Definitions\n\nS. 2 def. of *municipality* repealed by No. 12/1989  \ns. 4(1)(Sch. 2 item 22.1).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 2 def. of *recreational lands* amended by Nos 12/1989  \ns 4(1)(Sch. 2 item 22.2), 3/1990 s. 4, 74/2000 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 33), 40/2006 s. 43, 15/2009 s. 36(1), 58/2017 s. 54.\n\n***recreational lands*** means—\n\n(a) lands which are—\n\n(i) vested in or occupied by any body corporate or unincorporate which exists for the purpose of providing or promoting cultural or sporting recreational or similar facilities or objectives and which applies its profits in promoting its objects and prohibits the payment of any dividend or amount to its members; and\n\n(ii) used for out-door sporting recreational or cultural purposes or similar out-door activities; or\n\n(b) lands which are used primarily as agricultural showgrounds; or\n\n(ba) the Reserve within the meaning of the **Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Act 2017**; or\n\n(c) the Melbourne Cricket Ground (which has the same meaning as ***Ground*** has in the **Melbourne Cricket Ground Act 2009**); or\n\n(d) the Flemington Racecourse land within the meaning of the **Victoria Racing Club Act 2006**; or\n\n(e) the national tennis centre land within the meaning of section 4 of the **Melbourne and Olympic Parks Act 1985**; or\n\n(f) lands (whether or not otherwise rateable) which are declared by Order of the Governor in Council under section 2A to be recreational lands—\n\nbut does not in the case of lands referred to in subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) of this interpretation include lands which are not held for an estate in fee simple by any such body unless such lands are held under a lease or licence from the Crown or from a municipal council.\n\nS. 2A  \ninserted by No. 3/1990  \ns. 5.\n\n\t2A Orders declaring recreational lands\n\n(1) The Governor in Council may by Order published in the Government Gazette, declare lands specified in the Order which comply with paragraph (a)(i) of the definition of ***recreational lands*** in section 2 to be recreational lands.\n\n(2) An Order under subsection (1)—\n\n(a) takes effect from the date on which it is made; and\n\n(b) is not invalidated by a failure to publish it in the Government Gazette.\n\n\t3 Compulsory acquisition of recreational lands\n\nNotwithstanding anything in any Act or enactment the power conferred by or under any Act to compulsorily acquire land shall not extend to the compulsory acquisition of any recreational lands but nothing in this section shall operate to prevent the acquisition of such lands by agreement or the compulsory acquisition of recreational lands by or under any Act which authorizes the compulsory acquisition of specific recreational lands.\n\n\t4 Rates\n\nS. 4(1)  \namended by Nos 12/1989  \ns. 4(1)(Sch. 2 items 22.3, 22.4), 3/1990  \ns. 6(1).\n\n(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of any Act or enactment relating to the making and levying of rates by a municipal council in lieu of the rates that would otherwise be payable to a municipal council in respect of recreational lands there shall be paid to the municipal council as rates in each year such amount as the municipal council thinks reasonable having regard to the services provided by the municipal council in relation to such lands and having regard to the benefit to the community derived from such recreational lands.\n\nS. 4(2)  \namended by Nos 12/1989  \ns. 4(1)(Sch. 2 items 22.5, 22.6), 3/1990  \ns. 6(2).\n\n(2) Any body which is aggrieved by the amount determined by a municipal council pursuant to subsection (1) of this section may appeal to the Minister who must determine the amounts to be paid to the municipal council as rates and every such determination shall be final and shall be given effect to by the municipal council and by the body concerned.\n\nS. 4(3)  \namended by No. 12/1989  \ns. 4(1)(Sch. 2 items 22.7, 22.8).\n\n(3) Subject to subsection (4) of this section every such determination of the municipal council or of the Minister (as the case may be) shall operate until such time as a new valuation in respect of the municipal district or ward in which such recreational lands are situated is made and returned to the municipal council.\n\nS. 4(4)  \namended by Nos 12/1989  \ns. 4(1)(Sch. 2 item 22.9), 11/2002 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 15).\n\n(4) Where during the operation of any such determination the rates made and levied for any year by a municipal council in respect of a municipal district or ward in which any recreational lands are situated are at an amount in the dollar greater than the amount in the dollar of the rates made and levied in the first year in which that determination operated, the rates made and levied for that year shall be increased by such proportion as the amount in the dollar of the new rates bears to the amount in the dollar of the rates made and levied in such first year.\n\nS. 4(5)  \namended by No. 12/1989  \ns. 4(1)(Sch. 2 item 22.11).\n\n(5) Where any lands which—\n\nS. 4(5)(i)  \namended by No. 12/1989  \ns. 4(1)(Sch. 2 item 22.10).\n\n(i) are rateable under the **Local Government Act 1989**; and\n\n(ii) are recreational lands—\n\ncease to be recreational lands there shall be payable as rates to the municipal council an amount equal to the difference between the total of the amounts which were payable in respect of such lands for each of the ten years immediately preceding the land so ceasing to be recreational land and the total of the amounts of the rates that would have been payable in respect of such land in each of those years if this Act had not applied to such lands and such lands had been valued in each of those years on the basis that the value of such lands was its value immediately after such lands so ceased to be recreational lands.\n\n\t5 Charges for services provided to recreational lands\n\nS. 5(1)  \namended by No. 12/1989  \ns. 4(1)(Sch. 2 items 22.12, 22.13).\n\n(1) Recreational lands shall not be rateable land for the purpose of any rate levied by or under any Act other than the **Local Government Act 1989**, but notwithstanding anything in any Act or enactment any body which but for this section might have made and levied a rate in respect of recreational lands shall be entitled to impose and collect a reasonable charge for any service provided or available to any recreational lands.\n\n(2) The amount of any charge to be paid under the preceding subsection shall be such amount as is determined by any by-law or regulation approved by the Governor in Council, or in the absence of such by-law or regulation, such amount as is agreed between the occupier of the lands and the body imposing the charge, or in default of such agreement such amount as is determined by the Minister.\n\nS. 6  \namended by No. 12/1989  \ns. 4(1)(Sch. 2 item 22.14).\n\n\t6 Question on operation or application of Act determined by Minister\n\nAny question difference or dispute arising between any body corporate or unincorporate and any municipal council or any other rating authority with respect to the application or operation of this Act may be finally and conclusively determined by the Minister.\n\n\n\nEndnotes\n\n1 General information\n\nSee [www.legislation.vic.gov.au](http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au) for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.\n\nThe **Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963** was assented to on 10 December 1963 and came into operation on 10 December 1963.\n\nINTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)\n\nStyle changes\n\nSection 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.\n\nReferences to ILA s. 39B\n\nSidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided section or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subsections or subclauses, the original section or clause becomes subsection or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression \"(1)\" at the beginning of the original section or clause.\n\nInterpretation\n\nAs from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:\n\n• Headings\n\nAll headings included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any heading inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; sections; clauses; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms. See section 36(1A)(2A).\n\n• Examples, diagrams or notes\n\nAll examples, diagrams or notes included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Act. See section 36(3A).\n\n• Punctuation\n\nAll punctuation included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 forms part of that Act. Any punctuation inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. See section 36(3B).\n\n• Provision numbers\n\nAll provision numbers included in an Act form part of that Act, whether inserted in the Act before, on or after 1 January 2001. Provision numbers include section numbers, subsection numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).\n\n• Location of \"legislative items\"\n\nA \"legislative item\" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of an Act is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.\n\n• Other material\n\nAny explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of an Act.  \nSee section 36(3)(3D)(3E).\n\n2 Table of Amendments\n\nThis publication incorporates amendments made to the **Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963** by Acts and subordinate instruments.\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n**Local Government (Consequential Provisions) Act 1989, No. 12/1989**\n\n| Assent Date: | 9.5.89 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 4(1)(Sch. 2 items 22.1–2.9, 22.11, 22.14) on 1.11.89: Government Gazette 1.11.89 p. 2798; s. 4(1)(Sch. 2 items 22.10, 22.12, 22.13) on 1.10.92: Government Gazette 23.9.92 p. 2789 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provisions amending the **Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963** |\n\n\n**Cultural and Recreational Lands (Amendment) Act 1990, No. 3/1990**\n\n| Assent Date: | 3.4.90 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 4(1) on 1.10.89: s. 2(2); rest of Act on 3.4.90: s. (1) |\n| Current State: | All of Act in operation |\n\n\n**Statute Law Revision Act 2000, No. 74/2000**\n\n| Assent Date: | 21.11.00 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 3(Sch. 1 item 33) on 22.11.00: s. 2(1) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provisions amending the **Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963** |\n\n\n**Statute Law (Further Revision) Act 2002, No. 11/2002**\n\n| Assent Date: | 23.4.02 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 3(Sch. 1 item 15) on 24.4.02: s. 2(1) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provisions amending the **Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963** |\n\n\n**Victoria Racing Club Act 2006, No. 40/2006**\n\n| Assent Date: | 20.6.06 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 43 on 1.8.06: Government Gazette 27.7.06 p. 1534 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963** |\n\n\n**Melbourne Cricket Ground Act 2009, No. 15/2009**\n\n| Assent Date: | 7.4.09 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 36(1) on 8.4.09: s. 2 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963** |\n\n\n**Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Act 2017, No. 58/2017**\n\n| Assent Date: | 22.11.17 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 54 on 1.8.18: s. 2(3) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963** |\n\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n3 Amendments Not in Operation\n\nThere are no amendments which were Not in Operation at the date of this publication.\n\n4 Explanatory details\n\nNo entries at date of publication.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Insufficient information was provided in the supplied text to determine whether the scope of the Act changed from its original intent. The existence of a version history and consolidation suggests amendments were made, but without the full text, no assessment of scope change can be made."},"complexity_factors":["Insufficient legislative text provided to assess true complexity","The Act dates from 1963, meaning older drafting style may be present which can be harder to interpret","Consolidation history suggests amendments over time which can create layered obligations","Land management laws can intersect with planning, Crown land, and local government legislation, adding complexity in practice"],"plain_english_summary":"## Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963\n\nThis is a Victorian law from 1963 that relates to land set aside for **cultural and recreational purposes** — think parks, gardens, museums, sporting grounds, and similar public spaces.\n\n**Unfortunately, the full text of this legislation was not provided**, so a complete analysis cannot be given. Based on what is visible:\n\n- The Act has been **consolidated** (updated over time to reflect amendments), meaning it has been changed since it was first made in 1963\n- It appears to still be **in force** (active law)\n- It has a version history, suggesting it has been amended at least once since its original creation\n\n**Who it likely affects:**\n- Local councils and government bodies managing public land\n- Organisations or clubs using Crown land (government-owned land) for sport, culture, or recreation\n- Members of the public who use parks, ovals, halls, and similar facilities\n\n**Why it matters:** Laws like this typically govern how public recreational land can be used, who can manage it, what conditions apply, and what happens if the land is misused or needs to be repurposed.\n\n> ⚠️ *A full plain-English breakdown is not possible without the complete legislative text.*"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 1963 Act appears to have been a general scheme for community recreational lands. Over 55 years of amendments, it has grown to specifically name and protect major commercial sporting venues including the MCG, Flemington Racecourse, Caulfield Racecourse, and the National Tennis Centre. These specific inclusions (paragraphs ba, c, d, e of the definition) suggest the Act has evolved from a community protection measure to also serve as a vehicle for securing favourable rating treatment for high-profile sporting infrastructure, potentially beyond the original intent focused on amateur sporting clubs and agricultural shows."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple nested definitions in section 2, with six separate categories of 'recreational lands' (paragraphs a-f) plus an exclusion clause","Extensive amendment history visible in the text (repealed definitions, insertion notes) creating visual clutter","Cross-references to at least five other Acts (Local Government Act 1989, Melbourne Cricket Ground Act 2009, Victoria Racing Club Act 2006, Melbourne and Olympic Parks Act 1985, Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Act 2017)","Conditional logic in section 4(5) calculating rate differentials over a 10-year lookback period with hypothetical valuations","Ministerial discretion powers in sections 2A, 4(2), 5(2), and 6 creating multiple pathways for administrative determination","Dual appeal/determination mechanisms (Minister determines rates disputes under s.4(2) and general disputes under s.6)"],"plain_english_summary":"This Victorian law gives special treatment to land used for sport, culture, and recreation—like cricket grounds, racecourses, tennis centres, and agricultural showgrounds.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Protects recreational land from compulsory acquisition** (being forced to sell to the government), unless the owner agrees or a specific law allows it.\n- **Gives these lands a special rates deal.** Normally, councils charge rates based on property value. Under this Act, recreational lands pay a \"reasonable\" amount set by the council, considering what services the council provides and the community benefit. If the landowner disagrees, the Minister decides the final amount.\n- **Limits other charges.** While recreational lands don't pay most other types of rates, any authority providing services (like water or sewerage) can charge a reasonable fee for those services.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Community sporting clubs, cultural organisations, and agricultural societies that own or occupy land for outdoor recreation.\n- Major venues like the **Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)**, **Flemington Racecourse**, the **National Tennis Centre**, and **Caulfield Racecourse**.\n- Local councils, which collect reduced rates from these properties.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis Act recognises that community sports clubs and major sporting venues provide public benefits that aren't captured by market value. By capping rates and protecting against forced acquisition, it helps keep these facilities affordable and preserved for public use. However, if land stops being used for recreation, the owner must pay back the rates they \"saved\" over the previous ten years (a kind of \"clawback\" provision)."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Originally aimed at land used by non-profit cultural and recreational bodies, the Act's scope has expanded significantly through amendments. It now specifically includes major commercial sports venues like the MCG, Flemington Racecourse, Caulfield Racecourse Reserve, and the national tennis centre, which are not necessarily non-profit. Additionally, the ability to declare land as recreational via Order in Council broadens its potential reach beyond the original intent."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-references to multiple other Acts (e.g., Local Government Act 1989, Melbourne Cricket Ground Act 2009, Victoria Racing Club Act 2006, etc.)","Complex definition of 'recreational lands' with multiple paragraphs, subparagraphs, and exceptions","Conditional provisions for rate calculation in section 4, including a formula for rate increases over time","Provision allowing the Governor in Council to declare lands as recreational with partial effect (section 2A)","Historical amendments that have added specific venues and altered definitions"],"plain_english_summary":"This Victorian law defines certain types of land used for cultural, recreational, or sporting purposes as 'recreational lands'. It protects these lands from being compulsorily acquired by the government, unless a specific Act authorises it. The law also changes how local councils charge rates (property taxes) on recreational lands—councils can set a lower rate based on the services they provide to the land and the benefit the community gets from it. If the landowner disagrees with the council's rate, they can appeal to the Minister. The definition of recreational lands includes non-profit clubs, agricultural showgrounds, and specific major venues like the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Flemington Racecourse, Caulfield Racecourse Reserve, and the national tennis centre. The Governor in Council can also declare other lands as recreational lands. The law applies to non-profit organisations that operate these facilities, reducing their property tax burden but also reducing revenue for councils. It mainly affects landowners, local councils, and other rating authorities."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/cultural-and-recreational-lands-act-1963","history":"/api/acts/cultural-and-recreational-lands-act-1963/history","analysis":"/api/acts/cultural-and-recreational-lands-act-1963/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/cultural-and-recreational-lands-act-1963/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/cultural-and-recreational-lands-act-1963/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/cultural-and-recreational-lands-act-1963/documents"}}