{"id":"land-surf-life-saving-association-act-1967","name":"Land (Surf Life Saving Association) Act 1967","slug":"land-surf-life-saving-association-act-1967","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":178277,"registerId":"vic-land-surf-life-saving-association-act-1967-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Land (Surf Life Saving Association) Act 1967","content":"Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documentsi\nVersion No. 001\nLand (Surf Life Saving Association) Act 1967\nAct No. 7525/1967\nVersion incorporating amendments as at 9 August 2000\nTABLE OF PROVISIONS\nSection Page\n1. Short title 2\n2. Definitions 2\n3. Power to grant leases of land in ocean foreshore reserves 2\n4. No liability to attach to Crown 3\n═══════════════\nENDNOTES 4\n1. General Information 4\n2. Table of Amendments 5\n3. Explanatory Details 6\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents1\nVersion No. 001\nLand (Surf Life Saving Association) Act 1967\nAct No. 7525/1967\nVersion incorporating amendments as at 9 August 2000\nAn Act to authorize the Granting to a certain Association upon\nthe Incorporation thereof of Leases of Crown Lands reserved\nunder the Land Act 1958 and adjacent to the Sea Coast for the\nPurposes of Surf Club Activities and related purposes.\nPreamble\nWHEREAS the Parliament of Victoria has from\ntime to time by appropriation made grants of\nmoney to the unincorporated body known as the\nVictorian State Centre of the Surf Life Saving\nAssociation of Australia for the provision of\nbuildings and equipment and for administrative\npurposes:\nAND WHEREAS the said body is to be\nincorporated as a company under the provisions of\nthe Companies Act 1961:\nAND WHEREAS—\n(a) it is desirable in the interests of the State that\nthe buildings for which grants of money\nwere so made be erected on Crown land; and\n(b) it is expedient in the interests of public\nsafety that the said body should be\nencouraged to preserve and maintain the\nsaid buildings and its equipment by making\nland available to it under a secure form of\ntenure:\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 7525/1967\nLand (Surf Life Saving Association) Act 1967\n2\nBE IT THEREFORE ENACTED by the Queen's Most\nExcellent Majesty by and with the advice and consent of the\nLegislative Council and the Legislative Assembly of Victoria\nin this present Parliament assembled and by the authority of\nthe same as follows (that is to say):\n1. Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Land (Surf Life\nSaving Association) Act 1967.\n2. Definitions\nIn this Act unless inconsistent with the context or\nsubject-matter—\n\"Association\" means the Victorian State Centre\nof the Surf Life Saving Association of\nAustralia;\n\"ocean foreshore reserve\" means any Crown\nland abutting on or adjacent to the coastline\nof Victoria (not being any part of the\ncoastline which is within Port Phillip Bay)\nwhich has been reserved either temporarily\nor permanently for any purpose under\nsection 4 of the Crown Land (Reserves)\nAct 1978 or any corresponding previous\nenactment.\n3. Power to grant leases of land in ocean foreshore\nreserves\n(1) Upon the incorporation of the Association as a\ncompany under the provisions of the Companies\nAct 1961 the Governor in Council may\nnotwithstanding anything in the Crown Land\n(Reserves) Act 1978 grant leases to the\nAssociation of Crown land not exceeding half an\nacre in area within any ocean foreshore reserve.\ns. 1\nS. 2 def. of\n\"ocean\nforeshore\nreserve\"\namended by\nNo. 9212\ns. 2(2)(Sch. 2).\nS. 3(1)\namended by\nNo. 9212\ns. 2(2)(Sch. 2).\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 7525/1967\nLand (Surf Life Saving Association) Act 1967\n3\n(2) A lease under this section—\n(a) shall be for the purposes of surf club\nactivities including social activities and the\nprovision of residential quarters for patrol\nmembers of surf clubs affiliated with the\nAssociation;\n(b) shall be at an annual rent of $10;\n(c) shall be for a term not exceeding twenty-one\nyears;\n(d) shall provide for the payment to the\ncommittee of management of the reserve\nwithin which the land leased is situated of\nsuch annual amount on such terms and\nconditions as the committee of management\nand the Association agree upon or in default\nof agreement as the Minister determines; and\n(e) shall contain such other covenants and\nconditions as the Governor in Council thinks\nfit.\n4. No liability to attach to Crown\nNo person or body of persons whatsoever or\nwhosoever shall be entitled to receive or shall\nreceive from the Crown any money or\nconsideration or compensation in respect of or in\nany manner whatsoever arising out of any matter\nor thing under this Act.\n═══════════════\ns. 4\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 7525/1967\nLand (Surf Life Saving Association) Act 1967\n4\nENDNOTES\n1. General Information\nThe Land (Surf Life Saving Association) Act 1967 was assented to on\n15 March 1967 and came into operation on 15 March 1967.\nEndnotes\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 7525/1967\nLand (Surf Life Saving Association) Act 1967\n5\n2. Table of Amendments\nThis Version incorporates amendments made to the Land (Surf Life Saving\nAssociation) Act 1967 by Acts and subordinate instruments.\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\nCrown Land (Reserves) Act 1978, No. 9212/1978\nAssent Date: 19.12.78\nCommencement Date: 1.3.79: Government Gazette 21.2.79 p. 441\nCurrent State: All of Act in operation\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\nEndnotes\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 7525/1967\nLand (Surf Life Saving Association) Act 1967\n6\n3. Explanatory Details\nNo entries at date of publication.\nEndnotes","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act remains narrowly focused on authorising leases to the Victorian State Centre of the Surf Life Saving Association upon its incorporation and prescribing the terms of those leases (area, permitted uses, rent, term, and payment to the reserve committee). Amendments reflected in the version shown are limited to updating cross-references and the definition of \"ocean foreshore reserve\" (to reflect the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978); they do not broaden the class of beneficiaries, expand the permitted uses beyond surf-club-related activities, or remove the original limits on area, rent, or term. Therefore the statutory scope has not materially grown beyond its original purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Very short Act: 4 substantive sections (ss 1–4).","2 defined terms in interpretation section (\"Association\" and \"ocean foreshore reserve\") (s 2).","Conditional trigger: entitlement to leases is conditional on incorporation under the Companies Act (s 3(1)).","Cross-references to other legislation: Companies Act 1961 and Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 affecting eligibility and land definition (s 2; s 3(1)).","Prescriptive limits and conditions in one section: area limit (½ acre), permitted uses, fixed nominal rent ($10), maximum term (21 years) (s 3(1) and s 3(2)(a)–(c)).","Delegated/executive discretion: Governor in Council may set other covenants; Minister determines payment if parties do not agree (s 3(2)(d)–(e)).","Blanket exclusion of compensation rights (s 4) introduces a single high-impact exception rather than layered exceptions."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does, simply**\n\n- The Act authorises the Governor in Council to grant leases of small parcels (up to half an acre) of Crown land on the Victorian coastline (outside Port Phillip Bay) to the Victorian State Centre of the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia (the \"Association\") once the Association is incorporated as a company (see s 3(1)).\n\n- Those leases must be used for surf club activities (including social activities and residential quarters for patrol members), be for a term of no more than 21 years, and carry an annual rent of $10. The lease must also provide for a payment to the committee of management of the relevant reserve on terms agreed between that committee and the Association or, if they cannot agree, on terms set by the Minister (see s 3(2)(a)–(d)). The Governor in Council may include other covenants and conditions it considers appropriate (s 3(2)(e)).\n\n- The Act prevents anyone from claiming money, consideration or compensation from the Crown under the Act (s 4).\n\n**Who is affected**\n\n- The Association: it is the sole intended beneficiary. The Association must be incorporated as a company to be eligible (s 3(1)).\n- Local reserve management: the committee of management for the foreshore reserve may receive specified payments under the lease (s 3(2)(d)).\n- The Crown (state government): it decides whether to grant leases and on what additional conditions (Governor in Council, Minister) and foregoes market-based rent for these parcels (s 3).\n- Other potential land users: availability of small foreshore parcels for alternative uses is reduced because parcels can be leased to the Association for these purposes.\n\n**Why it matters (mechanically, not politically)**\n\n- It creates a secure, long-term form of tenure for surf-club-related buildings and facilities on Crown foreshore land, encouraging the Association to maintain and invest in those buildings and equipment (preamble; s 3). That tenure is provided on specially prescribed terms (area limit, permitted uses, nominal rent, term limit).\n\n**Practical effects, incentives and trade-offs**\n\n- Incentives to invest: A lease of up to 21 years and a very low prescribed rent ($10 p.a.) reduce the Association's cost of occupying and improving the site, increasing the incentive to maintain buildings and equipment (s 3(2)(b), (c)).\n\n- Public cost and opportunity cost: The Crown foregoes normal market rent and possible alternative uses of the land. The cost is concentrated (the Association benefits) and the forgone revenue is diffuse (public). The Act mitigates some public management costs by allowing a payment to the reserve committee, but that payment level can be minimal or set by the Minister (s 3(2)(d)).\n\n- Administrative discretion and uncertainty: The Governor in Council has broad power to set additional covenants and conditions on leases (s 3(2)(e)). If the reserve committee and the Association cannot agree on payments to that committee, the Minister determines the terms (s 3(2)(d)). These powers introduce executive discretion that can affect the burden on the Association and the benefit to the local reserve management.\n\n- Compliance and negotiation costs: The Association must incorporate as a company before becoming eligible (s 3(1)). Negotiation with the committee of management or recourse to the Minister’s determination can impose transaction costs.\n\n- Restriction on claims: Section 4 removes any entitlement to compensation from the Crown under this Act, so third parties cannot claim compensation for matters arising under the Act (s 4). That limits legal exposure of the Crown but also removes a remedial route for affected parties.\n\n**How it interacts with other laws and market impacts**\n\n- Cross-references: The Act depends on the Companies Act (for incorporation) and on the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 (definition and status of \"ocean foreshore reserve\"). Those cross-references affect which lands are eligible and the formal trigger for eligibility (s 2; s 3(1)).\n\n- Impact on private enterprise and competition: The measure grants a non-commercially priced, reserved use of public coastal land to a single incorporated body. That narrows the pool of potential private uses for the specified parcels and reduces the Crown’s ability to allocate those parcels by open commercial process. The effect is narrow in scope (limited area per lease, limited uses) rather than economy-wide (s 3(1)–(2)).\n\n**Implementation risks and considerations**\n\n- Reliance on executive decision-making (Governor in Council and Minister) can produce variation in lease terms between reserves and across time (s 3(2)(e); (d)).\n- Because compensation is expressly excluded (s 4), parties affected by lease decisions have limited remedy under this Act itself.\n\n**Where to look in the Act**\n\n- Definitions and scope of eligible land: s 2.\n- Power to grant leases and the detailed lease conditions: s 3(1) and s 3(2)(a)–(e).\n- Exclusion of compensation claims against the Crown: s 4.\n\n(References in parentheses are to sections of the Act.)"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: enabling the Surf Life Saving Association to lease small parcels of coastal Crown land for surf club purposes. The only amendment (1978) was technical — updating references to the consolidating Crown Land (Reserves) Act — without expanding the substantive scope or beneficiaries."},"complexity_factors":["Only 4 operative sections (plus definitions and short title)","2 defined terms ('Association' and 'ocean foreshore reserve')","Single amendment updating cross-references to the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978","No nested exceptions or conditional logic beyond basic lease requirements","Straightforward purpose-built statute with minimal cross-referencing"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a short Victorian law from 1967 that lets the Surf Life Saving Association lease small patches of Crown land on Victoria's ocean coast (but not Port Phillip Bay) for their surf clubs.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Allows cheap, long-term leases**: The government can grant leases of up to half an acre (about 2,000 square metres) to the Victorian State Centre of the Surf Life Saving Association for building and running surf clubs.\n- **Sets the terms**: Leases cost only $10 per year, can last up to 21 years, and must be used for surf club activities — including social events and accommodation for volunteer lifesavers.\n- **Protects the Crown**: The government can't be sued or forced to pay compensation for anything done under this Act.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- The **Surf Life Saving Association** (specifically the Victorian State Centre), which gets secure land tenure to build and maintain clubhouses and equipment.\n- **Local committees** managing the coastal reserves, who receive additional payments negotiated with the Association (or decided by the Minister if they can't agree).\n- **The public**, who benefit from well-maintained surf lifesaving facilities and volunteer patrols.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nBefore this law, the unincorporated association couldn't hold leases. The Act was created because Parliament had already given the group money to build facilities, and it made sense to let them actually occupy the land. It recognises that keeping volunteer lifesavers housed and equipped is a matter of public safety."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available information, the Act appears to remain consistent with its original narrow intent — facilitating land access for the Surf Life Saving Association. There is no evidence of scope creep or amendments that have broadened or narrowed its application. The Act remains in force in its original form."},"complexity_factors":["Very narrow and specific subject matter — deals with a single organisation and land arrangements","Historical legislation from 1967, likely using older drafting conventions","Insufficient legislative text was provided to assess any hidden complexity in the actual provisions","Single-purpose Acts of this type are typically straightforward with minimal operative clauses","No apparent cross-references to complex regulatory frameworks based on available information"],"plain_english_summary":"The Act enables the Surf Life Saving Association to hold and use specified land—likely Crown beachfront property—for clubhouses, training and equipment storage, by providing legal authority for grants or special arrangements. \n\nIt affects the Association, member clubs and land-managing agencies, and matters because it secures locations vital for volunteer lifesaving services that protect beachgoers."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/land-surf-life-saving-association-act-1967","history":"/api/acts/land-surf-life-saving-association-act-1967/history","analysis":"/api/acts/land-surf-life-saving-association-act-1967/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/land-surf-life-saving-association-act-1967/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/land-surf-life-saving-association-act-1967/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/land-surf-life-saving-association-act-1967/documents"}}