31Lease of land for rural purposes

### 31 Lease of land for rural purposes > > (1)  Except in a special case where the Minister determines that it is just and reasonable to lease any Crown land by private treaty, the lease of every Crown land for rural purposes shall, in the first instance, be submitted for public competition by way of an auction. > > > (2)  Before an auction is held under this section the Minister shall – > > > > > > (a) cause to be advertised in the *Gazette* and a newspaper circulating within the district in which the land is situated at least a fortnight before the date on which the auction is to be held a notice setting out – > > > > > > > > > > (i) [*\[Section 31 Subsection (2) amended by No. 17 of 1996, Applied:19 Mar 2002\]*](/view/html/inforce/2002-03-19/act-1996-017#AT@EN) the time and place of the auction; and > > > > > > > > > > > (ii) [*\[Section 31 Subsection (2) amended by No. 17 of 1996, Applied:19 Mar 2002\]*](/view/html/inforce/2002-03-19/act-1996-017#AT@EN) the particulars of the land intended to be leased; and > > > > > > > > > > > (iii) the place or places and the times at which the plans of the land and the conditions under which the lease will be granted may be inspected; and > > > > > > > > > > > (iv) any other particulars that he deems relevant; and > > > > > > > (b) ensure that the plans of the land and the conditions of the lease are available for inspection at the places and at the times referred to in the notice. > > > (3)  *\[Section 31 Subsection (3) amended by No. 23 of 1978, s. 6 and Sched. 1 \]*Where bids at an auction held under [subsection (1)](#GS31@Gs1@EN) do not reach the rent reserved by the Director-General for the lease of the Crown land, the Minister may – > > > > > > (a) [*\[Section 31 Subsection (3) amended by No. 17 of 1996, Applied:19 Mar 2002\]*](/view/html/inforce/2002-03-19/act-1996-017#AT@EN) lease the land to the highest bidder; or > > > > > > > (b) lease the land by private treaty; or > > > > > > > (c) withdraw the land from leasing. > > > (4)  The Minister may withdraw any land from auction at any time before the auction in respect thereof is held.