Watercraft

Watercraft storage

Inner West Council offers dinghy and watercraft storage at six waterside locations across our local government area.

Applications

If you are interested in watercraft storage, kindly reach out to us via email at watercraft@innerwest.nsw.gov.au

Renewals

Renewal letters and tax invoices are sent out in November each year for the next calendar year.

Terms and conditions of lease

• Each application will be assessed individually, and the applicable fee applied. The agreement and invoice will be forwarded.
• You will be issued a specific numbered bay for the storage of the nominated watercraft.
• Upon payment of the tax invoice Council will issue a permit sticker. This is to be affixed to the watercraft and be clearly visible. Failure to comply will result in an infringement being issued.
• Watercraft is stored entirely at your risk and Council will not accept any responsibility for any damage caused to the watercraft.
• You will be contacted annually to pay the required fee. If you fail to pay your watercraft fees, your watercraft will be removed, and an impounding fee will be applied.
• If you do not remove the watercraft or other equipment after the agreement has been terminated, the items will be removed and may be disposed of.
• Council has the right at any time and for any reason to terminate an agreement.
• You must advise Council in writing if you no longer require the use of the watercraft storage area by emailing watercraft@innerwest.nsw.gov.au
• You cannot “on-sell” or transfer the agreement under any circumstances.
• You must give Council immediate notice of any damage, defect or deterioration affecting the watercraft storage area.
• Use of the facility is for private purposes only. Any commercial use of the facility will render the rental agreement immediately null and void.

Rental agreement

Council grants a temporary 12 month licence (from 1 January to 31 December or any part thereof) to the applicant herein after referred to as the licensee for the use of the allocated storage bay at Council's nominated storage facility on the following terms and conditions:

1. The licensee must be the legal owner of the watercraft stored in Council's storage bay.
2. The licensee must ensure the watercraft does not exceed the maximum permissible dimensions of width 1.5 metres and length 3.5 metres.
3. The licensee must:
   1. Ensure only one watercraft is stored in the allocated bay;
   2. Display the permit sticker in a prominent position;
   3. Ensure the storage bay is only used for private purposes; and
   4. Ensure the watercraft is in an operable condition.
4. The licensee must not:
   1. Damage or misuse the storage bay or public land surrounding the storage bay; or
   2. Undertake any maintenance ore repair of the watercraft on public land surrounding the storage bay.
5. The licensee must notify Council in writing within 7 days of any change or address or contact phone numbers.
6. The licensee must notify Council in writing within 7 days of disposal of the watercraft.
7. The licensee must notify Council in writing when the storage bay is no longer required.
8. The licensee acknowledges the licensee’s property stored in the storage bay is at the licensee’s risk at all times.
9. Council may terminate this licence in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever, including breaches of these terms and conditions after giving the licensee 7 days' written notice.

In the event this licence is terminated, Council may treat the licensee's property as abandoned and deal with it in any way Council sees fit, at the licensee's expense, if the licensee fails to remove its property within 21 days after notice is given by Council.

Conditions of waitlist

• Your name will only be added to the location nominated as your first preference.
• As bays become available applicants on the waitlist will be contacted from the top of the list.
• Being added to a watercraft storage waitlist does not guarantee that a storage bay at the location will be allocated.
• Council will contact waitlist applicants via email as bays becomes available.
• If Council does not receive a response within 14 days, the bay will be offered to the next waitlist applicant.

Relinquishing your storage

If you no longer require your bay and wish to relinquish it, please advise Council in writing with the location, bay number, your details and Council's Booking Number (if known).

No refunds will be offered for bays relinquished throughout the year.

Fees and charges

Council charges an annual fee from 1 January to 31 December each calendar year.

View Council's fees and charges here.

Upon payment a permit sticker will be mailed to you which is required to be affixed to your watercraft.

Moorings

Moorings are managed by Transport for NSW.

A mooring licence is required for private and commercial/club moorings on NSW waterways. You can lodge an application for a mooring licence at any registry or service centre.

Visit the NSW Government's moorings web page for more information

Locations

Impounding of dinghies and watercraft

Under the provisions of the Impounding Act 1993, Council is authorised to remove any vessel that is abandoned, derelict or illegally stored on the foreshore areas. Any boats stored in Council storage facilities that do not comply with the above conditions of storage may also be removed. Council routinely checks the foreshore areas and storage facilities. Impounded watercraft are held at a Council facility and if not claimed will be sold at auction. Proof of ownership and payment of a fee is required for release of any impounded boat.

NSW Government – New rules for personal items (PDF 215.4KB)

FAQs

Q. How do I apply for a watercraft bay? 
A. Please send an email to watercraft@innerwest.nsw.gov.au and you will be contacted by a Council Officer.

Q. What happens if there are no bays at my preferred watercraft storage facility?

A.  You will be placed on a waitlist and advised once a bay becomes available at your preferred location.

Q. I do not need my watercraft bay anymore. What do I do?
A. Please email us at: watercraft@innerwest.nsw.gov.au 

Q. I do not need my watercraft bay anymore and already paid for it. Do I receive a refund of paid fees.
A. Council does not provide refunds for watercraft bays. Please contact: watercraft@innerwest.nsw.gov.au 

Q. I need a new sticker for my watercraft. How do I get one?
A. Provided that you have paid your Watercraft storage fees, a sticker can be sent to you.  Please contact watercraft@innerwest.nsw.gov.au.

Q. I need to update my contact details, how do I do this?
A. Please email watercraft@innerwest.nsw.gov.au and advise your watercraft bay location and we will update your details for you. Once an invoice has been issued, we are unable to re-issue it with any corrections. Any necessary amendments or updates will be reflected in the subsequent year's invoice. 

Q. Can I store 2x watercraft in my Bay?
A. No you cannot because your permit is per watercraft bay.

Q. My watercraft has been lost, damaged or stolen. Does Council refund or cover costs for this?
A. No Council does not cover the cost of damaged, lost or stolen items.  Watercraft is stored at our storage facilities at the owner's own risk. 

Q. I cannot move my watercraft out of it’s bay because of another watercraft blocking it, what do I do?
A. Please contact watercraft@innerwest.nsw.gov.au and Council can initiate an impounding process to remove the watercraft. 

Q. I want to keep my watercraft bay and transfer it to my son/daughter or family member? How do I do this?
A. Please note that Watercraft Bays are non-transferable. If you have any inquiries or require further assistance, please feel free to reach out to us at 02 9392 5000 or email watercraft@innerwest.nsw.gov.au 

Contact us 

To enquire about a watercraft bay please email watercraft@innerwest.nsw.gov.au