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.

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 (or part thereof)

View Council's fees and charges here Fees and charges - Inner West Council (nsw.gov.au)

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 Moorings | NSW Government website for more information

Locations

Leichhardt Park (Le Montage)

Maliyawul Street, Lilyfield or Le Montage.
Parking: Available along waterfront/the Bay Run.
Capacity: 54 bays

Availability: No bays currently available.  Please email Council at watercraft@innerwest.nsw.gov.au to add your name to the waitlist.

King George Park

26 Manning Street, Rozelle
Parking: Available at the King George Park sports ground. Watercraft storage can be accessed by walking towards the water and turning right and walking along the path that runs along the water's edge.
Capacity: 49 bays

Availability:  Please email Council at watercraft@innerwest.nsw.gov.au if you would like to apply for a watercraft bay

Fitzroy Street, Balmain Bay

6 Fitzroy Avenue Balmain
Watercraft storage can be located by walking to the end of Fitzroy Ave towards Punch Street. Turn towards the water and follow the stairway/walkway alongside the buildings towards the water. NOTE: Steep steps are required to be navigated to access Watercraft Storage location.
Parking: Available along Fitzroy Avenue.
Capacity: 33 bays

Availability:  No bays currently available. Please email Council at watercraft@innerwest.nsw.gov.au to add your name to the waitlist.

Propeller Park

32 Hart Street, Balmain
Parking: street parking only and availability is limited.
Watercraft storage can be accessed by walking into the park and turning left, following the waters edge. Watercraft storage located under trees beside Colgate building, before jetty.
Capacity: 13 bays

Availability:  No bays currently available.  Please email Council at watercraft@innerwest.nsw.gov.au to add your name to the waitlist.

Cove Street

Cove Street, (Cnr Louisa Road and Cove Street) Birchgrove
Parking: Street parking only and availability is limited. Watercraft storage can be accessed by walking towards the end of Cove Street (towards River Street) and walking down the ramp towards the water. NOTE: Steep and uneven steps are required to be navigated to access Watercraft Storage location.
Capacity: 20 bays

Availability:  No bays currently available.  Please email Council at watercraft@innerwest.nsw.gov.au if you would like to add your name to the waitlist

Yeend Street, Mort Bay Park  

32 Yeend Street, Birchgrove

Parking: Limited parking available at end of Yeend Street.
Keep driving down Yeend Street, towards Ronald Street. Watercraft Storage can be accessed by walking down Yeend Street towards the wharf. Watercraft Storage is located behind trees near the water's edge on right hand side.
Capacity: 18 bays

Availability:  No bays currently available,  please email Council at watercraft@innerwest.nsw.gov.au to add your name to the waitlist.

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