Beekeeping policy

This NPWS policy aims to balance the environmental management objectives of the NPWS with the needs of the beekeeping (apiculture) industry.

The policy provides guidelines on the transfer of licences as well as site relocation in areas where beekeeping results in impacts inconsistent with good management of NPWS lands.

Key elements

• Beekeeping sites may be transferred to family members and to anyone to whom the business is sold, except in wilderness areas.
• A beekeeping site in a wilderness area (or on sites within lands to be declared as wilderness under the Wilderness Act 1987) must be relocated to areas which are not declared wilderness areas, prior to sale or transfer.
• The NPWS will only license beekeepers registered in NSW.
• NPWS-issued licenses cannot be sub-let.
• Where there is a need to relocate an existing site, a new location may be created in accordance with the relocation protocol attached to the policy.
• The NPWS will allow beekeeping in existing sites within NPWS lands to continue but not allow any new/additional sites.
• The NPWS will consult with apiarists to identify suitable sites for relocation.
• The NPWS will allow beekeeping activities to be relocated to the edge of wilderness areas where suitable alternative sites are not available.
• The NPWS will advise the NSW Apiarists' Association and license holders of any change in land tenure and the need to obtain consent.
• The NPWS will reallocate an apiary site according to the guidelines attached to this policy when the site becomes vacant or is surrendered.
• The NPWS will attempt to locate and notify the owner of illegal hives when found within NPWS-managed lands.

This page only gives a summary of the policy. For detailed information please download the full policy at right. The policy includes contacts and a list of relevant legislation.

Note that, the NSW Government fee waiver as a result of drought conditions ceased on 31 March 2005.

Page last updated: 23 January 2012