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Our places Harbour Trust Cockatoo Island Headland ParkNorth Head Sanctuary Woolwich Dock Macquarie Lightstation Marine Biological Station HMAS Platypus Snapper Island

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Rules and Regulations

Our harbour parklands attract many visitors, who use the sites for many different leisure activities. We have developed rules and regulations to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all visitors. These rules also help us to look after the native plants and animals of the lands.

Our Harbour Trust rangers are on site to  answer any questions  and ensure these regulations are followed.

Prohibited Activities
Parking
Dog Walking
Photography
Appealing an infringement
Visitor Codes

Prohibited Activities

Some activities are not allowed on Harbour Trust sites for a variety of safety, environmental or legislative reasons. The following activities are strictly prohibited on Harbour Trust lands and are liable to fines:

• unlicensed building activity
• unlicensed commercial activities
• unlicensed hazardous activities
• possession of a firearm
• unlicensed removal or damage to a thing on Trust land
• unlicensed public assemblies
• dumping of waste (discharging)
• dumping of waste (contained)
• dumping of waste (littering)
• animals on Trust land
• animals on Trust land (licensed)
• hunting or trapping animals on Trust land
• bringing plants onto Trust land
• cultivating or propagating plants on Trust land
• use of a vehicle on Trust land not a public road
• use or anchoring or securing of a vessel in Trust waters
• taking marine life
• other activities that unduly affect amenity of the land
• disorderly or annoying behaviour on the land
• other identified activities
• swimming
• selling alcohol to a person under 18
• entering a closed area of Trust land
• failing to comply with safety directions
• failing to comply with the terms of a notice
• contravening of license or permit conditions
• non-return of identity card
• failure to provide name or address
• giving false or misleading information
• failing to comply with a request to leave Trust land
• failing to comply with an order to remove obstructions
• failing to comply with a direction to remove a vehicle
• contravening an order.
  

Parking

Paid parking at Chowder Bay

The Trust introduced paid parking at its Chowder Bay site on 1 December 2009. More information about paid parking at Chowder Bay.

Parking Fines

Harbour Trust rangers and security officers have been trained to assist members of the public with information and advice about paid parking. Rangers and security will issue and log infringement notices and leave them on the vehicle.

The penalties are set by Commonwealth legislation in particular the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Regulations. More information about the legislation can be found at The Federal Register of Legislative Instruments, a repository of Commonwealth instruments which includes the Trust's regulations and amendments.

Paying the fine

You must pay the fine within 28 days of the fine being issued. You can pay the following ways:

In person: At any Post Office

Phone: 13 18 16

Internet: postbillpay.com.au
Payments can be made by cash, EFTPOS, credit card or cheque.

Post: Payments can be made by cheque only. Make cheques payable to Sydney Harbour Federation Trust. Please enclose the infringement notice or a copy. Post cheques to: Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, Attention: Enforcement Department, PO Box 607, Mosman, NSW 2088.

 

Appealing an infringement

If you are appealing any type of infringement notice issued please include the following details in your covering letter:

• Copy of the Penalty Infringement Notice
• Brief description of the problem encountered or reason for the appeal
• Meter ID or street location and bay number
• Method of payment
• Amount paid
• Approximate date and time of payment
• If this matter relates to a credit card payment, please provide your credit card number and a copy of your statement
• Contact telephone number
  

If you were not the driver or operator of the vehicle/vessel and wish to appeal an infringement notice issued by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust please also complete the Statutory Declaration.

 

The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust advises that:

1. It is an offence for any person to wilfully and knowingly make a false statement in a Statutory Declaration.

2. The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust may hold on record photographic evidence of the offence, or vehicle parked illegally, which has lead to the issuing of this infringement notice.

3. The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust's parking meters record and store the details of every transaction made at the meter.

 

Once you have completed the Statutory Declaration, please post with your covering letter to:

Enforcement Department

Sydney Harbour Federation Trust

PO Box 607

Mosman NSW 2088

 

Tips for safe and legal parking

• Read the signs - regulated parking areas are clearly sign posted to advise motorists of parking requirements for that particular area.
• Ask a ranger - they are always happy to provide assistance, advice, directions and general information about the Harbour Trust sites.
• Do not stop at anytime in a No Stopping area or Bus Zone.
• Disabled zones are designated for vehicles with a valid Disability permit which has to be displayed clearly on your vehicle.
  

Dog Walking

Dogs are welcome on our sites, where conditions make it possible. We invite dog owners to walk their dogs at Headland Park, Woolwich Dock and Macquarie Lighthouse.

To protect native animals, plants and sensitive environments dogs are not allowed at North Head Sanctuary or Cockatoo Island.

For the safety and comfort of all park users, it is important that dogs are on a leash and under the effective control of a competent person at all times. And please ensure dog waste is removed immediately and not left on the ground. 

Dogs are not permitted within 10 metres of childcare centres and food outlets. 

Guide dogs are permissible on all sites at all times.

The Site	Regulations at a glance
North Head Sanctuary	Dogs are not allowed.
Headland Park	Dogs welcome. Must be on a leash at all times. Be aware that adjoining lands and beaches managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Mosman Council have different regulations that may not allow dogs. Please check with these bodies.
Cockatoo Island	Dogs are not allowed.
Macquarie Lightstation	Dogs are welcome within the grounds. Must be on a leash at all times.
Former Marine Biological Station	Dogs are welcome in the small Harbour Trust park adjacent to the former Marine Biological Station. Must be on a leash at all times. Be aware that adjoining lands managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service have different regulations that may not allow dogs. Please check with this body.
Woolwich Dock	Dogs are welcome. Must be on a leash at all times.

Photography for personal use

The Harbour Trust is happy for visitors to take personal photographs at our sites. Just bring your camera and enjoy the unique views and features. But remember to take care to observe safety advice and respect the privacy of other visitors. Please remember that our sites are public spaces and while personal photography is welcomed, this does not permit any set up, plugging into power or access beyond security fencing. Photography is permitted in publicly accessible locations only and you cannot restrict access to other members of the public. The Harbour Trust reserves the right to hire venues to users and restrict access without notice.

• Commercial filming and photography are prohibited without a permit. Email our Licensing Officer or call (02) 8969 2100 for more information on using one of our striking locations for your film or photographic shoot.
• Wedding photography does not incur a fee, though a charge is made for all other commercial photography. However, wedding photographers should note that other activities such as booked wedding ceremonies, tours, private events and public access have precedence and photographers must not disturb these activities in any way.

Further Information

Guidance on photography for commercial purposes

Visitor Codes

Each of our sites is slightly different and has its own specific guidelines. Check the relevant visitor code for each of our sites:

Headland Park Visitor Code
Cockatoo Island Visitor Code
North Head Sanctuary Visitor Code
Woolwich Dock Visitor Code
Macquarie Lightstation Visitor Code
Marine Biological Station Visitor Code

Public access is currently not permitted at the former HMAS Platypus site or Snapper Island.