Castlecliff Domain Board

The Public Domains Act 1881 gave the Governor General the power to declare certain categories of land “domains”, and authority to:

1. Enclose, plan, and develop land
2. Set aside lands for public amusement and recreation
3. Lease, trade, or sell such lands
4. Provide accessways
5. Manage and administer lands, and spend any incomes generated on developments
6. Make and enforce bylaws

The right to delegate the above powers to a body corporate, consisting of a mayor or any designated local authority officer, was also provided and this was the authority under which most Domain Boards emerged. The 1908 Public Reserves and Domains Act clarified the role of the Domain Boards, specifying their powers more clearly than the original 1881 Act, but it does not appear to have resulted in any major change to the structure or functions of the Boards.