ABSTRACT
This chapter puts forward more detailed observations regarding the holding of and dealings with real property assets. The period of the lease varied depending on its type, sometimes only year-to-year; however, as the lessees invested more and more capital into the improvement of the properties, more secure tenures were required. Crown tenures continue to the present day and vast areas of central, northern and western Australia are held under Crown leases – principally pastoral holdings established under the Land Acts of the various states. As the cost and demand for housing has increased in many urban areas, tenure arrangements have also been adapted to accommodate changing demographics, housing types and services frequently in a community-based environment. The validation of the entire tenure system can be traced back to the claim by James Cook in August 1770, taking possession of the continent that he had partially explored on behalf of the British Crown.
