A NSW Government website

Information about Crown roads

Crown roads are part of the state’s public road network and are administered by Crown lands. Crown roads are often referred to as ‘paper roads’, as the majority are not constructed. There are many Crown roads within the public road network that are not used or required for public access. In these cases, Crown roads may be sold or closed without compromising the broader public interest.

The option to purchase Crown road/s can facilitate termination of an enclosure permit or use of the land other than for grazing.

For development and planning reasons, councils and other roads authorities may request the transfer of a Crown road from the department to a council or another roads authority.

The department is not a road construction authority and we do not construct or maintain Crown roads.

We encourage local councils to use NSW Government funding to repair damage to Crown roads after natural disasters.