$11 million in grants for NSW Crown reserves

The Minns Labor Government will provide more than $11 million in community grants to maintain and improve Crown land reserves for local communities.

Crown Lands in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure is allocating the funding from its Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF) following applications late last year.

Crown reserves are public land set aside by the government for community use and to protect sensitive areas of environment.

Reserves provide land for recreation and infrastructure like sporting fields, local parks, walking tracks, and campgrounds. They also provide land for community organisations and facilities such as public halls, showgrounds, racecourses, scout halls, and surf lifesaving clubs.

Grants totalling $11.18 million are being made available for projects to maintain and upgrade reserves and associated public facilities. Funding is also allocated to control feral pests and noxious weeds to keep reserves in good shape for community use and to protect native plants and animals.

Eligible applicants for CRIF funding are Crown land managers including local councils, community organisations, and user groups licensed to use reserves, including showgrounds on Crown land.

This year’s CRIF general grants targeted well-used reserves with projects that have high community impact. The program is providing minimum grants of $100,000 and maximum grants of $1 million. Smaller grant amounts are also being made available for pest and weed control.

Project applications were assessed on whether they provide social, economic, cultural or environmental benefits. Other considerations include whether they support greater public access, amenity and use of reserves, social cohesion, participation in community life, conserving heritage or natural values, creating employment or business opportunities, and enabling Aboriginal people to care for land.

For more information, visit Crown Reserves Improvement Fund.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“The Minns Labor Government is focused on building better communities and these projects will keep our public reserves safe and healthy and support the cultural, sporting and recreational life of local communities to benefit many thousands of people.

“Our Crown reserves play a vital role by providing land for a variety of public purposes that benefit our community, including recreation and sport, open space, community halls, essential services and environmental and heritage protection.”