NSW Government
Crown Lands

Crown Land Manager Newsletter – December 2024

16 December 2024
Reserve Manager

Message from the Deputy Secretary

It has been a year of celebration and achievement, with around 900 individual land managers acknowledged throughout the year for their long-term volunteer service, and the Community Achievement Awards celebrated Crown land management with winners announced at a gala event on 1 November.

We are pleased to report significant progress on the Crown land 2031 strategy. Our Crown land year in review 2023-24 report provides an update on all actions in the First Action Plan and highlights key achievements from the past financial year.

Our Review of the Crown Land Management Act 2016 is being finalised and I thank all those land managers and stakeholders who have made a contribution to the process. The review report will be tabled in Parliament once it has been completed and considered by the Government. 
As this is the last newsletter for the year, I’d like to take the opportunity to wish you all the very best for a well-earned break; stay safe and we look forward to working with you all in 2025. 

Melanie Hawyes 
Deputy Secretary, Crown Lands and Public Spaces

Community Achievement Award winners

Congratulations to the 2024 NSW/ACT Community Achievement Award winners for Crown land management which were announced at a gala event on 1 November by the Hon Stephen Kamper, Minister for Lands and Property. There were 12 finalists across 3 Crown land management award categories. The awards were presented by Kiersten Fishburn, Secretary of the Department of Planning, Infrastructure and Housing, and by Melanie Hawyes.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said: 

“I applaud the 3 winners of this year’s Crown land management awards as well as the finalists. All have shown they are astute managers who are passionate about caring for public land for the benefit of their communities – whether it is upgrading facilities, preserving heritage, or making reserves more inclusive and accessible for all.”

  • Crown Land Management Excellence Award winner: 
    Calarie Recreation Reserve Land Manager - for their exceptional work in improving facilities at Calarie Hall (near Forbes in Central West), making it a versatile and environmentally friendly community hub.
  • Individual Excellence in Crown Land Management Award winner: 
    June Dangar - for her dedication to preserving the heritage of Armidale Showground and enhancing its facilities, ensuring it remains a premier event location.
  • Council Crown Land Management Excellence Award winner:
    Tweed Shire Council - for transforming Jack Evans Boat Harbour in Tweed Heads into a dynamic community space that celebrates local culture and provides diverse recreational opportunities.

Find out about the award winners and finalists on Awards Australia website.

Acknowledgment of long-term volunteer land managers

Recipients of Service Recognition Awards with Crown Lands staff  in the North-West region, May 2024
Throughout this year, around 900 individual Statutory Land Managers (SLM) across the state were presented with a Crown Lands Service Recognition Award to acknowledge their long-term service on a board. Awards are delivered at 10-year intervals, for as long as the member continues as a land manager.

To date, 175 individuals have dedicated more than 30 years of service, including 18 individuals with over 40 years of service on a land manager board, and 2 people who have been on an SLM board continuously for over 50 years!

Last month, 23 loyal volunteers from across the Far West region of NSW were awarded Service Recognition Awards for their decades of service.

The devotion of so many years to a voluntary position on a land manager board is an outstanding effort.

NSW Tourism Award Winners 2024 - Crown Lands

The NSW Tourism Awards celebrates businesses and operators delivering exceptional visitor experiences across NSW. Several of the award winners are located on Crown land and were recognised at this year’s NSW Tourism Awards.

Holiday Haven Lake Conjola, located on Crown land in the Shoalhaven region on the NSW South Coast, took out the Gold award for Caravan and Holiday Parks. Other winners/runners up:

  • Caravan and Holiday Parks
    Gold - Holiday Haven Lake Conjola
    Silver - Tathra Beach Eco Camp
  • Cultural Tourism
    Bronze - Dubbo Regional Council – Old Dubbo Gaol
  • Tourist Attractions
    Silver - Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
    Bronze - Barooga Sporties Group

Crown land year in review 2023-24 

Significant progress has been made on the Crown land 2031 strategy. The Crown land year in review 2023-24 report provides an update on all actions in the First Action Plan and highlights key achievements from the past financial year.

This report keeps you informed about our progress and key milestones. We hope these updates help you better align your important work as a Crown land manager with our broader goals and supports your planning and decision-making processes.

Our achievements over the year include completing a Crown Lands Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2025-26, continuing to streamline our customer experience, as well as progressing our work to embed our public value framework in our decision making. We encourage you to read the Crown land year in review 2023-24 report.

Thank you for your continued dedication. Together, we are making a positive difference for the people and communities of NSW.

Plans of Management update for Councils

To date, around 500 Plans of Management (PoMs) have been submitted by councils. More than 70 councils have adopted 300 PoMs for Crown reserves they manage. When PoMs have been adopted by a council, the Department must be notified, and the adopted PoMs published on the council’s website.

A reminder to councils that the Reserve Manager website, provides PoM guidelines, templates and Frequently Asked Questions. For further advice, please email [email protected].

Letter of consent when submitting a funding application

When seeking funding for a project on Crown land that you manage, prior to submitting your application, a letter of consent is required from Crown Lands. To request a letter of consent, complete the online application form.

Be sure to submit all required documentation with your application, to ensure the application can progress. Applications to obtain a letter of consent should be submitted to Crown Lands at least 10 working days before the funding application is due.

Update on ATO self-review return process for SLMs

The Department has been working with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to look at possible options to address the requirement for Statutory land managers (SLMs) to comply with the ATO’s not-for-profit (NFP) self-review return process.

The ATO has advised for SLMs that meet the eligibility requirements for income tax exemption will also be exempt from submitting an annual NFP self-review return effective immediately. All other Crown land managers will need to follow the ATO’s specified process as per the information provided on the Reserve Manager website.

If you have any questions, please contact your local office or via email to [email protected]

Opportunity to host new electric vehicle charging sites

The NSW Government is expanding its network of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging sites around regional NSW. Could the Crown reserve you manage be an ideal location?

Interested in hosting an EV charging site? Register here. If selected, an EV charging company will handle the installation, operation and maintenance of the charger. All you need to provide is adequate parking space, access and enter into an agreement with the provider.

Learn more about the benefits of having EV charging sites in your town. 

For more information contact the NSW Government EV destination charging grants team at [email protected]

Avian influenza (bird flu) risk

Avian influenza (otherwise known as bird flu) is a viral disease that affects birds globally. The H5N1 strain of avian influenza has caused mass mortalities in wild birds and mammals overseas. 

Australia is the only continent that remains free of H5N1, however the risk associated with H5N1 in wild birds has increased. H5N1 avian influenza has spread rapidly between continents so we must be prepared for the possibility that it could arrive in Australia.

What do you do if you suspect avian influenza? 

  • AVOID contact with sick or dead birds
  • RECORD time, date, and location and other evidence i.e. photos, video
  • REPORT mass numbers of sick or dead wild birds (five or more) via this form. 

If you suspect an animal is showing signs of avian influenza, call the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Hotline on 1800 675 888. The NSW Government has produced further advice for Crown land managers:

Investment boost for regional communities 

The NSW Government is continuing to ensure regional communities thrive with 
$50 million in grants becoming available for initiatives to promote regional economic development and support employment creation and retention. 

Businesses, consortiums, local governments, associations, Aboriginal corporations, not for profits and other eligible applicants can apply for a share of the $50 million Community Investment Program, delivered by the NSW Government’s $400 million Regional Development Trust.

Applications opened on 6 December 2024, and close at 5pm on Thursday, 20 February 2024. For more information: nsw.gov.au/regionaldevelopmenttrust  

Farewell to Peter Bisset after 35 years in Hay office

Peter Bisset, Natural Resource Management Project Officer, will be leaving his post based at the Hay Lands office on 20 December after 35 years with Crown Lands. Many Crown land managers in the Southwest region will have crossed paths with Peter over the years. We thank Peter for his contribution to Crown Lands and for supporting land managers and communities in the Southwest region.

Share your stories

Sharing your experiences on Crown land management is a great way to build knowledge and to consider innovative ways to manage reserves that provide diverse uses and benefits to your communities. If you would like to share your story, please email us at [email protected]

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