E-news for non-Council Crown land managers – July 2024
Message from the Deputy Secretary
Hi everyone,
I’m delighted that the annual Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF) 2023/24 has been allocated for this year. This funding will be used to benefit the community, boost our economy, and contribute to the cultural, sporting and recreational life of NSW. Congratulations to all Crown land managers that have been allocated funds for their projects. Your dedication to the community, demonstrated by understanding their needs, advocating on their behalf and delivering essential projects is greatly appreciated. To view the successful projects and funding allocations, visit our website.
In celebration of National Volunteers Week, we honoured several of our long-term Crown land managers for their exceptional dedication and service. Dr. Ron Robinson, Pamela Ellen, and Kevin Goodwin were each recognised for their remarkable 33 years of service to the historic Lambton Mechanics Institute in Newcastle. Alison Eaton also received special honours for her 10 years of service on the board.
These awards help us recognise the incredible work our volunteers do for Crown Lands. With over 2,500 volunteers working across the state, their commitment and passion benefit our communities and we thank all of them for their hard work. Throughout the year, we will continue to honour more long-term volunteers.
Melanie Hawyes
Deputy Secretary, Crown Lands and Public Spaces
Would you like to nominate a Crown land manager for their incredible work?
Do you know a dedicated Crown land volunteer, volunteer board or local council that goes above and beyond in managing a Crown reserve? Now is the perfect time to acknowledge their hard work.
Nominations for the NSW/ACT Community Achievement Awards are now open. Crown Lands, in partnership with Awards Australia are supporting 3 categories of the annual awards, including:
- Individual Excellence in Crown Land Management Award for outstanding individuals who as a member of a Crown land manager board or committee demonstrates dedication in the management of a Crown reserve for their community.
- Crown Land Management Excellence Award for a voluntary Crown land manager board for outstanding community service involved in the care, control or management of a Crown reserve; and
- Council Crown Land Management Excellence Award recognises a council that has demonstrated outstanding service in the management of a Crown reserve for their community.
To nominate please visit the Awards Australia website.
Alternatively, you can call Awards Australia on 1300 735 445 or email [email protected] with your nomination details.
Award nominations are open until 21 August 2024, with the finalists announced at the end of September.
Winners will be announced on 1 November at the 2024 Community Achievement Awards gala presentation in Sydney.
National Volunteer Week 2024 - Kevin Goodwin in the spotlight
Kevin, aged 93 is an active member of the Lambton Mechanics Institute’s Board. Kevin has called the Lambton area in Newcastle home since 1945.
Kevin’s involvement with the Mechanics Institute began in the 1950s when it was managed under the Perpetual Trust. At the time, the building was underutilised and lacked funds for maintenance. Kevin’s initiative to encourage the Girl Guides to move in upstairs generated revenue for essential maintenance work. In 1958, he joined the committee as secretary in an unofficial capacity, marking the beginning of 66 years of dedicated service to the management of the building.
Officially appointed to the newly established board of the Lambton Mechanics Institute on 1 January 1992, Kevin has been a driving force in its development. Reflecting on his long-term commitment he says, “I have lived in the Lambton area since 1945, and it fills my heart with joy the way Lambton Mechanics Institute is being used by the community today.”
Reporting and tax information - Annual Reporting is now open
As a Crown land manager, it is important for you to submit your online Annual Report by 31 October each year. The Reserve Manager Portal for annual reporting is now open. The first step in completing your report is to ensure you have access to the Reserve Manager Portal.
If you require assistance with logging into the portal, please contact us on 1300 886 235 or at [email protected].
Information from your previous report will be pre-populated and you can edit, delete and add items as needed to complete this year’s report.
There have also been recent Australian Taxation Office (ATO) changes regarding tax exemptions which are explained below. We have included a prompt within the Annual Report to remind you to lodge your self-assessment with the ATO. The ATO self-assessment will assist in determining if you are exempt from income tax.
Start putting together your documents and information now so that you’re ready to submit your report as quickly as possible.
Are you impacted by the tax return exemption changes?
Under the Crown Land Management Act 2016, Crown land managers may be considered as a Not for Profit (NFP) entity for the purposes of the ATO.
The ATO allows NFPs to undertake a self-assessment of their income tax exemption status each financial year and if eligible, the NFP is exempt from submitting a tax return for that financial year.
Previously Crown land managers were able to assess their eligibility for income tax exemptions without an obligation to report to the ATO. As of 1 July 2023, Crown land managers that have an active ABN and meet the ATO’s eligibility criteria to self-assess as income tax exempt, must lodge a self-review return annually with the ATO.
If you believe your entity is eligible for income tax exemption, the lodgement of a self-review return will ensure that you won’t be penalised for not submitting a tax return for the relevant financial year. The ATO have developed a webinar to help eligible NFPs prepare to lodge their self-review return.
A self-review return for the 2023/24 financial year must be lodged with the ATO between 1 July and 31 October 2024. A good time to consider lodging the self-review return is when your CLM submits their annual report to the department.
A self-review return can be lodged online with the ATO or via a Crown land manager’s registered tax agent. For further information visit the ATO website.
Your responsibilities under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2022
The new Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 (PID Act 2022) is now in effect.
All Crown Land Managers, your employees, volunteers and contractors are now covered under the PID Act 2022.
Read more about your responsibilities and PID reporting on our website.
Electric vehicle destination charging grants
The NSW Government is investing $20 million to assist eligible regional NSW businesses and councils by co-funding the purchase and installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers. This grant will allow participants to have up to 75% of the purchase and installation cost covered.
EV ownership is growing, and EV drivers are now planning their trips around EV charging locations. The grant supports destinations to attract tourists to their areas and helps to reduce carbon emissions to meet the NSW Government’s Net Zero emissions target.
Round 2 funding opportunities are open, and applications have been extended and will now close on Friday 2 August 2024 at 5pm. Applicants are required to have a live Australian Tourism Data Warehouse listing. For more information around eligibility and to apply please click here.
Would you like bookkeeping software for your reserve?
We are sponsoring an accounting software package for interested Crown land managers until 30 June 2025.
This project provides land managers with access to cloud accounting software, an initial consultation on how to use the systems and full training support for your board.
This opportunity is ideal for Crown land managers who:
- Have considered having an accounting system
- Are currently using an accounting system but would like to use it more efficiently
- Manage high activity reserves
- Use paper records and would like to plan for the future
If this sounds like you, please contact Bianca Donald at [email protected].
We're always looking for more people like you!
There are board vacancies currently available with Crown Lands. We’re looking for people from a wide range of backgrounds with a diversity of skills, expertise and interests, who are passionate about public land management and the benefits Crown land provides to the community. View Board vacancies.
Share your stories with us
Sharing stories is a great way to learn from each other and recognise the hard work and dedication of Crown reserve management in providing benefits to your communities. If you would like to share your story, please email us at [email protected]
Crown Reserve update - Ladysmith Memorial Hall
Thank you to Emily Carlisle a member of the Ladysmith Memorial Hall Committee for sending in pictures of the newly painted Ladysmith Memorial Hall. The hall secured a council grant for over $3000 that enabled them to paint the interior, ensuring its longevity and building heritage. Thanks for sharing Emily it looks great!
Contact
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 1300 886 235