The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund Program provides financial support for the maintenance, improvement, or development of Crown reserves.
The Crown Reserve Improvement Fund (CRIF) is a special deposit account that is self-sustained by income generated from interest income on loans, leases, and licences on Crown land, and levies from the operation of coastal Crown caravan parks.
The fund is administered by the Minister for Lands and Property, who determines how the fund should be expended each year. Expenditure must be consistent with the purposes set out at section 12.29 of the Crown Land Management Act 2016. These purposes include the maintenance, improvement, or development of Crown reserves.
Funding streams
For 2025–26, the CRIF has 3 separate funding streams:
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2025–26 CRIF Annual Funding Round
A competitive grant round:
- General projects: To financially support projects that will have a high community impact.
- Pest and weed management projects: To assist Crown land managers in meeting their biosecurity obligations of the reserves they manage under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
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2025–26 CRIF Emergency Funding
A funding round to address urgent critical risks that have significant reserve operational impact for which there are no alternative funds. Applications are by invitation only.
Potential applicants should discuss their project with their local Crown land office.
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2025–26 Crown Land Project Support Program (CLPSP)
The CLPSP is a portion of the CRIF that the Minister has determined to make available for flexible funding to support projects that enhance Crown reserves so that the community is better able to use and enjoy these important public assets. For more information visit Grants and funding.
2025–26 Annual round now open for applications
The 2025–26 CRIF annual grant round is now open for applications. This funding round offers $13.5 million for general, pest management and weed management projects. The general project stream will target highly utilised reserves with projects that will have a significant community impact.
The annual grant round consists of 2 key focus areas which have an overarching objective:
General projects
To financially support projects on Crown land (or Crown reserves) that will have high community impact.
- Minimum general application amount $50,000, maximum amount $1,000,000.
- Check guidelines for full eligibility criteria.
Pest and weed management projects
To assist Crown land managers meet their duty to biosecurity obligations of the reserves they manage under the Biosecurity Act 2015 on Crown reserves only.
- Minimum pest application amount $500, maximum amount $200,000.
- Minimum weed application amount: $500, maximum amount: $200,000.
- Check guidelines for full eligibility criteria.
Note: Operational maintenance items and administrative costs do not meet this objective and are not eligible under this funding stream.
Key dates
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Monday 3 November 2025
Applications open 9:00 am
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Friday 5 December 2025
Applications close 5:00 pm AEDT
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December 2025 to April 2026
Eligibility, assessment and approval process
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May 2026
Announcement of successful projects
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May 2026 to June 2026
Outcome advice sent out with funding deeds. Grant acceptances and payment processing
2025–26 Guidance documentation
- The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund Guidelines (PDF, 4.1 MB) outline the program objectives in addition to eligibility and assessment criteria. It is essential that you read the guidelines before submitting an application.
- Refer to the frequently asked questions (PDF, 153 KB) about this year's funding round.
- You must agree to the terms and conditions (PDF, 695 KB) of the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund before applying.
- Funded projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving the funding.
- Non-council Crown land managers must have submitted their 2024–25 Annual Report to the Department by the round closing date through the Reserve Manager Portal.
- The Procurement Guidelines (PDF, 140 KB) provide information on acceptable procurement practices when spending public money.
- Acknowledgement of NSW Government funding is a condition of the funding. Refer to the NSW Government Funding Acknowledgement Guidelines to help you decide the best acknowledgement for your project.
Final project reports
Crown land managers must submit a final project report within 2 months of the project’s completion:
Final project reports from 2023–24 onwards are completed via SmartyGrants. Login and click on your application number under 'My Submissions' to view, enter and submit your final project report.
Submit your final project report 2023–24 onwards
If you require assistance submitting your report, contact the Funding Team on 1300 886 235 (option 5) or [email protected]
2024–25 Funding round outcomes
The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund 2024–25 offered funding for 98 projects totalling $11,183,932 to maintain and upgrade facilities and reserves on government–owned land. The funding provided will continue to benefit our community, boost our economy and contribute to the cultural, sporting and recreational life of our region.
Summary of approved project offerings for 2024–25
| Recommended projects by reserve type | Number of grants | Value of grants | % Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local parks and reserves | 90 | $9,086,991 | 81% |
| Showgrounds | 4 | $1,071,584 | 10% |
| State parks | 4 | $1,025,357 | 9% |
| Total successful | 98 | $11,183,932 | 100% |
Find more details of executed agreements as of 30 June 2025 in Crown Reserves Improvement fund 2024–25 Approved Accepted Projects (XLSX, 978 KB).
2023–24 Funding round outcomes
The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund 2023–24 offered funding for 144 projects totalling $14.578 million to maintain and upgrade facilities and reserves on Government-owned land. The funding provided will continue to benefit our community, boost our economy and contribute to the cultural, sporting and recreational life of our region.
Summary of approved project offerings for 2023–24
| Recommended projects by reserve type | Number of grants | Value of grants | % Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local parks and reserves | 127 | $11,837,720 | 81% |
| Showgrounds | 6 | $1,807,661 | 12% |
| Commons | 7 | $698,655 | 5% |
| State parks | 4 | $233,669 | 2% |
| Total successful | 144 | $14,577,705 | 100% |
Find more details of executed agreements as of 30 June 2024 in Crown Reserves Improvement Fund 2023–24 Approved Accepted Projects (XLSX, 681 KB).
2022–23 Funding round outcomes
The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund 2022–23 offered funding for 267 projects totalling $17.947 million to maintain and upgrade facilities and reserves on Government-owned land. The funding provided will continue to benefit our community, boost our economy and contribute to the cultural, sporting and recreational life of our region.
Summary of approved project offerings for 2022–23
| Reserve type | Number of projects | Project value |
|---|---|---|
| Caravan parks | 2 | $631,419 |
| Commons | 7 | $238,120 |
| Local parks and reserves | 210 | $10,549,062 |
| Showgrounds | 45 | $5,853,964 |
| State parks | 3 | $674,883 |
| Total successful | 267 | $17,947,447 |
Find more details of executed agreements as of 1 March 2023 in Crown Reserves Improvement Fund FY2022–23 Outcomes as of 19 Jun 2023 (XLSX, 660 KB).
Price increases affecting projects
The Department is aware that the current environment of global material shortages and price increases is affecting some Crown land managers' ability to complete Crown Reserves Improvement Fund projects.
Depending on the size and nature of your Crown Reserves Improvement Fund project, here are some options for you to consider:
- De-scoping the project, removing elements that will not alter the fundamental amenity of the project.
- Phasing the project over multiple years and applying for more funding to complete the project in the future.
- Seeking alternative top-up funding from another grant program.
- Running community fundraising events and/or crowd funding.
- Seeking cash or in-kind support from local councils.