Crown reserves are incredibly important assets for communities across our region, and across regional NSW.

They serve as recreational spaces, green spaces, public commons, public meeting spaces, and land for community-based organisations like bowling clubs and community halls.

For many of our communities, particularly our smaller communities, crown land assets are the most important public asset in the area.

That’s why I always thank and congratulate those who take up the mantle of caring for our crown land assets. Crown land managers, trustees and volunteers do an outstanding job caring for and maintaining public land for the benefit of their communities.

It can be a difficult and time-consuming job for volunteers, but I know that those who look after crown land across our region take a lot of pride in providing an asset and a service to their community.

That’s why it’s so important that the government, who manage crown land, provide these hard-working volunteers with grant opportunities to upgrade and maintain local facilities.

The way the government does this is through the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund, which opened again for applications this week.

This fund has done good things for our communities, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see this government funding roll out.

The Curlewis Common would not be the facility it is today without the $40,000 in funding it received in 2021 to repair boundary fencing and cattle yards.

Similarly, an asset like the Kootingal Community Hall would not be the outstanding facility it is today without this grant program.

I also know there have been transformational grants for Gunnedah’s showground, helping build that facility into the outstanding, all access grounds it is today.

These projects are a snapshot of why this program is so vitally important for the region, and I’m glad to see it finally return.

This year, $10 million is available to local Crown Land managers and trustees and I look forward to supporting several applications this year.
If any crown land managers or trustees need any more information or assistance. Please contact me.