Managers of Crown reserves can apply for funding under the NSW government’s $15 million Public Reserves Management Fund Program.

Member for Goulburn Pru Goward said the funding could cover activities which aimed to protect, maintain and improve Crown reserves.

“This can include repairs and maintenance, pest and weed control, new recreational infrastructure and environmental initiatives,” she said.

Minister for lands and forestry Paul Tooles said the government funded 460 improvement projects across NSW during the last round of funding.

“$3.3 million went towards improvements for 58 showgrounds, $4 million was allocated to support improvements to 133 local parks and reserves, and almost $2 million went towards programs to tackle feral pests and weeds,” he said.

Applications for the 2017/18 Public Reserves Management Fund Program close March 24, 2017.

More information is available at  http://www.crownland.nsw.gov.au/crown_lands/crown_reserves/funding/PRMFP. 

Crown reserves are land set aside on behalf of the community for a wide range of public purposes, including environmental and heritage protection, recreation and sport, open space, community halls, special events and government services.

Reserve types range from state parks, beaches and national surfing reserves, caravan and camping grounds, cemeteries, racecourses, showgrounds, community halls, sporting fields and parks, walking tracks, canoe and kayak trails, smaller ports and harbours to wharfs.

There are about 35,000 Crown reserves with a total area of around 2.9 million hectares across NSW.