Public Reserves Management Fund Program Report 2014-2015 JTN 13948 © State of New South Wales through the Department of Industry, Skills and Regional Development, 2016. You may copy, distribute and otherwise freely deal with this publication for any purpose, provided that you attribute the NSW Department of Primary Industries -Lands as the owner. Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing (March 2016). However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date and to check currency of the information with the appropriate officer of the NSW Department of Industry, Skills and Regional Development or the user’s independent advisor. ISSN 2204-7328 (Online) W: www.crownland.nsw.gov.au E: [email protected] P: 1300 886 235 (option 7) 2 Contents Foreword from the Minister 4 About the Department of Primary Industries - Lands 5 About the Public Reserves Management Fund Program 6 2014-2015 Overview 7 2014-2015 Program Highlights 8 State Parks 9 Killalea State Park 9 Showgrounds 10 Bangalow Park Showground 10 Robertson Agricultural and Horticultural Showground 12 Gresford Park Showground 13 Glenreagh Public Recreation Reserve 15 Pests and Weeds 16 Swallow Rock Reserve Trust 16 Nepean River Scenic Reserve 17 Caravan Parks 19 Victory Park Caravan Park, Wilcannia 19 Local Parks and Reserves 20 Coopernook School of Arts Reserve Trust 20 Hannam Vale Recreation Reserve Trust 21 Guyra War Memorial Hall 23 Patonga Public Hall 25 Liston Children’s Playground Reserve 26 Leeton Jockey Club 28 Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Base, Cape Banks 29 Bushfire Program 31 Dairy Road Fire Trail 31 Saliena Ave, Lake Munmorah 32 Managing the Program 33 Funding Tables 34 3 Foreword from the Minister I am pleased to present the 2014-2015 Public Reserves pests, and the development of caravan parks. Management Fund Program (PRMFP) Report, which Crown Lands are our showgrounds, our racecourses, highlights the program’s many achievements over the surf lifesaving clubs and halls - the very heart of our year. communities - and this annual report showcases some The PRMFP supports regional economic growth in of the many achievements of the thousands of people NSW, strengthens local communities and helps to who put in countless hours to make our communities protect the natural environment. better. Managers of Crown reserves, as well as freehold On behalf of the NSW Government, I thank everyone showgrounds and schools of arts, are eligible to apply who helps look after our Crown reserves. for grants and low interest loans through a competitive application process to support their work on behalf of the NSW community in managing some of our most important public reserves. Over the last 5 years, more than $95m has been allocated through the annual funding program The Hon. Niall Blair MLC to support the development, maintenance and Minister for Lands and Water Minister for Primary Industries protection of NSW Crown reserves. In 2014-2015, $22.4m in funding was allocated to 532 recipients across the State to support important initiatives such as the maintenance of showgrounds and community halls, the improvement of local parks and reserves, protection against bushfires, weeds and 4 About the Department of Primary Industries - Lands The Department of Primary Industries - Lands is under the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983. a diverse, regionally based Government agency The NSW Crown Estate is large and diverse - responsible for Crown land within NSW. Under the representing approximately 42% of the State of NSW. Crown Lands Act 1989, the Department is responsible Valued at $11 billion, it is used for a range of social, for managing some of the most iconic and diverse economic, recreation, heritage and environment public land through approximately 35,000 Crown conservation purposes. reserves and approximately 60,000 leases, licences and permits. The department is also responsible for managing and assessing Aboriginal land claims Crown land includes: • most beaches, estuaries and waterways; • Crown roads; • land used for grazing, agriculture and travelling stock; • commercial ventures such as marinas, kiosks, restaurants and aged care facilities; • recreational areas such as ovals, tennis courts, golf courses, bowling greens and walking tracks; • community and cultural facilities including community halls, showgrounds, racecourses, cemeteries and lighthouses; and • tourism facilities such as caravan and holiday parks. 5 About the Public Reserves Management Fund Program The Public Reserves Management Fund Program Each year the funding priorities are reviewed and set. (PRMFP) provides financial support for the development, In 2014-2015, priority was given to applications that Objectives of the PRMFP maintenance and protection of public reserves. PRMFP assisted reserve managers to achieve: • Maintain and develop recreational and tourism funds are allocated each financial year to reserve • Compliance with legislative and/or regulatory facilities on public reserves for community use and managers through a robust assessment process. obligations, in particular to ensure public safety enjoyment. The PRMFP was established by the Public Reserves and work health and safety is maintained on Crown • Facilitate improved management of community Management Fund Act 1987. It has been self-sustaining reserves. facilities on public reserves, including community halls, showgrounds and parks. since 1998-1999, generating income from levies, licences • Substantial repairs, maintenance or upgrades that • Manage and renovate infrastructure and other assets and loan repayments. More than $95m has been preserve or broaden the reserve user base, especially allocated by the NSW Government from the PRMFP over on public reserves to optimise value to the community where this promotes greater financial sustainability. and comply with regulatory obligations, in particular the last five years. • Environmental management, such as for conservation, to ensure public safety and work health and safety is The key PRMFP program areas are: contaminated site management or remediation, maintained on Crown reserves. • Local Parks and Reserves bushfire management, and pest and weed control. • Enhance environmental assets by supporting • Collaborative projects which address common issues conservation initiatives, bushfire management and • Caravan Parks across multiple reserves, particularly those which weed and pest control on public reserves. • State Parks involve more than one trust. • Support business opportunities that realise • Showgrounds • Projects of regional or state-wide significance, the potential of the Crown land estate, support regional economies and promote greater financial particularly where these facilitate increased regional • Pest and Weeds sustainability. investment and employment. • Tracks and Trails • Support the important role that volunteers play in the • Business support and planning, including for concept ongoing management of the Crown reserve system, • Bushfires development and asset management, and and • Projects that facilitate the development of tourism and • Ensure the PRMFP is self-sustaining and managed in a events-based activities, especially where this features contemporary and efficient manner, with appropriate investment in long-term infrastructure that benefits planning and administrative processes. regional communities and multiple user groups. 6 2014-2015 Overview The 2014-2015 PRMFP was delivered via two rounds: In 2014-2015, $22.44m (including $0.7m in loans) was Round 1 - Showgrounds (including freehold), disbursed across 532 projects, supporting important Pests and Weeds and Bushfires initiatives such as the maintenance of showgrounds and community halls, the improvement of local parks Round 2 - Crown Parks and Reserves, Crown and reserves, pest and weed management and the Caravan and State Parks, Showgrounds (including development of Crown holiday parks. freehold) and School of Arts Halls and Bushfires A total of 1025 applications were received by DPI - Lands over both rounds, with a combined value of Program Area Number Value $42.9m: Local Parks & Reserves 161 $7,831,342 • 648 for local parks and reserves, caravan parks, state parks, schools of arts, and showgrounds Caravan Parks 8 $592,196 • 48 for pests; State Parks 11 $5,336,827 • 236 for weeds; Showgrounds 109 $5,364,517 • 1 for tracks and trails; and School of Arts 2 $66,740 • 92 for bushfire projects. Pest and Weeds 163 $1,846,479 Bushfire 77 $999,973 Tracks and Trails 1 $400,000 In 2014-2015, more than $22.44m was Subtotal 532 $22,438,074 disbursed across 532 projects to support PRMFP Support and the development, maintenance and N/A $640,000 Improvement protection of NSW Crown reserves Total $23,078,074 7 2014-2015 Program Highlights With more than 530 individual projects funded by 2014-2015. Great outcomes are being achieved groups to whole regions. Following are examples the Public Reserves Management Fund Program, from these grants and loans across the State, with of just some of the great initiatives supported by there were literally hundreds of highlights in beneficiaries ranging from small community the PRMFP. Program Local Parks & Bushfire Tracks and Caravan Parks State Parks Showgrounds School of Arts Pest and Weeds TOTAL Area Reserves Program Trails No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Projects