CROWN RESERVES IMPROVEMENT FUND PROGRAM Report 2017–18 Contents Foreword from the Minister 3 About the NSW Department of Industry—Lands and Water 4 About the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund Program 5 Overview 6 Case studies 8 Showgrounds 8 Local parks and reserves 12 Holiday parks 14 Tracks and trails 16 State parks 18 School of arts 22 Commons 24 Pests and weeds 26 Emergency funding 28 Managing the program 30 Program governance 31 Cover photos: Native plant regeneration, Lithgow; new Tables and charts 32 playground, Bellinger Heads; cooking classes, Taree; dog high jump, Candelo ; hat throwing competition, Candelo 2 Crown Reserves Improvement Fund Program Report 2017–18 Foreword from the Minister I am pleased to present the 2017–18 Crown Reserves This program plays a vital role through making Improvement Fund Program (CRIFP) Yearly Report, tangible and long-lasting improvements to Crown which highlights the program’s many achievements reserves, which in turn underpins the social, over the year. economic and environmental wellbeing of large and small communities across the state. The CRIFP supports regional economic growth in NSW, strengthens local communities and helps to The program supports initiatives such as the protect the natural environment. maintenance and improvement of showground and community hall infrastructure; the improvement Managers of Crown reserves, as well as freehold of local parks and reserves; protection against showgrounds and schools of arts, are eligible to apply bushfires, weeds and pests; and the ongoing for grants and low-interest loans through a competitive development of caravan parks. application process. The grants and loans support their work on behalf of the NSW community in managing The yearly report showcases the tireless work and some of our most important public reserves. countless hours that Crown land managers devote to our valued community assets. These facilities In 2017–18, $14.9 m in funding was allocated to 447 are at the heart of our communities and are vital recipients across the state. Over the last seven years, to local sports and activities, along with promoting more than $106 m has been allocated through the business and tourism in regional towns. annual funding program to support the development, maintenance and protection of NSW Crown reserves. On behalf of the NSW Government, I thank the The Hon. Melinda Pavey MP Crown lands include our showgrounds, racecourses, thousands of volunteers and Crown land managers Minister for Water, Property surf lifesaving clubs and halls. who help look after our Crown reserves. and Housing Crown Reserves Improvement Fund Program Report 2017–18 3 About the NSW Department of Industry—Lands and Water The NSW Department of Industry— The NSW Crown Estate is large and diverse— Lands and Water is a diverse, regionally representing approximately 42% of the state of based government agency responsible NSW. Valued at $11 billion, it is used for a range of social, economic, recreation, heritage and for Crown land within NSW. Under environment conservation purposes. the Crown Land Management Act Crown land includes: 2016, the department's Lands & Water ■■ Division manages some of the most most beaches, estuaries and waterways iconic and diverse public land through ■■ Crown roads approximately 35,000 Crown reserves ■■ land used for grazing, agriculture and travelling stock and 54,000 leases, licences and permits. ■■ Hyde Park and Bondi Beach in Sydney are commercial ventures such as marinas, kiosks, restaurants and aged care facilities two famous examples of the NSW Crown ■■ recreational areas such as ovals, tennis courts, reserve system at work. golf courses, bowling greens and walking tracks ■■ community and cultural facilities including community halls, showgrounds, racecourses, cemeteries and lighthouses ■■ tourism facilities such as caravan and holiday parks. 4 Crown Reserves Improvement Fund Program Report 2017–18 About the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund Program The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund Funding priorities are reviewed on a yearly basis. Objectives of the CRIFP Program (CRIFP) financially supports the In 2017–18, we gave priority to applications that helped reserve managers: ■■ Maintain and develop recreational and tourism development, maintenance and protection of facilities on public reserves for community use Crown reserves in NSW. Funds are allocated ■■ comply with legislative and/or regulatory obligations, and enjoyment each financial year to reserve managers in particular to ensure public safety and work health ■■ Improve management of community facilities and safety is maintained on Crown reserves on public reserves, including community halls, through a robust assessment process. ■■ complete substantial repairs, maintenance or showgrounds and parks The CRIFP was known as the Public Reserve upgrades that preserve or broaden the reserve ■■ Manage and renovate infrastructure and other Management Fund Program up until 30 June 2017, user base, especially where this promotes greater assets on public reserves to optimise value to when the Crown Land Management Act 2016 (CLM Act financial sustainability the community and comply with regulatory obligations, in particular to ensure public safety 2016) started. The CRIFP is governed by the CLM Act ■■ manage environmental needs, such as for and work health and safety is maintained on 2016. The fund has been self-sustaining since 1998–99, conservation, contaminated site management or Crown reserves generating income from levies, licences and loan remediation, bushfire management, and pest and ■■ Enhance environmental assets by supporting repayments from Crown reserves. The NSW Government weed control conservation initiatives, bushfire management has allocated more than $106m from the CRIFP over the ■■ collaborate to tackle common issues across and weed and pest control on public reserves last seven years. multiple reserves, particularly projects involving ■■ Support business opportunities that realise the The key CRIFP program areas are: more than one reserve manager potential of the Crown land estate, support ■■ regional economies and promote greater ■■ local parks and reserves manage issues of regional or state-wide significance, particularly where these facilitate financial sustainability ■■ caravan parks increased regional investment and employment ■■ Support the important role that volunteers ■■ state parks play in the ongoing management of the Crown ■■ manage business support and planning, including ■■ showgrounds reserve system for concept development and asset management ■■ Ensure the CRIFP is self-sustaining and managed ■■ pests and weeds ■■ develop tourism and events-based activities in in a contemporary and efficient manner, with ■■ tracks and trails long-term infrastructure that benefits regional appropriate planning and administrative ■■ bushfire controls. communities and multiple user groups. processes. Crown Reserves Improvement Fund Program Report 2017–18 5 Overview In 2017–18, more than $14.9 m The 2017–18 CRIFP was delivered via one round, and 2017–18 Program highlights was approved across 447 projects, the department received a total of 872 applications. supporting important initiatives such The combined value of applications totalled $62.5m. Reserve category Number Value $ as the maintenance of showgrounds Of these, the number of applications received were: Local parks & reserves 98 5,852,211 and community halls, the improvement ■■ 435 for local parks and reserves, caravan parks, state State parks 6 1,687,607 parks, schools of arts, commons and showgrounds Showgrounds 38 2,517,853 of local parks and reserves, pest and ■■ 14 for pests Caravan parks 1 15,000 weed management, bushfire control ■■ 170 for weeds Schools of arts 10 167,506 and the ongoing development of ■■ 94 for bushfire projects Commons 6 69,556 Crown holiday parks. ■■ 7 for tracks and trails Pest and weeds 161 1,751,640 ■■ 159 for general projects. Bush fire mitigation 94 999,982 SPI Lands internal projects 26 1,093,692 The application process is highly competitive, with Tracks and trails program 7 765,819 the value of applications received far exceeding the available funds. Program totals 447 14,920,866 Across NSW, beneficiaries of the CRIFP range from small community groups to whole regions. Below is a summary of projects funded for the 2017–18 CRIFP. DPI - Internal reserve Local parks and Tracks and trails Caravan parks Commons Pest and weeds School of arts Showgrounds State parks Bushfire mitigation improvement Total no. reserves program Funding projects amounts No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ projects projects projects projects projects projects projects projects projects projects projects $0–$20K 1 15,000 5 39,556 39 382,214 135 1,035,799 6 43,980 12 179,019 0 0 81 546,437 11 123,865 1 9000 290 2,365,870 $20k–$50K 0 0 1 30,000 39 1,135,816 26 715,841 4 123,526 14 453,560 2 62,453 12 396,738 7 263,305 1 28,600 105 3,181,239 $50k–$100K 0 0 0 0 10 763,424 0 0 0 0 6 332,926 0 0 1 56,807 6 444,230 2 157,229 23 1,597,387 $100k–$250K 0 0 0 0 4 716,910 0 0 0 0 6 1,552,348 1 174,408 0 0 2 262,292 3 570,990 13 2,705,958 $250K + 0 0 0 0 6 2,853,847 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1,450,746 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5,104,593 Grand total 1 15,000 6 69,556 98 5,852,211 161 1,751,640 10 167,506 38 2,517,853 6 1,687,607 94 999,982 26 1,093,692 7 765,819 447 14,920,866 6 Crown Reserves Improvement Fund Program Report 2017–18 Left: One of the many bridge crossings on the Hume & Hovell Track Crown Reserves Improvement Fund Program Report 2017–18 7 Case studies Showgrounds Gunnedah Showground UPGRADE AND INSTALL NEW ELECTRICAL SUPPLY AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE TO EXISTING AND NEW ASSETS—$13,681 Gunnedah Showground is a highly used, multipurpose 'In order to improve facilities for existing users and facility managed by Gunnedah Shire Council in north- to attract more state and national events, council west NSW.