Applications are now open for $16 million in NSW Government funding to maintain and improve Crown land reserves for the use of communities across the state, with $14 million in grants and $2 million in loans on offer.
Applications for the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF) are open from 16 October to 17 November 2023 through Crown Lands in the Department of Planning and Environment.
Eligible applicants include all Crown land managers including local councils, community organisations, and user groups that are licensed to use Crown reserves across NSW, as well as commons and also showgrounds on freehold land.
CRIF grants and loans support projects that can deliver social, cultural, environmental or economic benefits to local communities. They help maintain and upgrade reserves and facilities on them so residents can use and enjoy them, and also protect areas of important environmental land.
Grants also support weed and pest management projects to ensure we have healthy public reserves that help protect native plants and animals from invasive species.
The 2023-24 CRIF round will focus on projects that have positive community impacts by:
• Maintaining or increasing public access, amenity and use of a reserve.
• Supporting social cohesion and participation in community life.
• Enabling people with accessibility requirements or living with a disability to be included.
• Delivering a service or infrastructure to enable Aboriginal people to access, care for or protect and manage land.
• Conserving heritage values and/or natural values of a reserve.
• Creating employment or business opportunities.
For further information and to apply Crown Reserves Improvement Fund.
Applications close at 5pm on Friday 17 November 2023.
Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper said:
“Crown reserves support communities by protecting the environment and providing open spaces and facilities for parks, ovals, walking, cycling, camping and other sports and recreation activities, to keep communities healthy and happy.
“They also provide land for community organisations and assets like showgrounds, public halls, scouts and girl guide groups, surf life saving clubs, racecourses and more.
Member for the Electorate of Cessnock, Clayton Barr said:
“I would encourage all eligible applicants to apply for the grants, these grants aim to benefit the community, boost our economy and contribute to the cultural, sporting and recreational life in our communities.”
“The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund will help ensure local community land continues to prosper into the future.”