Five projects are being developed to enhance Crown land reserves throughout Upper Hunter (Australia) which will receive AU$193,311 in funding, including the installation of lighting at Main Camp Recreation Ground.
According to a report, the funding projects include $AU76,703 to control weeds within the urban sections of the Hunter River in Singleton, including Dunolly Bridge Reserve.
In Merriwa, AU$75,330 will be allocated to erect an office building on Merriwa Recreation and Showground, while AU$29,413 will control weeds at Dungog Common Recreation Reserve.
In the Upper Hunter Shire, AU$8,800 will be used to renovate the entry point to Ferntree Gully Reserve, south of Bylong, and AU$3,065 will go towards installing lighting on the Main Camp Recreation Ground in Upper Rouchel.
Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell said that the funds provided through the NSW government through the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund would benefit the local population.
“Crown reserves provide land for recreation, community organizations and facilities, and protect our environment including habitat for native plants and animals,” Layzell said.
“Maintaining and enhancing our Crown reserves means residents have access to quality spaces for sports and fitness, or to just relax, rejuvenate and get in touch with nature and each other.”
NSW Minister of Lands and Water Kevin Anderson stated that Crown reserves in NSW have a significant role in tourism, business, recreation, well-being, and protecting the state’s biodiversity.
Crown land covers around 34 million hectares or 42% of NSW, and we have about 35,000 Crown reserves that accommodate parks, community halls, nature areas, showgrounds, sporting facilities, camping areas, and walking tracks,” Anderson said.
“They also provide support to community groups like Men’s Sheds, Police Citizens Youth Clubs, Surf Life Saving clubs Scouts, and Girl Guides.”
Anderson said that the projects funded by the NSW government in the framework of the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund would benefit thousands of people and contribute to the cultural, sporting, and recreational life of hundreds of communities with the potential to provide stimulus to local economies and create jobs.
As per the NSW government, the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF) helps Crown land managers provide funding for repairs, maintenance, and improvements on Crown reserves.
The CRIF is a self-sustaining scheme funded by income generated from loan repayments and interest, leases, and licenses on crown land and levies from the operation of coastal Crown caravan parks.
The 2021-2022 CRIF provided around AU$15.2 million in funding to 257 projects designed to keep and improve facilities on government-owned land across NSW.