LOCAL Crown Reserve managers are reminded that funding is available to improve important community assets.
Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said Crown Reserve managers had just over two weeks to apply for the New South Wales Government’s Public Reserve Management Fund Program.
“The fund can be used to develop, maintain and improve public reserves including Crown Lands caravan park developments, refurbishment of amenities to meet current health and safety standards, as well as pest and weed management and environmental remediation,” Mrs Williams said.
“Earlier this year I announced more than $800,000 in funding for local assets which are currently being improved.
“Public reserves are important assets that are highly valued in our local community. In many cases their ongoing success is vital to local sporting and social activities as well as business and tourism opportunities.
“I know of a number of other areas that would benefit from the funding including improvements to Wall Reserve at North Haven, electricity connection to the reserve adjacent to the Camden Haven River at Laurieton to increase the capacity of community events such as the popular Slice of Haven, improvements to the toilet facilities at the Port Macquarie Race Course, as well as upgrading facilities to Crown Lands Reserves at Harrington.
“I encourage local councils who in most instances are the trust managers of Crown Reserves to apply for a share of the $15 million which is being offered in 2013/14.
“As the value of applications received is typically twice that of the available funds, priority is given to those applications which best address the assessment criteria,” Mrs Williams said.
Reserve trust managers can contact their local Crown Lands office for further details on particular reserves.
Applications close on 3 May.
