On Friday the NSW Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey and Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Destination NSW and NSW Crown Lands
to transform some of the state’s most significant public spaces into iconic tourism destinations.
The agreement marks the launch of NSW’s first ever State Strategic Plan for Crown Land to activate Crown land to grow tourism, support community groups, boost regional economies, advance Aboriginal interests, provide more green open space, and protect the environment.
Through better access to quality green, open, public space to urban pocket parks to regional bushland, Crown land can support quality of life, attract visitors and provide habitats for wildlife. The NSW Government will also partner with Aboriginal groups to advance Indigenous interests through land rights and native title and to protect sensitive cultural and environmental sites.
Minister Pavey said there is around 34 million hectares of Crown Land in NSW, covering 42 per cent of the State, and the 10 year Crown land 2031 strategy will ensure the land is put to its best use to benefit communities.
“Crown land is community land, we want our communities to unlock its full potential to support not only the local economy, but also its heritage and cultural opportunities, while keeping it in public ownership.
“Crown land supports showgrounds, racecourses, public marine assets, and organisations like our surf lifesaving clubs, scout and girl guide halls, men’s sheds, and the Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service and Police Citizens Youth Clubs.
“The plan focuses on using Crown land to bring communities together through its use by local government, community and not-for-profit organisations.”
