Why is Council planning for these 46 Crown Reserves?

    The Crown Land Management Act 2016 (CLM Act) has placed new requirements on Council regarding the management of certain Crown reserves. Council has until 30 June 2021 to meet these new requirements by the making of CLM Act compliant Plans of Management (PoMs) over certain lands.  Council resolved at its meeting of 27 May 2019 to start talking with the community regarding 46 of these reserves.  This is the first stage of 3 for this project, the first opportunity to seek community feedback. There will also be other opportunities in Stages 2 and 3. For more information, view the staged process or Council Report.

    What is Council seeking feedback on in Stage 1?

    During Stage 1, Council is proposing the community land categories that could be applied to the 46 Crown reserves in a future draft Generic Crown Reserve Plan of Management or in a future site specific Plan of Management.  Do the proposed community categories fit with the way you use a reserve? Additionally, what do you value or appreciate about a reserve? Council is aware that you may only want to comment on the one or two Crown reserves that you use most often or you may want to comment on all 46 reserves.  All comments received in Stage 1 will inform the development of future draft Plans of Management over these 46 Crown reserves.  All future draft PoMs will be exhibited for community feedback in later stages of the project. 


    Can I propose that a different community land category be applied to a certain Crown reserve?

    Yes. Council will consider all feedback collected during Stage 1. In accordance with the Local Government Act 1993, community land may only be categorised in the following categories: Park, Sportsground, General Community Use, Area of Cultural Significance, or Natural Area. Natural Areas are further sub-categorised as Foreshore, Wetland, Bushland, Escarpment, and Watercourse. Natural areas have more limitations on how they can be leased or licensed than other community land categories.  For example, Natural foreshore areas that are occupied by surf lifesaving clubs are typically categorised as park or general community use, so that a lease to the surf club can be granted in accordance with the core objectives of the relevant category. During Stage 1, a mix of community land categories for each reserve is proposed, but boundaries of these categories are not mapped because the public may propose other community land categories or make their own boundaries when they give Council their feedback. The Crown reserve boundaries are mapped with aerial photographs so that you may see exactly what the characteristics of the land are. In Stage 2, maps with community land category boundaries will be created informed by community feedback in Stage 1. 

    Why is a community category (or categories) important to the management of these 46 Crown reserves?

    Each community land category has core objectives under the Local Government Act 1993 that guide the land use, management and leasing or licensing of that land with that category. Under the CLM Act, Council is required to apply community land categories to these 46 reserves. This is the first step in that process. 

    How can I be involved in the future in the development of Plans of Management over Crown land?

    Register your interest in this project or make a submission during Stage 1. Council staff will keep you informed as the project progresses to the development of draft plans of management (Stages 2 and 3) by email or letter, depending on the contact details provided to Council.