1 October 2018 – compiled by Bev Debrincat (GSLN committee)
The new Crown Lands Management Act 2016 commenced operation on the 1st July 2018.
The Landcare and bushcare communities of Greater Sydney are concerned about the potential loss of native remnants and connections for habitat corridors and green corridors through the sale of Crown Lands. Local Councils have been put into a position where they must manage and fund the maintenance of the majority of Crown Lands in their area. Communities need to ask their local Council to provide public lists of Crown Lands now under their care and control, ask their intentions and seek full community consultation.
The Issues
• The Act allows Government to shut down peaceful protests on public lands
• The Act permits the transfer of public land to other Government agencies for sale without public consultation including to its in-house real estate agents Department of Industry (see overview below) – who can then dispose of the land without the stringent requirements of the previous Crown Lands Act,
• That Local Councils will become responsible for the management of crown lands (see details of type of Land below).They will also be financially responsible for maintenance and upkeep. The cost of this transfer to local Councils is an unknown. Councils may sell off land to fund the maintenance of the Crown Land.
