Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: From $500 to $200,000
- Application opened: 21 October 2024
- Application closed: 22 November 2024, 5:00 pm
Program objective
Projects that comply with the NSW Invasive Species Plan 2023-2028.
This program is administered by Crown Lands.
Eligibility
Who can apply
The application must be authorised by the official manager of a Crown reserve. The person/organisation entering the online application must be either:
- an authorised person of the reserve’s Crown land manager, or
- a user group representative or officer of the applicant organisation with an official letter of authorisation from the appropriate authorised person from the list below.
List of authorised persons eligible to apply for funding:
Statutory Crown land manager board - Chair, Secretary, Treasurer or Appointed Administrator
Council Crown land manager - General Manager or Director
Corporate Crown land manager - CEO, CFO or General Manager
Other eg. Government agency, perpetual lease - Crown Lands Director or Area Manager
For more information, please refer to the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund website
Types of projects funded under this grant
Pest projects—works on Crown reserves only
For more information, please refer to the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund website
Who can’t apply
Freehold Showgrounds, Commons, Freehold School of Arts and any Crown land directly managed by Local Land Services (LLS) are not eligible in the 2024-25 funding round.
Types of projects not funded under this grant
For more information, please refer to the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund website
Most recent recipients
What was approved
Approved for Bungendore Rodeo & Equestrian Sports & Recreation Ground Land Manager
The objective of the Bungendore Rodeo and Equestrian Sports and Recreation Reserve Pest Control Project is to control rabbit populations that threaten soil stability, native vegetation, and pasture quality, ensuring sustainable land use for recreational and equestrian activities.
$4,400 was approved by
Minister for Lands and PropertyDate approved
May 2025Location of the project
Bungendore 2621Location of the recipient
Bungendore 2621About the grant
Applications approved
6
Applications received
12
Crown Reserves Improvement Fund - Pest 2024-25
Program term
15/08/2025What was approved
Approved for Georges River Council
The control of pest species, European Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) and control of feral cats (Felis catus) on Crown reserves at Oatley and Riverwood. This project will help to protect native wildlife, improve biodiversity and increase amenity, social use and promoting tourism of the natural environment on the Crown reserves.
$10,000 was approved by
Minister for Lands and PropertyDate approved
May 2025Location of the project
Hurstville 2220, Oatley 2223Location of the recipient
Hurstville 2220About the grant
Applications approved
6
Applications received
12
Crown Reserves Improvement Fund - Pest 2024-25
Program term
04/08/2025What was approved
Approved for Hornsby Shire Council
Engage professional shooters to compliment the planned 2025 Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus release to reduce rabbit and fox impacts on the natural areas, gardens and parklands of Fagan Park. Protect post-burn regrowth of critically endangered Sydney Turpentine- Ironbark Forest from rabbit grazing through the erection of rabbit exclusion fencing.
$15,000 was approved by
Minister for Lands and PropertyDate approved
May 2025Location of the project
Galston 2159, Hornsby 2077Location of the recipient
Hornsby 2077About the grant
Applications approved
6
Applications received
12
Crown Reserves Improvement Fund - Pest 2024-25
Program term
08/08/2025What was approved
Approved for Lightning Ridge Area Opal Reserve Land Manager
Integrated Pest Management Plan delivery at Lightning Ridge and surrounding opal fields. Benefit: Local residents / neighbouring landholders / NPWS Narran Lakes / First Nation People Organisations / tourists / wildlife Outcomes: *Reduce pest numbers *Improve biodiversity *Reduce criticism/ministerials from neighbouring landholders/community/NSW Farmers *Reduce spread of diseases
$34,590 was approved by
Minister for Lands and PropertyDate approved
May 2025Location of the project
Lightning Ridge 2834Location of the recipient
Lightning Ridge 2834About the grant
Applications approved
6
Applications received
12
Crown Reserves Improvement Fund - Pest 2024-25
Program term
15/08/2025What was approved
Approved for MidCoast Council
The project aims to undertake fox control activities on Crown land within the Harrington Beach and Manning Entrance State Parks, to reduce fox predation on migratory and endangered nesting shorebirds, eggs and chicks, continuing current and previous control actions in both areas and the wider locality.
$27,632 was approved by
Minister for Lands and PropertyDate approved
May 2025Location of the project
Harrington 2427, Taree South 2430Location of the recipient
Kiwarrak 2430About the grant
Applications approved
6
Applications received
12
Crown Reserves Improvement Fund - Pest 2024-25
Program term
04/08/2025What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
- The project must be on NSW Crown managed land (including land managed by an appointed Crown Land Manager)
- Activity must be consistent with s12.29 of the Crown Land Management Act 2016 - Crown Land Management Act 2016 No 58
- The application must relate to a project or activity that has not yet commenced
- The Crown land manager must have no outstanding overdue CRIF final project reports as at the round closing date
- The application must be authorised by the official manager of a Crown reserve
- Appropriate quotes / cost estimates must be provided with the application
- The application must address the funding round objective
- Minimum grant amount is $500 (inc GST) and maximum amount is $200,000(inc GST)
For more information, please refer to the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund website
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Address the assessment criteria
Departmental expert panel assessment of the best projects that comply with the NSW Invasive Species Plan 2023-2028.
Start the application
For more information, please refer to the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund website
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Minister for Lands and Property
All applications will be subject to a rigorous multi-level assessment process. The official Crown land manager should receive written advice as to the outcome of your application via email by May 2025.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is May 2025
Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is May - June 2025
Support and contact
Crown Lands & Public Spaces
T 1300 886 235 (Option 2, then Option 5) | E reservefunding@crownland.nsw.gov.au
Website: Crown Reserves Improvement Fund