Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: From $500 to $200,000
- Application opened: 3 November 2025
- Application closed: 5 December 2025, 5:00 pm
Program objective
To assist Crown Land Managers meet their duty to biosecurity obligations of the reserves they manage under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
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 | Crown Lands 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 | Crown Lands 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 2025-26 funding round.
Types of projects not funded under this grant
For more information, please refer to the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund | Crown Lands website.
2025-26 CRIF grant amounts exclude GST where the CLM is GST-registered.
Most recent recipients
What was approved
Approved for Dirawong Reserve Land Manager
Foxes are known to occur in the Dirawong Reserve and pose a significant threat to shore-nesting birds and small non-flying mammals. This project aims to include the Dirawong Reserve in the greater shorebird monitoring and FoxTAP program undertaken by ReconEco on behalf of NPWS, DoD and Crown Lands (South Ballina).
$18,300 was approved by
Minister for Lands and PropertyDate approved
June 2026About the grant
Applications approved
10
Applications received
16
Crown Reserves Improvement Fund - Pest 2025-26
Program term
31/07/2026What was approved
Approved for Edward River Council
This project will protect high-value community, environmental and infrastructure assets by undertaking best-practice rabbit baiting across Crown reserves. The program reduces grazing pressure, soil erosion and damage to crops, native flora, grave sites and critical infrastructure. Outcomes include healthier habitats, safer public spaces and coordinated, contemporary pest-management within the LGA.
$39,109 was approved by
Minister for Lands and PropertyDate approved
June 2026Location of the recipient
Deniliquin 2710About the grant
Applications approved
10
Applications received
16
Crown Reserves Improvement Fund - Pest 2025-26
Program term
31/07/2026What was approved
Approved for Georges River Council
The control of declared pest species, European Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Crown Reserves at Oatley and Hurstville Grove. This project will help to protect native wildlife, improve biodiversity and increase amenity, social use and promoting tourism of the natural environment in the Crown Reserves.
$9,090 was approved by
Minister for Lands and PropertyDate approved
June 2026Location of the project
Oatley 2223Location of the recipient
Hurstville 2220About the grant
Applications approved
10
Applications received
16
Crown Reserves Improvement Fund - Pest 2025-26
Program term
31/07/2026What was approved
Approved for Lightning Ridge Area Opal Reserve Land Manager
This project delivers targeted control of feral pigs, foxes, wild dogs and goats to reduce pest numbers. Benefits extend to local residents, neighbouring landholders, First Nations groups, tourists and wildlife. Expected outcomes include improved biodiversity, reduced disease risks, safer recreational access, and fewer concerns from the community and stakeholders.
$38,740 was approved by
Minister for Lands and PropertyDate approved
June 2026Location of the project
Lightning Ridge 2834Location of the recipient
Lightning Ridge 2834About the grant
Applications approved
10
Applications received
16
Crown Reserves Improvement Fund - Pest 2025-26
Program term
31/07/2026What 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.
$17,800 was approved by
Minister for Lands and PropertyDate approved
June 2026Location of the project
Harrington 2427Location of the recipient
Kiwarrak 2430About the grant
Applications approved
10
Applications received
16
Crown Reserves Improvement Fund - Pest 2025-26
Program term
31/07/2026What 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 | Crown Lands 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 | Crown Lands 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 2026.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is May 2026
Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is May - June 2026
Support and contact
Crown Lands & Public Spaces
Phone: 1300 886 235 (option 5) | Email: reservefunding@crownland.nsw.gov.au