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
Weed 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 Alumy Creek Reserve Land Manager
The focus of the project will be the development and application of a program to eradicate and control weeds and prevent, or deter, new invasions. The aim is to continue to improve the environment and significantly reduce the amount of risk to users and infestation of neighbouring properties.
$1,012 was approved by
Minister for Lands and PropertyDate approved
June 2026Location of the project
Alumy Creek 2460Location of the recipient
Alumy Creek 2460About the grant
Applications approved
75
Applications received
150
Crown Reserves Improvement Fund - Weeds 2025-26
Program term
31/07/2026What was approved
Approved for Armidale Regional Council
This initiative enhances Crown reserves for communities, landholders, and visitors. It targets invasive species like Tropical Soda Apple, Broom, Blackberry, and Serrated Tussock using chemical, mechanical, and biological control, plus monitoring and collaboration. Outcomes include improved biodiversity, safer recreation spaces, and sustainable land management aligned with CRIF objectives.
$3,680 was approved by
Minister for Lands and PropertyDate approved
June 2026Location of the project
Armidale 2350Location of the recipient
Armidale 2350About the grant
Applications approved
75
Applications received
150
Crown Reserves Improvement Fund - Weeds 2025-26
Program term
31/07/2026What was approved
Approved for Ballina Shire Council
This project continues bush regeneration at Black Head Reserve, targeting Bitou bush and other priority weed regrowth following the 2026 works, to support long-term ecological health and resilience of the reserve’s native vegetation.
$9,409 was approved by
Minister for Lands and PropertyDate approved
June 2026Location of the project
Ballina 2478Location of the recipient
Ballina 2478About the grant
Applications approved
75
Applications received
150
Crown Reserves Improvement Fund - Weeds 2025-26
Program term
31/07/2026What was approved
Approved for Ballina Shire Council
As part of BSC management plan of the disused Wardell Landfill at Lot 204 DP 47668, BSC aims to strengthen the resilience of the vegetation of the surrounding land parcels at Lot 161 DP 755731 - Crown land, Lot 268 DP 727428 and Lot 205 DP 47668 (Jali LALC).
$76,945 was approved by
Minister for Lands and PropertyDate approved
June 2026Location of the project
Wardell 2477Location of the recipient
Ballina 2478About the grant
Applications approved
75
Applications received
150
Crown Reserves Improvement Fund - Weeds 2025-26
Program term
31/07/2026What was approved
Approved for Ballina Shire Council
This project will return to Skennars Head Reserve to control Bitou bush and other invasive weeds emerging from the soil seed bank after the 2024–25 CRIF-funded works. Targeted follow-up treatment will consolidate previous regeneration efforts, reducing future maintenance needs and supporting long-term ecological health in the reserve.
$11,290 was approved by
Minister for Lands and PropertyDate approved
June 2026Location of the project
Skennars Head 2478Location of the recipient
Ballina 2478About the grant
Applications approved
75
Applications received
150
Crown Reserves Improvement Fund - Weeds 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 and Strategic Weed Management Plan relevant to the project area.
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