Controlling feral pigs in the Megalong Valley, increasing water storage at Mt Irvine Hall and providing an accessible toilet at Leura Park Reserve.  

These are just some of the projects that have been funded over the last five years in the Blue Mountains by the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund. 

In other electorates the fund has also helped cover the costs of everything from a yurt to a bridge, for solar panels to enable mobile phone donations via a QR code, and even a defibrillator. 

For 2025/2026, the Minns Labor government is boosting the value to the fund. Funding has increased to $13.5 million, more than $2 million higher than last year to support upgrades and maintenance across the state’s Crown land reserves. 

Grant applications are open until 5pm on December 5, 2025, with funding available for projects up to $1 million. General project applications will be evaluated by community impact, reserve utilisation, deliverability, and affordability. 

In a move to help deliver more local projects, the state government has also halved the minimum general grant amount to $50,000, making it easier for Crown land managers to apply for smaller, high-impact projects that make a big difference to their communities. 

Member for Blue MountainsTrish Doyle said: 

“The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund provides valuable grants to maintain and upgrade reserves and community facilities on Crown land. 

“I strongly encourage eligible local organisations to apply.  

“Grant applications are open to Crown land reserve managers including local councils, community groups, and showgrounds,” Ms Doyle added. 

The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund supports repairs, maintenance, and upgrades that strengthen the local economies and enhance the cultural, sporting and recreational life of NSW. The program also provides grants to Crown land managers for the control of invasive pest and weed species to assist Crown land managers meet their duty to biosecurity obligations of the reserves they manage under the Biosecurity Act. 

There are 8,700 hectares of Crown land in the Blue Mountains Local Government Area, this includes Crown land, roads and waterways. 

Potential applicants from the Blue Mountains can go to www.crownland.nsw.gov.au or contact the Department's funding team on 1300 886 235 (option 5) or via email at reservefunding@crownland.nsw.gov.au. 

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper administers the fund. He said the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund keeps public reserves safe, vibrant and accessible. 

“Investing in Crown reserves helps to support local industry and enrich the cultural, sporting and recreational life of our communities across the state,” he said. 

Applications that best meet the relevant criteria will be recommended for funding and presented to the Minister for approval before final allocation of funds is determined by a Crown Lands assessment committee in early-to-mid 2026. 

For more information go to https://www.crownland.nsw.gov.au/reserve-manager/finance/crown-reserves-improvement-fund  

Caption: Echo Point is included in the 8,700 hectares of Crown land in the Blue Mountains LGA. The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund closes on December 5. Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle is encouraging local Crown land managers to apply. 

MEDIA: Brenda Cunningham-Lewis | Trish Doyle (02) 4751 3298