THE Crown Lands Review is currently underway and is looking at whether all crown land the State government owns, which is about 33 million hectares or around 42 per cent of the State, is better managed in the hands of more local entities such as local councils and individual farms.
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For us as farmers the focus points will be on travelling stock routes (TSRs), crown roads, crown reserves and conversions of leasehold to freehold land.
The review will not cover native title – this is part of a separate review.
NSW Farmers will be working closely with the review committee and putting forward a submission to represent members’ views.
Who ultimately owns these types of crown land and how it is managed is an issue concerning many of us.
The review is asking whether TSRs are being used for their original purpose of moving stock.
TSRs are currently managed differently across the State, some by landholders and some by Local Land Services (LLS).
I think the current drought has highlighted the importance of their existence but in some cases questions have been asked about how they have been managed before the drought and how they have been used during the drought.
With 60pc of TSRs currently being managed by LLS, the findings of the review may suggest that LLS manage all TSRs if the review finds they still have a purpose.
There are many small as well large sections of crown roads among our road network.
The Department of Crown Lands does not have a budget to maintain or upgrade crown roads.
One option being considered is the transfer of crown roads to local councils.
There are obviously pros and cons for this idea with the potential for better quality roads, but for local councils managing more spending items in an increasingly squeezed budget may pose its own challenges.
Managing crown reserves well includes issues such as pest vertebrates management.
Locally managed land may have benefits in this regard.
The difference between leasehold or freehold is perhaps one of the most talked about issues in the review.
More flexibility within current leasehold conditions particularly for the Western Division may be positive.
But what other activities landholders may like to do could be key.
Members – we would like to hear from you.
Visit NSW Farmers to fill in our survey.
