The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment has announced the finalists in two awards for outstanding efforts in managing Crown Land on behalf of their local communities.
The two awards are the Crown Land Manager Excellence Award and the Individual Excellence in Crown Land Management Award, forming part of the 2020 NSW/ACT Regional Achievement and Community Awards.
Eight finalists have been named for the two awards – four for each – and are in the running to receive $2,000 and a trophy when the final winners are announced on 20 November.
Minister for Water, Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey congratulated the finalists for their commitment to making regional NSW a better place to live.
“Crown land is the public’s land, and makes up about 42 per cent of the State, so we owe a great debt of gratitude to the many dedicated volunteer community land managers that help keep our public land in good shape for recreation, the environment, and to support community organisations,” Ms Pavey said.
She said NSW had more than 34,000 Crown reserves covering an area of around 3.1 million hectares.
“Crown reserves are diverse and contribute to the social, economic, environmental and cultural features of the State,” she said.
“They include showgrounds, racecourses, surf lifesaving clubs, parks, sporting venues, foreshores, caravan parks, recreational trails and halls.”
She said the Crown Land Manager Excellence Award would be provided to a volunteer Crown Land Manager board that exemplifies outstanding community service ethos, dedication and commitment to their communities.
The Individual Excellence in Crown Land Management Award is to be provided to an individual volunteer involved in the management of Crown Land.
The finalists for the Crown Land Manager Award are the Bobin School of Arts; The Cobargo Showground Land Manager; Glen Innes & District Historical Society Inc; and Hunter Multicultural Communities Inc.
Finalists for the Individual Excellence Award are Barry Cumpstay of Lillian Rock; Neil Rose of Norah Head; Kim MacDonald of Bobin; and William West of Bribbaree.
All finalists will also go into a People’s Choice Award run through Facebook where members of the community can vote for their favourite finalist.
