NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has welcomed the release of the NSW Government’s response to the public submissions received on the Crown Lands Legislation White Paper, outlining the next steps the government is taking to improve the management of Crown Lands across the region.
Mr Marshall said that the government’s responses to the issues raised by stakeholders are clearly addressed in the submissions report.
“The Crown Lands Management Review is about identifying who is best placed to manage Crown land across our region, empowering decision making for local land and protecting Crown land for our communities and the State into the future,” Mr Marshall said.
“This is an exciting first step on the way to implementing improvements that will benefit the users of Crown land across our region.”
Mr Marshall is encouraging interested members of the community to read the report to become informed on the steps which government will be taking to implement the recommendations of the review, including the drafting of new legislation.
“There is still much to do and the government will continue to consult with stakeholders, including councils, on this major improvement of Crown land management,” he said.
“I acknowledge the ongoing and significant contribution from the communities and organisations from across the Northern Tablelands who play such an important role in helping manage our important Crown lands.
“I am particular pleased that the government has indicated in its response that councils will not be forced to take on management of any further parcels of Crown Lands unless they wish to.
“I know councils were worried about the potential for this review to be used as a cost-shifting exercise by state government, but this suggestion has been unequivocally quashed in the government’s response.”
The Government received 626 submissions to the White Paper from the community, local councils, tenure holders and many others with a stake in Crown land.
The government’s response can be found online at www.crownland.nsw.gov.au