Applications for the State Government's Crown Reserves Improvement Fund are open until 25 June 2021.

The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund maintains and upgrades reserves and community facilities on Crown land for community use.

Grant applications are open to Crown land reserve managers and users including local councils, community groups, showgrounds and caravan parks, so I strongly encourage eligible local organisations to apply.

The fund will support improvements to community facilities while supporting local jobs, businesses and the region's economy through upgrade work. It will also fund bushfire management and weed and pest control on reserves.

These grants will support projects that can deliver social, environmental, cultural and economic benefits.

Crown reserves play a critical role by protecting the environment and providing green open spaces for parks, ovals, walking, cycling and sports and recreation activities to keep communities healthy and happy.

They also provide affordable and secure land for a wide range of community-focused organisations including surf life-saving clubs, Scouts and Girl Guide groups, the RSPCA, PCYC and State Emergency Services, among others.

This year's fund also aims to help communities recover from bushfires, floods, drought and COVID-19.

Another focus will be to support projects that contribute to greater energy and water efficiency by encouraging the use of renewable energy and water saving

technologies, and environmentally sustainable practices to reduce emissions.

For further information and to apply for a grant visit reservemanager.crownland.nsw.gov.au/funding/crif.