On July 3 2025 the NSW Government announced it will provide $14.578 million in grants to maintain and upgrade Crown land reserves and community facilities to support the cultural, sporting and recreational life of NSW communities.
The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF) grants will fund more than 140 community projects across the state.
These upgrades will improve community facilities, including sporting clubs, recreation areas, walking tracks, cycleways, public halls, museums, childcare centres, swimming pools, showgrounds, cultural institutions, camp sites, and racecourses.
The 2023-2024 grants, from Crown Lands in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), will support projects in the Sydney region, from the northern beaches in the east to the Blue Mountains in the west and north to the Hawkesbury.
Crown reserves support communities by providing land for recreation, such as parks, ovals and walking tracks. They provide land for organisations and facilities such as public halls, showgrounds, campgrounds, racecourses, surf life saving clubs, PCYC clubs, and Scouts and Girl Guide groups.
Reserves support tourism and local jobs, businesses and economies through activities such as hiking, camping, fishing and wildlife watching. They also protect sensitive areas of environment for native plants and animals, and areas of cultural and heritage significance to local and Aboriginal communities.
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:
“The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF) will provide grants to Crown land managers right across our state to maintain and improve public reserves for the benefit of hundreds of local communities and many thousands of residents.
“This year more than $14.6 million in grants will support 144 projects to maintain and upgrade reserves and community facilities, enhancing the cultural, sporting and recreational life of NSW residents.
“Maintaining and enhancing our Crown reserves is vital for community health and well-being to allow residents to enjoy quality open spaces, access community and recreation facilities, and immerse themselves in nature.”
Local projects funded under the program:
Beeby Park: Weed control at Beeby Park Mona Vale Dunes. $11,736
Camp Kedron, Ingleside: United Christian Youth Incorporated Weed control at Camp Kedron, Ingleside. $25,520
Dee Why Cliffs Reserve: Weed control at Dee Why Cliffs Reserve. $10,120
Dundundra Falls Reserve: Weed management at Dundundra Falls, Terrey Hills. $29,948
Griffith Park: Replacement and realignment of the Griffith Park boardwalk and bridge at Long Reef Beach. $500,000
Griffith Park: Weed control and protection of Themeda grasslands, Griffith Park (Long Reef Headland). $29,998
Harbord Lagoon and Reserve: Weed control along the riparian margin of Curl Curl Lagoon (Greendale Creek). $15,893
Harbord Lagoon and Reserve: Weed control at Harbord Lagoon and reserve. $29,647
Hitchcock Park Foreshores: Weed control at Hitchcock Park Foreshores, Avalon. $28,600
Lake Park: Weed control at Lake Park, North Narrabeen. $30,000
Oxford Falls Regional Reserve: Weed management at Oxford Falls Regional Reserve. $29,001
Whale Beach Rock Baths: Weed control at Bangalley Headland. $30,000
Independent MP for Pittwater, Jacqui Scruby, said the funding acknowledges the community's deep appreciation for the area's natural beauty.
“Addressing noxious weeds was an issue I ran on at the election - it’s wonderful to have this funding. Noxious weeds on our headlands, reserves and parklands threaten the biodiversity of our area.
“From the dunes at Mona Vale to the cliffs of Bangalley and the quiet bush trails in Dundundra Falls, these spaces are part of our way of life. This funding will help keep them healthy and thriving,” said Ms Scruby.
“This money goes straight to weed control. It’s not glamorous, but it’s essential. It protects native species, keeps tracks safe and walkable, and helps our bushland bounce back.”
A total of $155,804 will support weed management at ten sites across Pittwater, including Camp Kedron, Avalon, Lake Park, Hitchcock Park Foreshores, Beeby Park, Terrey Hills and North Narrabeen.
“I’ve fought hard to make sure Pittwater gets its fair share and I’ll keep doing it. These places matter to our community and they deserve to be looked after,” Ms Scruby said.
“Cleaner, healthier reserves mean better experiences for everyone, whether you're birdwatching, walking the dog or teaching your kids about the local environment.”
Funding is provided through the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund, administered by Crown Lands in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, and is matched by the council.
Replacement and realignment of the Griffith Park boardwalk and bridge at Long Reef Beach
Hazardous surf conditions damaged the timber boardwalk connecting Long Reef Beach and headland in May 2023. The council put in intermediate works to maintain access and commenced working towards a permanent replacement of the timber boardwalk.
At the July 15 2025 council meeting the councillors voted to accept the tender of Whittaker Civil Pty Ltd for RFT 2024/182 - Long Reef Boardwalk for the sum of $1,205,710 excluding GST. The 500k listed above will meet some of these costs.
The finalised plans include moving two golf tees and installing a 2 metre wide Fibre-reinforced Plastic, or FRP plastic, walkway into the environment, and a new 6m span aluminium bridge, along with cutting into the dunes. Large sandstone boulders will be installed to stabilise the bank. The council webpage for the project provides details and will also be updated as the works commence and progress. You can keep up to date with that here.
Weed control at Hitchcock Park Foreshores
Residents may have seen works being undertaken over November 2024 to January 2025 at the north end of Hitchcock Park, with the creek that runs down from Bangalley headland and along the perimeter of the oval being cleared of weeds with a loader. Some improvements were also made to the bridge that connects the Careel Bay playing fields (soccer) with Hitchcock Park and a section at the northeast end of the field was cleared of weeds.
These works were funded under a 2023 CRIF grant allocation of $27,000, again matched by the council, which was then, as again in the latest 2024-25 CRIF allocations, for 'Control of invasive weeds at the Hitchcock Park Foreshore'.
See: $378,072 Allocated To Council For Weed Control - Governor Phillip Park Gets A Grant This Time: Full Details Of All 11 Sites - March 2023
Residents contacted the news service pointing out that masses of lantana still predominate the mangroves alongside the section where it joins Careel Creek, especially west of the bridge - and the creek, which runs across Barrenjoey road at Careel Bay shops, still floods the road from the western side every time it rains and stays in place as a hazard across the road throughout prolonged rain periods.
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the weeds to the west side of the bridge connecting Hitchcock with Careel Bay soccer fields
In response to queries the council provided background information which states it has an active bush regeneration program underway within Careel Bay catchment including along the creek lines, sportsfield perimeters, and Barrenjoey Road interface.
'Due to the extent of weed presence ongoing works are undertaken dependent on the availability of budget and competing work priorities. We recognise more work is needed and we are exploring options for additional funding to be allocated for bushland and invasive species management programs.'
'The current focus of works is directed towards the creek line adjacent to Barrenjoey Road. Some works have also been undertaken in the drainage line to the north of Hitchcock to support flood mitigation works.
There are no immediate plans for major weed control works adjacent to the new bridge based on current work priorities, however the area will continue to be monitored and resources directed there where available.
'The purpose of our Crown Reserves Improvement Fund grant, which is matched by Council’s funding, is to continue with works along the Careel Creek nature corridor to control and remove widespread invasive weeds and regenerate native bushland around high-profile community and wildlife corridor area that also acts as a riparian buffer zone. This work includes planting to reinstate native canopy, shade out areas to discourage weed growth, and help stabilise slopes. As such, the current project maintains progress made so far and expands it further along the habitat corridor.' the background information states
Worth remembering is the lapses of time between when funding is announced and the money received so works can be undertaken. However, unless an extension is sought, funded projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving the funding.
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Before weed clearing and deadwood from trees removed, June 5 2025 - this section had been cut back a few weeks beforehand so the bus stop wasn't engulfed in lantana and cassia
Trees works/weed removal being undertaken on June 5, 2025:
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road reserve alongside Careel Bay playing fields afterwards - July 15 2025 - council contractors also removed deadwood from the swamp oaks alongside the fields from this section along to Hitchcock park
The flooding that recurs after only a short period of rain along Barrenjoey road at this section is also a state government - Water NSW responsibility. Although the pipes these creeks were funnelled into may not have been renewed since the 19050's, or even 1930's in one case found during research for an upcoming history page on the creeks of North Avalon, ensuring vehicles have a safe passage along this stretch of road devolves on the state, not just the council. Residents can report these problems directly to Transport for NSW on this webpage. For immediate hazards or incidents, call the Incident Reporting Line on 131 700.
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Above and Below: Bangalley creek overflowing onto Barrenjoey road at 1 Careel Head road - it stayed like this from mid-May 2025 to third week of June 2025, the footpath was unusable, unless you wanted a truck splashed muddy drenching - cars driving north (right side of road) had to slow down for car on the left moving into their lane
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Same spot, April 28, 2025:
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A few more photos of the works undertaken since November 2024 to June 2025 at the north end of Hitchcock Park run below. There have also been a few new trees, a young swamp mahogany was blooming there a few months back, planted out under the council's works.
All part of the 'progress so far'.
There is a Pittwater Online history page on the Careel Bay playing fields (of course!) for a comparison from the 1860's to 2020. That's available in Careel Bay Playing Fields Reserve - Including Hitchcock Park: Birds, Boots & Beauty.
Weed Control in Warriewood Wetlands
Over the past few years residents have also been sending in photos accompanied by messages expressing their distress or anger over the state of Warriewood wetlands and its creeks, which are being choked to death by invasive weeds.
Warriewood Wetlands, having been purchased from private owners by Pittwater Council, is not classified or registered as Crown Land with the state government and does not qualify for CRIF supports.
In 2012 then Pittwater MP Rob Stokes secured grant funding from the NSW Environmental Trust totalling $250,000. The grant was used to eradicate weeds in the Epworth Park and Irrawong Reserve areas, help restore Mullet Creek between Elanora Heights and Warriewood and reduce the threat of weeds and toxins to the Warriewood Wetlands and Narrabeen Lagoon.
Although the council has undertaken clearing some weeds in some places, something alike that undertaken by Pittwater council in concert with the community is long overdue, according to residents of the Warriewood valley and North Narrabeen.
The news service sent a query to both the council and current Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby to ascertain if they were considering pursuing a similar method to address what is still happening in the wetlands. As this was sent late last week, and everyone else may be coming back from a Winter school holidays 'break' as well, no response was received by the time this Issue went to press.
However, residents are determined that something be done soon to address the difference between the Warriewood wetlands and creeks of May 2016 and those they see being neglected today.
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clearer water from the Bangalley creeks - pics taken April 18 2025 direction east towards Barrenjoey road along the creekbed and prior to April 28 rains
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new drainage/culvert installed
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handrails and posts installed - nothing prior to this except dirt over the old pipes:
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in 2020:
in 2025:
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