New NSW Trust to manage coastal and inland recreational assets

The NSW Government has announced the Board that will manage the NSW Crown Holiday Parks Trust, the new body responsible for 34 public holiday and recreation parks across the state.

NSW Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner stated "the NSW Crown Holiday Parks Trust will oversee the management of some of the state's most iconic coastal and inland caravan parks and reserves.

"This includes 26 holiday parks on the north and south coasts and eight inland parks.

"The new trust board will be chaired by Mr Alan Revell, a highly experienced company director, property industry executive and principal of the Barton Property Group.

"Other members are Mr Matthew Toohey, major projects director for Bunnings with 20 years' experience in the commercial property sector and Ms Margaret Haseltine, professional board director and former senior executive with Mars Foods.

"The Executive General Manager of Crown Lands and the Chief Executive Officer of Destination NSW also join the board as ex-officio appointees.

"The new trust board was appointed following a public recruitment process and members bring skills in executive management, financial performance, tourism, marketing, community and stakeholder engagement, and asset and land management."

The NSW Crown Holiday Parks Trust will oversee the management of eight inland parks, including the Cudgegong River Park - a Crown Land reserve, as well as Lake Burrendong and Lake Glenbawn, which are currently managed by administrators.

Community trust boards managing the other inland parks of Burrinjuck Waters, Copeton Waters, Grabine Lakeside, Lake Keepit and Wyangala Waters will be dissolved at the end of June to make way for the new trust.

Minister Stoner said some community trust members had more than 20 years' service an outstanding contribution, adding "the NSW Government recognises and is thankful for the enormous efforts of these individuals in managing these inland state parks over many years.

"The change to a more professional management and governance regime is not a reflection on the outgoing trusts - it is recognition of what is required to sustain these valuable Crown reserves for future generations.

"To maintain the vital community links with the parks, expressions of interest are being sought for a Community Advisory Committee to support the new trust board.

"The committee will act in an advisory role to the board, discussing issues of interest and facilitating exchange ideas and information.

"NSW Crown Lands is implementing transitional arrangements to support the new trust to ensure there is no disruption to park operations and there will be no immediate changes, with the new trust responsible for determining how the parks are managed in the future.

"Its role will be to set the framework for management and accountability for these recreational reserves enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

"This is considered to be the appropriate framework for the competitive recreational market and complex regulatory requirements facing these parks today."

The assets to be managed by the NSW Crown Holiday Parks Trust are worth $82 million.

Application for the Community Advisory Committee must be submitted by 31st August 2013.

http://www.crownland.nsw.gov.au