D a r g a n C r e e k R e s e r v e P l a n o f M a n a g e m e n t Figure 2: The location <strong>of</strong> <strong>Dargan</strong> <strong>Creek</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> at a regional scale. © E C O L O G I C A L A U S T R A L I A P T Y L T D 7
D a r g a n C r e e k R e s e r v e P l a n o f M a n a g e m e n t 1.3 M ANAGING CROWN LANDS 1.3.1 <strong>Management</strong> Principles Section 10 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Crown <strong>Land</strong>s Act 1989 (CLA) requires <strong>the</strong> Department „to ensure that Crown land is managed <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> benefit <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> people <strong>of</strong> NSW‟. The principles <strong>of</strong> Crown <strong>Land</strong> management are listed in Section 11 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> CLA, as follows: that environmental protection principles be observed in relation to <strong>the</strong> management and administration <strong>of</strong> Crown <strong>Land</strong>, that <strong>the</strong> natural resources <strong>of</strong> Crown <strong>Land</strong> (including water, soil, flora, fauna and scenic quality) be conserved where possible, that public use and enjoyment <strong>of</strong> Crown <strong>Land</strong> be encouraged, that, where appropriate, multiple use <strong>of</strong> Crown land be encouraged, that, where appropriate, Crown <strong>Land</strong> should be used and managed in such a way that both <strong>the</strong> land and its resources are sustained in perpetuity that Crown <strong>Land</strong> be occupied, used, sold, leased or licensed in <strong>the</strong> best interests <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> State consistent with <strong>the</strong> above principles. This PoM balances encouragement <strong>of</strong> sustainable public use, <strong>the</strong> safety <strong>of</strong> visitors and <strong>the</strong> protection and conservation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> natural landscape. The Department requires that <strong>Reserve</strong> trusts adopt good risk management practices to ensure that risks are being proactively managed and that responsible action is planned. The Department provides a Risk Assessment Matrix (LPMA, 2007) to help guide <strong>the</strong> <strong>Management</strong> Trust in making decisions about <strong>the</strong> management <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong>. 1.3.2 Crown <strong>Land</strong>s Act 1989 and Crown <strong>Land</strong>s Regulation 2000 The CLA and Crown <strong>Land</strong>s Regulation 2000 specifies requirements <strong>for</strong> land assessments; sale, lease or disposal <strong>of</strong> Crown land; dedication and reservation <strong>of</strong> land; administration and record-keeping by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> Trust; and penalty notice <strong>of</strong>fences. 1.3.3 Requirements <strong>for</strong> a PoM <strong>for</strong> a Crown <strong>Reserve</strong> On 29 February 2008, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Dargan</strong> <strong>Creek</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> Trust was appointed by <strong>the</strong> Minister <strong>for</strong> Primary Industries under section 92 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> CLA. The Trust is managed by <strong>Land</strong> Administration Ministerial Corporation and is comprised <strong>of</strong> three <strong>of</strong>ficers from <strong>the</strong> Orange Department <strong>of</strong> DPI <strong>of</strong>fice with a diverse range <strong>of</strong> knowledge and skills. The Ministerial Corporation manage <strong>the</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> utilising Department staff where possible and outside contractors as required and are responsible <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> care, control and management <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> consistent with provisions in <strong>the</strong> CLA. The Department encourages <strong>the</strong> public to be ei<strong>the</strong>r directly involved in, or contribute to, <strong>the</strong> planning and management <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> trust system. Adopted <strong>Plan</strong>s <strong>of</strong> <strong>Management</strong> become regulatory instruments, which bind <strong>the</strong> Trust Manager and can give statutory authority to o<strong>the</strong>r types <strong>of</strong> plans, such as conservation management plans <strong>for</strong> heritage components. This <strong>Plan</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Management</strong> has been prepared in accordance with Section 112 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> CLA. A range <strong>of</strong> legislation, policies and o<strong>the</strong>r planning instruments are relevant to <strong>the</strong> management <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Reserve</strong> and © E C O L O G I C A L A U S T R A L I A P T Y L T D 8