Assessing e Values and Management of the NSW Travelling ... - Land

www.lpma.nsw.gov.au 

AND MANAGEMENT 

OF THE NSW TRAVELLING 

STOCK RESERVE 

FOR BIODIVERSITY AND OPTIMAL MANAGEMENT 

IN THE HUNTER VALLEY 

REPORT ON METHODOLOGY AND FINDINGS 

AUGUST 2009

ASSESSING THE VALUES AND MANAGEMENT OF THE NSW TRAVELLING STOCK RESERVE 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

This project was funded by the Catchment Action NSW program and the NSW 

Government. 

The following Land & Property Management Authority staff were involved with the project 

and in the preparation of this report: 

Principal writer: 

Mark Grace 

Other contributors: 

Anthony Signor 

Project initiation and co-ordination: Adrian Harte and Mark Grace 

Assessment staff: 

Rebecca Burgess, Anne Killick, Michael Kaminski, 

Peter Walker, Les Conrad, Martin Dawson, George 

Schneider, Rob Micheli, Chris Adamson, Kristy Poole, 

Anne Swan, Glenn Barrett and Wendy Menz. 

The involvement and assistance of Jo Coverdale, Cath Gallery, Andrew McIntyre and 

Shawn Capararo from the Dept of Environment, Climate Change and Water is greatly 

appreciated. 

The staff from the Hunter Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority, particularly 

Paul Melehan and Jon Thorne, provided a valuable partnership throughout the project. 

The wealth of experience, passion, diversity of viewpoints and technical expertise provided 

by representatives on the Stakeholder Reference and Technical Reference Groups has 

been invaluable. 

The LPMA is also grateful for the assistance provided by the local (former) Rural Lands 

Protection Board staff and directors, including Peter Dixon Hughes, Dennis Rapsom, Luke 

Booth, Steve Kemp & Mary Steepe. 

This report should be cited as: 

Land and Property Management Authority 2010, Assessing the Values and Management of the NSW 

Travelling Stock Reserve Network for Biodiversity and Optimal Management in the Hunter Valley. 

Report on Methodology and Findings. Land and Property Management Authority, Sydney. 

Further information on the programs and activities of the Land and Property Management Authority 

may be obtained from the Authorities website: www.lpma.nsw.gov.au 

This report is subject to copyright. Parts may be reproduced providing acknowledgment of the source 

is clearly made. 

Crown © 2010 NSW Land and Property Management Authority 

REPORT ON METHODOLOGY AND FINDINGS AUGUST 2009 Page 1 of 88


List of Acronyms 

ALC Aboriginal Land Council 

CAP Catchment Action Plan 

CLASS Crown Lands Assessment Support System 

CMA Catchment Management Authority 

DECCW Department of Environment and Climate Change and Water 

HCRCMA Hunter Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority 

LEP Local Environmental Plan 

LHPA* Livestock Health and Pest Authority – formerly the Rural Lands Protection Board 

LPMA* Land and Property Management Authority – formerly the Dept of Lands 

NPWS National Parks and Wildlife Service 

PVP Property Vegetation Plan 

SEPP State Environmental Planning Policy 

TSR Travelling Stock Reserve / Route 

* The Department of Lands and the Rural Lands Protection Boards both recently 

underwent name changes and the acronyms for the new authorities are similar. To 

avoid confusion the report will use “LPMA (Lands)” and “LHPA (RLPB)” to describe 

these agencies. 



Table of Contents 

Page 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...................................................................................................1 

LIST OF ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................2 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................4 

1. INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................6 

1.1 Project Background ................................................................................................6 

1.2 Project Goals & Scope ...........................................................................................7 

1.3 Project Boundary ....................................................................................................7 

1.4 Legislative Context ............................................................................................... 10 

2. METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................ 16 

2.1 Overview of Assessment Process ........................................................................ 16 

2.2 Reference Groups ................................................................................................ 16 

2.3 Identification and validation of TSRs ..................................................................... 17 

2.4 Delineation of Mapping Units ................................................................................ 17 

2.5 Data Gathering ..................................................................................................... 17 

2.6 Field assessment ................................................................................................. 18 

2.7 Assessment of Site Values ................................................................................... 19 

2.8 Capabilities of the Land ........................................................................................ 28 

2.9 Suitable Uses of the Land..................................................................................... 29 

2.10 Preferred Land Use ............................................................................................ 29 

2.11 Development of the CLASS database ................................................................ 33 

2.12 Enhancement of 75ha of native vegetation on TSRs .......................................... 33 

2.13 Central West Trial ............................................................................................... 33 

2.14 Communication and Consultation Strategy ......................................................... 33 

3. RESULTS ..................................................................................................................... 34 

3.13 Communication and Consultation Strategy ......................................................... 48 

4. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION ..................................................................................... 50 

5. REFERENCES ............................................................................................................... 53 

6. APPENDICES ................................................................................................................ 54 

Appendix A. Schedule of Parcels and summary of results from Hunter TSRs. ........... 54 

Appendix B. Allocating Crown Land............................................................................ 69 

Appendix C. How Aboriginal Land Claims Are Determined ......................................... 70 

Appendix D. Travelling Stock Reserve Checklist ........................................................ 72 

Appendix E. Summary of results from Central West assessment trial. ........................ 74 

Appendix G. Communication and Consultation Strategy ............................................ 78 

Appendix H. Draft Survey of TSR Stakeholders.......................................................... 81 



Executive Summary 

This project assesses the values of TSRs within the former Maitland and Hunter RLPB 

areas and also makes recommendations on their optimal use and management. The report 

provides a methodology for State-wide application that assesses a wide range of land 

attributes and values, particularly environmental and social values. The study was 

undertaken against the stated government policy position enunciated by the Minister for 

Lands and the Minister for Primary Industries that all TSR’s whether they stay under the 

management of the RLPB’s or the Land and Property Management Authority as Crown 

Reserves would retain their specific reservation of TSR and form part of an integrated 

Crown reserve system. 

The project involved the identification of all TSRs in the study area; data gathering relating 

to the values and usage of each TSR; the development of an appropriate assessment 

methodology and decision making process; the construction of a support tool to house and 

analyse the data; stakeholder consultation via two reference groups; an assessment of 

values/constraints for each site; a recommendation on the preferred future use for each 

TSR and the generation of reports at individual and project scale. 

159 TSRs were assessed as part of the project and an additional 34 adjoining or nearby 

Crown parcels were also assessed. This amounted to 4506 hectares of Crown land being 

assessed, 3468ha of which was classified as TSRs. The average size of TSRs within the 

project area was approximately 22ha. 64 parcels were inspected as part of the data 

validation process. 

With the support and input from a Technical Reference Group the project successfully 

developed a desktop assessment methodology which can be applied to TSRs throughout 

NSW. The report recognises that the assessment methodology has some limitations 

principally related to resourcing the assessment of possibly many thousands of parcels of 

land. The desktop assessment process developed focussed on a wide range of attributes 

and used Geographical Information Systems (GIS), aerial imagery and other data sources, 

such as LHPA (RLPB) surveys, along with targeted field assessment. 

The methodology also included the creation of an allocation support flowchart designed to 

reflect current Crown Lands processes, policy and management principles and to show the 

range of care, control and management outcomes available for TSRs. 

Another important achievement was the development of the Crown Lands Assessment 

Support System (CLASS) which collated and stored the assessment data and provided a 

standardised process that could be rolled-out across the State. 

The project confirmed that the majority of TSRs in the study area are located in overcleared 

landscapes and that most have high to very high ecological values. Other values identified 

include heritage, social uses, and assorted access uses. Land degradation issues were 

present on a minority of sites, with issues such as weeds, feral animals, erosion and 

rubbish dumping. 

The project identified a need to validate and rationalise the TSR estate information within 

both the LPMA (Lands) and LHPA (RLPB) systems. Other challenges are posed by the 

future management of these sites, in particular the funding of management activities once 

TSRs are ceded back to the LPMA (Lands). Some TSRs in the project area were 

successful in receiving incentive funding from the HCRCMA and other funding sources are 

being considered. Legal access to adjoining freehold parcels was another management 

issue identified that must be addressed by the LPMA (Lands) as part of the handback 

process, generally by way of granting a legal easement. 

Another significant challenge identified by the project is stakeholder consultation and 

community involvement in the process. It is clear from the project that wide-scale 

stakeholder consultation and information gathering is key to ensuring that TSRs continue to 

meet the needs of the community. A range of consultation tools were successfully 



developed and utilised as part of this project including a communications strategy and a 

draft usage questionnaire. 



1. Introduction 

1.1 Project Background 

The Travelling Stock Reserve and Route, or TSR, system in NSW comprises approximately 

6466 separate reserves totalling 740,000 hectares* (see Figure 1). This network of TSRs 

has been an integral part of rural life in Australia for over 150 years and the grazing industry 

is still dependant on these reserves, mostly as supplementary grazing areas, particularly in 

times of drought. All TSRs are Crown land with the vast majority being managed under trust 

by the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities (formerly Rural Lands Protection Boards). 

It is well acknowledged that significant components of the TSR network support high 

conservation value remnants of biologically diverse and often connected native vegetation 

within over cleared landscapes (McKnight 1977 and DEC 2004). These reserves are also 

known to contain items of significant cultural heritage, and provide a venue to encourage 

and promote sustainable recreation and other social uses by local communities. 

An independent review of the Rural Land Protection Board (RLPB) operations, 

commissioned by the RLPB State Council and conducted in early 2008, looked at the role 

of TSRs. The review recommended sweeping reforms across the Board system including 

“TSR land and on-going management will be ceded back the NSW Department of Lands 

except where ...Boards establish… a clear business case for their retention” (IMC 2008 pg 

9). The then Dept of Lands recognised that there would be opportunities to identify and 

enhance the environmental and social values on these parcels as part of this hand back. 

This pilot project aims to assess the values of TSRs within the former Maitland and Hunter 

RLPB areas and to make recommendations on their optimal use and management. The 

project is funded by the NSW Catchment Action Program and the NSW Government and it 

supports a number of targets within the NSW State Plan, including better outcomes for 

native vegetation, biodiversity, land management and riverine ecosystems and wetlands. 

The project was developed in partnership with the Hunter Central Rivers Catchment 

Management Authority (HCRCMA) and was supported by both technical and stakeholder 

reference groups. 

* Figures exclude the NSW Western Division TSRs as these consist of leasehold Crown 

land not held under trust by the LHPA (RLPB). 



Figure 1. Map showing all NSW TSRs and the Western Division boundary. 

1.2 Project Goals & Scope 

The outcomes of this project are to: 

• Report on Assessment Methodology for State-wide application. 

• Report on assessment of 2800ha of TSR, including recommendations on optimal 

use and management. 

• Protect and enhance 75ha of native vegetation. 

• Identify areas of high biodiversity significance within the subject area; options and 

recommendation for appropriate management. 

The assessment methodology has to be rapid, rely primarily on desktop resources and 

allow for the strategic and consistent assessment of TSRs across the State. It should be 

noted that the assessment is due to a change in land manager, it is not development 

driven, and is a requirement of the Crown Lands Act 1989. The assessment does not 

negate the need for subsequent assessment and approvals required under other legislation 

including NSW and Commonwealth planning and natural resource management laws. 

The assessment process is designed as a “first cut” with subsequent internal processes, 

including more detailed investigation or land assessment, to be considered prior to the 

allocation of any reserve. The Crown Lands Act 1989 requires that a land assessment must 

be undertaken prior to the allocation of land (see Appendix B for details on allocating Crown 

land). 

1.3 Project Boundary 

The Hunter Valley was selected for the pilot project for a number of reasons: 

• Lands was already in receipt of a number of TSRs that had been handed back by 

the former Maitland RLPB. 

• The region contains an extraordinary variety of vegetation types, supporting a large 

range of fauna & fauna. 



• Anecdotal and historical evidence suggests that LHPAs (RLPB) in coastal and 

tablelands areas are the most likely to hand back their TSRs. These areas are used 

less than western districts for traditional stock movements (droving). 

• The Hunter has pressure from conflicting uses including the mining industry and 

urban development. 

The project area was defined as being the boundaries of the former Maitland and Hunter 

RLPBs as shown in Figure 2. The methodology was also trialled on a number of TSRs in 

the former Molong, Forbes and Central Tablelands RLPB areas (see map in Appendix F). 



Figure 2. Plan showing project boundary and included TSRs. 



1.4 Legislative Context 

1.4.1 Crown Lands Act 1989 (CL Act) - NSW 

Travelling Stock Reserves are Crown reserves held under Trust. Any reserves that the 

LHPA (RLPB) cede back to the Land and Property Management Authority will be dealt with 

under the provisions of the Crown Lands Act, 1989. The objects of the Act are to ensure 

that Crown land is managed for the benefit of the people of New South Wales and in 

particular to provide for the regulation of the conditions under which Crown land is permitted 

to be occupied, used, sold, leased, licensed or otherwise dealt with, and the reservation or 

dedication of Crown land for public purposes. 

Under Part 3 of the CL Act the Minister for Lands must be satisfied that the land has been 

assessed prior to any allocation action, i.e. reservation, dedication, sale, lease, licence or 

permit. The purpose of a land assessment is to ensure decisions made in relation to Crown 

land are in accordance with the principles of Crown land management by (amongst other 

matters) including an assessment of the capabilities of Crown land and the identification of 

suitable land uses. 

The Principles of Crown Land Management (s. 11 of the CL Act) cover a range of 

environmental, social and economic matters and are as follows: 

(a) That environmental protection principles be observed in relation to the 

management and administration of Crown land; 

(b) That the natural resources of Crown land (including water, soil, flora, fauna and 

scenic quality) be conserved wherever possible; 

(c) That public use and enjoyment of appropriate Crown land be encouraged; 

(d) That, where appropriate, multiple use of Crown land be encouraged; 

(e) That where appropriate, Crown land should be used and managed in such a 

way that both the land and its resources are sustained in perpetuity; and 

(f) That Crown land be occupied, used, sold leased, licensed or otherwise dealt 

with in the best interests of the State consistent with the above principles. “The 

best interests of the State” is interpreted to mean equitable access in terms of 

the use of the land by individuals and groups and the social and economic 

benefit to the people of New South Wales for each suitable use. 

1.4.1.1 Crown Lands Office Conservation Policy 

The Department of Lands Conservation Policy states that “Crown land will be retained in 

Crown ownership where possible under existing legislation where it comprises: 

(a) Land required as access to and fronting inland watercourses, lakes, water 

storages, lagoons and tidal waters; 

(b) Lands required for: 

• Scenic and catchment area protection 

• Preservation of the habitat of native fauna 

• Preservation of native flora 

• Soil conservation purposes 

(c) Land required for recreation 

(d) Land required for revegetation 

In furtherance of this policy, Crown land will not be disposed of by way of sale if it meets 

any of the requirements set out above and will not be allocated by way of lease or 

permissive occupancy where these requirements will be adversely affected.” 



1.4.2 Rural Lands Protection Act 1998 (RLP Act) & the Rural Lands Protection 

Amendment Act 2008 - NSW 

Amongst other things the RLP Act provides for the protection of rural lands and to regulate 

travelling stock reserves, stock watering places and the transportation of stock by vehicle. 

Care, control and management of certain TSRs are vested in the Authorities under s 85 of 

the Act. Under s 44 of the Act Authorities must prepare draft function management plans 

for this function in respect of all TSRs under its care, control and management. During the 

preparation of the management plans regard is to be had for the following objectives: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

the management of TSRs for the benefit of travelling stock, 

the adoption of appropriate stocking practices, 

the conservation of wildlife (including critical habitat, threatened species, 

populations and endangered ecological communities and their habitat), 

the protection the protection of TSRs against soil erosion and diminution of 

water quality. 

The Rural Lands Protection Amendment Act, 2008 came into effect on 1 st January 2009. 

There were a number of significant structural changes resulting from these amendments 

and the adoption by the NSW Government of the recommendations made by the IMC 

External Review into the RLPB system. One of these changes is that TSRs are to be ceded 

back to the Department of Lands where they place an unreasonable financial burden on 

local Livestock Health and Pest Authorities (LHPA 2009) 

Section 86 of the RLP Act allows for the withdrawal of care, control and management of 

TSRs from the Authority. Prior to recommending such a withdrawal the Minister for Primary 

Industries must take into consideration any views of the Authority concerned and the State 

Council. 

Under s 97 of the RLP Act a person is authorised to use a TSR on any day between sunrise 

and sunset for the following prescribed recreational activities: 

(a) walking, running and other kinds of individual physical exercise, 

(b) horse riding, 

(c) picnicking, 

(d) fishing, 

(e) swimming, 

(f) pedal cycling. 

These provisions do not apply if the responsible authority has made a closure order in 

respect of the reserve or part of any such reserve under section 93 (1) (b) of the Act. 

Section 98 of the RLP Act entitles occupiers (adjoining land holders) right of access over a 

TSR to and from the nearest road providing no other access via an established road or 

track is available. The responsible Authority can impose conditions on position, construction 

and improvement and the costs of construction and improvements are borne by the 

occupier. 

Under s 100 of the RLP Act an Authority may issue a “reserve use permit” authorising 

individuals or groups to engage in any activity in, or to occupy or make use of, a TSR for 

the purpose of establishing and maintaining an apiary or for any other purpose. 



1.4.3 NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSCA) 

The NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 identifies and protects native plants 

and animals in danger of becoming extinct. The Act also provides for species recovery and 

threat abatement programs. More than 80 species of native plants and animals have 

recently become extinct in NSW and around 1000 more are threatened with extinction. 

The purpose of the Act is to: 

(a) conserve biological diversity and promote ecologically sustainable development; 

(b) prevent the extinction and promote the recovery of threatened species, 

populations and ecological communities; 

(c) protect the critical habitat of those species, populations and ecological 

communities that are endangered; 

(d) eliminate or manage certain processes that threaten the survival or evolutionary 

development of threatened species, populations and ecological communities; 

(e) ensure that the impact of any action affecting threatened species, populations 

and ecological communities is properly assessed; and 

(f) encourage the conservation of threatened species, populations and ecological 

communities through co-operative management. 

1.4.4 NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 

Under the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983, Crown land not required for an essential 

purpose or for residential land, is returned to Aboriginal people. The Aboriginal Land Rights 

Act aims to redress past injustices when Aboriginal people were dispossessed of their land 

following the arrival of European settlers. 

The NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983, provides specific criteria that must be 

considered in the investigation of all Aboriginal land claims. Claimed land that meets all the 

criteria (listed below) must be recommended by the department for granting. 

Claims for land that fails any of the following eight criteria must be recommended for 

refusal: 

(a) Land is vested in Her Majesty (Sec. 36(1)) 

(b) Land is able to be lawfully sold or leased, or is reserved or dedicated for any 

purpose, under the Crown Lands Act 1989 or the Western Lands Act 1901 (Sec. 

36(1)(a)) 

(c) Land is not protected by the Savings, Transitional and Other Provisions - 

Schedule 4 Clause 8. 

(d) Land is not subject of an application for the determination of native title (Sec. 

36(1)(d)) 

(e) Land is not subject of an approved determination of native title (Sec. 36(1)(e)) 

(f) Land is not lawfully used or occupied (Sec. 36(1)(b)) 

(g) Land is not needed or likely to be needed for residential land (Sec. 36(1)(b1) 

(h) Land is not needed or likely to be needed, for an essential public purposes (Sec. 

36(1)(c)) 

Aboriginal lands in Travelling Stock Reserves 

Land claims lodged in respect of land which is or is part of a TSR shall be referred to the 

LHPA (RLPB) for the district in which that land is situated. Under Sec. 37(3) of the ALRA 

the Crown Lands Minister may enter into an agreement with the claimant ALC to achieve 

the following: 

(a) The vesting of the freehold title to that land, subject to any easements in the 

claimant ALC 



(b) 

(c) 

The leasing in perpetuity of that land to the Crown at a nominal rent 

The preparation of a plan of management in respect of that land giving the 

claimant ALC or Aborigines defined rights or defined functions, in respect of that 

land. 

It must be shown that Aborigines have traditional rights to or long association with the land 

for such an agreement to be entered into. 

It is also possible for a claim to be granted outright if meets all the eight criteria listed 

above. 

1.4.5. Heritage Act (1977) 

The Act allows for heritage items or places of particular importance to the people of NSW to 

be listed on the State Heritage Register, or for interim heritage orders to be made to protect 

heritage items or places. Approval must be obtained from the Heritage Council or local 

council before work can be done which might damage the item or place. 

Indigenous heritage items or places are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 

1974, although these things can also be listed for protection on the State Heritage Register 

or under an interim heritage order. 

1.4.6 Forestry Act 1916 

The Forestry Act 1916 regulates forestry on Crown-timber lands. “Crown-timber lands” are 

defined as land within a State Forest or flora reserve and Crown lands (whether or not held 

in a timber reserve), but does not include land which the Crown has leased to others, such 

as under a Western Lands Lease. 

It is an offence to clear timber from Crown-timber lands unless: 

(a) the person holds a licence from the Forestry Commission; 

(b) the clearing is authorised under the Native Vegetation Act 2003; 

(c) the work is authorised under the Mining Act 1992 (such as under a mining 

lease); or 

(d) the work is authorised under the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991 (such as under 

a petroleum production lease). 

Crown-timber lands can be the subject of a bio-banking agreement, but only with the 

consent of the Minister for Primary Industries. 

1.4.7 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP & A Act) 

This is the principle law overseeing the assessment and determination of development 

proposals in NSW. Proposals are considered under different parts of the Act, including: 

(a) Part 3A – major projects of regional or State significance which require approval 

from the Minister for Planning 

(b) Part 4 – other proposal that require consent, generally from local council 

(c) Part 5 - requires that matters which do not require development consent (under 

Part 4 of the Act) or approval as a 'major project' (under Part 3A of the Act). 

These are assessed in terms of likely environmental impact prior to any decision 

to proceed. 

The LPMA (Lands), as the landowner, is required to provide consent to the lodgement of 

any Development Application under Part 4. 

The LPMA (Lands) is the determining authority when granting approval for the use and 

development of Crown land that requires assessment under Part 5, that is, development 



that does not require development consent. The LPMA (Lands) is required to consider the 

environmental impacts of a proposed development prior to granting an approval. 

Under Part 5 of the EP&A Act, environmental assessment comprises reviews of 

environmental factors (REF), environmental impact statements (EIS) and species impact 

statements (SIS). The assessment must consider the matters set down in s.111 of the Act 

and cl.228 of the EP&A Act Regulation. 

A REF is generally required for developments that have minor environmental impacts, an 

EIS will be required for developments that have major environmental impacts. An SIS must 

be prepared in accordance with ss.109-113 of the Threatened Species Act 1995 if the 

proposal is situated wholly or partially on critical habitat, or is likely to significantly effect 

threatened species, populations, or ecological communities or their habitats (s.112(1B) of 

the Act). 

1.4.8 Native Vegetation Act (2003) 

The Native Vegetation Act 2003 separates the planning controls of the Environmental 

Planning and Assessment Act 1979 so that land clearing in rural areas and protected lands 

falls under a separate regime of planning and administration. 

Clearing remnant native vegetation or protected regrowth on a travelling stock reserve 

(TSR) requires approval under the Act, unless it is a permitted clearing activity or is 

excluded under the Act. Clearing is authorised through the use of Property Vegetation 

Plans (PVPs). Clearing includes cutting down trees, removing native vegetation, thinning, 

clearing groundcover, poisoning, ring barking, uprooting and burning native vegetation. 

There are five types of clearing that may be undertaken on a TSR that do not require 

approval under either the NV Act or (except in the case of clearing certain groundcover) the 

Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act). 

These are: 

(a) clearing for routine agricultural management activities (RAMAs) 

(b) clearing of regrowth that is not protected 

(c) sustainable grazing 

(d) clearing associated with the continuation of existing farming practices 

(e) clearing native groundcover under certain conditions 

1.4.9 National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 

Under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, the Director General of the NPWS is responsible 

for the care, control and management of all national parks, historic sites, nature reserves, 

reserves, Aboriginal areas and state game reserves. State conservation areas, karst 

conservation reserves and regional parks are also administered under the Act. 

The Director-General is also responsible under this legislation for the protection and care of 

native flora and fauna, and Aboriginal places and objects throughout NSW. 



1.4.10 Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999) – EBPC 

Act 

The EPBC Act is the Australian Government’s central piece of environmental legislation 

and is administered by the federal Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the 

Arts. The EPBC Act provides a legal framework to protect and manage nationally and 

internationally important flora, fauna, ecological communities and heritage places – defined 

in the Act as matters of national environmental significance. 

A person planning an activity involving a matter regulated by the EPBC Act may need to 

obtain approval from the Australian Minister for the Environment under the EPBC Act. 

Under the EPBC Act, the Commonwealth is responsible for regulating the following matters: 

(a) World Heritage sites; 

(b) National Heritage places; 

(c) Nationally protected wetlands (Ramsar wetlands); 

(d) Nationally listed threatened species and ecological communities; 

(e) Listed migratory species; 

(f) Nuclear actions (including uranium mines); 

(g) Commonwealth marine areas; 

(h) Land owned by the Commonwealth; and 

(i) Activities by Commonwealth agencies. 



2. Methodology 

2.1 Overview of Assessment Process 

As shown in Figure 3 the Project involved the identification of TSRs within the study area; 

gathering data relating to the values and usage of each TSR; the development of an 

appropriate assessment methodology and decision making process; the construction of a 

support tool to house and analyse the data; stakeholder consultation via two reference 

groups; an assessment of values/constraints for each site; a recommendation on the 

preferred future use for each parcel and the generation of reports at individual and project 

scale. 

Identify 

TSRs 

Within 

Study 

Area 

Information 

Gathering 

Reference 

Group Input 

Develop 

Assessment 

Methodology 

and Support 

Tool 

Assessment 

Of Values and 

Constraints 

Proposed Future 

Use(s) 

Identify Optimal: 

Landuse 

Management 

Managers 

 

 

 

Data Audit 

Land Status 

Stakeholder 

Consultation 

(values – 

cultural, 

conservation 

, current) 

 

 

 

Based on 

existing 

methodology 

Contractor to 

construct 

Reference 

Group Input 

Gaps in 

Knowledge 

Collect new info 

OUTCOME 

Report on 

assessment 

methodology, 

project limitations 

& TSR Values 

Stakeholder 

Consultation 

E.g. where a 

reserve trust 

manager is 

proposed 

OUTCOME 

Refine process 

as required for 

State-wide 

application 

OUTCOME 

Recommend Future 

Use/Action for TSR 

Further gazettal & 

assessment may be 

required 

Figure 3. Flowchart outlining the assessment process. 

2.2 Reference Groups 

The assessment methodology was developed in consultation with and support from two 

reference groups: 

Technical Reference Group 

Made up of representatives from the Department of Environment, Climate Change and 

Water (DECCW), the HCRCMA and LPMA (Lands). The Terms of Reference were to: 

• Develop the project plan 

• Develop agreed assessment methodology using existing tools 

• Identify and resolve technical issues 

• Review outputs from multi-criteria assessment 

Stakeholder Reference Group 

Made up of representatives from the NSW Farmers Association, National Parks Association 

of NSW, Mindaribba Heritage Futures, Hunter Landcare Network, Hunter Bird Observers, 

Mid Coast and Cumberland LHPAs (RLPB), Hunter Councils, HCRCMA – Vegetation and 

Aboriginal Communities Officers, DECCW and LPMA (Lands). The Terms of Reference 

were to: 



• Provide comment/feedback on project plan 

• Advise on communication and consultation 

• Identify future management options and structures 

• Provide comment/feedback/input to decision matrix and assessment criteria 

2.3 Identification and validation of TSRs 

The Crown Account spatial layer was used to select TSRs within the project boundary. 

TSRs were defined as being ALL reserves held in Trust by the Rural Lands Protection 

Board and any reserves for the Purpose of Travelling Stock held by other agencies 

(generally LPMA). A full schedule of TSRs within the project boundary is shown in Appendix 

A. 

The LPMA (Lands) undertook a basic status check of each parcel to ensure that it was 

Crown land and currently reserved as a TSR. The validation of status comprised a search 

of: 

1. The Certificate of Title 

2. The Parish Map – showing map notations prior to digitised records (pre 2007) 

3. The LPMA (Lands) Cadastral Records Viewer (for map notations post 2007) 

4. The LPMA (Lands) Crown Lands Information Database 

The details and status of any Land Claim lodged over the reserve was also noted. 

All reserves were identified and assigned a name corresponding to that found in “The long 

paddock: a directory of travelling stock routes and reserves in NSW” (RLPB 2001). This 

directory was used as the standard for naming TSRs for the project. 

2.4 Delineation of Mapping Units 

If required the TSR was divided into separate zones, called mapping units, for assessment. 

The mapping units were based primarily on characteristics of topography, vegetation and 

land use, from interpretation of imagery, remote sensing, other data/maps or field survey. 

Each mapping unit is generally subject to uniform land management recommendations and 

as such can be regarded as a management zone. If a reserve has similar vegetation, 

landform, land use and/or land capability throughout, then it would have only one mapping 

unit present. 

2.5 Data Gathering 

As the assessment methodology is based primarily on a desktop assessment the 

importance of quality land attribute data and aerial imagery cannot be understated. Spatial 

information together with administrative support systems and survey data from related 

studies were combined to provide details on each site. In addition to recent (less than 10 

years old) high resolution imagery the key data sources included: 

Ecological values 

• Vegetation maps and surveys 

• Flora and Fauna records including threatened species 

• National Parks and Wilderness areas 

• Key habitats, corridors and landscape values 



Catchment Values & topographic features 

• Watercourses, wetlands and groundwater – including prescribed streams and SEPP 

14 wetlands 

• Soils mapping, including erosion hazard and presence of acid sulphate soils 

• Contours, slope and State Protected Lands mapping 

• Rural Land Capability mapping 

• Contaminated lands 

Heritage 

• Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS)* 

• Local, State and Federal Heritage registers 

• Community consultation 

Infrastructure 

*NOTE: It is acknowledged that AHIMS is an incomplete account of sites of 

indigenous significance. The central west based component of this trial involved 

liaison with an aboriginal community at Molong who had expressed interest in 

TSRs in terms of cultural significance and places of significance. Where these 

interests exist, the process advocated here will consider them in a structured way 

as part of formal assessment of values and future management. Management 

partnerships will be considered where aboriginal interests are well acknowledged. 

• Towns 

• Roads 

• Railways 

• Utilities, such as power, gas and water supply 

Administrative information 

• Cadastral information and status of Crown land, including tenures, Land Claims, 

expressions of interest 

• LEP zoning & relevant SEPPs 

• Management boundaries – Local Government Area, Interim Biogeographical 

Regionalisation Area/Subregion, Livestock Health and Pest Authority, National 

Parks and State Forests, Commonwealth Land 

• Walking tracks and trails, e.g. Bicentennial Trail 

A list showing the spatial datasets used in the project is located in Appendix J. 

2.6 Field assessment 

Field inspections were undertaken to ground truth individual assessments and to validate 

the desktop assessment methodology. Due to resource constraints it was necessary to 

prioritise reserves for field assessment based on the following: 

• Lack of quality data or inconsistency in data (such as vegetation mapping), 

especially if the absence of the additional information may result in a different 

management outcome 

• Where TSRs may contain native grassland communities 



• Contentious issue(s) on site 

• Site was close/on route to another TSR being inspected 

• Large reserves given priority over small ones 

2.7 Assessment of Site Values 

The assessment of TSRs is based on a robust and rapid desktop system. The assessment 

includes an inventory of the physical characteristics of the land, it considers land use 

capability and suitability, and provides the basis for identification, consolidation and 

management of the environmentally and socially significant components. 

The LPMA (Lands) had previously developed an assessment of environmental significance 

methodology for assessing leasehold land under the Crown Lands (Continued Tenures Act) 

1989. This methodology was modified and combined with the Land Assessment Guidelines 

to meet the statutory requirements of the Crown Lands Act, 1989. 

The assessment methodology involves approximately 12 broad assessment criteria totalling 

approximately 90 assessment attributes or “heads of consideration”. An explanation of each 

component is provided below. 

2.7.1 Ecological Values 

The assessment of environmental values is based on the “Guidelines for the Assessment of 

Environmental Significance of Leasehold Land in NSW” (Dept of Lands 2005). This 

methodology aims to achieve an objective and scientifically credible environmental 

assessment that is primarily based on desktop resources. The methodology was refined for 

this study following consultation with DECCW and the Technical Reference Group in order 

to align it more closely with DECCW’s biometric tool. 

The methodology provides a sifting process to determine the broad level of potential 

environmental significance of TSRs and from this, their broad suitability for multiple uses 

and appropriate land allocation. It has not been designed to determine the precise and 

accurate level of environmental significance or for detailed assessment in accordance with 

vegetation management assessment, i.e. it is not intended to replace an assessment under 

the Native Vegetation Act 2003. 

The environmental values assessed contribute to an overall rating, called the Nature 

Conservation Significance, or NC rating, where: 

NC1 = Very high significance 

NC2 = High significance 

NC3 = Moderate significance 

NC4 = Low significance 

NC5 = Nil significance 

2.7.1.1 Vegetation Type 

The dominant vegetation type for each mapping unit was identified using the DECCW 

biometric classification relevant to the HCRCMA area. DECCW guidelines state that 

vegetation types listed as being greater than 70% cleared are classed as being overcleared 

(DECCW 2009). Parcels that contained overcleared vegetation types and in moderate to 

good condition were given an NC1 rating or if in poor condition were rated NC2. 



2.7.1.2 Mitchell Landscapes 

Mitchell ecosystem classification was used to determine whether the reserve is an 

overcleared landscape. Sites within landscapes listed as being more than 70% cleared 

were classed as being overcleared (DECCW 2009) and if the site contained native 

vegetation in moderate to good condition it was giving an NC1 rating. 

2.7.1.3 Threatened Species 

Threatened species records from various sources, particular the NSW Wildlife Atlas, were 

analysed and a Nature Conservation Significance rating generated as follows: 

NC1 

NC2 

– 1 or more recordings occur on or within 2 kms of reserve 

– 3 or more recordings within 10kms of reserve 

– 1 or more recordings occur within 10km of reserve 

– 4 or more recordings within 20km of reserve 

The above rating is dependent on the habitat present being broadly suitable for that 

species, i.e. it was determined if the species was known to be associated with the 

vegetation type identified for the mapping unit. Species listed federally under the EPBC Act 

were also identified and noted at this stage. 

2.7.1.4 Threatened Communities 

Determination of the appropriate vegetation types and cross referencing with the DECCW 

biometric vegetation type by CMA area allows for identification of threatened communities 

and populations. The NC ratings are as follows: 

NC1 

NC2 

– Area contains a threatened vegetation community in moderate to good condition 

– Area contains a threatened vegetation community in low condition 

Threatened ecological communities listed federally under the EPBC Act were also identified 

and noted at this stage. 

2.7.1.5 Significant Remnant Habitat 

The query shown in Table 1 relating to amount of regional clearing (using Mitchell 

Landscape map) and size of the remnant was used to determine the significance of 

remnant habitat for each mapping unit: 

Table 1. Nature Conservation Significance Rating for Remnant Habitat 

NC1 

• Area comprises a highly significant block of 

remnant habitat: 

>5ha where region is >95% cleared 

>300ha where region is >80% cleared or 

>10% of a remnant which is over 1000ha 

2.7.1.5 Significant Wildlife Corridor 

NC2 

• Area comprises a significant block of 

remnant habitat: 



The importance of habitat as a wildlife corridor was assessed using the following 

assessment criteria: 

NC1 

NC2 

– Area forms an important regional (30km radius) corridor, connecting major blocks 

of remnant vegetation; and/or 

– Is mapped as a regional corridor on DECC Wildlife Corridors Mapping 

– Area forms an important local corridor connecting a number of locally significant 

blocks of remnant vegetation 

2.7.1.6 Special Biological Values 



Any mapping units containing areas of high biological productivity are given an NC1 rating. 

Areas of high biological values include old growth forest, rainforest, riparian forest. 

Areas containing ecotonal zones and species that have very restricted microhabitat 

requirements are classed NC2. 

2.7.1.7 Remnant Size 

The area of the remnant patch to which the TSR was a part was considered along with the 

amount of regional clearing (Mitchell Landscape %). The following query was used to 

determine the significance of the whole remnant of which the TSR is a part: 

Table 2. Nature Conservation Significance Rating for Remnant Size. 

NC1 NC2 NC3 NC4 NC5 

>1000ha + 200ha + 30-70% clear. 

>100ha + 71-90% clear. 

>50ha + >90% clear. 

501-1000ha + 90% clear. 

2.7.1.8 Area Boundary Ratio & Isolation 

201-500ha + 90% clear. 

101-200ha + 90% clear. 

500ha (min 

100ha parcels) 

High 

Isolation; > 

5km from 

habitat > 

500ha 

This query is complementary to the isolation attribute. It refers to the degree of habitat 

connection, allowing wildlife movement between the reserve remnant and other significant 

habitat. The shorter and wider the corridor the more effective it will be. Where available, 

information from regional assessments of corridors could also be used (e.g. DECCW’s Key 

Habitats and Corridors data). 

N/A 



Table 4 shows the relationship between NC value and corridor connectivity. The 

assessment uses the width (W) to length (L) ratio of the corridor. For example, where a 

corridor connecting a reserve remnant with habitat over 1000 ha has a W/L ratio of between 

1:3 and 1: 10 (e.g., 200 m width, 1 km length), the corridor is considered to be of high value 

(NC2). Note that where a section of corridor exceeds 1000 ha, it is then generally 

considered to be "core habitat" rather than a "corridor", providing the W/L ratio is greater 

than 1:10. 

Table 4. Nature Conservation Significance Rating for connectivity. 


Excellent 

Good connection; Moderate 

Poor 

N/A 

connection; 

corridor W/L ratio 1:3 connection; corridor connection; 

contiguous with or – 1:10 to habitat W/L ratio 1:3 – 1:10 no effective 

corridor W/L ratio > >1000ha or >1:3 to to habitat >1000ha or connection to 

1:3 to large core habitat over 500ha >1:3 to habitat over significant 

habitat (>1000ha) 

500ha 

habitat 

2.7.1.10 Degree of Disturbance 

The greater the degree of disturbance to the natural habitat on a reserve, the lower is its 

ecological value. The disturbance generally takes the form of tree clearing, understorey 

grazing and development of vehicular tracks. Table 5 provides NC ranking against 

disturbance level. 

Table 5. Nature Conservation Significance Rating for vegetation condition. 


Very minor, e.g. 99% 

cleared 

The greater the vegetation diversity of the vegetation types within the TSR, the greater the 

potential for the area to support a higher diversity of plant and animal populations, thus the 

greater its ecological value. Vegetation diversity is based on the number of vegetation 

structural classes present on the site (e.g. tall open forest, woodland, rainforest). Cleared 

pasture or cropping areas are not classified as a distinct vegetation structural class. Table 6 

shows the NC rating system for vegetation diversity. 

Table 6. Nature Conservation Significance Rating for core habitat & isolation 


Very High Diversity; 

several vegetation 

structural types, e.g. 

open forest, 

rainforest & wetland 

High Diversity; 

at least 2 

vegetation 

structural types 

Moderate Diversity; 1 

vegetation structural 

type, may be partially 

disturbed 

understorey 

Low Diversity; an 

incomplete single 

structural type, e.g. 

scattered trees on 

pasture 

N/A 

2.7.1.12 DECCW Reservation Value 

DECCW supplied Lands with a list of those reserves that they considered priorities to the 

DECCW estate. Any TSR with this high reservation value was rated NC1. 

2.7.2 Catchment and Natural Resource Protection Values 

The assessment of catchment values is based on the “Guidelines for the Assessment of 

Environmental Significance of Leasehold Land in NSW” (Dept of Lands 2005). The 



methodology considers the role of the reserve in the protection of broader catchment and 

natural resource values, as opposed to the purely nature conservation values considered 

previously in section 2.6. 

Factors considered in the assessment of Catchment and Natural Resource Protection 

values include: 

• Erosion hazard, particularly on steep terrain 

• Vegetation values to the broader catchment, particularly in regions where salinity, 

flooding or water quality are issues 

• Visual values, particularly where lease is adjacent to a town or main road 

• Riparian and wetland values 

• Sensitive location relative to areas of high environmental importance, e.g. adjacent 

to or upstream of a National Park 

The assessment includes an environmental protection rating system ranging from EP1 

(very high) to EP4 (Low). Where there is more than one EP rating for a mapping unit the 

highest value will be chosen. The rating is derived through the application of Table 7. 



Table 7. Catchment and Natural Resource Protection significance 

EP 1 Very 

High 

EP 2 High 

• Area is Protected Land under Soil Conservation Act (1938) 

• Extreme erosion hazard (slopes >33% and/or very highly 

erodible/dispersible soils, high storm intensity) 

• High mass movement potential 

• Wetlands, particularly SEPP 14 Wetlands 

• Riparian lands including channel, river banks and adjacent land (to 

20m or floodway) 

• Coastal feature, including beach, dune and estuarine areas 

• Area is in highly sensitive location relative to an area of high nature 

conservation value, e.g., adjacent to and/or higher in catchment 

than a National Park, Nature Reserve or SEPP 14 Wetland 

• Very high flood potential, e.g., flooding > 1:5 probability and areas 

required for flood mitigation 

• Very high vegetation values for catchment protection, e.g., 

undisturbed vegetation serving a highly protective role in relation to 

serious catchment related problems (e.g. rising groundwater 

(salinity), flooding and water quality problems 

• Known high groundwater recharge area in region with rising 

groundwater (salinity) problems 

• Karst areas 

• Acid sulphate soils present 

• Outstanding scenic values – high visual quality, high visual 

sensitivity, e.g., highly picturesque landscape features highly visible 

from adjacent towns and transport routes 

• Outstanding geologic and geomorphic features, especially if 

recognised by an appropriate authority such as the National Trust 

or Geological Society of Australia 

• High erosion hazard (slopes 20-33%, and/or highly erodible soils) 

• Moderate mass movement potential 

• High flood potential, probability 1:5 to 1:20 high 

• High vegetation values to catchment, e.g., vegetation cover serves 

a protective role in relation to moderate catchment related 

problems 

• High scenic values – moderate to high visual quality and area 

sensitivity 

• Provides a buffer zone to an adjoining area of high environmental 

value (but is not normally higher in the catchment) 

EP 3 

Moderate 

EP 4 Low 

EP 5 Nil 

• Moderate erosion hazard (slopes 10-20% and non-highly erodible 

soils) 

• Moderate vegetation values to catchment, e.g., partially disturbed 

vegetation cover in region without significant catchment related 

problems 

• Minor to moderate flood potential, probability 1:20 to 1:100 

• Minor scenic values – moderate visual quality and sensitivity 

• Low erosion hazard (slopes


2.7.2.1 Rural Capability Rating 

Rural capability rating gives a broad indication of the intensity of rural use that can be 

sustained on the lease without causing land degradation. It is useful in this assessment 

process because: 

• It has a bearing on the catchment protection rating (the lower the rural capability, the 

higher will be the catchment protection rating); and 

• Because it gives a broad indication of the potential productivity of the reserve. 

The rural capability rating is based on the former Soil Conservation Service scheme (Emery 

1985). The ratings vary from 1 for the highest capability land (best cropping land) to 8 for 

the lowest capability land (no active use). Rural capability maps at a scale of 1:100 000 

have been prepared for the eastern and central division of NSW by DIPNR and these 

should be accessed where possible, but it is acceptable to derive a rating by direct 

application of the principles outlined in Table 4. 

2.7.2.2 Soil Type 

Soil type is determined using the soil mapping available on GIS layers and the Department 

of Conservation and Land Management Soil Landscapes reports (Murphy 1993). Soil types 

for mapping units are defined using the Australian Soil Classification. 

2.7.3 TSR Values 

The assessment of Travelling Stock Reserve values is based on data from the LHPAs 

(RLPB) (see checklist in Appendix D) and from other sources particularly the DECCW 

LHPA (RLPB) Ranger survey data (DECCW 2009). The TSR values assessed are: 

• Existence of and RLPB plan of management (note that all TSRs should have a plan 

of management) 

• Demand for use as a TSR – this was unknown at this stage due as it is dependent 

on the impending review by the LHPA (RLPB) 

• Rural infrastructure – presence and condition of fences (internal and boundary), 

gates, yards and water supply 

• Existing tenure, including notes on the purpose and term of the tenure, e.g., 12 

month grazing permit 

• Carrying capacity 

2.7.4 Landscape and Planning 

The planning context of the reserve is recorded including the LEP zoning and whether it is 

adjacent to: 

• Crown Estate 

• National Parks or wilderness areas 

• State Forest 

• Commonwealth Estate 

2.7.5 Heritage 

The heritage values of an area are associated with its buildings, works, relics, features or 

places of historic, cultural, Aboriginal, scientific, social, archaeological, traditional, 

architectural, natural or aesthetic significance. 



The following heritage items and their significance were documented: 

• Buildings or structures and their fixtures or fittings (eg slab huts, houses, churches, 

Georgian or Victorian mansions and public/government buildings). 

• Aboriginal sacred sites, relics, graves, art sites, scarred trees, shell middens, etc 

• Places which may have historic, cultural or scientific interest. These may be 

gardens, cemeteries, village precincts or evidence of early settlement. 

• Works including structures and utilities (eg, bridges, roads, dams, mining works, 

drains, survey markings and evidence of early agricultural activity). 

• Relics including any deposit, object or material evidence relating to settlement prior 

to 1st January 1900, or such other dates as may be prescribed, not being Aboriginal 

settlement (see Heritage Act 1977). 

• Land and water resources that take in all aspects of the broader landscape and 

which are usually listed in various State or Federal heritage registers. 

These above heritage values were assessed using: 

• Statutory listing: 

o State Heritage Register / State Heritage Inventory 

o Local Council LEP 

o Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (DECCW) 

o Australian Heritage Database 

• Check of non-statutory lists 

o National Trust Register 

o Royal Australian Institute of Architects 

• Existing documents, including studies and reports 

o RLPB records 

o University/agency studies 

o Local historical publications 

• Predictive modelling tools 

o E.g. Aboriginal sites decision support tool 

The heritage values were ranked based on Table 8. 

Table 8. Heritage significance. 

H1 Very High H2 High H3 Moderate H4 Low H5 Very 

Low 

Local Significance. Low 

No 

Listed on a LEP. Significance. possible 

May be listed on Sites with heritage 

non-statutory possibly very values 

registers. Also minor heritage 

includes items value but none 

considered to have formally 

potential for recorded. 

heritage listing. 

National Significance. 

Items or features listed 

on one or more of the 

following registers: 

• World Heritage 

(UNESCO) 

• National Heritage 

List 

• Commonwealth 

Heritage List 

• National Estate 

State 

Significance. 

Items or 

features listed 

on: 

• NSW 

State 

Heritage 

Register 

• AHIMS 

register 



2.7.6 Access 

Access to an area is often a major factor in determining suitability for a number of land 

uses. Travelling Stock Reserves generally require safe access off roads and routes and it is 

also important for other land uses, e.g., community use and recreation. The following 

categories of access were assessed: 

• Access to freehold parcels 

o 

Sole access or variable (alternate) 

• Level of accessibility to the public 

o 

o 

o 

o 

o 

o 

Sealed road 

Unsealed road 

4WD only access 

No formed access 

Locked gate 

• Water access 

No legal access 

• Road corridor through or adjoining the TSR 

• Connectivity to a trail/feature, such as the Bicentennial Track 

2.7.7 Illegal Activities and Land Degradation 

The nature and level of land degradation was identified including: 

• Illegal activities 

o 

o 

o 

Unregistered vehicles/motorcycles 

Fences cut 

• Feral animals 

Littering Dumping 

• Weed infestation 

• Contaminated Land 

o 

o 

Known sites (mapped) 

Likelihood of occurrence 

• Evidence of erosion 

• Evidence of salinity 

• Evidence of soil acidification 

2.7.8 Other values 

This section of the assessment deals with features and values that also impact on the 

suitability of the land for certain uses. These include: 

• Emergency use – particularly flood refuges, also drought and bushfire refuges 

• Essential infrastructure – utilities 



• Road infrastructure – details of formed public roads constructed on a TSR that are 

not within or part of a legal road reserve were recorded – these roads will be 

formally opened as a road and transferred to Council 

• Commercial values – existing or potential values were assessed. The assessment 

did not include mining activities under the Mining Act 1992 nor grazing values 

(grazing values were included previously - see Section 2.6.3). 

• Educational values – sites known to be currently used or proposed to be used as 

part of trials and/or for teaching purposes were noted 

• Cultural and Community usage – details of existing or proposed cultural and 

community usage were recorded. 

• Recreation usage – presence and type of activity was noted 

• Extractive Industry (quarry) – presence and details of any quarrying was noted 

• Encroachment – the scale and type of encroachment was noted, including details of 

associated structures 

2.7.9 CAP Targets 

An assessment was made about whether the site had values that had been identified in the 

HCRCMA Catchment Action Plan as being targets for management. Each TSR was 

assessed against the following CAP targets: 

• Protect Native Vegetation 

• Regenerate Native Vegetation 

• Treat Weeds 

• Threatened Species Work 

• Protect Culturally Significant Landscapes 

• Protect Wetlands 

• Treat Animal Pests 

• Erosion and Sediment Control - Roads 

• Revegetate Highly Erodible Soils 

• Salinity Revegetation 

• Sustainable Grazing Management 

• Protect Native Riparian Vegetation 

• Regenerate Native Riparian Vegetation 

• Rehabilitate Acid Sulphate Soils 

2.8 Capabilities of the Land 

An assessment of the capabilities of the land is a statutory requirement for land assessment 

under the Crown Lands 1989. The physical constraints and opportunities for the lands in 

terms of prescribed land evaluation criteria (found in the Clause 20 of the Crown Lands 

Regulation 2000) need to be identified in a list of land uses for which the land is physically 

capable. The specified uses include: 

• Community or public purposes 

• Environmental protection 

• Nature conservation 

• Water conservation 



• Forestry 

• Recreation 

• Tourism 

• Grazing 

• Agriculture 

• Residential purposes 

• Commerce 

• Industry or mining 

2.9 Suitable Uses of the Land 

The identification of suitable uses for the land being assessed is required under s.33 of the 

Crown Lands Act. Section 33 of the Act states: 

• In identifying suitable uses for land and, where practicable, the preferred use or 

uses, regard shall be had to: 

o 

o 

o 

o 

The particulars relating to the land as contained in the inventory, 

The assessment of the land’s capabilities, 

The principles of Crown land management and any current policies relating 

to the land approved by the Minister, and 

The view of any government department, administrative office or public 

authority which has expressed an interest in the land. 

The suitability assessment is a filtering process where an analysis of the characteristics 

documented in the inventory, the assessment of the land’s capability is carried out in the 

context of the ‘principles of Crown land management’ (cited in section 1.4.1) and any 

relevant government policies to identify the potential suitable uses for each mapping unit. 

2.10 Preferred Land Use 

For the purpose of the assessment it was assumed that all TSRs within the project 

boundary were to be ceded back to Lands. From this assumption the LPMA (Lands) made 

recommendations about future use under the Crown Lands Act*. These recommendations 

are termed the “preferred land use” and based on and assessment of the suitability of the 

land and known interests, policies or constraints. Section 1.4.1 provides more detail on the 

statutory requirements prior to land allocation and Appendix B contains an overview of the 

Crown lands allocation process. 

The preferred use includes: 

• Retention in Crown Lands estate or transfer to another agency as a trustee under 

the Crown Lands Act, e.g. Council, National Parks. This recognises the need to 

maintain the integrity of the integrated TSR Crown reserve system (as per the stated 

state policy position), whilst acknowledging the interests of other conservation 

related agencies to be involved in their use and management. 

• For parcels retained by Lands: 

o 

o 

o 

The reserve purpose(s) 

The manager – e.g. Trust 

Tenures – licences/permits/leases by purpose and term 

Any reserves currently gazetted for Travelling Stock (or associated purpose, such as 

camping, water, access, etc...) were retained in the Crown estate and had this reserve 



purpose maintained. Any reserves with high conservation values, i.e. rated NC1 or NC2, 

was reserved for Environmental Protection. Multiple use of Crown land was encouraged. 

The LPMA (Lands) intends to retain all lands under the Crown estate but their management 

may vary through the interests of relevant agencies (e.g. DECCW), Local Government 

Councils, and community groups, including Aboriginal Land Councils. These interested 

parties may become trustees under the Crown Lands Act to manage specific reserves 

where a clear case can be established that this is the most desired and practical outcome. 

Another allocation option available to LPMA (Lands) is disposal of the parcel. This is seen 

as an option only where it meets the following criteria: 

• High socio-economic values (potential development); and 

• Small in area, i.e. < 4ha; and 

• Poor stock route and landscape connectivity; and 

• No significant environmental, cultural/social values; and 

• Sale price to reflect best use 

A decision making flowchart has been developed to show the allocation process (see 

Figure 4). 

*NOTE: For TSRs ceded back to LPMA (Lands), there is a prime responsibility that future 

management options be considered initially, in accordance with the principles of the Crown 

Lands Act 1989. Essentially, these are triple-bottom-line principles, of environmental values, 

and the social and economic needs of a community with growing needs. Often, two and 

sometimes all of these principles may produce an interrelated and multi-use outcome which 

is encouraged by the enabling legislation and policies of LPMA (Lands). 

It is therefore appropriate that in accordance with stated Ministerial policy all TSRs ceded 

back to management by LPMA (Lands) will continue to be retained as travelling stock 

reserves, and managed within the Crown land estate as part of the state wide Crown 

Reserve Corridors Program. Additional reservation purposes will be encouraged to reflect 

multifunctional use including for conservation purposes where these values are considered 

significant. 

Variations: 

TSRs which on assessment are found to warrant management within the Crown lands 

estate via a Trustee arrangement, may be considered for allocation under the care, control 

and management of such a trustee within a Plan of Management approved by the Minister 

for Lands. For instance, where environmental reservation values are known to be high and 

the TSR is adjacent to the National Park estate then consideration can be given to the 

management of the TSR by DECCW as Trustee. 

Alternatively, where there are strong regional growth potential and needs, the spatial 

interface between some TSRs and the built environment becomes critical in determining 

preferred use. In these circumstances, where the assessment process clearly indicates no 

sound reasons for retention as public land, and where these social and economic and social 

needs are well articulated by local communities, disposal through sale may be an 

appropriate outcome for a restricted number and area of TSRs (e.g. within and adjoining 

towns). General criteria for disposal are provided in the following diagram. Examples of 

where disposal has appropriately occurred in the past, and which are likely to occur into the 



future, for include residential, commercial and industrial growth areas, cemeteries, schools, 

main roads etc. 

Finally, as has occurred in past examples, TSR lands may be better exchanged for other 

Crown lands to maintain the integrity of the TSR system and to meet broader community 

and regional goals. 


NOTES 

1 

Where an Aboriginal Land Claim is current over 

a TSR, Lands will continue with the land 

assessment pending a decision and negotiation 

with ALC. 

2 

The Livestock Health & Pest Authority (LHPA) 

is yet to determine which reserves are to be 

retained. 

3 

See Appendix B. Crown Lands values take into 

consideration the assessment and the principles of 

the Crown Lands Act, including social, cultural, 

environmental and economic considerations. 

Crown lands will retain and manage land with 

these values. Further explanation of the allocation 

process is available on the Crown Lands website 

http://www.lands.nsw.gov.au/crown_land 

4 

DECCW has provided Lands with a list of those 

TSRs that are suitable for addition to the DECC 

Estate. Generally these parcels will be of high 

conservation & reservation value, will be inholdings 

or within 100m of an existing National 

Park or Reserve and will not contain other Crown 

lands values, significant for retention as a Crown 

reserve. 

5 

Forests NSW will be referenced regarding 

Crown Timber rights. 

6 

Parcels with high conservation and/or 

catchment values (NC1 & NC2) will be maintained 

as a Crown reserve for Environmental Protection, 

unless negotiated with DECCW. 

7 

Uses include community halls, sporting use & 

facilities, water supply, bird watching, 

walking/other tracks and trails (horse and bike 

riding) & bushfire infrastructure. 

8 

Any reserves currently gazetted for Travelling 

Stock purposes will have this reservation purpose 

maintained. 

9 

Examples of tenure purposes include 

sustainable grazing, ecotourism, extractive 

industries (quarries), seed collection and bee 

keeping. 

10 Criterion for disposal: 

⇒ High socio-economic values (potential 

development); & 

⇒ Small in area, i.e. < 4ha; & 

⇒ Poor stock route or landscape connectivity; & 

⇒ No significant environmental, cultural/social 

values; & 

⇒ Sale price to reflect best use 


DETERMINATION OUTCOME CROWN LANDS ACTION DETAIL 

REPORT ON METHODOLOGY AND FINDINGS AUGUST 2009 Page 32 of 88 

ABORIGINAL LAND 

CLAIM 1 

NO 

LHPA WISH TO 

RETAIN & MANAGE 2 

NO 

HAS VALUES 

CONSISTENT WITH 

MANAGEMENT 

UNDER CROWN 

LANDS ACT 3 

NO 

DECC, OTHER 

AGENCY OR 

COMMUNITY GROUP/ 

ABORIGINAL LAND 

COUNCIL 

(NOMINATION) 4 

NO 

FORESTS NSW WISH 

TO ACQUIRE 5 

NO 

NONE OF THE 

ABOVE OPTIONS 

VIABLE 

YES 

YES 

YES 

YES 

YES 

YES 

SEE APPENDIX C FOR 

DETAIL ON DETERMINING 

LAND CLAIMS 

RETAIN AS CROWN LAND 

TSR WITH LHPA AS 

TRUSTEE 

MANAGED BY LPMA IN 

CROWN ESTATE 

MANAGED BY DECCW OR 

ALTERNATE BODY 

UNDER CROWN TRUSTEE 

TRANSFER TO STATE 

FOREST BY SALE OR 

TRUSTEE ARRANGEMENT 

DISPOSAL 10 

ESTABLISH RESERVE 

PURPOSE 

ESTABLISH RESERVE 

TRUST & MANAGER 

ESTABLISH CROWN 

LANDS ACT TENURES, 

EASEMENTS & 

ACQUISITIONS 

OPTIONAL PUBLIC 

POSITIVE COVENANTS 

ON TITLE 

ENVIRONMENTAL 

PROTECTION 6 

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY 

NEEDS 7 

RURAL SERVICES & 

TRAVELLING STOCK 8 

CROWN LANDS 

COUNCIL 

COMMUNITY 

(eg. Landcare, Pony Clubs, 

Indigenous Groups, etc.) 

OTHER Dept of Lands direct 

mgmt Advisory Committee 

MOU WITH LHPA 

LEASE OR LICENCE 9 

EASEMENT, E.G FOR 

ACCESS 

TRANSFER/ACQUISITION 

OF FORMED ROADS 

Figure 4. ALLOCATION PROCESS FLOWCHART


2.11 Development of the CLASS database 

A Microsoft Office Access database was developed and titled the “Crown Lands 

Assessment Support System” or CLASS. This database forms the basis of the 

desktop assessment process as it incorporates the assessment methodology, 

collates the assessment data, including photos and plans and recommendations, and 

generates reports. It is intended that CLASS be rolled out across the State to support 

the assessment process. 

2.12 Enhancement of 75ha of native vegetation on TSRs 

The HCRCMA used desktop resources and local knowledge to identified priority 

TSRs in the Upper Hunter for biodiversity enhancement. Sites were inspected, 

assessed and scored using the Natural Resource Assessment Tool (NRAT). Three 

TSRs were shortlisted as being suitable for biodiversity enhancement under a 

Property Vegetation Plan. The TSRs were Sergeants Gap, located in Pages Creek, 

Murphys at Sandy Creek and Wingen Big and Dry at Wingen. 

2.13 Central West Trial 

TSRs in the Central West are recognised as containing significant environmental 

values, such as the endangered Box-Gum Woodland ecological community, within 

overcleared landscapes. The pilot project was trialled in the former Molong, Forbes 

and Central Tablelands RLPB areas with the aim of testing the methodology. This 

area was selected as the former Molong RLPB was in the process of handing back 

approximately 50 TSRs and the Lachlan CMA was also assessing the biodiversity 

values of TSRs. DECCWs Cultural Heritage Branch was also conducting a project in 

the catchment related to identifying cultural heritage on TSRs and progressing 

community partnerships for ongoing conservation and management of these sites. 

The location of the sites assessed is shown in Appendix F. 

2.14 Communication and Consultation Strategy 

The Stakeholder Reference Group oversaw the development of a consultation 

strategy. The aims of the consultation strategy were: 

• To develop a stakeholder database & gain accurate input into the project, 

implement data gathering consultation measures. 

• To provide information to licence holders & key stakeholders about the 

various end uses for the TSR’s & why they’re appropriate. 

• To respond to issues and concerns raised by licence holders and 

stakeholders & to assist them to make a formal submission. 

• Maximise use of desk top assessment tools asap, to identify areas that may 

require further investigation early in the process. 

• Provide the opportunity for the community to have active input into 

determining the values and constraints involved in TSR Management. 

• Obtain local knowledge from former RLPB Staff about all aspects of TSR’s; 

Cultural heritage, usefulness for stock, other uses/issues. 

• To ensure that all recommendations & publications are consistent with the 

Project Plan, and relevant policy and legislation. 



3. Results 

3.1 Parcels Assessed 

159 TSRs were assessed in the Hunter and these were made up of 200 Crown 

reserves, i.e. some TSRs consist of more than one Crown parcel, in the same 

manner as a rural property may consist of more than one lot. The assessment also 

included 34 Crown reserves that were not TSRs but were either adjoining or located 

nearby a TSR and had the same or similar land use. 

The total area assessed was 4506 ha, made up of 3468 ha of TSRs and 1038 ha of 

nearby non-TSR Crown Reserves. The largest TSR assessed was 150.53 ha (Timor) 

and the smallest was 0.2 ha (Lambton). The average size of TSRs within the project 

area was 21.81 ha. 64 TSRs were inspected as part of the assessment process. 

As shown by Figure 5 TSRs are reserved for a multitude of purposes not solely for 

Travelling Stock. The majority of reserves assessed are reserved for Travelling Stock 

& Camping (41%) or solely for Travelling Stock (22.5%). Other common purposes 

include Water & Access and there are more obscure purposes for Wharf, Traffic and 

Plantation amongst others. The 34 reserves that are not TSRs are listed as 

“Unrecorded Crown Land”. 

Figure 5 – Current Reserve Purpose of Reserves in Project. 

3.2 Ecological Values 

This subsection details the ecological values identified. Each of the values assessed 

is represented graphically by mapping unit (Figure 6) and by area (Figure 7). 

In summary: 

• 66% were in an overcleared landscape (classed as being >70% cleared) 

• 63% were considered to provide suitable habitat for threatened species that had 

been recorded within 20kms of the site 

• 29% contained a dominant vegetation type that was classed as overcleared 

(>70% cleared) 

• 22% contained listed Endangered Ecological Communities 

• 20% were classed as having none or only minor clearing (


• 19% were contiguous or within 1km of a large core remnant (>1000ha) 

• 16% were part of a significant regional or local corridor connecting parcels of 

remnant vegetation 

• 16% were considered to have excellent or good corridor connectivity to a large 

remnant 

• 16% contained two or more vegetation structural types 

• 7% were considered to have special biological values, such as rainforest or 

wetlands 

• 4% were identified as being a highly significant parcel of remnant habitat 

• 2% were identified as DECC as having high reservation value 

Figure 6 – Ecological values by mapping unit. 

Figure 7 – Ecological value by area (ha). 



As described previously in section 2.7.1 the environmental values assessed 

contribute to an overall rating, called the Nature Conservation Significance, or NC 

rating. A summary of NC ratings by mapping unit is provided below and shown in 

Figure 8: 

NC1 = Very high significance – 49 % 

NC2 = High significance – 19 % 

NC3 = Moderate significance – 12 % 

NC4 = Low significance – 17 % 

NC5 = Nil significance – 2 % 

Figure 8. Summary of Nature Conservation Rating by area and mapping unit. 



Case Study 1. Butterwick TSR. 

Butterwick TSR, being R 35721, is a small reserve located approximately 12 kms NE 

of Maitland (see Figure 9). The reserve is part of a large parcel of Crown land totalling 

some 90ha. The Butterwick TSR is a reserve for Water Supply gazetted under the 

care, control and management of the Mid Coast Livestock Health and Pest Authority 

(formerly Maitland RLPB). 

The environmental values identified on the Butterwick TSR and surrounding Crown 

land include it being part of a significant remnant of poorly reserved vegetation type 

including the presence of the endangered Lower Hunter Spotted Gum – Ironbark 

Forest ecological community. The site is also within an overcleared landscape & 

threatened species are recorded onsite. The site has a Nature Conservation (NC) 

rating of NC1 and Environmental Protection rating of EP1. 

The recommended land uses for the site was environmental protection with passive 

recreational uses, including horse-riding, to be encouraged. 

In 2008, and with consent from the former Maitland RLPB, the TSR and adjoining 

Crown land was reserved for environmental protection and placed under an incentive 

PVP. The PVP is for a term of 15 years and includes specific management action 

aimed at enhancing the biodiversity values of the site. Grazing has been excluded 

from the entire parcel, fencing and access management measures have been 

installed and a weed control program has been implemented. Multiple use has been 

encouraged with access points provided for walkers and horse-riding (the site adjoins 

a pony club). Extensive fire control measures, including fire trail upgrades, have also 

been conducted on the site by the LPMA (Lands). 

Figure 9 – Plan showing the entire Butterwick PVP site. 



Case Study 2. The Bends TSR. 

The Bends TSR, being Reserve 24159 for Camping, consists of 4ha of well vegetated 

bushland. It is situated on Old Maitland Road 7km NE of Cessnock and is bounded on 

two sides by cleared to semi-cleared freehold land and the remainder joins Werekata 

National Park. The reserve is contiguous with a very large parcel of protected remnant 

native vegetation being the NP. 

The reserve is currently gazetted under the care, control and management of the Mid 

Coast Livestock Health and Pest Authority (formerly Maitland RLPB). Correspondence 

from the former Board indicates that it has had little use for travelling stock in recent 

years. Fencing of the boundary adjoining the road and national park is poor to nonexistent. 

The environmental values identified on The Bends TSR include it being part of a 

significant remnant of poorly reserved vegetation type with the majority of the site 

containing the endangered Lower Hunter Spotted Gum – Ironbark ecological 

community. There are two threatened species recorded on the eastern boundary of 

this TSR. The site has a Nature Conservation (NC) rating of NC1 and Environmental 

Protection rating of EP3. 

The recommended land uses for the site is to transfer it to the NPWS so that is may 

be added to Werekata NP via a trusteeship arrangement with DECCW. 

Figure 10 – Plan showing “The Bends” TSR and adjoining National Park and freehold. 



3.3 Catchment & Natural Resource Protection Values 

The results show that the most common catchment related value on TSRS is riparian 

lands. It is logical that as stock require water many TSRs would be located to provide 

access to rivers, streams and creeks. Grazing of riparian lands can lead to 

degradation, such as increased erosion, alteration of vegetation communities through 

preferential grazing and facilitate exotic weed invasion. Cattle in particular favour 

grazing on riparian lands and this can result in increased stream turbidity and an 

increase of nutrients and bacteria into the stream. (Lovett & Price 2007). Grazing of 

stock on streams is not best practice environmental management and is inconsistent 

with State Government legislation and CAP targets. 

The other main catchment related issue identified is grazing on steep land and/or 

land with high mass movement potential. Maintaining groundcover is the most 

effective way to minimise run-off and erosion (DPI 2005) 

In Summary: 

• 39% contained riparian lands, i.e. creeks, streams and rivers 

• 30% were considered to have moderate to high mass movement potential 

• 23% were mapped as protected land under the Soil Conservation Act 

• 17% had high or outstanding scenic and/or aesthetic values 

• 16% were consider to have high to extreme erosion hazard 

• 13% had high to very high vegetation values for catchment protection 

• 11% had high to very high flood potential (> 1:20 probability) 

• 8% were adjoining a high conservation area, e.g. National Park 

• 4% were located in a known high groundwater recharge area with salinity 

problems 

• 3% contained outstanding geologic/geomorphic features 

• 2% contained wetlands 

• 1% contained or were likely to contain karst areas 

• 1% had the presence or a high probability of acid sulphate soils 

• >1% contained coastal features 

Figure 10 – Catchment values by mapping unit. 



Case Study 3. Cedar Brush TSR 

Cedar Brush TSR is a narrow reserve 

located on the eastern fall of the Great 

Dividing Range and extends in 

elevation from 530m to 840m over 

approximately 1km. It is bounded by 

Cedar Brush Nature Reserve to the 

west and a perpetual Crown lease to 

the east. Towarri National Park adjoins 

the north eastern corner of the TSR. 

The reserve forms an important link for 

walking stock between the Liverpool 

Plains and the Hunter Valley. 

The reserve is 14 ha in size and well 

vegetated with woodland and wet 

sclerophyll vegetation formations. 

It is steep to very steep and action has 

been taken to rehabilitate eroded 

sections of the parcel. The site is not 

fenced on the western boundary. Access 

to the reserve is 4WD only and there is 

no vehicular access through the parcel. 

This reserve is rated NC1 and EP1. The 

recommendations for the site were for it 

to be retained by the LPMA (Lands) and 

reserved for Travelling Stock and 

Environmental Protection. 



3.4 TSR Values 

42% of sites were determined to have an existing authorised occupation. These 

generally consisted of 12 month grazing permits with some permits being issued on 

monthly basis due to drought. These figures are not accurate and occupation details 

will be provided to LPMA as part of the hand back process. The figures reflect the 

tendency for TSRs to be let out on a long term basis as a form of agistment rather 

than being used on a short term basis by travelling stock. 

42% or sites were also determined to have rural infrastructure, specifically fencing 

and/or water supply. 

Plans of management have been produced for all TSRs by the LHPA (RLPB). 

Case Study 4. Red Hill TSR 

Red Hill TSR is a small reserve of 0.8ha 

for travelling stock located near 

Segenhoe on Gundy Road. The 

reserve is cleared and surrounded by 

cleared grazing land. There are no 

watercourses on the site and it is gently 

sloping. It has a Nature Conservation 

rating of NC5 and a Catchment 

Protection rating of EP4. 

Although the site is well fenced and 

maintained is has no water supply 

which restricts grazing value. The 

entrance to the TSR is located just 

below a crest on a narrow road making 

access for stock and motorists 

hazardous. The site is located next to 

the Segenhoe Research Station (also 

Crown land) and there may be an 

opportunity to move the TSR to a more 

appropriate area. The recommended 

future use of the site is to retain it in 

the Crown estate and reserve for rural 

purposes (grazing) and travelling 

stock. 

3.5 Landscape and Planning Context 

The findings for planning context show that many TSRs are adjacent to other parcels 

of Crown land. This presents opportunities for the LPMA (Lands) to rationalise 

management of its estate by combining like reserves and managing as one unit. 

In summary: 

• 36% were adjacent to Crown estate 



• 19% were broadly zoned for Environmental Protection 

• 8% were adjacent to a National Park 

• 3% were adjacent to a State Forest 

• 2% were adjacent to Identified or Declared Wilderness 

• None were adjacent to Federal land 

Figure 12 – Landscape and Planning Context by mapping unit. 

3.6 Access Issues 

Access to TSRs is a major consideration in how they are managed. The vast majority 

of sites had some form of access to or adjoining the reserve, however some sites 

had no legal access, and some parcels were accessible only by 4WD or on foot due 

to the terrain. Although only 12% of the mapping units assessed provided sole 

access to freehold parcels this is still an issue. Under the RLP Act this use is allowed 

but this will change if they are ceded back to the LPMA (Lands) and some access 

roads may need to be formalised by way of easement or road creation. 

In summary: 

• 86% had a formal public road through or adjoining the TSR 

• 57% had a high level of accessibility to the general public 

• 55% provided access to water 

• 13% provided connectivity to a walking or riding trail/track 

• 12% provided sole access to a freehold/other parcels 



Figure 13 – Access values by mapping unit. 

3.7 Heritage 

In Summary: 

• 10% of the sites contained an AHIMS registered item/place or a known 

cultural value. However, Aboriginal cultural heritage is not restricted to 

archaeological sites and items. According to DECC (2008) “the association of 

TSRs with water and the logical pathways between sources of water meant 

they often coincided with traditional Aboriginal pathways and access to 

streams”. 

• 5% of the sites were considered to have European cultural heritage due to 

them containing a local, State or Nationally listed heritage item or having the 

potential for listing on the heritage register(s) 

3.8 Land Degradation and Unauthorised use 

In Summary: 

• 14% contain evidence of erosion, salinity or soil acidification 

• 7% contain major infestations of weeds 

• 6% are known to, or likely to, contain contaminated land 

• 5% contained litter/rubbish dumping 

• 5% had evidence of other illegal activities on site, such as unregistered trail 

bikes 

• 2% contained sightings of feral animals 



Figure 14 – Degradation issues by mapping unit. 

3.9 Other Values 

In Summary: 

• 14% of sites are used for community and cultural use 

• 12% contain formed roads 

• 11% contain essential infrastructure 

• 7% contain an encroachment by the adjoining landowner 

• 5% are used for recreation 

• 2% contain an extractive industry, such as a quarry (excluding industry 

covered by a mining lease) 

• 2% are used for commercial purposes, such as bee keeping (commercial 

purposes does not include grazing) 

• 2% have an educational use 

Figure 15 – Other values by mapping unit. 



3.10 Preferred Land Use. 

Of the 159 TSRs assessed within the project 158 are to be retained in Crown 

ownership. Three reserves are recommended to be managed via Trust by DECCW. 

These reserves are “The Bends” (see Case Study 2) and the reserves making up 

“Crawney Top, Middle & Bottom” TSRs. Camberwell TSR is to be exchanged with 

another similar freehold parcel due to an open cut mining interest over the site. Part 

of Two Mile TSR has a granted land claim over it awaiting survey. 

It is recommended that part of the TSR near Cooranbong, known as Freemans, be 

transferred to Council. This reserve contains a formed public road, being Freemans 

Drive, and it is appropriate that this part of the site be transferred to Council as the 

relevant roads authority. The remainder of the reserve is to remain in the Crown 

estate. 

For the sites to be retained in Crown ownership a summary of the recommended 

reserve purposes, reserve managers and tenure types is shown in Figures 16, 17 

and 18 respectively. Note that there are 214 mapping units and multiple use of the 

sites is encouraged, i.e. the majority will have more than one reservation purpose. 

Most are reserved for travelling stock, rural services and environmental protection 

managed by a corporate trust manager (Crown Lands Reserve Trust) with grazing 

licenses permitted. 

Preferred Reserve Purpose is summarised below: 

• 90% to be reserved for Travelling Stock 

• 82% to be reserved for Rural Services 

• 71% to be reserved for Environmental Protection 

• 19% for Public Recreation 

• 14% for Community Purposes 

• 7% for Water 

• 9% for Regional Crown Reserve Purposes 

• 2% for Community and Sporting Club Facilities 

• 2% Not identified – not Crown land due to mining exchange 

• 1% for Heritage Purposes 

• 1% for Cemetery and Crematorium 

• 0.5% for Communications Facilities 



Figure 16 – Recommended reserve purpose by mapping unit. 

Figure 17 – Recommended trust manager by mapping unit. 



Figure 18 – Recommended tenure type by mapping unit. 

3.11 Enhancement of 75ha of native vegetation on TSRs 

The HCRCMA has developed draft incentive Property Vegetation Plans (PVPs) 

totalling 75ha on Murphy’s, Sergeants Gap, and Wingen Big and Wingen Dry TSRs. 

The PVPs are for a term of 15* years. The management actions of the agreement 

include: 

• stock exclusion or strategic grazing 

• retention of dead timber 

• retention of rocks 

• Weed control 

• Feral herbivore control 

• Regrowth retention 

• Fire exclusion 

• Monitoring and reporting 

As part of the agreement the landholder receives incentive payment for fencing and 

establishment of watering points, weed & feral management and development of 

management plans. 

*Note – Crown lands does not favour PVP’s or other agreements in perpetuity 

as these contracts negate the Ministers powers under the Crown Lands Act 

1989. 



3.12 Central West Trial 

The methodology and CLASS support tool was successfully trialled on 24 TSRs 

totalling 1000ha located in the former Molong and Forbes RLPBs. A summary of 

results is provided in Appendix E. The Central West trial was also involved in a 

DECCW project identifying potential sites for Aboriginal community engagement in 

the management of TSRs. The methodology and results from the trial will assist the 

LPMA to assess Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, engage the community and progress 

co-management arrangements. The LPMA will continue to work with DECCW 

Culture and Heritage Branch to develop appropriate assessment and management 

processes. 

3.13 Communication and Consultation Strategy 

A strategy was developed by the HCRCMA and endorsed by the Stakeholder 

Reference Group (see Appendix G). Communication/consultation issues identified in 

the strategy were: 

• Identification of all TSR’s within the project area, including their current uses, 

existing assets & Aboriginal/European cultural significance. 

• Identify existing agreements between RLPB’s & current TSR users for those 

TSR’s identified to be of high conservation or linkage significance. 

• Identify which TSR’s have an obvious future use, to concentrate resources on 

TSR’s with less obvious future use/management. 

• Inaccurate information & mistrust about the NSW Govt’s future plans for 

existing TSR’s, partly through incomplete reporting in mass media. 

• RLPB rationalisation from 47 down to 13 new RLPB districts state-wide, & 

what this will mean for grazier stakeholders. 

• Others to be identified when stakeholder survey results are received & 

interpreted by the project manager. 

The actions undertaken to address the communication issues included: 

• Collating a list of key stakeholders – including contact details 

• Regular media releases in local newspapers alerting the community to the 

project and updating on progress 

• Hosting information on LPMA (Lands) website, such as Q & A’s and fact 

sheets, dealing with TSRs generally and also making reference to the Pilot 

Project 

• Holding regular meetings of the Stakeholder Reference Group 

• Holding a field trip to the Upper Hunter for Stakeholder Reference Group 

representatives 

• Making presentations to specific stakeholders, including the Aboriginal 

Cultural and Environmental Network and the TSR Future Unlimited group, 

outlining the objectives and methodology of the Pilot Project and the 

implications of the TSR hand-back 

• Distributing the assessment and decision making methodology to the 

Stakeholder Reference Group representatives for comment 



• The creation of a draft stakeholder survey (see Appendix G) – although the 

survey did not go “live” it was tested and could form the basis of a state-wide 

consultation strategy. The survey was designed to identify the range of 

interests and uses on TSR; it was primarily to be delivered through LPMA 

website or via a hardcopy mail out; results were to be compiled and reported 

via the survey host. Unfortunately the survey was not widely tested as part of 

the project due to resources constraints. 



4. Conclusion and Discussion 

The Hunter Pilot Project has developed a methodology for identifying and assessing 

the significance of a wide range of values on TSRs. The project has successfully 

applied this methodology to assess all the TSRs and associated Crown land within 

the project area. The area of TSRs assessed in the Hunter totalled 3500ha, well in 

excess of the 2800ha target, with an additional 1500ha of associated Crown reserves 

in the Hunter and 1000ha of TSRs in the Central West assessed. 

The Project has also developed the Crown Land Assessment Support System 

(CLASS). This system collates and stores large amounts of data; it allows for rapid 

analysis of finding and outcomes and provides a standardised process for roll-out 

across the State. The system will allow for a more strategic approach to applying 

resources, sourcing external funds, responding to policy changes and delivering 

outcomes to stakeholders. Further enhancement of the CLASS tool is being 

investigated, such as aligning it to other land assessment and management systems 

within NSW. 

The project has identified a need to validate and rationalise the TSR account 

information within the LPMA (Lands) & LHPA (RLPB) system. Reserve identification, 

consistent naming and accurate mapping along with updating reserve purpose and 

trust manager details are all required to properly manage the estate. 

There were also data shortcomings identified in the project, particularly in relation to 

vegetation mapping, cultural heritage and LHPA (RLPB) data. As more current and 

accurate data becomes available it will be incorporated into the assessment 

methodology, e.g. DECCW (2009) Landscape Value Mapping, NSW Fisheries Key 

Fish Habitat zones and LHPA (RLPB) usage data. 

The project results confirm that the majority of TSRs are in overcleared landscapes, 

that most have high to very high ecological values and many have high catchment 

values. The fact that so many TSRs contain significant environmental values is a 

testament to the policy and management of the Board directors and staff. 

Other important values identified through the project include cultural heritage, a wide 

range of social uses, land degradation and access management issues, particularly 

where TSRs provide sole access to freehold properties. TSRs are also known to 

provide emergency refuges, particularly in times of flood. There are also emerging 

uses, such as recreational angling, use as “driver reviver” areas and primitive 

camping sites for travellers. They may also provide important low impact commercial 

interests, particularly beekeeping and telecommunications sites. These values have 

to be balanced with the rural and environmental factors. The project has also 

identified the pressures placed on TSRs by urban expansion, the mining industry and 

intensification of agricultural uses, such as cropping. 

For the reserves ceded back the LPMA (Lands) has made a commitment that the 

travelling stock and ecological values will be maintained. Multiple use of the sites will 

also be encouraged. This policy is demonstrated by the reserve purposes 

recommended in the study. More specific management activities, particularly 

sustainable grazing practices, will be developed, in partnership with other key 

agencies, and included in plans of management and licence conditions. 

In addition to the traditional Crown reserve and tenure management system the 

LPMA (Lands) is investigating new management models for TSRs, such as the 



development of a memorandum of understanding with the LHPA (RLPB) enabling 

that authority to cede back TSRs whilst still retaining an interest in their use. We are 

exploring ways to encourage tenures for environmental stewardship over high 

conservation value sites, such as minimising fee’s and partnership arrangements 

with stakeholders. 

The assessment identified those parcels that may meet CMA Catchment Action Plan 

targets. These parcels can be ranked by importance, e.g. number of targets met, size 

of site, relation to priority areas, etc... and forwarded these sites on to the CMA. The 

development of CLASS allows the LPMA to assess TSRs more strategically, provide 

the CMA with timely responses to calls for funding and delivers an assessment report 

that is consistent in many ways to the biometric assessment used by the CMA. For 

state-wide implementation the CLASS system could be modified to include the 13 

targets for natural resource management as adopted in the NSW State Plan. 

Through the use of Property Vegetation Plans on targeted high conservation value 

TSRs the LPMA (Lands) is able to access additional funds to improve land 

management practices through fencing, weed management, implementation of 

sustainable grazing, and water reticulation. The monitoring and reporting 

requirements built into the PVP include the establishment and maintenance of photo 

points and the annual reporting of management activities and vegetation condition. 

The PVP process allows for the strategic investment of limited resources based on 

the Natural Resource Commission recommended state-wide targets and provides a 

framework for effective monitoring, evaluation of reporting. 

The project demonstrates that the CMAs are willing to grant incentive funds to protect 

and enhance the ecological values of TSRs. Other alternative sources of funding are 

also being considered, including Federal and State government grants. The DECCW 

BioBanking scheme, for example, is an emerging source of land management 

funding that could be applied to TSRs in the future. 

The pilot project also identified some significant challenges ahead, including the 

importance of wide scale stakeholder consultation and information gathering and 

sharing. Through the implementation of the Stakeholder Reference Group endorsed 

communication and consultation strategy the LPMA (Lands) will advise the 

community of the results of this study through publication of the project report (both 

hardcopy and web-based); providing media releases at a regional and state level; 

providing presentations to stakeholder group and advising the LHPA (RLPB) State 

Council on consultation issues. The draft survey produced as part of the project could 

provide a basis for a state-wide survey of TSR users. 

The LPMA envisages that the assessment methodology will be rolled out State-wide 

prior to the bulk hand back of reserves. The desktop assessment process could be 

completed at a processing centre with regional staff providing local knowledge, field 

validation and further investigation where required. Training would be provided to 

appropriate LPMA Land Management staff. Many of these staff are already 

experienced in using the similar methodology for Crown lease assessment. The 

CLASS database has been developed to run as a network based system that can be 

loaded onto any LPMA (Lands) PC or laptop and will be integrated with other LPMA 

(Lands) programs. 

Through the Stakeholder Reference Group, the pilot also exposed the value of 

consultation with the various interest groups in the assessment of values and 

proposed management regimes. Experience in indigenous consultation within the 

central west trial component at Molong, also provides direction regarding the full 



consideration of indigenous values and related issues associated with the travelling 

stock reserve network across NSW. 

In summary, through the development of a robust and rapid assessment 

methodology and decision support system, the Land and Property Management 

Authority is now well placed to assess and allocate the anticipated large number of 

TSRs to be ceded back from the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities. The range of 

values and constraints assessed ensure that the land allocation process is in 

accordance with the Principles of Crown Land Management and that the NSW 

Travelling Stock Reserve network will continue to be a valuable State asset well into 

the future. 



5. References 

Department of Environment and Climate Change 2008, Towards and Aboriginal Land 

Management Framework for NSW- Discussion Paper, Department of Environment 

and Climate Change Sydney. 

Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) 2009, Derivation 

of Landscape Value Mapping, report to LPMA, Sydney. 

Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) 2009, Biometric: 

Terrestrial Biodiversity Tool for the NSW Property Vegetation Planning System, 

viewed 14 th April 2009, 

 

Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) 2009, 

Identification of priority conservation Travelling Stock Reserves in NSW. Department 

of Environment, Climate Change and Water Sydney. 

Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) 2004, Conservation values of 

Travelling Stock Reserves in NSW. DEC Submission to the review of the Rural 

Lands Protection Act 1998. North East Branch ERPD. 

Department of Lands 2005, Guidelines for the Assessment of Environmental 

Significance of Leasehold Land in NSW, Department of Lands, Sydney. 

Department of Primary Industries 2005, Maintaining groundcover to reduce erosion 

and sustain production. Agfact. Department of Primary Industries, Sydney. 

Emery, K.A. 1985, Rural Land Capability Mapping, Soil Conservation Service of 

NSW, 15p brochure, Sydney. 

Integrated Marketing Communication 2008, NSW Rural Lands Protection Board 

system review, Final report, St Leonards, June 2008, viewed 13 April 2009, 

 

Livestock Health and Pest Authority 2009, NSW Australia, viewed 25 June 2009, 

http://www.lhpa.org.au/travelling-stock-reserves 

Lovett, S. & Price, P. (eds), 2007, Principles for riparian lands management, 

Land & Water Australia, Canberra. 

McKnight T.L. (1977) The Long Paddock. Australia’s Travelling Stock Routes. 

University Of New England, Armidale. 

Murphy C.L. (1993) Soil Landscapes of the Gosford-Lake Macquarie 1:100000 Sheet 

Report, Department of Conservation and Land Management. 

NSW Rural Lands Protection Board (2001). The long paddock: a directory of 

travelling stock routes and reserves in NSW. Rural Lands Protection Boards in 

association with NSW Agriculture – Resource Information Unit, Sydney. 



6. Appendices 

Appendix A. Schedule of Parcels and summary of results from Hunter TSRs. 

TSR Name 

Mapping 

Unit 

Area 

NC 

Rating 

EP 

Rating 

Determination 

Manager 

(Crown 

Estate) 

Tenure 

Reserve Purpose 

Aberdeen 

Allandale 

Andrews 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

3.64 NC4 EP1 Crown Lands Council 

Trust 

12.36 NC1 EP1 Crown Lands Crown 

Lands 

Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Licence 

Other 

(Specify in 

notes) 

Grazing 

Licence 

Travelling Stock 

Rural Services 


Environmental Protection 


Water 


Apple Tree Flat 

Archinalls 

Archinalls 

Archinalls 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 3 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

9 NC1 EP2 Crown Lands Crown 


Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Licence 


(Specify in 

notes) 

Licence 


(Specify in 

notes) 

Licence 


(Specify in 

notes) 






Public Recreation 




Arianseens 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 




Baerami Creek 

Baerami R58906 

& R65423 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 



Community Purposes 





Baking Board 

Baking Board 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 



Reserve 

Trust 

57.62 NC4 EP1 Crown Lands Community 

Trust Board 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Water 








TSR Name 

Mapping 

Unit 

Area 

NC 

Rating 

EP 

Rating 

Determination 

Manager 

(Crown 

Estate) 

Tenure 



Water 

Bates 

Beers 

Belford 

Benhams 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 












Bingleburra 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 




Bingleburra 

Mapping 

Unit 2 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 



Bishops Bridge 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 




Bishops Bridge 

Black Hill and 

Muswellbrook 

Blackscamp 

Reserve 24532 

Boat Falls 

Bobs Camp 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

19 NC1 EP1 Crown Lands Crown 


Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 















Boyces 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 






TSR Name 

Mapping 

Unit 

Area 

NC 

Rating 

EP 

Rating 

Determination 

Manager 

(Crown 

Estate) 

Tenure 


Brawboy 

Bridgman 

Broad Crossing 

Brogheda 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 












Brookers 

R44604 & 

R57914 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 







Buchanan 

Bunnan 

Bunnan Village 



Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 3 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Lease 

(Specify 

purpose) 

Water 








Water 









Burgmanns Mapping 7.29 NC1 EP1 Crown Lands Crown Grazing 


Unit 1 

Lands Licence 

Reserve 


Trust 


Butterwick Mapping 2.33 NC1 EP1 Crown Lands Crown 

Community and Sporting Club 

R35721 (Now Unit 1 


Facilities 

Crown Reserve 

Reserve 

1014828) 

Trust 



Regional Crown Reserve 

Purpose 


Camberwell Mapping 21.19 NC5 EP3 Land 

N/A N/A 

Unit 1 

exchange 

N/A 

Camberwell Mapping 15.82 NC5 EP3 Land 

N/A N/A 

Unit 2 

exchange 

N/A 

Camberwell Mapping 24.13 NC1 EP1 Crown Lands Crown Grazing Environmental Protection 



TSR Name 

Mapping 

Unit 

Area 

NC 

Rating 

EP 

Rating 

Determination 

Manager 

(Crown 

Estate) 

Tenure 


Camberwell 

Camberwell 

Camberwell 

Unit 3 

Mapping 

Unit 4 

Mapping 

Unit 5 

Mapping 

Unit 6 


Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 


Trust Board 


Trust Board 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Lease 

(Specify 

purpose) 

Grazing 

Licence 






Water 






Camberwell 

Carabolla 

Carabolla 

Carabolla 

Caslicks and 

Wells Swamp 

Cedar Brush 

Cessnock 

Clarencetown 

R95173 

Clarks 

Con Rileys 

Mapping 

Unit 7 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 3 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 


Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

2.36 NC4 EP1 Crown Lands Other Trust 

Type 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 


Trust Board 

Licence 


(Specify in 

notes) 

Licence 


(Specify in 

notes) 

Grazing 

Licence 

Lease 

(Specify 

purpose) 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 




























Cowans 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 






TSR Name 

Mapping 

Unit 

Area 

NC 

Rating 

EP 

Rating 

Determination 

Manager 

(Crown 

Estate) 

Tenure 


Crawney – Top, 

Middle and 

Bottom 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

102.39 NC1 EP1 Crown Lands DECCW NA 


Cressfield 

Davis Creek 

Denman 

Denman 

Denman 

Dicky Dans 

Doctors Creek 

Donald Creek 

Water 

Dora Creek 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 3 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 


Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 




Water 









Water 












Dungog and 

Sugarloaf 

Dungog and 

Sugarloaf 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 



Reserve 

Trust 

9.21 NC4 EP2 Crown Lands 

Grazing 

Licence 


Purpose 





Eccleston 

Eccleston 

Edinglassie 

Edinglassie 

Education Block 

and Wingen 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 2 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Lease 

(Specify 















TSR Name 

Mapping 

Unit 

Area 

NC 

Rating 

EP 

Rating 

Determination 

Manager 

(Crown 

Estate) 

Tenure 


Water 



Water 



Water 

Elmswood 

Mapping 

Unit 3 

Mapping 

Unit 4 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

11 NC1 EP3 Crown Lands Other Trust 

Type 

purpose) 

Grazing 

Licence 

Lease 

(Specify 

purpose) 

Grazing 

Licence 












Fish Hole 

Freemans 

Freemans 

Glen Oak 

Glendonbrook 

Goorangoola 

Goorangoola 

Goulburn River 

Grasstree 

Green Hills 

Green Hills 

Gresford 

Greswick 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

0.27 NC1 EP1 Other – Road N/A 

transfer to 

Council 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 


Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

N/A 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 








N/A 


























TSR Name 

Mapping 

Unit 

Area 

NC 

Rating 

EP 

Rating 

Determination 

Manager 

(Crown 

Estate) 

Tenure 



Gundy Big Dry 

and Middle 

Mapping 

Unit 1 


Trust Board 

Grazing 

Licence 



Gundy Big Dry 


Mapping 

Unit 2 


Trust Board 

Grazing 

Licence 




Gundy Big Dry 


Mapping 

Unit 3 


Trust Board 


Cemetery and Crematorium 


Gundy Big Dry 


Mapping 

Unit 5 


Trust Board 

Grazing 

Licence 




Gundy Big Dry 


Mapping 

Unit 6 


Trust Board 

Grazing 

Licence 





Gundy East 

Gundy Middle 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 








Hamilton 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 






Hamilton 

Mapping 

Unit 2 


Trust Board 

Lease 

(Specify 

purpose) 





Hickeys 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 




Hickeys 

Mapping 

Unit 2 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 





Hillside 

Hillside 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 



Reserve 

Trust 



Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 









TSR Name 

Mapping 

Unit 

Area 

NC 

Rating 

EP 

Rating 

Determination 

Manager 

(Crown 

Estate) 

Tenure 


Hobdens 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 




Hobdens 

Mapping 

Unit 2 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 




Hogans 

Hollydeen 

Hollydeen 

Holmes 

Holmes 

Hunters Spring 

Hunters Vale 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 




















Hunters Vale 

Jerrys Plains 

R56578 & 

R70414 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 



Communication Facilities 


Facilities 



Heritage Purposes 




Jones 

Kayuga 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Water 







TSR Name 

Mapping 

Unit 

Area 

NC 

Rating 

EP 

Rating 

Determination 

Manager 

(Crown 

Estate) 

Tenure 


Trust 

Laguna 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 




Lambs Creek 

Mapping 

Unit 1 


Trust Board 

Grazing 

Licence 





Lambton 

Lemon Grove 

Lincoln's Creek 

Lincoln's Creek 

Main Creek 

Main Creek 

Maison Dieu 

Maison Dieu 

Mallee 

Marshdale 

Maxwells 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 


Trust 


Trust Board 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 






























Water 





McCullys Gap Mapping 

Grazing 


Unit 1 

Licence 



Melville Mapping 3.11 NC2 EP2 Crown Lands Crown Grazing Travelling Stock 



TSR Name 

Mapping 

Unit 

Area 

NC 

Rating 

EP 

Rating 

Determination 

Manager 

(Crown 

Estate) 

Tenure 


Middle Falbrook 

Milbrodale 

Millfield 

Monument Lane 

Moonan Brook 

Morisset 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 


Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 


Trust 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 



















Mt Nellinda 

Mt Rivers 

Murphys 

Narrow Passage 

R41795 & 

R57554 

Narrow Passage 

R41795 & 

R57554 

Nulkaba 

Ogilvies Hill 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 












Purpose 






Purpose 



Water 






Ogilvies Hill Mapping 1.82 NC2 EP2 Crown Lands Crown Grazing Environmental Protection 



TSR Name 

Mapping 

Unit 

Area 

NC 

Rating 

EP 

Rating 

Determination 

Manager 

(Crown 

Estate) 

Tenure 


Owens Gap 

Owens Gap 

Parkville 

R1002612 (TSR 

241) 

Paterson 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 


Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 


Trust Board 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 














Paterson 

Mapping 

Unit 2 


Trust Board 

Grazing 

Licence 





Paynes Crossing 

Pokolbin 

Prices 

Prices 

Prices 

Quart Pot 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 3 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 


















Water 

Ratepayers 

Ratepayers 

Ravensworth 

Forest 

Red Hill 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Lease 

(Specify 

purpose) 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 














TSR Name 

Mapping 

Unit 

Area 

NC 

Rating 

EP 

Rating 

Determination 

Manager 

(Crown 

Estate) 

Tenure 


Trust 

Redbourneberry 

Hill 

Redgate Hill and 

Creek 

Rothbury 

Rowan 

Roxburgh 

Salisbury 

Salt Ash 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 


Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 



















Sandy Creek 

R1002066+R876 

55 

Sandy Hollow 

Schytrumpfs 

Scone Route 

Scotts Creek 

Sedgefield 

Sergeants Gap 

Sheep Yards 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 























Sheppards 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 






TSR Name 

Mapping 

Unit 

Area 

NC 

Rating 

EP 

Rating 

Determination 

Manager 

(Crown 

Estate) 

Tenure 



St Heliers 

Stewarts Brook 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 






Stewarts Brook 

The Bends 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 

4.04 NC1 EP3 Crown Lands DECCW N/A 

Grazing 

Licence 






The Common 

(Dyrring) 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 

Lease 

(Specify 

purpose) 





The Downs 

The Pass 

R16853 & 

R64995 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Water 






Purpose 


The Range 

The Range 

Tillegra 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 





Cemetery and Crematorium 






Timor 

Timor 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 



Reserve 

Trust 



Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 









TSR Name 

Mapping 

Unit 

Area 

NC 

Rating 

EP 

Rating 

Determination 

Manager 

(Crown 

Estate) 

Tenure 


Two Mile 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 






Two Mile 

Two Mile 

Underbank 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 3 

Mapping 

Unit 1 


Trust Board 

3.71 NC1 EP3 ALC Granted N/A N/A 



Reserve 

Trust 

Lease 

(Specify 

purpose) 



Facilities 


N/A 


Water 


Wallarobba 

Wallarobba 

(Sandy Creek) 

Wallarobba 

(Sandy Creek) 

Wallarobba 

(Unwarrabin 

Creek) 

Wallarobba 

(Welshmans 

Creek) 

Warlands Creek 

Watagan Creek 

R1002604 

(R155) 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 




















Purpose 

Waverly R70626 

Westbrook 

Wheelabout 

Bridge 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 










Whites 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Grazing 

Licence 






TSR Name 

Mapping 

Unit 

Area 

NC 

Rating 

EP 

Rating 

Determination 

Manager 

(Crown 

Estate) 

Tenure 


Trust 

Whittingham 

Widden Valley 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 




Facilities 





Purpose 


Wingen Big 

Wingen Big 

Wingen Village 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 2 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 












Wire Paddock 

Wirragulla 

Wisemans Ferry 

Woerdon 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 


Trust Board 


Trust Board 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Lease 

(Specify 

purpose) 













Wollombi 

(Millpond) 

Yarrandi 

Yellow Gully 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 

Mapping 

Unit 1 


Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 



Reserve 

Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 


Water 










Appendix B. Allocating Crown Land. 

The Department of Lands (Lands) is responsible for the sustainable and commercial 

management and allocation of Crown land across NSW. Lands administers an area of 

approximately 37.1 million hectares of Crown land (includes the 3 nautical mile zone and 

Western Crown land). Lands ensures that Crown reserves are responsibly managed and 

that natural resources such as water, flora and fauna and scenic beauty are conserved, 

while still encouraging public use and enjoyment of the land. 

Tenured land is Crown land that is directly leased, licensed or allowed to be used under 

an enclosure permit by the State for a wide range of public, private and community uses, 

including commercial or agricultural purposes. 

Crown reserves may be managed by community-based reserve trust boards, Lands, local 

councils or State government departments. 

A reserve trust is responsible for the care, control and management of a specific Crown 

reserve and is not for private profit. Lands provides reserve trusts with operational 

support, financial assistance and guidance in the care, control and management of Crown 

reserves. 

Travelling Stock Reserves (TSRs) have always been Crown reserves and will continue to 

be appropriately protected under the Crown Lands Act 1989. They were historically 

formed to provide for the movement of stock across the landscape and to be used for 

emergency refuge during floods and drought, as well as some local agistment. For local 

towns, TSRs often provide opportunities for recreation, particularly where these reserves 

include watercourses. 

There are over 6,300 TSRs throughout NSW, comprising an area of approximately two 

million hectares. There are no plans to sell TSRs that contribute to environmental values 

or social, cultural and economic needs of the community. Current reservation will 

generally not be revoked -- i.e. TSRs will remain Crown reserves. In future the reserves 

may be additionally reserved to reflect a wider scope of uses -- e.g. public recreation, 

and/or environmental protection, community purposes, or access to tourist facilities and 

services. 

During land assessments of the TSRs, suitable uses are identified for each reserve and 

these need to be evaluated in terms of the principles of Crown land management, which 

are found in Section 11, Crown Lands Act, 1989. The principles cover a range of 

environmental, social and economic matters. The aim of the land assessment process is 

to appropriately and equitable allocate Crown land. Land held under reserve can also be 

placed under tenure, such as a licence for grazing. 



Appendix C. How Aboriginal Land Claims Are Determined 

Background 

Under the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act, 1983, Crown land not required for an essential 

public purpose or for residential lands, or where the land is not lawfully used or occupied 

is returned to Aboriginal people. The Aboriginal Land Rights Act aims to redress past 

injustices when Aboriginal people were dispossessed of their land following the arrival of 

European settlers. 

Once a claim is lodged with the Aboriginal Land Rights Registrar, it is then forwarded to the 

Department of Lands for investigation. This investigation is carried out on behalf of the 

Minister for Lands. 

What happens when a land claim is received by the department 

In determining a land claim, the department must undertake a rigorous investigation and 

assessment process, which involves both regional staff and the Aboriginal Land Claim 

Investigations Unit located in Sydney. 

Investigation involves field inspection and referral to other public authorities likely to have an 

interest in the land being claimed. The findings of the investigation are compiled by the 

Aboriginal Land Claim Investigations Unit, which then submits all relevant information, 

including recommendations, for the Minister’s consideration and determination. 

On what grounds is a land claim assessed 

The NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act, 1983, provides specific criteria that must be 

considered in the investigation of all Aboriginal land claims. Claimed land that meets all the 

criteria (listed below) must be recommended by the department for granting. 

Claims for land that fail any of the following eight criteria must be recommended for refusal. 

1) Land is vested in Her Majesty (Sec. 36(1)) 

2) Land is able to be lawfully sold or leased, or is reserved or dedicated for any purpose, 

under the Crown Lands Act 1989 or the Western Lands Act 1901 (Sec. 36(1)(a)) 

3) Land is not protected by the Savings, Transitional and Other Provisions - Schedule 4 

Clause 8. 

4) Land is not the subject of a registered application for the determination of native title 

except a non claimant application that is unopposed (Sec. 36(1)(d)) 

5) Land is not subject of an approved determination of native title (Sec. 36(1)(e)) 

6) Land is not lawfully used or occupied (Sec. 36(1)(b)) 

7) Land is not needed or likely to be needed for residential lands (Sec. 36(1)(b1) 

8) Land is not needed or likely to be needed, for an essential public purpose (Sec. 

36(1)(c)) 

Aboriginal lands in Travelling Stock Reserves 

Land claims lodged in respect of land which is or is part of a TSR shall be referred to the 

LHPA (RLPB) for the district in which that land is situated. Under Sec. 37(3) the Crown 

Lands Minister may enter into an agreement with the claimant ALC to achieve the following: 

1) The vesting of the freehold title to that land, subject to any easements in the claimant 

ALC 

2) The leasing in perpetuity of that land to the Crown at a nominal rent 

3) The preparation of a plan of management in respect of that land giving the claimant 

ALC or Aborigines defined rights or defined functions, in respect of that land. 

It must be shown that Aborigines have traditional rights to or long association with the land 

for such an agreement to be entered into. 

It is also possible for a claim to be granted outright if meets all the eight criteria listed above. 



What happens once a recommendation has been given to the Minister 

The Minister reviews all the findings of the investigation and subsequently makes his 

determination – either granting the claim or refusing it. 

If the claim is successful, the land is granted to the Aboriginal Land Council that lodged the 

claim by transferring the land to it. 

Should the Minister refuse a claim and the Aboriginal Land Council does not agree with the 

Minister’s refusal, the Land Council may lodge an appeal against that decision with the Land 

and Environment Court. 

NOTE: Native Title is a separate federal process dealt with under the Native Title Act 

1993. More information can be found at the National Native Title Tribunal website 

(www.nntt.gov.au). 



Appendix D. Travelling Stock Reserve Checklist 

TRAVELLING STOCK RESERVE (TSR) CHECKLIST 

Information to accompany application 

_________________________RLP Board requests to remove TSR from its control. 

(Tick the box when task undertaken) 

Reserve No: ____________ Common Name __________________ 

1. RLPB contact officer details Telephone: ______________________________ 

Name:________________________ 

Email: ___________________________________ 

Address:_______________________ Fax: -------------------------------------------------------------- 

_________________________________ 

2. Preliminary discussions between RLPB and Department of Lands have been held 

DoL Officer__________________________________ Date _________________________(It is 

important that records concerning TSR’s and their management are correct and matching to ensure 

appropriateness and accuracy of proposal) 

3. Minister of Primary Industries consent obtained by State Council 

4. In relation to the subject TSR, RLPB has attached: 

Copy of original Government Gazettal (if available) 

Record of creation of the Subject TSR(s) (if available) 

Record of appointment of Board undertaken to manage subject TSR(s) (if available) 

5. Plan of the site attached – maps, aerial photos etc that clearly delineate subject TSR 

6. Record of inspection by RLPB including, who inspected, date and all information required below 

Description of TSR 

(Place either Y or N in columns and provide comment if applicable) 

7. Asset Diagram of TSR 

(may use item 4 as base.) 

Show fence locations 

Gates 

Water Troughs 

Dams/Tanks 

Tracks & Trails 

Yards 

Facilities / Buildings / Structures 


Yes No Type / Condition / Comments 

Current condition and use of TSR- (provide brief details - Tick box once completed) 

Item 

Details 

8. Weeds status (include details 

of type and density of weed) 

9. Weed control program details 



(include chemical use records 

from past 12 months) 

10. Pest Animal status and 

Control / Impact (if applicable) 

11. Native Vegetation type and 

condition (general only) 

12. Threatened species (list if 

present) 

13. Soil Condition (Major gullies, 

erosion etc) 

14. Contamination sites (e.g. 

tick dip sites) 

15. Photos of site (including 

respective GPS co-ordinates 

and direction) 

16. Actions taken since 

inspection 

17. Copy of any permit(s) of use 

(current or recent) 

18. Any other agreement with 

neighbours 

19. Business/management plan 

relating to subject TSR (if 

available) 

20. Additional Comments: 

______________________________________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________ 

Signature RLPB representative: Date: / / 



Appendix E. Summary of results from Central West assessment trial. 

TSR Name Determination Area 

Manager 

(Crown Estate) 

Amaroo Crown Lands 11.93 Crown Lands 

Reserve Trust 

Tenure 

Grazing 

Licence 

NC 

Rating 

EP 

Rating 


NC2 EP4 Travelling Stock 


Bells River Crown Lands 2.77 Council Trust Grazing 

Licence 

Environmental 

Protection 



Environmental 

Protection 

Bogan Gate Crown Lands 102.22 Council Trust Grazing 

Licence 




Burnt Bridge Crown Lands 87.14 Crown Lands 

Reserve Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Environmental 

Protection 





Canowindra 

saleyards #1 

Canowindra 

saleyards #2 

Environmental 

Protection 

Crown Lands 3.57 Council Trust NC1 EP1 Travelling Stock 

Environmental 

Protection 


Crown Lands 6 Council Trust NC1 EP4 Travelling Stock 

Environmental 

Protection 


Cheesemans 

Creek 

Crown Lands 10.34 Crown Lands 

Reserve Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 



Environmental 

Protection 


Copper Hill Crown Lands 0.65 Crown Lands 

Reserve Trust 



Environmental 

Protection 

Gap Crown Lands 7 Crown Lands 

Reserve Trust 

Government Tank Crown Lands 10.89 Crown Lands 

Reserve Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 





Environmental 

Protection 




Environmental 

Protection 




Manager 


Tenure 

NC 

Rating 

EP 

Rating 




Gum Swamp Crown Lands 24.2 Council Trust NC1 EP1 Travelling Stock 


Environmental 

Protection 



Heifer Station 

Creek 


Reserve Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 



Environmental 

Protection 


Langdons Crown Lands 5.31 Crown Lands 

Reserve Trust 

Little River Crown Lands 6.52 Crown Lands 

Reserve Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 




Environmental 

Protection 




Environmental 

Protection 

Molong Cemetery Crown Lands 2.92 Community Trust NC1 EP4 Travelling Stock 

Environmental 

Protection 

Moora Moora Crown Lands 312.3 Crown Lands 

Reserve Trust 

Mousehole Crown Lands 13.41 Crown Lands 

Reserve Trust 

R1845 (Corella) Crown Lands 48.24 Crown Lands 

Reserve Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 




Environmental 

Protection 




Environmental 

Protection 




Environmental 

Protection 


Research Station 

#2 


Reserve Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 



Environmental 

Protection 

Spring Terrace Crown Lands 88.2 Crown Lands 

Reserve Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 




Environmental 

Protection 




Manager 


Tenure 

NC 

Rating 

EP 

Rating 


The Troffs Crown Lands 121.49 Crown Lands 

Reserve Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 




Environmental 

Protection 


Warree Creek 

Crossroads 


Reserve Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 



Wileys Crown Lands 12.58 Crown Lands 

Reserve Trust 

Yullundry Crown Lands 5.37 Crown Lands 

Reserve Trust 

Grazing 

Licence 

Grazing 

Licence 

Environmental 

Protection 

NC2 EP3 Environmental 

Protection 






Environmental 

Protection 



Appendix F. Plan showing the location of TSRs assessed during the Central West Trial. 




Communication and consultation planning DRAFT v.1a 

Project title: Assessing the Values & Management of the NSW Travelling Stock Reserve Network 

for biodiversity enhancement & optimal management in the Hunter Valley 

Description 

of project: 

Project 

manager: 

Funding 

source 

• Pilot project assessment methodology to be strategically and consistently rolled out state-wide. 

• Assess the values of approx. 3,282ha of the TSR network to identify potential use options for the future. 

• Identifying areas with high priority ecosystems within &/or adjacent to TSR’s for biodiversity conservation, and develop 

options & recommendations for future management, consistent with the H-CR CMA CAP & Legislation. 

• Protect and enhance 75ha of native vegetation. Identify significant vegetation & EEC’s on existing TSR’s. 

Mark Grace 

Department of Lands. 

NSW Catchment 

Action 

Funding 

amount 


staff 

involved 

Type of plan Communication 

(one way communication) 

Planning Ideas Brochures, websites, presentations, 

media etc 

Issues 

identification: 

Adrian Harte – Director Land Management; Project Officer(s) Dept 

of Lands; STAKEHOLDER REFERENCE GROUP in Consultation with 

the TECHNICAL REFERENCE GROUP. 

$260 000 Amount allocated for 

communications 

Consultation 

(two-way including feedback) 

Facilitated workshops, public exhibition 

process, attending group meetings etc 

Appendix G. Communication and Consultation Strategy 

Up to $5000 plus Lands - in 

kind support 

Education 

(awareness raising through activity) 

Area Maitland Board Area 406 ha. 

Hunter Board Area 2,876 ha. 

Report on 3,282 ha of TSR’s. 

Protect & enhance 75ha of 

Native Vegetation. 

Project 

duration Until June 2009 

Job 

number 

Stakeholder education program, training 

days, field days etc 

99000567 

Marketing/promotions 

(Media Releases, Information docs.) 

Flyers, signs, banners, displays, 

promotional products etc 

• Identification of all TSR’s within the project area, including their current uses, existing assets & Aboriginal/European cultural significance. 

• Identify existing agreements between RLPB’s & current TSR users for those TSR’s identified to be of high conservation or linkage significance. 

• Identify which TSR’s have an obvious future use, to concentrate resources on TSR’s with less obvious future use/management. 

• Inaccurate information & mistrust about the NSW Govt’s future plans for existing TSR’s, partly through incomplete reporting in mass media. 

• RLPB rationalisation from 47 down to 13 new RLPB districts state-wide, & what this will mean for grazier stakeholders. 

• Others to be identified when stakeholder survey results are received & interpreted by the project manager. 

Objectives: • To develop a stakeholder database & gain accurate input into the project, implement data gathering consultation measures. 

• To provide information to licence holders & key stakeholders about the various end uses for the TSR’s & why they’re appropriate. 

• To respond to issues and concerns raised by licence holders and stakeholders & to assist them to make a formal submission. 

• Maximise use of desk top assessment tools asap, to identify areas that may require further investigation early in the process. 

• Provide the opportunity for the community to have active input into determining the values and constraints involved in TSR Management. 

• Obtain local knowledge from former RLPB Staff about all aspects of TSR’s; Cultural heritage, usefulness for stock, other uses/issues. 

• To ensure that all recommendations & publications are consistent with the Project Plan, and relevant policy and legislation.



Action plan 

Target 

audience 

Minister for 

Lands, 

LHPA State 

Council, 

DECC, CMA, 

NSW 

Farmers 

Key 

stakeholders 

Broad 

Community 

Target 

audience 

Commercial 

and noncommercial 

rural 

landholders 

Information 

sessions 

Intranet & 

email 

Collect local information from 

RLPB and community groups. 

Hold information sessions for 

project updates. 

Investigate setting up an 

information page on each of the 

agencies Websites. Provide 

regular email correspondence. 

Invite list Develop a list of key stakeholders 

to be invited to community 

meetings (include environmental 

groups, industry, cultural groups,) 

Media 

Release 

Fact Sheets 

Electronic 

distribution 

Following announcement that new 

uses for TSR’s have been 

determined & why. 

Make available Fact Sheets and 

distribute to Local Councils 

Database Develop and maintain a database 

of where information is accessible 

to the Department. 

Internet Promote use of agency Web sites 

as a direct means for online users 

to access project information. 

Trial presentations for 

community information 

sessions. 

Collect and record TSR 

data. 

Keep a useful readily 

accessible file for staff 

/public to regularly 

access. 

Target people who are 

affected by plan. 

Start planning 

communications. 

Mass media effective. 

Provide the opportunity 

for Local Gov. to 

comment. 

Ensure information 

continues to be updated. 

Provides an extra 

source of information 

with a low staff time 

cost. 

Cost 

Nil Ongoing 

Nil January 

09 

Nil End of 

2008 

Nil 

Nil 

Nil 

ongoing 

11-12-08 

Method Action Rationale Cost When Who Completed Comments/evaluation 

Database Contact associations that 

represent groups. 

Advertising Book ads for public exhibition – if 

a statutory requirement 

by any required statutory ads 

Questionnaire and 

information can be sent 

and input gained 

Nil 

Promotes plan Ad fee



STATE-WIDE PROJECT ROLLOUT ACROSS THE NEW 13 RLPB DISTRICTS. 

Target 

audience 

State wide 

groups 

Method Action Rationale Cost When Who Completed Comments/evaluation 

Information 

sessions 

Meet with state wide groups to 

brief them on the project 

objectives & the main outcomes 

for the majority of TSR’s. 

To assist the wider rollout 

of this project statewide, 

& to identify 

potential issues at an 

early stage. 

Venue 

Hire 

Early in 

the Pilot 

project 

in the 

Hunter


Appendix H. Draft Survey of TSR Stakeholders 











Appendix J. Spatial Dataset Index - Used in the Assessment Methodology 

Land & Property Information. Accessed 2009. Bathurst NSW [online delivery]: 

• Crown Account Polygon 

• Cadastre 

• Aboriginal Land Claims 

• Walking Tracks 

• Roads 

• Railways 

• Contours 

• RLPB Boundary 

• Contaminated Sites Dataset 

Department of Environment Climate Change and Water (DECCW): 

• Lower Hunter Conservation Significance, c2003 Sydney, NSW. 

• Native Vegetation of the Yengo and Parr Reserves and Surrounds.2008. Hurstville, NSW. 

• National Parks & Wildlife Service Reserve Dataset, Current. [Online Delivery], Hurstville, NSW. 

• Ramsar Wetlands. 2004. South Sydney, NSW [CD Rom]. NPWS 

• Wetlands of NSW, 2003. Hurstville, NSW [CD Rom]. NPWS. 

Department of Environment and Water Resources 2004 Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for 

Australia (IBRA), Version 6.1. [Online delivery]. Canberra ACT. 

Department of Land and Water Conservation: 

• Land Capability of NSW, 1989. Parramatta, NSW. 

• Acid Sulfate Soil Risk Dataset, 1998. Sydney, NSW. 

• Soil Landscape Regolith Stability for North-East New South Wales. 2002. Parramatta, NSW. 

Department of Natural Resources: 

• Vulnerable Land. 2005 [CD ROM]. Parramatta, NSW. 

• Estimate of Soil Erosion hazard for NSW Coastal Catchments. 2006. Parramatta NSW. 

Hunter and Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy. Lower Hunter and Central 

Coast Extent Vegetation Map 2003 (LHCCREMS 2003). [CD ROM]. Thornton, NSW 2003. 

Hunter - Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority. Hunter Valley Remnant Vegetation, 2004. 

Paterson, NSW [CD ROM]. 

Forests NSW, State Forests Estate, Current. [Online Delivery]. 

National Parks and Wildlife Service: 

• Comprehensive Regional Assessment Aerial Photographic Interpretation (CRAFTI) Lower North 

East Floristics dataset. 2001. 

• Upper North East and Lower East Fauna Key Habitats 2001. Coffs Harbour, NSW. 

• Eastern Bushlands Database, 1993 Hurstville, NSW. 

• Disturbed Vegetation of the Cessnock-Kurri Region, 2007. Hurstville, NSW. 

• Lower North East Forest Ecosystem Layer, 1998. Coffs Harbour, NSW. 

• Atlas of NSW Wildlife 2009. Hurstville ,NSW. 

• Landscapes (Mitchell) of NSW, 2003. Hurstville, NSW. 

Planning NSW: 

• Statewide Local Environmental Plan Dataset. 2009. [CD ROM]. Sydney, NSW. 

• SEPP 14 Wetlands. 2008. CD ROM], Sydney. 



• SEPP 71 Coastal Protection Dataset. 2008 [CD ROM], Sydney. 

Plateau Images: 

• Singleton Orthophoto, 2004. Alstonville, NSW 2006. 

• Muswellbrook Orthophoto, 2003. Alstonville, NSW 2005. 

• Port Stephens Orthophoto, 2003/ 2004. Alstonville, NSW 2005. 

Sinclair Knight Metz, AUSIMAGE various tiles, [Central Coast] NSW, 2006/07 




FOR MORE 

INFORMATION 

Land and Property 

Management Authority 

Head Office 

1 Prince Albert Road 

Queens Square 

SYDNEY NSW 2000 

GPO Box 15 

Sydney NSW 2001 

T 1300 052 637 

F 61 2 9233 4357 

www.lpma.nsw.gov.au

Assessing e Values and Management of the NSW Travelling ... - Land

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