4 July, 2023

Benefits of council plans of management

Plans of management (PoM) provide many benefits for councils. They are a key strategic planning and governance tool that assist councils in the lawful management and use of Crown land. PoM set out objectives and performance targets for community land and authorise use of the land, including tenures and development. A PoM should provide vision and relevance for the next 5-10 years, providing certainty to the council and the community about how a reserve will be used.

Below are 2 examples showing these benefits:

Cahills Lookout Reserve PoM supports NSW tourism

Cahills Lookout (image: BMCC)

The Blue Mountains region is one of NSW’s premier tourism destinations, attracting an estimated 4.4 million visitors each year. Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) has adopted 52 PoM for Crown land in the area, to safeguard many popular tourist attractions. BMCC adopted a site-specific PoM for Cahills Lookout Reserve in November 2022.

The reserve offers several formal lookouts with stunning views, including the Cahills, Peckmans Plateau and Boars Head lookouts. It attracts significant visitation and is a key stop-off for tourist bus operators. It is a popular site for bushwalking, rock climbing and abseiling with both private groups and commercial operators. Cahills Lookout is also listed as a local heritage item in the Blue Mountains Local Environmental Plan 2015.

Boars Head Lookout (image: BMCC)

Having a PoM in place has helped the council to manage the users of this reserve. Commercial bushwalking activities, lookout visits, rock climbing and abseiling are permitted within the reserve for businesses or organisations holding a current eco tourism licence.

“BMCC adopted a plan of management for community land Crown reserves under its care, control and management, to align with the Crown Land Management Act 2016 and Local Government Act 1993,” a BMCC spokesperson said.

“These plans describe the current condition and use of the sites, permit appropriate activities and lease/licenses and describe how the site is being maintained, improved and managed according to the objectives of each category.

Pergola (image: BMCC)

“A plan of management guides council on strategic planning and policies and on the general management of public land. By categorising the land, council can make informed decisions, particularly important for conserving biodiversity and maintaining ecosystems, protecting features and habitats, and restoring and regenerating natural areas.

“As all levels of government and the community work together to develop the PoM, a more sustainable, successful, and resilient plan is achieved for the Blue Mountains.”

Coffs Harbour City Council PoM for 14 recreational reserves

Street view of the Eastern Dorrigo Community Hall, public toilets and showground (Alex Wells)

Coffs Harbour City Council (CHCC) adopted a Generic PoM in December 2022 covering 14 public recreation reserves. This PoM provides many benefits to the council including the protection and enhancement of sites that are significant to the community, and for tourism and environmental purposes.

The land included in the PoM comprises the Eastern Dorrigo Community Hall and Showground, home to important community infrastructure serving the small village of Ulong. The reserve contains the showground, community hall, playground, public toilets and shower, and a campground that boosts tourism offerings in the area.

This PoM also includes several reserves in the coastal zones which are used for recreation and tourism. Environmentally significant sites within the PoM provide important habitats for koalas and fish. The local Rural Fire Service building is also located within a reserve included in the PoM.

Emerald Beach Headland (Alex Wells)

The PoM has brought together the requirements of relevant legislation to help inform the council’s decision-making about current and planned activities on the land. The use of a generic PoM has enabled the council to streamline the management of several reserves with similar management needs and issues.

Having a PoM in place for these reserves means that the council can carry out updates, modifications or repairs to ensure that the buildings and infrastructure remain in good condition and are safe for the community and visitors. The PoM also authorises necessary environmental protection works to help the council conserve the significant natural environment.

“The council has been appointed manager for more than 50 Crown reserves, ranging from developed sites for sporting and play, to undeveloped natural settings such as bushland, foreshores, beaches and wetlands,” CHCC property strategy project manager Jason Bailey said.

“These Crown reserves contribute to the region’s biodiversity, recreation and tourism values, as well as the network of district sporting facilities servicing a range of sports within the local government area, and to the character of the region.

Street view of Lowanna Village Reserve (Alex Wells)

“The process of developing plans of management for reserves in our local area has meant that we have been able to put in place land management tools that will enable us to continue to provide important community infrastructure to our local residents and protect significant natural areas,” Jason added.

Street view of Baden Powell Park Reserve (Alex Wells)

The PoM has authorised land uses that support tourism and community initiatives, including formal recreation use, additional campers or improvements to camping capacity, festivals, markets, sporting fixtures and concerts, education, economic activity, emergency management and essential services use.

Street view of Woolgoolga reserve from River Street (Alex Wells)

For further information on developing a PoM, refer to the Plan of Management Guidelines on the Council Crown land manager webpage.