Code of Conduct

The Crown reserves code of conduct (the code) outlines the standard of behaviours expected of people contributing to the management of a Crown reserve.

The community expects that Crown reserves will be managed with transparency, integrity and good governance, and the code reflects those expectations.  Adopting consistent standards and behaviours will help to instil public trust and confidence in the integrity and professionalism of the Crown reserve system.

People involved in managing Crown reserves are responsible for their own conduct.

The code applies to those who contribute to, and perform duties for, the management of Crown reserves in both paid and unpaid roles, and includes:

• appointed individuals and ex-officio members of Crown reserve boards
• Crown reserve employees and contractors
• volunteers undertaking activities on, or for the benefit of, the Crown reserve
• organisations and/or individuals with an ongoing relationship to the Crown reserve
• administrator or appointed corporations (and their employees and volunteers)
• consultants and/or those contracted to provide services to the Crown reserve.

Agreed standards of behaviour

The ten standards detailed in the code outline the need to respect others, act with integrity and transparency, be responsive to our communities and maintain an environment that is safe for volunteers, employees and reserve users.

Importantly, the code will ensure that you, as a contributor to the management of the Crown reserve system, can be confident you’ll be participating in a safe, respectful and enjoyable environment.

View the Crown reserve code of conduct

Reporting wrongdoing

Crown land managers and the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022

What is the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022?

The new Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 (PID Act 2022) is now in effect, replacing the Public Interest Disclosures Act 1994 (PID Act 1994).

The PID Act 2022’s main function is to cover the reporting of wrongdoings by government officials without fear of detrimental actions.

How does the PID Act  2022 apply to Crown land managers?

Through their management of Crown Land, all Crown Land Managers, their employees, volunteers and contractors are now covered under the PID Act 2022.

What is serious wrongdoing?

Serious wrongdoings mean 1 or more of the following—

a) corrupt conduct (e.g. blackmail, fraud, breach of public trust, theft),

(b) a government information contravention,

(c) a local government pecuniary interest contravention,

(d) serious maladministration (e.g. breach of legislation)

(e) a privacy contravention (e.g. release of personal information to members of the public),

(f) a serious and substantial waste of public money.

(The PID Act under Schedule 2 Dictionary references corrupt conduct has the same meaning as in the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988.

How to make a report

A report can be made to your local Crown Lands office where it will be confidentially handled by a Crown Land designated Disclosure Officer.

It can alternately be reported directly to pidreporting@dpie.nsw.gov.au.

Where to get more information

Further information is available in the Public Interest Disclosures Policy (nsw.gov.au) and the NSW Ombudsman website.

Download the  PID Act Factsheet