The NSW Government grants are being provided by Crown Lands in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure from the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF).

Wollongong electorate projects being funded are:

• $75,580 for weed control at Fishermans Beach and Hill 60 Reserve at Port Kembla.
• $52,000 for weed control and clearing at Harry Morton Park at Port Kembla.
• $23,100 to support the Perkins Beach bitou bush control project and protection program at Windang Reserve at Windang.

Controlling noxious weeds is vital to keep reserves healthy and functional for community use, protect the environment for native animals and plants, and reduce the risk of weeds spreading to surrounding lands.

Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:

“Hill 60, Harry Morton Park and Fisherman’s Beach are all important public spaces in the Illawarra so I am pleased that more than $150,000 has been committed for weed control to make sure that they can continue to be used by the public.

“As communities grow it is important that we continue to manage and invest in public spaces, like Crown Land, through programs like the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund.

“It is also welcome news that funding is being provided to kick-start the transformation of Harry Morton Park into a more natural environment and to reduce the impacts of bitou bush on the Littoral Rainforest and Bangalay Sand Forest endangered ecological communities at Perkins Beach.”

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“The grants to maintain and improve reserves in Wollongong are part of $11.18 million that is being offered by the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund statewide to support community-focused projects.

“The NSW Government is focused on building better communities and these projects will keep our public reserves safe and healthy and support the cultural, sporting and recreational life of local communities to benefit many thousands of people.”