1. Introduction
These guidelines have been prepared to assist people who have been appointed to
a Victorian Crown land reserve committee of management. All committees manage
their reserve on behalf of the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, and
have the responsibility to manage, improve, maintain and control their reserve.
Crown land is public land, provided for the enjoyment and benefit of the people of Victoria. It includes national
parks, state forests, parks, and public purpose reserves. Members of the public have been involved in the
management of Crown land reserves for over 150 years. Their contribution has meant that the community
benefits in a variety of ways – environmentally, socially and economically.
For most of the 19th century, governments sold Crown land to stimulate economic development, population
growth and settlement across the state. In the latter half of the 19th century, the government recognised that
certain Crown land should be kept in public ownership, and so began to reserve
Crown land for public purposes, such as parks and gardens, schools, courts and
Across Victoria there are
hospitals. In this situation, the word ‘reserve’ derives from the fact that the land
approximately:
remains in public ownership, rather than being converted into private property.
 1,500 reserves managed by
Crown land is still set aside for the use and benefit of the general public. Different
1,200 local committees of
legislation protects the different types of Crown land.
management and
Today, about one-third of Victoria is Crown land. The rest is freehold land, that is, it
is privately owned land that has been sold under a separate title.

2,800 reserves managed by
municipal councils as
committees of management.
The instrument of appointment
The Minister or Minister’s delegate appoints committees to manage Crown land reserves under the Crown Land
(Reserves) Act 1978. The powers and responsibilities of committees of management are derived from the Act.
For each committee, the Minister retains the right to place limitations on how these powers are executed and to
prescribe in more detail the extent of responsibilities. Generally, the Minister does this at the time of appointment
of each committee, in its instrument of appointment.
Powers under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978
Each committee of management gains its powers under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978. Its obligations
under that Act must be met, but the committee is also bound by the laws that govern the wider community on
matters such as employment, taxation, contracts, tenancy, licensing, and providing services.
The powers given under the Act enable the committee to:

manage, improve and maintain the land for the purposes for which it is reserved

undertake financial transactions, including borrowing money (incorporated committees only, with the Victorian
Treasurer’s consent) and entering contracts

negotiate leasing and licensing arrangements for all or part of the reserve (subject to Minister’s approval)

employ people

exercise all such powers, functions and authorities and carry out all such duties as are conferred or imposed
on it by any regulations

maintain records and administer its affairs as a public body

report on its finances and other issues as directed by DEPI.
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Responsibilities and Good Practice Guidelines
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The community
The community is a committee of management’s main client group. A good relationship with the community is an
important part of ensuring that a reserve is used, enjoyed, appreciated and developed by all. Good
communication plays an important part of a good relationship between the committee and the community.
The community's aspirations for the future of its surrounds are embodied in the local planning scheme, service
club activities, its local interest groups, its schools, sporting and recreation club business plans, chamber of
commerce activities and annual festivals and events. Committees need to be familiar with as many of these
interests as possible and should be mindful of managing community expectations when developing plans for their
reserve.
Day to day community involvement can be encouraged by having committee meetings open to the public,
reporting activities in the local newspaper, encouraging attendance at the annual general meeting and
encouraging involvement in activities like working bees and tree plantings.
Individual members of the community also may have specific knowledge regarding flora, fauna, cultural
significance and history, recreational needs, and so on, that the committee can tap into.
The level of community involvement with the committee and reserve will be guided in part by the type of reserve
and its activities and uses. A major development or activity, for example, may require information sessions,
workshops, public meetings and surveys undertaken with the community.
The role of the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI)
The Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) oversees committees of management and can
provide information and support on request. Call the DEPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186 for staff contact
details and assistance with general matters and issues that DEPI can assist with, including:

fire protection

conservation and protection of flora and fauna

tree-growing advice

pest plant and animal control

current grants programs

native title

public liability insurance

freedom of information

conservation and protection of cultural heritage.
Specific matters and issues that should be referred to a local DEPI office include:

preparation of management plans

preparation of leases, licences and contracts

landowner’s consent.
Any official correspondence from committees that is to be forwarded to the Minister should be addressed to the
relevant reserves contact person at the nearest DEPI office.
Notes on these guidelines
These guidelines bring together current advice and good practice in the management of Crown land reserves.
They are intended to be a general reference document for smaller committees.
While these guidelines will be a useful reference for larger committees of management, additional administrative
requirements will apply to larger committees. Larger committees are advised to supplement these guidelines
with information from On Board on the DEPI website.
Committees of management on the coast require specific information to complement these guidelines, available
on the DEPI website.
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Responsibilities and Good Practice Guidelines
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When viewing these guidelines online, click the underlined links for further information. See the index for the full
hyperlink when referring to the printed version.
No set of guidelines can address every situation or issue that may need to be considered by a committee of
management. Specific guidance on issues as they arise is available from regional offices.
These guidelines will be revisited and updated from time to time. The latest version will be available from the
DEPI website.
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Responsibilities and Good Practice Guidelines
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