Managing Crown Land - Fact Sheet - Committees of Management and Reserved Crown Land
Committees of Management
Crown land reserves have historically been managed by committees of management. This system of administration has evolved to include community groups, councils and statutory bodies. Importantly, members of the public have been involved in the management of Crown land reserves for over 150 years.Managing Crown Land - Introduction
A Crown land reserve is public land that has been set aside for public purposes for the enjoyment and benefit of the people of Victoria. The colonial Government began to reserve Crown land in the latter half of the 19th century as a means of providing land for important community activities. Crown land reserves support a whole range of amenities and uses such as halls, libraries, theatres, showgrounds, gardens, bushland, zoos, foreshores, sports ovals, tennis courts, playgrounds, swimming pools and rail trails. Victoria has over 12,000 Crown land reserves. Crown land is still set aside today for the use and benefit of the general public.The principal legislation dealing with the reservation and management of Crown lands in Victoria is the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978.
Today, all committees appointed under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 manage their reserve on behalf of the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, and have responsibility and authority to manage, improve, maintain and control their reserve.
Types of Committees of Management
Committees of management can consist of locally elected or appointed citizens, a municipal council, statutory bodies or trustees. There are approximately:- 1,700 reserves managed by 1,250 local committees of management; and
- 2,800 reserves managed by municipal councils as committees of management
Committees of Management Responsibilities
As well as meeting its obligations under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978, 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 and develop the reserve
- undertake financial transactions, including borrowing money (with the Victorian Treasurer’s consent) and entering contracts
- enter tenure arrangements, such as leasing and licensing, for part or all of the reserve, subject to Minister’s approval
- employ people
- enforce regulations.
Good Practice Guidelines
The committee of management responsibilities and good practice guidelines are available to guide and assist people who have been appointed to a Victorian Crown land reserve committee of management.The Code of Conduct
Committees are public entities for the purposes of the Public Administration Act 2004 and members are therefore subject to the provisions of the Victorian Public Entity Directors’ Code of Conduct. This code sets out your duties and accountabilities and is a good tool to support and review member conduct issues. A copy of the code has been mailed to the Committees and additional copies are available from the State Services Authority website (under public sector governance) or by calling 136 186.Declaration of Private Interest
All appointees to Victorian public bodies, including CoMs are required to complete a declaration of private interests form annually.
These forms must be kept on your Committee files (not returned to DSE).
Completing these forms gives the members of the committee an opportunity to reflect on the interests of each member, so colleagues can identify where potential and perceived potential for conflicts of interest might exist and result in the more effective management of those issues.
Declaration of Private Interest form
[MS Word Document - 86.0 KB]
Annual Returns
Letters requesting an Annual Return for the 2010-11 financial year will be sent to Committees of Management during September 2011.
The 2010-11 Annual Return Template can also be downloaded for electronic completion, via the link below:
Annual Return Template 2010-11
[MS Word Document - 200.0 KB]
The completed Annual Return is to be returned to:
Judy Ryan DSE Transaction Centre PO Box 879 SEYMOUR VIC 3660or
Email: transactioncentre@dse.vic.gov.au
Assistance to complete the 2010-11 Template can be sought from Dan Meehan on (03) 9637 9414.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I become a committee member?There are a number of ways depending on the management needs of the reserve. Membership can be sought by elections held at a public meeting, usually called by the local council. Expressions of interest can be requested by DSE or the responsible Minister in the case of user groups or skill based membership of committees. In each case these will be advertised in local media.
How do I find out who is on my local reserve committee of management?
Contact your local DSE office.
Can I have a say in how my local reserve is managed?
Yes. You can provide input to the committee on reserve management issues, attend committee meetings or seek nomination to a committee of management.
Do members of committees of management get paid?
No: all members of committees of management participate in a voluntary capacity.
Is it necessary for Committees of Management to be incorporated?
While it is not mandatory, the Act provides for incorporation of committees to enable them to employ staff, hold bank accounts and issue leases and licences, or enter other contracts. Many grant schemes also require a recipient body to be incorporated.
Communicating with and between Committees of Management (CoMs)
There are a variety of initiatives taking place across the state by CoMs and DSE. We would like to be able to share this information with you and for you to be able to contribute to discussions and share your ideas and initiatives.
So, what you would like DSE to do? How can we best help CoMs share your information, experiences and ideas? Do you have thoughts about potential improvements to the management of Crown land?
Please email your ideas to voluntary.committees@dse.vic.gov.au or post to:
Locked bag 3000
BOX HILL VIC 3128