The Hon. MICHAEL VEITCH: I address my question without notice to the Minister for Lands. Will the Minister outline how the Rees Labor Government is recognising and supporting rural and regional communities through the system of trust boards managing Crown reserves?

The Hon. TONY KELLY: I thank the honourable member for his question. In the area where the Hon. Michael Veitch lives there are a number of Crown reserve trusts and many volunteers who do an outstanding job. I take this opportunity to recognise the outstanding achievements of the many volunteers who manage Crown reserve trusts across New South Wales.

The Hon. Melinda Pavey: How many in Wellington?

The Hon. TONY KELLY: There are many in Wellington as well. I recognise the community spirit and commitment of trust appointees as they manage Crown reserves for the benefit of the people of New South Wales. There are around 6,000 volunteers—

The Hon. Michael Veitch: How many?

The Hon. TONY KELLY: There are around 6,000 volunteers.

The Hon. Michael Veitch: Across the State?

The Hon. TONY KELLY: Yes, on community reserve trust boards managing over 700 Crown reserves across New South Wales. Volunteers whose leadership, expertise, skills and vision are responsible for a range of good works that are required to build civic pride and keep our communities together. Reserve trust volunteers are an essential part of the fabric of local communities as they manage our community halls and other social facilities. Apart from the local community halls, reserve trusts also manage youth clubs, sporting fields, local parks and playgrounds, showgrounds, tennis courts, preschools, racecourses, cemeteries and environmental protection reserves. Some of the facilities are local tourist attractions such as heritage buildings, parks and showgrounds, which have the capacity to stimulate local areas with business interests, development, jobs and income.

As a measure of this Government's commitment to support trust volunteers, this year we are again sponsoring the New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory Regional Achievement and Community Awards. In past years these awards have put a spotlight on the success stories in regional and rural Australia. The awards confirm that regional communities are as tough and resilient as they have ever been. The awards encourage and reward outstanding individuals, networks and groups. Last year the Ashby Community Centre and Recreation Reserve, near Yamba, was the recipient of the community Crown reserve trust award for its work in maintaining this vital sports and leisure facility for that village of 1,000 people. The Government also honours the long-serving members of trust boards by recognising outstanding individual contributions to communities. Recently I recognised some 56 trustees who had served at least 10 years on cemetery trust boards, ranging from Sandgate Cemetery, near Newcastle, in the north to Woronora Cemetery, in the Sutherland Shire, in the south. They had collectively contributed a staggering 1,030 years of service to reserve trusts across the State.

Recently I announced the appointment of community members to a number of trusts, including the Peak Hill showground. Last Monday I had the pleasure of opening the Peak Hill Show, where I noted the retirement of Jock Agnew from that event's reserve trust. Jock had been of service to that community for some 35 years—a great effort indeed! My recent announcement of appointments also included the Katandra Bushland Sanctuary, near Mona Vale; recreation areas at Upper Horton, northwest of Tamworth; Dover Park, in the village of Barry, south of Blayney; and Alectown, north of Parkes. The Government is committed to supporting these volunteers. This year the Labor Government has invested $10 million through the Public Reserves Management Fund to improve Crown reserves throughout this State; $30,000 every day to improve valuable community assets. [Time expired.]