Last November’s triumph at getting St Albans Common removed from the Crown Land Management Bill was short-lived, as the move to wrest control of the lands from the residents has been revived after the state government cabinet reshuffle.
Now the St Albans Common Action Group is asking anyone with an interest in the independent community management of the 1000-hectare commons to make a submission to the new minister by 5pm on Tuesday, February 21.
The St Albans community has been managing the 1000-hectare commons since 1824. The Crown Land Management Bill proposed state government-nominated land managers would manage the commons, despite them not being Crown land.
Hawkesbury MP Dominic Perrottet had St Albans Common excised from the draft bill the night before it was to be discussed in Parliament, in November.
“Minister Blair agreed to remove the section of the legislation that would have affected St Albans Common, and conduct further public consultation with them,” Mr Perrottet said last year.
“We will always recognise and acknowledge the unique social, economic, environmental and cultural heritage benefits of St Albans Common."
However after Paul Toole took over from Niall Blair as Minister for Lands and Forestry, the issue is back on the table. It is proposed that the name St Albans Common be kept but the land be managed by unknown entities appointed by the minister.
President of the St Albans Common Trust, Bob Bolin said the move would not achieve anything “except to wipe out nearly 200 years of history and break the connection of the community to their historic Common”.
“This connection is very deep, with working bees, musters, and care and maintenance done voluntarily by Commoners themselves,” he said.
“Anyone wishing to access the Trustees’ submission and/or make a submission themselves to the Department is directed to visit the following website which has all the links and information on making a submission. Go to www.stalbansnsw.com.au/Save-St-Albans-Common.php.”
The Gazette contacted Mr Perrottet who said he has spoken to Minister Paul Toole twice about the issue already.
“I would like to encourage members of the community to lodge their submissions while I am continuing to bat for them to the Minister,” he said.
“The common has significant importance to the community and to our country.”
However he said he could not do anything further until the Minister had reviewed all the submissions.
The Gazette contacted Minister Toole’s office to find out why the issue was on the table again after it was apparently resolved last year.
A spokesperson from the office said “The first round of legislation that modernises the management of Crown lands in NSW was passed last year”.
“ A second round will go to Parliament this year, bringing eight separate pieces of legislation into one.
“Following concerns raised by commons trusts, changes affecting commons were deferred to the second round. The Government remains on this course that was set last year.
“This will allow for these concerns to be fully addressed and ensure the appropriate provisions for commons management are included in the second round of legislation.”
The new land managers to be appointed would be the existing people on the Commons Trust.