27 March, 2026
As you are aware, the NSW Government has paused the Crown Land Management Amendment (Statutory Review) Bill 2026 (the Bill) to allow for consultation.
However, there is a real risk that this consultation process becomes a tick-a-box exercise, with the Bill reintroduced in a similar form.
We must maintain pressure to ensure:
- Consultation is genuine and meaningful,
- Aboriginal voices shape the outcome, and
- The State Government does not proceed with discriminatory or divisive changes.
What can the Network do?
We are asking all LALCs to contact your local MP as a priority. Linked here is an updated template letter you can send or adapt. We encourage you to:
- Personalise it with local examples where possible.
- Request a meeting (in person or online); and
- Reinforce the importance of proper consultation with your community.
What are the key messages to reinforce?
- The pause is welcome, but we remain cautious.Â
- Consultation must be more than a box-ticking exercise.
- LALCs do not remove community services – we support and strengthen them.
- This issue is about fairness, transparency, and respect for land rights.
- Decisions about land should be made with communities, not imposed on them.
Local MPs need to hear directly from you during this consultation phase. Early engagement will shape how they approach this issue within the NSW Government and Parliament.
Your voice, as local community leaders, is critical.
We will continue to keep the network updated as this progresses.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss further, please contact the Strategy and Policy Unit – policy@alc.org.au.