These grants are open to commercial berry and vegetable growers in the North Coast Local Land Services region to reduce diffuse sediment and nutrient pollution of coastal draining waterways.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: From $10,000 to $35,000
- Application opened: 1 May 2023
- Application closed: 24 May 2023, 11:59 pm
Program objective
This project will help farmers in intensive coastal agricultural industries to
- better manage nutrient inputs and runoff to become more productive and profitable
- reduce their impact on water quality and the marine estate
- improve the long term economic and environmental sustainability of intensive agricultural systems in coastal NSW
- increase export market access and social license to operate through improved land and water stewardship.
This program is funded and administered by Local Land Services.
Eligibility
Who can apply
- Commercial growers of vegetables and Blueberry or rubus crops
- Reside in the North Coast Local Land Services region (Port Macquarie Hastings to Tweed LGA's)
- Owners of berry and vegetable farms in the region
- Leaseholding growers, where the owner gives permission for works.
- Individuals or businesses
Who can’t apply
- Applicants outside the target region
- Hobbyist or non-commercial growers
- Farmers producing non-target commodities
Types of projects funded under this grant
One or more of the following types of on-ground works
- irrigation/fertigation system retrofits/upgrades to existing production areas that reduce water use
- wastewater capture & treatment/re-use/recycling systems
- construction of nutrient detention ponds, artificial wetlands and filter ponds
- riparian and farm perimeter re-vegetation or creating vegetated buffer zones to filter water runoff from production areas
- erosion control including structural works and re-vegetation, such as construction of diversion banks and contour banks to control run-off
- modified fertiliser use to reduce nutrient loss/run-off.
What can’t you apply for
- infrastructure required to develop additional growing areas, for example, new crop plantings, new roads & tracks, greenhouses, irrigation and earthworks
- boundary fencing
- replacement of vegetation (solely for biodiversity) at sites where this change will not lead to a reduction in nutrient exports
- works that are considered the normal obligation of a landholder (for example, weed control, repairs and maintenance, repairs to roads and tracks)
- activities related to consent conditions on pre-existing Development Applications or other Local, State or Federal Government Orders
- existing works where expenses have already been incurred
- remediation works as directed by a compliance order.
Example projects
Projects that
- reduce water use
- reduce run-off of nutrients and agrichemicals
- prevent or repair soil erosion
- revegetation projects with native species.
Most recent recipients
What your application needs to include
You can download the full guidelines:
File
Clean Coastal Catchments 3 North Coast Horticulture grant guidelines (PDF 244.33KB)You will need to fill in an online application form, and prepare a budget for your project using templates available from the Clean Coastal Catchments project website
1
Address the application checklist
- You must address all assessment criteria in your application.
- We will assess your application based on your answers.
- The amount of detail and supporting evidence you provide in your application should be relative to the project size, complexity and grant amount requested.
- You should provide evidence to support your answers.
- The application form displays size limits for written answers.
Important: The application must meet the applicant eligibility criteria outlined within these grant guidelines for their application be assessed.
2
Eligibility criteria
- The works are to be carried out within the North Coast LLS region.
- The works are to be carried out on private lands or managed (perpetual lease) crown lands.
- The works are located in a coastal draining catchment, close to named waterway where pollution is possible.
- The works are on existing horticultural production areas.
- The applicant is a commercial blueberry, blackberry, raspberry or vegetable/edible herb growers (soil and substrate systems).
- All grant recipients will be required to enter a contracted agreement with LLS, undertake before and after monitoring, and complete a final report.
- All grant recipients must consent to publication of the grant received, details to be published can be found under the Disclosure of grants awarded section.
- Applications are limited to one property per landholder. Multiple applications for a single property will not be considered.
- The funding requested must be between $10,000 – $35,000.
- Funding requested for project activities should be in line with the standardised costings provided, unless a quote and justification are provided.
- Applicants must provide an in-kind contribution equal to or greater than the total amount of funds requested.
- The applicant is committed to providing five years of site maintenance after the completion date.
- Funded works must be carried out and completed within the 2023/2024 financial year.
- Applicants are to have public liability insurance to the value of at least $10 million.
- The works proposed are consistent with the program objectives and comprise of eligible activities.
- The proposed activities must be consistent with local, NSW and Australian government regulations and legislation.
- Applicants must have paid all current North Coast LLS financial obligations (e.g. rates, long term grazing permits) prior to receiving a funding agreement and any Conflict of Interest is declared with your application.
Preferred
- Landholders working in accordance with a formal erosion management plan.
- Erosion works are undertaken by engaging a suitably qualified soil conservation practitioner.
- Irrigation retrofits undertaken with a suitably qualified irrigation designer/installer.
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Assessment criteria
| Criteria categories | Evidence requirements | Criteria weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Strategic alignment |
| 30% |
| Deliverability |
| 30% |
| Quality |
| 30% |
| Value for money |
| 10% |
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: North Coast Local Land Services assessment panel
The applications will be assessed and both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified.
All applications will be assessed by an independent panel to select the most suitable projects. There is a total pool of $200,000 available for projects.
Support and contact
For questions regarding your eligibility or with your application, please contact
Julie Dart (business hours)
Phone: 0427 007 501
Email: julie.dart@lls.nsw.gov.au