Coastal and Estuary Planning & Implementation 2026-27

Project scope

Funding is available for:

• cost-effective projects that align with the program guidelines and objectives
• projects based on actions identified in a certified CMP, where those actions have not been tendered or commenced.
   

Internal resources

Staffing resources may be eligible where it can be demonstrated that:

• the staff member or team possesses relevant skills, experience and qualifications and capacity to deliver the proposed work
• their role within the project is not the result of cost shifting from other responsibilities
• the approach supports the best project outcomes, including cost-effectiveness (detailed costings, and a clear explanation of why the approach is preferred to alternative arrangements must be provided).

If staffing resources are approved, reporting requirements will include a clear and detailed report outlining staff costs and hours expended for each milestone to verify eligible expenditure.
 

Amenity works, supporting a broader project

Amenity works in Streams 2 to 5 (excluding 2b), where they form part of a holistic coastal management project and result in improved:

• public access to the coastal location, including paths and facilities for multi-user access
• natural biodiversity and visual aesthetics linked to the works.
   

Actions outside of the mapped coastal zone

Actions outside of the mapped coastal zone may be eligible if a clear and significant benefit to the coastal zone or estuary health can be demonstrated.
 

Monitoring to support future actions

Monitoring conducted for less than 3 years to evaluate the effectiveness of an implemented measure or to support the identification of potential future actions at a specific location.

Project scope

Funding is not available for:

• retrospective projects (including individual activities) are not eligible for funding. This includes projects that are already underway, subject to an existing contractual commitment, have been tendered, or have been completed
• projects that are funded or being considered or funding as part of a natural disaster relief declaration
  projects that do not demonstrate cost‑effectiveness or lack a clear link to long‑term coastal management planning.

Actions not identified in a certified CMP or CZEAS, except for:

• exempt activities
• Stream 2b (coastal vulnerability area mapping).

Financial

Financial and funding restrictions include:

• goods and services tax (GST) – project costs must exclude GST
• budget contingencies and provisional items – project costs should be listed as accurately as possible
• financial co-contributions funded through other NSW or Commonwealth programs, or voluntary contributions from other sources, are not eligible.
   

Administrative and internal management costs

Funding is not available for:

• project management costs, unless the application relates to an eligible partnership project
• all internal costs (including on costs) associated with the core activities of the applicant, unless otherwise approved by the department. An applicant’s core activities include:
  • preparing study briefs
  • reviewing proposals and tenders
  • researching and copying records
  • attending meetings
  • administering the contract and grant
  • accounting costs
  • costs associated with staff time for engagement with the public and government agencies, including the education of residents through mailouts.

Maintenance and amenity

Funding is not available for:

• ongoing or routine maintenance of completed projects or existing infrastructure. This includes preventative or corrective maintenance. Note: Funding may only be considered for the replacement or upgrade of existing protection structures identified as a priority action in a certified CMP
• amenity works that:
  • do not deliver an overall environmental benefit
  • are not directly connected to the project area.

This includes car parking, barbecue facilities, shelters, amenity sheds, showers, toilets, sea pools, and works associated with surf lifesaving clubs and vegetation reduction or clearing, where the primary purpose is amenity and visual improvement.

Monitoring and location

Funding is not available for:

• monitoring projects that run for more than 3 years, including continued or repeat monitoring at the same location
• foreshore protection structures within estuaries that delineate, or are constructed along, a private boundary
• portions of protection structures deemed to be for private asset protection or private benefit
• catchment area actions outside the mapped coastal zone that do not support delivery of a certified CMP, do not provide significant benefit to the coastal zone, or are not a critical factor in estuary health
• sites with existing biobanking agreements, or works to prepare a site to be eligible for biobanking.

Promotional items

Program funding is focused on project delivery and does not support the purchase of promotional giveaway items or prizes for community engagement events (such as pens, magnets, keyrings, tote bags, plants, gift cards or similar items).

Some examples of the types of projects that may be funded under this stream are:

• actions to reduce immediate risk from coastal hazards
• actions to reduce immediate risk to public assets
• emergency actions or activities to be carried out by a public authority under the CZEAS
• emergency actions or activities to ensure public safety and prevent risks to human life
• projects to prioritise and plan actions that support the continued functionality of essential infrastructure during and immediately after a coastal hazard emergency.