These grants support ground projects throughout Local Land Services’ (LLS) Hunter region to develop natural resource management projects on private land (or on public and private lands through partnership proposals).
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Up to $50,000
- Application opened: 28 November 2022
- Application closed: 12 June 2023
Program objective
A range of targeted Land Management Incentive programs are available throughout Local Land Services’ (LLS) Hunter region.
Funding may be available to implement on ground projects to develop natural resource management projects on private land (or on public and private lands through partnership proposals).
The grants program will support projects that provide some or all of these activities:
- Protection and restoration of riverbanks in priority areas.
- Significant threatened native vegetation restoration and enhancement for priority vegetation or in priority areas.
- Threatened species recovery for priority species.
- Grazing or on-farm practices that improve pasture cover, perennial species and nutrient/fertiliser management in priority areas.
This program is funded and administered by Local Land Services.
Eligibility
Who can apply
- landholders
- community groups
- Aboriginal land managers.
Who can’t apply
Other land managers or organisations not listed above.
Types of projects funded under this grant
- fencing of riverbanks for stock exclusion
- off-stream stock watering points
- revegetation of riverbanks
- grazing management plans
- revegetation plans
- weed and pest animal control
- on-farm soil protection practices.
What can’t you apply for
Types of activities that will not be funded under this program include
- solely production-oriented activities
- major farm water supplies including irrigation
- solely weed control to meet a landholder’s general biosecurity duty
- purchase of machinery and computer hardware and software, where there is no demonstrated land use change
- activities more appropriately funded by other bodies
- activities that the land managers can reasonably be expected to undertake to ensure sustainable management of areas under their control
- work that is undertaken before the project agreement for the proposal is signed or after the project agreement ends
- construction or modification of instream works
- projects intended to beautify or improve amenity
- replacement or maintenance of property boundary fencing that is the landholder’s normal responsibility
- capital works, for example construction of buildings or viewing platforms to improve amenity
- expert advice that could alternatively be provided by the LLS or other government agency
- research
- any works for mostly private benefit
- activities that may be required due to legal responsibilities, compliance with development consents and/or reasonable duty of care
- activities that do not directly deliver on the specified program outcomes
- maintenance of previously LLS/CMA funded works
- works that are existing obligations to the landholders, such as on title conservation agreements or Land Management code agreements
- works that are already funded by other sources.
Most recent recipients
What your application needs to include
You can download the full guidelines:
File
LLS Hunter Region Land Management Incentives Guidelines (PDF 369.53KB)File
LLS Hunter Land Management Incentives Program: 4 Watersheds guidelines (PDF 203.31KB)
Your application will need to include
- an application form
- budget
- map of project site
- photo baseline monitoring
- Public Liability (as per guidelines)
- WHS Plan/Policy document.
Prepare your application with this checklist
Before submitting your application, you will need to
- check that your project is in an identified priority area Hunter Healthy and Productive Landscapes Program 2022-23 (arcgis.com)
- complete and submit an Expression of Interest form Land Management Incentives Program - Local Land Services
- discuss your proposal with LLS staff
- ensure your project has an on ground activity
- seek budgets/estimate costs and actions
- draw a map of the site, and take photos of key locations to be managed in the project (before photos)
- prepare your application form, and ensure you allow sufficient time to review with others.
Address the eligibility criteria
- The applicant has submitted an Expression of Interest (see 1.1 of the guidelines) and is invited to complete an application form by Local Land Services Hunter region.
- The project is located within the LLS Hunter region in an identified priority area for this program or target customer group. Hunter Healthy and Productive Landscapes Program 2022-23 (arcgis.com).
- The applicant contributes a minimum of 1:1 (Landholder contribution $1: Hunter LLS funding $1) co-investment through cash and/or in-kind (e.g. labour, equipment and materials) from the landholder.
- The applicant has completed all works, monitoring and reporting for any previously funded project/s prior to submitting a new application.
- The applicant is able to complete proposed works within a 12-month (or otherwise agreed) timeframe.
- The application must meet Hunter LLS minimum standards for on-ground works, as detailed in these guidelines.
- The applicant/business not having previously received LLS or CMA funding for the proposed works, on 2 or more previous occasions for similar works elsewhere on the same property.
- The proposed activities are consistent with local, NSW and Australian government regulations and legislation.
- The applicant has paid all current Hunter LLS financial obligations e.g. rates, Long Term Grazing Permits.
- Must not be double funded by other sources (such as other grants) for the same work, or be obligated to undertake the work through on title or other certificates that are the responsibility of the landholder (such as Biodiversity Conservation Trust or Land Management Code certificates).
- Partnership proposed on lands not owned by the applicant (such as Landcare groups, leasees) must have the land managers or owners permission and be confirmed in the application.
Address the assessment criteria
- Applicant must have met all eligibility requirements.
- Applications are assessed on their own merit and meeting standards for environmental outcomes, and alignment to the investment and program priorities, and are not comparatively assessed (scoring is ranked, and allows for selection against available funding where funding is limited/exhausted).
- Assessment is made by Team Leader and Business Team representatives using a Benefit Cost Tool (identifying risk, project complexity, legacy and long term multiple environmental outcomes, value for money, capacity to deliver/risk of failure, technical feasibility, significance of asset, connectivity and downstream benefits, soil benefits, biodiversity benefits and alignment to LLS advisory reports). External panelists may also be involved in selection as needed.
- Value for money- such as in kind, cash or other contributions.
- Risk management-demonstrate risk management and ensure project success.
- Maintenance- proposed maintenance activities and duration is appropriate.
Start the application
More information about the program and expression of interest form for these grants are available via the Local Land Services, Hunter region's website:
Land Management Incentives Program - Local Land Services.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Healthy Landscapes Manager or General Manager
The applications will be assessed and both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified.
Support and contact
Complete an Expression of Interest form (EOI) available from our website: Land Management Incentives Program - Local Land Services
Email: incentives.program@lls.nsw.gov.au
Call: 1300 795 299
Paterson Office: 816 Tocal Road, Paterson NSW 2421
Scone Office: 2 Flemington Drive, Scone NSW 2337
Taree Office: 26 Muldoon Street, Taree NSW 2430