Landfill Consolidation and Environmental Improvement - Stream 1 and 2 - Intake 1

Organisations that are eligible to apply include:

• Must be located in the Regional Levy Area (RLA) or the Non-Levied Area (NLA) and;
• NSW council (as defined in the NSW Local Government Act), or;
• Regional waste groups (RWG), Regional Organisations of Councils (ROC) or Joint Organisations of Councils (JOC). These organisations may apply and/or coordinate the project on behalf of several NSW councils within their regional group, provided each council nominates a contact person for the project.

Stream 1 – Consolidation and transformation

Grants of up to $300,000 are available for Stream 1, covering up to 70%of the eligible project costs relating to landfill closure, consolidation, and construction of transfer stations. Applicants must meet a minimum of 30% cash or in-kind contributions. All project expenses, including cash and in-kind contributions must be clearly identified in the Application Budget.

Funding from other grants or programs must not be included as the co-contribution.

Stream 2 – Environmental Improvements

Grants of up to $250,000 are available for Stream 2, covering up to 70% of the eligible project costs relating to environmental improvements to landfills. Applicant’s must meet a minimum of 30% of cash or in-kind contributions. All project expenses, including cash and in-kind contributions must be clearly identified in the Application Budget.

Funding from other grants or programs must not be included as the applicant’s co-contribution.

Stream 3 – Advisory Services and education

Grants of up to $25,000 are available for Stream 3, covering up to 50% of the eligible project costs of advisory services relating to landfill closure plans, consolidation plans, environmental improvement plans, feasibility assessments for transformation, design, technical engineering plans and education courses to upskill Council staff in waste management. Applicants must meet a minimum of 50% of cash or in-kind contributions. All project expenses, including cash and in-kind contributions must be clearly identified in the Application Budget.

Projects must be completed by 30 June 2027.

The project must be completed by 30 June 2027.

The LCEI Program delivers a number of key environmental outcomes:

• High risk landfills are closed or converted to transfer stations
• Contribute to the long-term protection of the environment in regional and remote areas of NSW
• Improved safety, amenity and security at rural landfills
• Communities improve or maintain access to dispose of household waste in rural areas
• Councils have the skills to extend the life of existing landfill through access to technical specialists and manage risks at landfill and transfer station sites
• Program outcomes and data are shared with EPA to inform future policies and programs
• Alignment to targets listed in the Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041
  • have an 80% average recovery rate from all waste streams by 2030;
  • halve the amount of organic waste sent to landfill by 2030;
  • net zero emissions from organic waste by 2030;
  • 60% reduction in all litter items by 2030;
  • triple the plastics recycling rate by 2030; and
  • reduce illegal dumping.

Stream 1 – Landfill consolidation and transformation

Landfill closure and consolidation

• Final capping material consisting of Virgin Excavated Natural Material (VENM) or
• Excavated Natural Material (ENM) that meets technical specifications for final capping
• Equipment hire costs for undertaking closure works
• Project related improvement works to meet closure requirements
• Fencing to enclose the site
• New signage including poles indicating the site is closed. Signage must acknowledge the funding from the NSW EPA
• Rehabilitation works
• Remediation works
• Revegetation
• Leachate barriers and catchment
• Post-closure groundwater monitoring
• Waste collection equipment (such as tip trucks) will be eligible for funding if it can be demonstrated that this equipment will assist in landfill closure.

Building transfer stations

• Project related internal road improvements up to a maximum of 20%of the grant amount
• Demountable buildings up to a maximum of 20% of the grant amount
• Site preparation costs such as slabs and retaining walls up to 20% of the grant amount
• Storage bunkers or bins for separated materials
• Site automation systems that increase operational performance.

Stream 2 – Environmental improvements

Environmental improvements

• Equipment hire costs for undertaking improvement works
• Fencing in or around the site/facility
• Litter control to prevent windblown litter
• New signage including poles. Signage must acknowledge the funding from the NSW EPA
• Site security and supervision infrastructure
• Non-consumable alternative daily cover (e.g. tarps)
• Purchase of plant and equipment that will bring about environmental improvements through operational improvement. Examples include landfill compaction equipment.
• Material separation equipment. Examples include mulchers, glass breakers and balers.
• Stormwater or sedimentation contouring earthworks (not collection systems).
• Groundwater collections systems
• Groundwater monitoring

The below list of items will not be grant funded under the program. The EPA may, at its absolute discretion, update or add to the items and projects that will not be funded at any time.

• Projects not located in NSW.
• Projects and budget items that do not align with the objectives of the grant program
• Projects that would proceed without grant funding, and requests for retrospective funding
• Projects that seek to jointly procure waste services, these projects will be directed to the Joint Procurement Funded Support Program.
• Project proposals submitted by applicants who are unable to show the financial capability to complete the project
• Costs of obtaining approvals or environment protection licences
• Purchase of plant or equipment that has been previously owned by any associated entity
• Process or logistic vehicles, e.g. fork-lifts, prime movers, front-end loaders
• Freight and shipping fees including customs and/or duties, e.g. for new equipment
• Project activities or equipment that applicants have received via funding or support from other funding sources (e.g. other grant programs)
• Ongoing operational costs such as, but not limited to, rent, insurance, salaries, electricity, water and other utilities
• Costs associated with internal administration, travel, office support and communications
• Costs associated with the application or gaining of funding, eg. consultant fees or legal fees
• Land acquisition and venture capital
• Project contingency funds

Applicant’s must meet a minimum of 30% of cash or in-kind contributions. All project expenses, including cash and in-kind contributions must be clearly identified in the Application Budget.

Your organisation has a clear proposal that:

• Will close a landfill, assist in closing a landfill, establish a transfer station or see environmental and operational improvements at a landfill;
• Is authorised by the names of two senior officers in your organisation (e.g. General Manager, CEO, Chief Financial Officer, Group Manager or Secretary) who can attest to the accuracy of the information within the application;
• Demonstrates that the project is aligned with the program’s objectives and outcomes, provides value for money, delivers public benefits, and will deliver environment and human health improvements;
• Includes separate risk assessments for each site/facility proposed in the application;
• Includes separate site layouts for each site/facility proposed in the application;
• Provides a priority list ranking the sites/facility in order of importance and preference for funding, if submitting multiple applications;
• Can be completed within two years; and
• Provides at least two contact people within the eligible organisation who will be responsible for delivering the project, ongoing grant management and available to respond to questions from the EPA.