These grants are targeted at weed management, and assist in community-based projects or landscape-level projects to mitigate the impacts of priority weeds and establish best practice weed management in the Local Land Services Hunter region.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: From $500
- Application opened: 1 August 2024
- Application closed: 2 December 2024, 11:59 am
Program objective
Local Land Services (LLS) Hunter region has funding available from Hunter Catchment Contributions, Hunter Catchment Contributions Strategic Fund and Widespread Weeds Fund for organisations of the Hunter LLS Region to undertake weed management related activities.
Applications for funding can be varied and range from on-ground works, capacity building of general community or organisations or groups, management documents to help plan out the management of a weed species or weed situation long term, or to gather data to inform of weed situations of the Hunter.
The objective of the Strategic Weeds Grant Program (the Program) is to:
- Reduce the impact of weeds through the implementation of the NSW Invasive Species Plan and the NSW Biosecurity Strategy.
- Meeting actions of the Hunter Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan.
- Assist landholders to meet their General Biosecurity Duty, undertaking activities that highlight weed impacts and management options for landholders.
- Undertake control programs to bring weed infestations within landholder capacity to manage, providing for reasonably practicable weed control.
This program is funded and administered by Local Land Services.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Applications are open to organisations of the Local Land Services Hunter region. This includes but not limited to:
- Community groups.
- Landcare groups or networks.
- Schools.
- Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs).
- Committees/Associations.
- Not for profit organisations.
- Industry/producer groups.
- Other landholder groups and associations.
- Government organisations (Local, State, Federal),
To be eligible for grant funding, an applicant must meet each of the following requirements:
- be one of the following:
- a company incorporated in Australia
- a company incorporated by guarantee
- an incorporated association or co-operative n
- a partnership
- a local council
- joint organisation of councils
- an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006.
- Be financially viable and ability to demonstrate this if required.
- Hold or commit to obtaining public liability insurance of not less than $20 million per occurrence or hold equivalent or better self-insurance to the satisfaction of the Hunter Local Land Services, prior to executing a Funding Deed with the Hunter Local Land Services.
- Provide evidence of their organisation’s maximum co-contribution if successful.
- Hold all appropriate licences and permits to undertake the desired projects.
- Seek independent advice on any interactions of the project and other laws or legal requirements.
- Your organisation/group must not be subject to an Independent Commission Against, Corruption (ICAC). Or legal investigation by Local Land Services (LLS), Hunter Local Land Services, Department of Primary Industries (DPI), a Local Control Authority or other legal investigations.
- Able to enter a funding deed with the NSW government.
For further information see the grant program guidelines.
Who can’t apply
- Local Land Services Board members.
- Local Land Services staff.
- Hunter Water Corporation staff.
Grant funds awarded cannot be used on properties held by ineligible applicants such as Local Land Services board members or Local Land Services staff.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Applications for funding can be varied and range from on-ground works, capacity building of general community or organisations or groups, management documents to help plan out the management of a weed species or weed situation long term, or to gather data to inform of weed situations of the Hunter.
Project type | Key objectives | Examples |
Weed Control | Mitigate the impact of priority invasives plants. |
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Education/ Capacity building | Raise the capacity of Hunter communities to manage and mitigate the impacts of weeds. Hunter communities are aware of biosecurity and activity looking for and reporting new weed incursions. |
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Future weed management Planning | Develop planning documents to facilitate future weed biosecurity activities. |
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Monitoring | Undertake inspections to monitor for new incursions, inform landholders of general biosecurity duty, and maintain awareness of the distribution and impact of weeds. |
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Research | Future management and control methods identified, developed, and implemented effectively to assist in integrated pest management. |
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What can’t you apply for
- Activities that have already been funded.
- Activities that have already been delivered.
- Activities that are of purely personal or private benefit.
- On ground outcomes that are predominantly outside of the Hunter Region.
- Generally, no more than 15% of the total project cost for project management and administration. Strong justification and cost breakdown is required for a percentage above this value.
- Activities that do not align with the intended outcomes (skills and knowledge in land management practices and/or building community participation, skills and knowledge within organisations and communities).
- Capital assets, (asset which will have a useful life for more than one year (long-term benefit) and with a cost/value of more than $5000 (excluding GST) generally will not be funded, unless there is a strong justification (where the items directly support outcomes).
- Costs relating to maintenance or depreciation of plant and equipment beyond the life of the project.
- Non-project related staff training and development costs.
For further information see the grant program guidelines.
Most recent recipients
What was approved
Approved for Forestry Corporation of New South Wales
HR05231 - to undertake primary and follow up lantana and other high priority weed control on identified sites in Uffington State Forest.
$15,000 was approved by
The decision maker for the grant is the General Manager of Local Land Services Hunter region. The decision maker will review the availability of grant funds, assessment criteria score, the Assessment Panel’s recommendation before deciding which grant applications to approve. The decision maker may take other factors into account that may make an application unsuitable for funding, including issues that could cause reputational or other risks to the NSW Government. The decision maker’s decision is final in all matters, including: • the approval of the grant • the grant funding amount to be awarded, and • the terms and conditions of the grant. There is no appeal mechanism for decisions to approve or not approve a grant.Date approved
February 2025Location of the project
DungogLocation of the recipient
DungogAbout the grant
Applications approved
4
Applications received
7
Strategic Weeds Grant Program 2023-25 - Local Land Services Hunter region
Agency funding this grant
Local Land ServicesProgram term
31/05/2026What was approved
Approved for Hunter Region Landcare Network
HR05230 - Hunter Region Landcare Network Muster Event provides the opportunity for our community to learn more about priority weeds and how to manage them on their properties
$10,000 was approved by
The decision maker for the grant is the General Manager of Local Land Services Hunter region. The decision maker will review the availability of grant funds, assessment criteria score, the Assessment Panel’s recommendation before deciding which grant applications to approve. The decision maker may take other factors into account that may make an application unsuitable for funding, including issues that could cause reputational or other risks to the NSW Government. The decision maker’s decision is final in all matters, including: • the approval of the grant • the grant funding amount to be awarded, and • the terms and conditions of the grant. There is no appeal mechanism for decisions to approve or not approve a grant.Date approved
February 2025Location of the recipient
Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Stephens, SingletonAbout the grant
Applications approved
4
Applications received
7
Strategic Weeds Grant Program 2023-25 - Local Land Services Hunter region
Agency funding this grant
Local Land ServicesProgram term
30/09/2025What was approved
Approved for Dept of Climate Change, Energy, The Environment and Water - NPWS
HR05229 - Treatment of African Olive and Bridal creeper within the Tiraki National Park
$19,471 was approved by
The decision maker for the grant is the General Manager of Local Land Services Hunter region. The decision maker will review the availability of grant funds, assessment criteria score, the Assessment Panel’s recommendation before deciding which grant applications to approve. The decision maker may take other factors into account that may make an application unsuitable for funding, including issues that could cause reputational or other risks to the NSW Government. The decision maker’s decision is final in all matters, including: • the approval of the grant • the grant funding amount to be awarded, and • the terms and conditions of the grant. There is no appeal mechanism for decisions to approve or not approve a grant.Date approved
February 2025Location of the project
Cessnock, SingletonLocation of the recipient
Cessnock, SingletonAbout the grant
Applications approved
4
Applications received
7
Strategic Weeds Grant Program 2023-25 - Local Land Services Hunter region
Agency funding this grant
Local Land ServicesProgram term
30/06/2028What was approved
Approved for Dept of Climate Change, Energy, The Environment and Water - NPWS
HR05228 - Undertaking primary control of African olive in areas of dense infestation and scattered mature olives within the Belford National Park
$15,000 was approved by
The decision maker for the grant is the General Manager of Local Land Services Hunter region. The decision maker will review the availability of grant funds, assessment criteria score, the Assessment Panel’s recommendation before deciding which grant applications to approve. The decision maker may take other factors into account that may make an application unsuitable for funding, including issues that could cause reputational or other risks to the NSW Government. The decision maker’s decision is final in all matters, including: • the approval of the grant • the grant funding amount to be awarded, and • the terms and conditions of the grant. There is no appeal mechanism for decisions to approve or not approve a grant.Date approved
February 2025Location of the project
SingletonLocation of the recipient
SingletonAbout the grant
Applications approved
4
Applications received
7
Strategic Weeds Grant Program 2023-25 - Local Land Services Hunter region
Agency funding this grant
Local Land ServicesProgram term
30/06/2028What was approved
Approved for Allyn River Landholders Association Inc
Control of Giant Reed (Arundo Donax) and other woody and grass weeds along Allyn River
$100,000 was approved by
The decision maker for the grant is the General Manager of Local Land Services Hunter region. The decision maker will review the availability of grant funds, assessment criteria score, the Assessment Panel’s recommendation before deciding which grant applications to approve. The decision maker may take other factors into account that may make an application unsuitable for funding, including issues that could cause reputational or other risks to the NSW Government. The decision maker’s decision is final in all matters, including: • the approval of the grant • the grant funding amount to be awarded, and • the terms and conditions of the grant. There is no appeal mechanism for decisions to approve or not approve a grant.Date approved
November 2024Location of the project
DungogLocation of the recipient
DungogAbout the grant
Applications approved
1
Applications received
2
Strategic Weeds Grant Program 2023-25 - Local Land Services Hunter region
Agency funding this grant
Local Land ServicesProgram term
29/05/2026What your application needs to include
You can download the full guidelines.
- An application form must be filled out for all proposals.
- There is no limit to the number of applications that can be received from an applicant.
- Applications completed in a downloadable Word document can be sent via email to matt.kennedy@lls.nsw.gov.au or filled out via online application form.
When an application is submitted online a notification is sent automatically to the applicant's email address. When emailing application, the Regional Weeds Coordinator (Matt Kennedy) will acknowledge receipt of the application.
There are four assessment rounds:
- March 2024
- June 2024
- August 2024
- December 2024.
All applications received before midday on the first day of each of the assessment rounds (for 2024 these are 4 March, 3 June, 1 August and 2 December) will be assessed in that round.
Conflicts of Interest
There may be a requirement for a conflict-of-interest declaration to be submitted with all applications.
Where a conflict-of-interest detrimental to the assessment process is identified (by either an applicant or the Department), the Department will establish mitigation measures, including removing a Departmental official from participating in the application, assessment and/or delivery stage of the process.
Prepare your application with this checklist
All applications must include:
- a clear project scope
- a project plan
- a project budget based on quotes or detailed estimates, reasonable assumptions, or previous experience with similar projects
- landowner consent if the land is not owned by the applicant, or details on the process of obtaining this
- proof of incorporation or ABN or ACN
- evidence of $20 million Public Liability Insurance in the name of the applicant
- evidence of project co-contribution estimates and details on providing actuals in reporting.
Address the eligibility criteria
The Assessment panel will use an eligibility scoring tool that assesses the proposal for:
- alignment to the prioritisation of weeds in the Hunter Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan
- clear links to either the Invasive Species Plan outcomes or Hunter Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan outcomes.
- value for money Genuine value of co-contributions listed in application. Cost of project compared to industry standards.
- reduction in biosecurity risk or impact.
- clearly identified public benefit.
Further advice may be sought by the panel from the Hunter Regional Weeds Committee, The Hunter Weeds Technical Team, relevant LLS or Department of Primary Industry staff, or probity advisors.
Address the assessment criteria
Criteria Categories | Evidence Requirements | Criteria Weighting |
Alignment to the prioritisation of weeds in the Hunter Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan | Weed species application covers | 15% |
Project provides clear public benefits | Described public benefits | 15% |
Clear links to either the Invasive Species plan outcomes or Hunter Regional Strategic Weed management plan outcomes | Project management plan, evidence of qualified personnel | 30% |
Value for money, including ratio of co-contributions. | Genuine value of listed in co-contributions application. Cost of project compared to industry standards. | 15% |
Reduction in biosecurity risk or impact from weeds. | Economic benefit analysis, breakdown of jobs created by type | 25% |
- Applications are assessed and comparatively assessed against each other.
- An application must score 50% or higher to be recommended for funding.
Start the application
Apply for the Local Land Services, Hunter region – Strategic Weeds Grants Program either by completing the online application form or email a completed downloadable application form and associated documents to Matt Kennedy, matt.kennedy@lls.nsw.gov.au.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: The decision maker for the grant is the General Manager of Local Land Services Hunter region. The decision maker will review the availability of grant funds, assessment criteria score, the Assessment Panel’s recommendation before deciding which grant applications to approve. The decision maker may take other factors into account that may make an application unsuitable for funding, including issues that could cause reputational or other risks to the NSW Government. The decision maker’s decision is final in all matters, including: • the approval of the grant • the grant funding amount to be awarded, and • the terms and conditions of the grant. There is no appeal mechanism for decisions to approve or not approve a grant.
The applications will be assessed and both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified.
Notification
- Successful applicants will be notified in writing via a Letter of Conditional Offer with Confidentiality.
- The contracting process will commence after the signed Letter of Conditional Offer with Confidentiality is returned to the Department.
Local Land Services is required to publish information about grants awarded on the NSW Government Grants and Funding Finder. Announcements should not be made regarding grants awarded before successful applicants have been informed.
Support and contact
Getting Support
To help applicants prepare their application, additional information and resources for our grants and incentives programs will be available on the Local Land Services Hunter region's webpage, including relevant application templates.
Local Land Services, Hunter region Grants and Funding
Please check with the Local Land Services Hunter region prior to submitting if you are unclear about any part of the application. Applicants should seek advice from their legal, business, and financial advisers to determine the suitability of the funding before applying.
Grant Program contact:
Matt Kennedy
Phone: 0428 686 178
Email: matt.kennedy@lls.nsw.gov.au