The objective of the program is to deliver funding to Local Control Authorities for weeds to:
prevent the establishment of new high risk (state and regional priority) weeds
eliminate or prevent the spread of state and regional priority weeds
ensure NSW has the ability and commitment to manage state and regional priority weeds.
This program is funded and administered by Department of Primary Industries.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To be eligible for grant funding, you must be a Local Control Authority for weeds as defined under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 and be a partner in the NSW Weeds Action Program 2020-2025 in some capacity from 1 July 2020.
Who can’t apply
Ineligible applicants include:
an individual
any business or organisation that does not meet the eligibility applicant criteria
any organisation that submits more than 1 application per LLS region.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Eligible activities should include activities that meet the Weeds Action Program investment priorities, that align to the goals, outcomes, and strategies of the NSW Invasive Species Plan 2023-2028. A detailed breakdown of eligible goals, outcomes and strategies is provided in Appendix B of the program guidelines.
Goal
Eligible Activities
Goal 1 (all Outcomes)
Activities that directly link to identification, inspection and management of high-risk species, sites, and pathways.
Goal 2 (all Outcomes)
Activities that directly link to rapid response and early detection capabilities to eradicate or contain new incursions of state and regional priority weeds.
Goal 3 (Outcome 3.2)
Activities that directly link to improved management effectiveness.
Goal 4 (Outcome 4.2 and 4.3)
Activities that directly link to landholder or general community engagement and participation in weeds biosecurity; and activities relating to the training and development of Biosecurity (Authorised) Officers.
Goal
Goal 1 (all Outcomes)
Eligible Activities
Activities that directly link to identification, inspection and management of high-risk species, sites, and pathways.
Goal
Goal 2 (all Outcomes)
Eligible Activities
Activities that directly link to rapid response and early detection capabilities to eradicate or contain new incursions of state and regional priority weeds.
Goal
Goal 3 (Outcome 3.2)
Eligible Activities
Activities that directly link to improved management effectiveness.
Goal
Goal 4 (Outcome 4.2 and 4.3)
Eligible Activities
Activities that directly link to landholder or general community engagement and participation in weeds biosecurity; and activities relating to the training and development of Biosecurity (Authorised) Officers.
What can’t you apply for
The following activities are ineligible for funding under the program:
activities that do not meet the eligible activities
activities that have already received NSW Government or other funding for the same outputs and outcomes
activities that are funding infrastructure costs or significant capital costs
activities that are funding general reserves, bushland, parks and garden management costs.
Eligible project costs
Grant funding can be used for expenses directly related to the delivery of eligible activities. This includes costs associated with:
the inspection and surveillance of high-risk pathways and sites
the inspection, surveillance and control of state and high priority regional weeds
responding to new weed incursions including control
undertaking compliance activities for state and regional priority weeds
training and development activities to improve the capacity of authorised officers
all activities associated with capacity building such as workshops, field days, seminars, events
activities associated with attending Regional Weed Committee and State Taskforce meetings
fulfilling reporting requirements including uploading data to the Biosecurity Information System – weeds and Weeds Biosecurity Funding.
Eligible costs incurred for works undertaken from 1 July 2023 may be included in an application for grant funding under the program.
Ineligible project costs
The following activity costs are ineligible unless otherwise agreed by the Department of Primary Industries:
administrative, operational and maintenance costs not related to the project
costs already funded by insurance and/or other funding including NSW Government funding programs
costs incurred in the preparation of a grant application or related documentation
costs relating to depreciation of plant and equipment beyond the life of the project
costs incurred that are of a personal or private benefit.
Eligible project locations
The program aligns with the Local Land Services regions in NSW.
Activities may be jointly funded across Local Land Services regions for the benefit of the involved regions and the state. Projects are to benefit the Local Land Services regions and should first focus on works and efforts within the applicant’s local government area.
Most recent recipients
Albury City Council
$37,988
NSW Weeds Action Program 2023-2024
keyboard_arrow_down
What was approved
Approved for Albury City Council
$37,988
This project aims to reduce the risk and impact of weeds to the Albury City local government area in the Murray Local Land Services Region.
$37,988 was approved by
Director General for Department of Primary Industries
Date approved
May 2024
Location of the recipient
Albury City
About the grant
Applications approved
83
Applications received
88
Weeds Action Program – Regional Sub-program 2023-2024 for Local Control Authorities weeds
Agency funding this grant
Department of Primary Industries
Program term
1/07/23 - 30/06/24
Bega Valley Shire Council
$177,400
NSW Weeds Action Program 2023-2024
keyboard_arrow_down
What was approved
Approved for Bega Valley Shire Council
$177,400
This project aims to reduce the risk and impact of weeds to the Bega Valley local government area in the South East Local Land Services Region.
$177,400 was approved by
Director General for Department of Primary Industries
Date approved
May 2024
Location of the recipient
Bega Valley
About the grant
Applications approved
83
Applications received
88
Weeds Action Program – Regional Sub-program 2023-2024 for Local Control Authorities weeds
Agency funding this grant
Department of Primary Industries
Program term
1/07/23 - 30/06/24
Bellingen Shire Council
$59,932
NSW Weeds Action Program 2023-2024
keyboard_arrow_down
What was approved
Approved for Bellingen Shire Council
$59,932
This project aims to reduce the risk and impact of weeds to the Bellingen local government area in the North Coast Local Land Services Region.
$59,932 was approved by
Director General for Department of Primary Industries
Date approved
May 2024
Location of the recipient
Bellingen
About the grant
Applications approved
83
Applications received
88
Weeds Action Program – Regional Sub-program 2023-2024 for Local Control Authorities weeds
Agency funding this grant
Department of Primary Industries
Program term
1/07/23 - 30/06/24
Berrigan Shire Council
$62,433
NSW Weeds Action Program 2023-2024
keyboard_arrow_down
What was approved
Approved for Berrigan Shire Council
$62,433
This project aims to reduce the risk and impact of weeds to the Berrigan local government area in the Murray Local Land Services Region.
$62,433 was approved by
Director General for Department of Primary Industries
Date approved
May 2024
Location of the recipient
Berrigan
About the grant
Applications approved
83
Applications received
88
Weeds Action Program – Regional Sub-program 2023-2024 for Local Control Authorities weeds
Agency funding this grant
Department of Primary Industries
Program term
1/07/23 - 30/06/24
Bland Shire
$61,597
NSW Weeds Action Program 2023-2024
keyboard_arrow_down
What was approved
Approved for Bland Shire
$61,597
This project aims to reduce the risk and impact of weeds to the Bland local government area in the Riverina Local Land Services Region.
$61,597 was approved by
Director General for Department of Primary Industries
Date approved
May 2024
Location of the recipient
Bland
About the grant
Applications approved
83
Applications received
88
Weeds Action Program – Regional Sub-program 2023-2024 for Local Control Authorities weeds
applicant details including Australian Business Number (ABN)
details relating to your project activities including strategic alignment, budgets, dates, and co-contribution
evidence of a current $20 million Public Liability Insurance in the name of the applicant
a letter from the relevant executive officer, with appropriate delegation, to support incurred costs and/or co-contribution (if applicable).
2
To be eligible for grant funding, an applicant must meet each of the following eligibility criteria:
be an approved Local Control Authority under the NSW Weeds Action Program 2020-2025
have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
be a LCA, which is one of the following legal entity statuses in NSW:
the council of a local government area which is the LCA for land within that local government area, or
a county council or a joint organisation (within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1993) where the weed control functions for that area have been conferred by councils of local government areas. That is, if the weed control functions for an area have been conferred on a county council or joint organisation, the county council or joint organisation is the LCA for that area, or
Lord Howe Island Board
hold a current $20 million Public Liability Insurance policy in the applicant’s name
that their organisation has one or more authorised officers (s 372 of the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 and confirmed against NSW DPI Weed Information Database), or taking steps to engage and/or train an authorised officer (for example, recruiting officers in training or an independent contractor)
have capacity for 2023-2024 activities to be completed by 30 June 2024
have all appropriate licences and permits to undertake the proposed activities
have existing weed activities loaded into the Biosecurity Information System – weeds, and
are able to enter into a funding deed with LLS.
3
Your application must address all merit assessment criteria.
It will be assessed based on the weighting given to each criterion. The online application form contains questions that relate to the merit assessment criteria below.
Criteria Categories
Evidence Requirements
Criteria Weighting
Strategic alignment
Demonstrates alignment to strategic plans.
This can be demonstrated by:
detailing how your activities will deliver the key objectives of the program
detailing how the activities meet the goals of the NSW Invasive Species Plan 2023-2028
including activities that directly relate to action of a State Strategic Weed Plan, Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan, Regional Inspection Plan or an outcome of the Invasive Species Plan, within the Region.
For Goal 1 this will be assessed against the applicants relevant Regional Inspection Plans and State Strategic Weed Plans.
For Goal 2 and Outcome 3.2, these will be assessed against the State and applicants relevant Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan.
For Goal 4, Outcomes 4.2 and 4.3 these will be assessed in the context of the NSW Weeds Capacity Building & Engagement Priorities 2020-2025.
50%
Deliverability
Provides sufficient evidence of the applicant’s ability to successfully deliver the project.
This can be demonstrated by:
relevant experience in delivering similar size projects/activities as well as experience in managing weeds as the LCA for weeds under the Biosecurity Act 2015
detailing how your organisation has or will have appropriately skilled staff and/or contractors as well as Authorised Officers to deliver the project
detailing what equipment that you own / have access to, to deliver the project.
10%
Viability and Affordably
Provides sufficient evidence that the project is realistic and is likely to be delivered within budget and on time.
This can be demonstrated by:
providing planned activities, budget, and deliverables (Invasive Species Plan, State Weeds and Regional strategic plans, activities, budgets and targets are clearly detailed in the application)
ensuring that timelines and budgets are realistic given all relevant circumstances.
10%
Value for money
Provides sufficient evidence that the outcomes of the proposed project activities can be delivered at a cost that is comparable or better than other regional activity costs.
This can be demonstrated by:
value of co-contributions, including cash and inkind, across all activities
ensuring activity costs are comparable to similar projects, taking into account reasonable variations within a region.
clear and reasonable administration costs to manage and acquit a project. No greater than 10% of total grant funding being requested.
30%
Criteria Categories
Strategic alignment
Demonstrates alignment to strategic plans.
Evidence Requirements
This can be demonstrated by:
detailing how your activities will deliver the key objectives of the program
detailing how the activities meet the goals of the NSW Invasive Species Plan 2023-2028
including activities that directly relate to action of a State Strategic Weed Plan, Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan, Regional Inspection Plan or an outcome of the Invasive Species Plan, within the Region.
For Goal 1 this will be assessed against the applicants relevant Regional Inspection Plans and State Strategic Weed Plans.
For Goal 2 and Outcome 3.2, these will be assessed against the State and applicants relevant Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan.
For Goal 4, Outcomes 4.2 and 4.3 these will be assessed in the context of the NSW Weeds Capacity Building & Engagement Priorities 2020-2025.
Criteria Weighting
50%
Criteria Categories
Deliverability
Provides sufficient evidence of the applicant’s ability to successfully deliver the project.
Evidence Requirements
This can be demonstrated by:
relevant experience in delivering similar size projects/activities as well as experience in managing weeds as the LCA for weeds under the Biosecurity Act 2015
detailing how your organisation has or will have appropriately skilled staff and/or contractors as well as Authorised Officers to deliver the project
detailing what equipment that you own / have access to, to deliver the project.
Criteria Weighting
10%
Criteria Categories
Viability and Affordably
Provides sufficient evidence that the project is realistic and is likely to be delivered within budget and on time.
Evidence Requirements
This can be demonstrated by:
providing planned activities, budget, and deliverables (Invasive Species Plan, State Weeds and Regional strategic plans, activities, budgets and targets are clearly detailed in the application)
ensuring that timelines and budgets are realistic given all relevant circumstances.
Criteria Weighting
10%
Criteria Categories
Value for money
Provides sufficient evidence that the outcomes of the proposed project activities can be delivered at a cost that is comparable or better than other regional activity costs.
Evidence Requirements
This can be demonstrated by:
value of co-contributions, including cash and inkind, across all activities
ensuring activity costs are comparable to similar projects, taking into account reasonable variations within a region.
clear and reasonable administration costs to manage and acquit a project. No greater than 10% of total grant funding being requested.
Criteria Weighting
30%
Merit assessment prioritisation
Under the criteria of strategic alignment, the goals of the NSW Invasive Species Plan 2023-2028 will be a key consideration. This is based on return on investment and intent of the NSW Weeds Action Program Guidelines 2020-2025. Activities under Goal 1 is weighted highest. Activities under Goal 2 and Goal 4 weighted equally. Activities against Goal 3 are ranked the lowest.
Please note activities eligible under Goal 3 only include Outcome 3.2. Eligible activities under Goal 4 only include Outcomes 4.2 and 4.3. For further information on associated eligible activities refer to Appendix B.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Director General, Department of Primary Industries.
All eligible applications will be assessed by a panel convened by the Department of Primary Industries.
The assessment panel consists of representatives from the Department of Primary Industries and Local Land Services. An independent probity advisor is present at assessment panel meetings.
Based on these assessments, a recommendation will then be made in writing to the decision maker.
The decision maker will provide the final funding approval of the event and funding amount.
Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of the assessment outcome.
