Grant opportunities for intensive horticultural landholders in North Coast priority catchments for activities on farm that reduce sediment and nutrients inputs to coastal catchments, for the benefit of marine habitats, wildlife and the community.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: From $10,000 to $35,000
- Application opened: 10 April 2024
- Application closed: 15 May 2024, 5:00 pm
Program objective
This project will help landholders in intensive horticultural industries to:
- better manage nutrient inputs and runoff to become more productive and profitable
- reduce their impact on water quality and the marine estate
- improve the long term economic and environmental sustainability of intensive agricultural systems in coastal NSW
- increase export market access and social license to operate through improved land and water stewardship.
This program is funded and administered by Local Land Services.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Commercial blueberry, rubus and vegetable growers located in the Clarence, Coffs Harbour, Bellinger and Nambucca LGAs.
Types of projects funded under this grant
- irrigation/fertigation system retrofits/upgrades to existing production areas that reduce water use
- wastewater capture and treatment/re-use/recycling systems
- construction of nutrient detention ponds, artificial wetlands and filter ponds
- riparian and farm perimeter re-vegetation or creating vegetated buffer zones to filter water runoff from production areas
- erosion control including structural works and re-vegetation, such as construction of diversion banks and contour banks to control run-off
- modified fertiliser use to reduce nutrient loss/run-off.
What can’t you apply for
- projects that don’t align with program purpose and objectives
- infrastructure required to develop additional growing areas, for example new crop plantings, new roads and tracks, greenhouses, irrigation and earthworks
- replacement of vegetation (solely for biodiversity) at sites where this change will not lead to a reduction in nutrient exports
- works that are considered the normal obligation of a landholder (for example, weed control, repairs and maintenance, repairs to roads and tracks)
- activities related to consent conditions on pre-existing Development Applications or other Local, State or Federal Government Orders
- existing works where expenses have already been incurred
- remediation works as directed by a compliance order.
Most recent recipients
What your application needs to include
Please read the program guidelines before you begin your application. You can preview the application form in Appendix A of the program guidelines. (PDF 525.64KB)
File
Download Clean Coastal Catchments Horticulture guidelines (PDF 525.64KB)Before you begin your application make sure you have the following:
- project plan
- project budget
- map of project area
- photo of project area site
- quotes from suitable suppliers (if applicable).
You may wish to use the budget template to assist with your application.
File
Download Budget template (XLSX 20.6KB)If you are applying to undertake a project on land of which you are not the owner, the landowner must also give permission which should be included as an attachment with your application.
Address the eligibility criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- the works are to be carried out within Coffs Harbour, Nambucca, Clarence and Bellinger LGAs
- the works are in a coastal draining catchment
- the works are to be completed on land already in use for horticultural production
- the works are to be carried out on private lands or managed (perpetual lease) crown lands
- the applicant is producing blueberry, blackberry, raspberry or vegetable/edible herbs grown in soil or substrate system - and operating under an ABN
- all grant recipients will be required to enter a contracted agreement with LLS, undertake before and after monitoring, and complete a final report
- a landholder can only submit 1 application for a project per business
- applicants have not received prior funding for the proposed works from another funding source
- funding requested for project activities should be in line with the standardised costings provided, unless a quote and justification are provided
- applicants must provide an in-kind contribution equal to or greater than the total amount of funds requested
- the applicant is committed to providing 5 years of site maintenance after the completion date
- funded works must be carried out and completed within the 2024/2025 financial year
- applicants are to hold or commit to having public liability insurance to the value of at least $10 million prior to executing a Funding deed
- the works proposed are consistent with the program objectives and comprise of eligible activities
- the proposed activities must be consistent with local, NSW and Australian government regulations and legislation
- applicants must have paid all outstanding North Coast LLS financial obligations (for example, rates, long term grazing permits) prior to receiving a funding agreement.
Address the assessment criteria
The application must meet the applicant eligibility criteria outlined within these grant guidelines for their application be assessed.
You must address all assessment criteria in your application. Please provide sufficient detail and supporting evidence, including quotes from suitable suppliers if applicable.
For details of the assessment criteria and weighting see the program guidelines.
After the application is submitted
The applications will be assessed and both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified.
Support and contact
- Project Officer: Harriet Brickhill, Sustainable Agriculture, North Coast Local Land Services
- Phone: 0467 446 222
- Email: harriet.brickhill@lls.nsw.gov.au