These grants support organisations in the Hunter LLS Region to undertake a variety of weed management-related activities, including ground works, capacity building, document management and data gathering.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: From $500 to $200,000
- Application opened: 1 July 2022
- Application closed: 23 October 2023
Program objective
Hunter Local Land Services and the Hunter Regional Weeds Committee have made funding available 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 grant program's purpose and objective are to:
- reduce the impact of weeds through the implementation of the NSW Invasive Species Plan and the NSW Biosecurity Strategy
- meet 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
To be eligible for grant funding, an applicant must meet each of the following requirements:
- a company incorporated in Australia
- a company incorporated by guarantee
- an incorporated association or co-operative
- 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), Local Land Services (LLS), Hunter Local Land Services of Primary Industries (DPI), Local Control Authority or other legal investigation
- able to enter a funding deed with the NSW government.
Who can apply
Applications are open to organisations of the Hunter Local Land Services region. This includes:
- 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).
The Hunter Local Land Services Region extends across the local government areas of:
- Upper Hunter Shire Council
- Muswellbrook Shire Council
- Singleton Council
- Cessnock City Council
- Dungog Shire Council
- Midcoast Council
- Maitland City Council
- Lake Macquarie City Council
- City of Newcastle
- Port Stephens Council.
Who can’t apply
Applications are closed to organistaions outside the Hunter Local Land services region.
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 management of a weed species or weed situation long term, or to gather data to inform of weed situations of the Hunter.
Delivery under these funding objectives will be a mixture of grants and procurement.
| Project type | Key objectives | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Weed Control | Mitigate the impact of priority invasives plants. |
|
Education/
| Hunter communities are aware of biosecurity and activity looking for and reporting new weed incursions. |
|
| Capacity building | Raise the capacity of Hunter communities to manage and mitigate the impacts of weeds. |
|
| Future weed management Planning | Develop planning documents to facilitate future weed biosecurity activities. |
|
| Monitoring |
|
|
| Research | Future management and control methods identified, developed, and implemented effectively to assist in integrated pest management. |
|
What can’t you apply for
Ineligible Project Costs
- No more than 10% of the total project cost for project management and administration.
- Activities that have already been funded.
- Activities that are of personal or private benefit.
- 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 items generally will not be funded, unless there is a strong justification (where the items directly support outcomes).
- Costs relating to depreciation of plant and equipment beyond the life of the project.
- Non-project related staff training and development costs.
Example projects
- 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.
Most recent recipients
What your application needs to include
You can download the full guidelines:
And read a sample of the application form:
Prepare your application with this checklist
All applications need to 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 for community groups.
- 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 (In-kind ratio)
- reduction in biosecurity risk or impact
- clearly identified public benefit.
Address the assessment criteria
| Criteria Categories | Evidence Requirements | Criteria Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Alignment to the prioritisation of weeds in the Hunter Regional Strategic Weeds 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 in-kind contributions. | Genuine value of in kind listed in application. Cost of project compared to similar projects. | 15% |
| Reduction in biosecurity risk or impact from weeds. | Economic benefit analysis, breakdown of jobs created by type | 25% |
Start the application
Apply online via the grant portal below.
You can also download and email your application to matt.kennedy@lls.gov.nsw.au
File
Download the application form (DOCX 34.07KB)After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: General Manager of Hunter Local Land Services
Applicants may be contacted for verification or for obtaining further information of an application.
Additionally, if a project is recommended with changes the applicant will be contacted to discuss changes to the proposed project.
When an application is submitted online a notification is sent automatically to the applicants email address.
When emailing application, the Regional Weeds coordinator will acknowledge receipt of the application after preliminary reviewing the application.
Successful Applicants will be notified in writing by email.
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application and will be offered a feedback information session.