20 Million Trees Programme

Grant Guidelines Round Two 2015–16

To be eligible for consideration, Applications must be submitted by the Closing Time, 2.00pm Canberra time (AEST) on:

Wednesday 16 SEPTEMBER 2015

For further information on this Programme contact:

20 Million Trees SectionDepartment of the EnvironmentPhone: 1800 552 008Email:

Electronic Applications are preferred.

The Department has no obligation to accept late Applications.

© Commonwealth of Australia 2015

The 20 Million Trees Programme Grant Guidelines—Round Two 2015–16 is licensed by the Commonwealth of Australia for use under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Australia licence with the exception of the Coat of Arms of the Commonwealth of Australia, the logo of the agency responsible for publishing the report, content supplied by third parties, and any images depicting people. For licence conditions see:

This report should be attributed as ‘20 Million Trees Programme Grant Guidelines—Round Two 2015–16, Commonwealth of Australia 2015’.

The Commonwealth of Australia has made all reasonable efforts to identify content supplied by third parties using the following format ‘© Copyright, [name of third party] ’.

Cover images (L–R): Revegetation at Yellingbo (Department of the Environment), Planting a tree (John Baker), Tube stock area (Department of the Environment)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

These 20 Million Trees Programme Grant Guidelines: Round Two 2015–16 (Guidelines) provide information to help organisations and individuals to prepare an Application for a revegetation project (Project) supported by the 20 Million Trees Programme (Programme).

In Round Two, Applicants have the option to apply for up to three Green Army Teams to assist with their 20 Million Trees Project. A maximum of three 20 Million Trees Applications can be made per Applicant (each for a single 20 Million Trees Project).

To assist Applicants to plan their Projects, the Guidelines and other key information will be available online from 27July2015. The Application Form will open in early August 2015. Applications must be submitted by the ClosingTime of 2.00pm AEST (Canberra time) 16 September 2015.

KEY DOCUMENTS

The following documents are available online () to help you prepare your Application for funding under the Programme:

  • 20 Million Trees Programme Grant Guidelines: Round Two 2015–16 (this document)
  • 20 Million Trees Programme Application Form
  • 20 Million Trees Programme Work Health and Safety Guidance
  • 20 Million Trees Programme Guidance for designing Projects
  • 20 Million Trees Programme Frequently Asked Questions
  • 20 Million Trees Programme Sample Funding Agreement
  • Green Army Round Four Project Guidelines (available early August 2015).

Capitalised terms used in these Guidelines are defined in Appendix 1: Glossary.

KEY DATES

Anticipated timeframes for Round Two:

Programme Round / Application Form and Guidelines available / Applications Open / Applications Close / Application assessment period / Project announcements / Projects must commence before / Projects must be completed before
Round Two / 27 July 2015 / Early August 2015* / 2.00pm AEST (Canberra time) 16September 2015 / September – November 2015 / November – December 2015 / 30 June 2016 / 30 June 2018

* To receive an email notification when Applications open, subscribe to the 20 Million Trees email inbox by sending an email with ‘subscribe’ in the subject line to:

  1. About the 20 Million Trees Programme
  2. Introduction

The Australian Government has committed to working with the community to plant 20 million trees by 2020 to re-establish green corridors and urban forests. The 20Million Trees Programme will deliver real environmental benefits at the local level through community participation in re-establishing native vegetation, providing habitat to support our threatened species and sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. These in turn will help to create greener spaces to improve the liveability of our cities and towns.

Australia’s unique and diverse environment contributes to our identity as a nation. The Programme will support our natural environment by re-establishing native vegetation that is locally appropriate and contributes toward cleaner air and land, and healthier, more resilient landscapes. Improving the extent, condition and connectivity of native vegetation will support our native species, in particular threatened species.

Trees established through the Programme will provide vital habitat for nationally listed threatened species and will have a real impact on the liveability of our cities and towns. As our cities grow, we have a responsibility to ensure present and future generations have access to local bushland and other green spaces. These green spaces provide opportunities for recreation and create communities that are connected with the local environment. Trees reduce local air temperatures and combat the urban heat island effect leading to lower energy usage and reduced air pollution.

Round Two of the Programme’s grants component is available nationally, with up to $5 million in grant funding to 30 June 2018. In Round One, successful Projects across six states were approved to plant 1.1million trees with grant funding approaching $5 million. Through the Programme more broadly, the Australian Government has also committed to greening the west of Melbourne, and improving the Cumberland Conservation Corridor in Greater Western Sydney. In these two highly populated and rapidly growing areas, the Programme will help to re-establish green corridors and urban forests within environments facing considerable urban development pressures.

The Programme is an important part of the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme, and will complement and align with other Australian Government environmental initiatives, such as the establishment of the Threatened Species Commissioner and the GreenArmy (see page 2). In Round Two of the Programme, Applicants have the option to apply for up to three Green Army Teams to assist with the delivery of their 20 Million Trees Project.

Recognising that best practice knowledge exists within communities, the Programme will support Projects that build on and expand community knowledge through collaboration between established organisations and those building their experience.

Under Round Two of the Programme, a wide range of groups, organisations and individuals in the community are encouraged to apply for funding to carry out tree planting Projects on private or public land across Australia. This may include community groups, schools, landholders and land managers that intend to plant trees in a range of urban, peri-urban and regional environments across Australia.

Funding recipients under the Programme will be responsible for carrying out site preparation, planting and ongoing site maintenance. They will also be responsible for ensuring community support for the Project, including gaining the support of landholders, complying with any relevant local regulations, such as fire management, and ensuring a high standard of Project risk management.

The Green Army

The Green Army Programme is an Australian Government initiative helping local communities deliver environment and heritage conservation outcomes across Australia. Projects delivered by Green Army Teams will be guided by local community needs and contribute to Australia’s environmental priorities and national and international obligations to conserve and manage Australia’s natural, historic and Indigenous heritage assets.

The Green Army is a voluntary programme available to a broad range of young Australians aged 17 to 24, including Indigenous Australians, school leavers, gap year students, graduates, and job seekers. It will provide young Australians with opportunities to develop skills, undertake training and gain experience in the delivery of conservation projects and, importantly, enhance opportunities for careers and further training in conservation.

In Round Two of the 20 Million Trees Programme, Applicants have the option to apply for up to three GreenArmy Teams within their 20 Million Trees Round Two Application to assist with the delivery of their 20 Million Trees Project (see Section 6). Applicants are encouraged to contact a Green Army Service Provider prior to applying . The duration of each GreenArmy Team’s contribution must be between 20–26 weeks. The Department reserves the right to adjust the start date of Green Army Teams to meet Green Army Programme requirements.

Applicants including a request for a Green Army Team or Teams must provide a contingency plan as part of their Application. This is to provide assurance that the Project will be completed in the event that the Application for a 20 Million Trees Project is successful, but the Application for a Green Army Team or Teams is unsuccessful in this round. Applicants will be notified at the same time of the outcome for both the 20 Million Trees Application and any associated Green Army Teams.

1.2.Delivery of the Programme

The Australian Government has committed $50 million over four years to deliver the 20 Million Trees Programme. The Programme is being implemented through two streams. These Guidelines provide information to help potential Applicants prepare and submit an Application for grant fundingunderRound Two of Stream 1 only.

Under Round Two of the Programme, a wide range of groups, organisations and individuals in the community are encouraged to apply for funding to carry out tree planting Projects on private or public land across Australia. This may include community groups, schools, landholders and land managers that intend to plant trees in a range of urban, peri-urban and regional environments across Australia.

The Department of the Environment, on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, will assess all Applications and provide recommendations to the Minister on Projects that may be considered for funding. The Minister may select strategic or exceptional projects from outside the competitive funding round described in these Guidelines, provided such projects meet the Programme objectives.

Stream / Outcomes
Stream 1 / Provide grant funding to groups and individuals to carry out tree planting Projects that improve the extent, condition and connectivity of native vegetation. Applications will be accepted from eligible groups, individuals and organisations.
Stream 2 / Involve larger-scale revegetation through the contracted service providers, CO2 Australia, Greening Australia and Landcare Australia. Monitor the Department’s website at for information on opportunities to be involved in this stream of the Programme.

1.3.Programme Objectives

Under Round Two of the Programme the Department is seeking Applications for Projects that will deliver against the following four Programme Objectives:

Objective One: 20 million trees—20 million trees and associated understorey by 2020.

The Programme aims to establish 20 million trees and understorey species by 2020 to improve local environmental outcomes.

Trees and shrubs with a potential height of at least 2 metres when mature will count towards the 20 million tree target. Understorey species will also be considered for funding to ensure that locally appropriate vegetation structures are achieved. Projects proposing to only plant understorey species as part of their revegetation will not be supported. For information about the height of individual species, refer to your local or state authority or visit the Atlas of Living Australia website: .

The Programme will support Projects that establish native vegetation through planting tubestock (seedlings) or direct seeding. Plantings should comprise of native species suitable to the Project Site and region over the longer term, taking into account changing climatic conditions. Consistent with best practice, Projects should also be underpinned by thorough Project Site preparation and a long term commitment to maintenance.

Objective Two: Environmental conservation—supporting local environmental outcomes by improving the extent, connectivity and condition of native vegetation that supports native species (including threatened species and threatened ecological communities).

The Programme aims to improve the extent and condition of native vegetation and to reconnect areas of important natural habitat to promote the conservation and recovery of threatened species, ecological communities and their habitat. The Programme recognises that to protect and improve the local abundance, health and diversity of Australia’s threatened species and communities, it is important to re-establish linkages through revegetation to achieve connectivity outcomes.

Round Two of the Programme will seek to prioritise Projects that directly benefit threatened species and ecological communities listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)(EPBC Act).

Priority activities may include (but are not limited to):

  • re-establishing threatened flora species through revegetation
  • revegetating or restoring suitable habitat for threatened fauna, including migratory species, listed under the EPBC Act
  • reinstating suitable natural food sources for threatened fauna by planting key plant species
  • revegetation activities that contribute to multiple conservation outcomes, for more than one threatened species or threatened ecological community
  • strategic revegetation to improve the extent, condition and/or connectivity of threatened ecological communities and other threatened species habitats, such as heavily cleared vegetation types, by:

developing resilient linkages between existing reserves, or linkages and natural pathways such as wildlife corridors, riparian zones between aquatic and terrestrial environments; or

contributing to landscape-scale revegetation approaches that achieve connectivity outcomes for threatened species and threatened ecological communities.

Local environmental outcomes in urban areas

While Australia’s urban, peri-urban and regional areas contain highly modified landscapes, they also contain substantial natural areas and environmental values with natural corridors and remnant vegetation patches providing critical refuge for native plants and animals, including threatened species.

Projects in urban areas may include activities that:

  • contribute to threatened ecological communities and threatened species habitat in urban and peri-urban settings
  • expand on or improve existing networks of native vegetation in urban parks and reserves, bushland remnants or tree-lined creeks, river systems and coastlines
  • show how they will benefit urban biodiversity in addition to providing benefits for the community.

Urban Projects should not seek funding for street trees or amenity plantings without clear biodiversity objectives or plantings which constitute business as usual activities which are the responsibility of local government or developers.

Objective Three: Community engagement—working cooperatively with the community

Community engagement can contribute to the long term success of revegetation activities. Revegetation activities that actively engage the local community are more likely to be maintained by that community into the future. The Programme will prioritise Projects that engage local communities and increase awareness of the environmental and community benefits of revegetation, in both regional and urban environments.

Applications driven by partnerships between different sectors of the community, such as local government, schools, businesses, community groups, Indigenous communities or NRM organisations, are encouraged where these partnerships demonstrate strong community support for the Project.

Engaging Indigenous communities

The Australian Government values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s knowledge of, and relationship with, country and recognises their contribution to protecting Australia’s natural and cultural heritage. Through Round Two, the Programme will support Projects that involve Indigenous community participation, which may include:

  • Projects on Indigenous-managed lands
  • Projects that provide Indigenous training and employment opportunities
  • Projects that provide opportunities to use or transfer Indigenous ecological knowledge.

Where activities proposed in a Project will directly affect Indigenous sites, places, values or communities, Applicants must be able to show that the Project is supported by the relevant traditional owners and/or local Indigenous organisation. Letters of support must be provided to the Department on request.

Objective Four: Carbon reduction—reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions

The Programme will contribute to Australia reducing its greenhouse gas emissions.

The amount of carbon sequestered through the Programme will be dependent on several factors including planting location, density, species composition and layout. The Department will determine the total amount of carbon sequestered through the Programme, based on information collected from Project reports. The Department may also use remote sensing methods to monitor the carbon sequestered through the Programme over the long-term.

Applicants are not required to calculate how much carbon will be sequestered through their Project.

  1. Round Two of the Programme
  2. Timing

Round Two (2015–16) of the Programme will open for Applications in early August 2015.

To assist Applicants to plan their Projects, the Guidelines and other key information will be available online from 27 July 2015.

To receive an email notification when Applications open, subscribe to the 20 Million Trees email inbox by sending an email with ‘subscribe’ in the subject line to:

To be considered in Round Two, Applications need to be received by the Department of the Environment (Department) prior to 2.00pm Canberra time (AEST) Wednesday 16 September 2015 (Closing Time).

Applications received after the Closing Time will not be considered unless the Department exercises its discretion to admit a late Application in extenuating circumstances (as explained in section 4.4).

All Projects (including those which include a Green Army Team or Teams) must commence (section 8.2) as follows:

Funding amount / Project to commence / Project completed by
$20,000 to $59,999 (GST exclusive) / Before 30 June 2016 / 30 June 2017
$60,000 to $100,000 (GST exclusive) / Before 30June 2016 / 30 June 2018

2.2.What has changed in Round Two of the Programme?

The following key changes have been made since RoundOne of the Programme:

  • Round Two will seek to prioritise Applications which will result in positive outcomes for Threatened Species and Threatened Ecological Communities listed under the EPBC Act.
  • Applicants can submit up to three 20 Million Trees Applications in Round Two. Each Application will be for a single 20 Million Trees Project.
  • Applicants in Round Two can apply for up to three Green Army Teams per 20 Million Trees Application to assist with the delivery of their Project.
  • The Guidelines have been updated and improved based on feedback received from Round One. Some processes such as those for submitting Applications and handling late Applications have been streamlined.
  • Changes have been made to requirements for Eligibility (section 3), Work Health and Safety risk (section 5.5), and Project Risk (section 5.5).
  1. Eligibility

To be considered for Assessment, Applications must: