Western Region Small
Land Management Grants Program

Guidelines and Conditions

Western Region Small Land Management Grants – Guidelines and Conditions

Contents

1.About the program

2.How to apply

3.Who can apply

4.What projects will be funded

5.Completing the budget table

6.Completing the hazard identification and risk assessment

7.Assessment and notification process

8.Feedback and appeal process

9.Conditions of funding

10.How your information is used

11.How to submit your application

12.More information

13.Appendices

Appendix A – Map of the Western Region, indicating eligible locations

Appendix B – Examples of projects that are eligible for funding

Appendix C – Sample budget table

Appendix D – Sample hazard identification and risk assessment

1.About the program

The Western Region Small Land Management Grants Program provides grants to individuals, groups and organisations to undertake small projects that focus on improving and sustaining the condition of natural resources in the Western Region.

An important feature of the program is that all projects must have a public benefit – that is, the region more broadly, not just the applicant, will gain a long-term benefit from the funding.

The program offers grants across six Funding Categories:

  1. Pest animals and community activities – for pest animal control activities at a property or site level
  2. Weeds and community activities – for weed control activities at a property or site level
  3. Training and community activities –community events that raise awareness about natural resource management, sustainable agriculture, biosecurity or Aboriginal cultural heritage
  4. Education and community activities – for training and knowledge related activities for schools
  5. Site protection and community activities – for protection of sites of particular significance and/or cultural value
  6. Conservation farming and community activities – for small-scale conservation farming activities, awareness and training.

Pest animal, weed, site protection and conservation farming activities are limited to proposals of up to $10,000. Training and education activities are limited to $5,000.

Indiviudals may apply for up to $20,000 per financial year, however limits to each funding category still apply. Groups may apply for up to $50,000, however again, limits to each funding category still apply.

The program is continually open for applications, provided that the annual allocation of funds for each Funding Category has not been exhausted. We will publish an alert on our website if funding has been exhausted in any category.

Hint – It is recommended that you apply as early as possible to secure funding for your project

Aim and objectives

The program aims to improve and sustain the condition of natural resources in the Western Region by encouraging greater community participation in, and sharing of knowledge about, natural resource management.

The objectives are:

  • to improve the condition of habitats and communities in the Western region
  • to improve the condition of threatened ecological communities
  • to improve the condition of threatened species habitat
  • to increase the number of agricultural enterprises adopting sustainable natural resource management practices
  • to increase the area of land that is managed sustainably
  • to improve land managers’ and the community’s skills and knowledge of natural resource management practices through training
  • to increase the number of Aboriginal people participating in natural resource management activities
  • to increase the number of individuals/groups participating in natural resource management activities.

Western Region Small Land Management Program – Guidelines and Conditions

The objectives align with the Funding Categories as follows:

Objective / Pest animals and community activities / Weeds and community activities / Training and community activities / Education and community activities / Site protection and community activities / Conservation farming and community activities / How do LLS report on these objectives?
To improve the condition of habitats and communities in the Western region / X / X / X / Hectares (area)
To improve the condition of threatened ecological communities / X / X / X / X / Hectares (area)
To improve the condition of threatened species habitat / X / X / X / X / Hectares (area)
To increase the number of agricultural enterprises adopting sustainable natural resource management practices / X / X / X / X / X / Number of entities
To increase the area of land that is managed sustainably / X / X / X / Hectares (area)
To improve land managers’ and the community’s skills and knowledge of natural resource management practices through training / X / Number of participants
To increase the number of Aboriginal people participating in natural resource management activities / X / X / X / Number of participants/ groups
To increase the number of individuals/groups participating in natural resource management activities / X / X / X / Number of participants/ groups

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Western Region Small Land Management Program – Guidelines and Conditions

2.How to apply

You need to complete and submit the Western Region Small Land Management Grants Program Application Form.

You need to identify at Part B on the Application Form which Funding Category you wish to apply for. You can only apply for one Funding Category at a time. In some cases, your project may fit more than one category, so you will need to determine which one is the most appropriate.

Hint – Our Grant Managers can offer advice about which category is the best fit for your project.

The application form includes:

  • a budget table
  • a hazard identification and risk assessment.

More information about how to complete these is provided in Sections 5 and 6 below.

You can apply for funding more than once in each financial year, provided that you meet the following conditions:

  • You must have completed your first project and received confirmation from Local Land Services Western Region that you have met the conditions of your funding (refer to Section 9)

Individuals may receive a maximum of $20,000 per financial year. If you have successfully completed a project you may reapply to the funding cateogory if you have not reached the limit for that category or the individual limit. If you have reached the limit for a funding category, but not the individual limit, you may apply to a different category.

Groups may receive a maximum of $50,000 per financial year. If a group has successfully completed a project they may reapply to the funding cateogory if the group has not reached the limit for that category or the group limit. If the group reaches the limit for a funding category, but not the totalgroup limit, they may apply to a different category.

The program is open to:

  • individuals
  • incorporated groups
  • non-government organisations
  • Local Government

All applicants must reside in the Western Region. Refer to Appendix A for a map of eligible locations.

Who is ineligible to apply

The program is not available to:

  • NSW State Government agencies and employees (note that this criteria does not apply to educational organisations applying to the educational activities funding category).
  • individuals with an outstanding monitoring activity with Local Land Services Western Region or the former Catchment Management Authority.
  • individuals, groups, organisations and Local Governments located outside the Western Region.

3.What projects will be funded

The types of projects that will be funded will vary depending on which Funding Category you are applying for. Appendix A provides examples to help guide you – but please note that this list is not exhaustive and other projects not in Appendix B may also be eligible.

Hint – it is recommended that you talk to our Project Officers about your project before you apply to check whether it is likely to be eligible.

All projects must:

  • contribute to meeting at least one of the objectives listed on page 1
  • have a long-term public benefit – this may include reducing biosecurity risks, improving soil quality and salinity management, which have a flow-on benefit to other areas within the region. It also includes sharing knowledge and skills with the wider community through workshops or demonstration events.

Hint – you need to clearly explain in your application how your project will meet these two criteria.

  • be completed within a six month period, commencing from the date your Funding Agreement is executed.
  • focus on Weeds of National Signficance or Noxious Weeds as listed by the Noxious Weeds (Weed Control) Order 2014 (relevant for the Weeds and Community Activities Funding Category).
  • A list of these Weeds of National Significance is available at:
  • For a complete list of weeds classed as noxious in New South Wales, refer to

What won’t be funded

The program will not fund projects that:

  • are core organisational functions – e.g. training for certifications which are already required by legislation.
  • are more appropriate to be funded through our Incentives Program. The Grant Manager can provide advice about this.
  • do not focus on Weeds of National Significance or Noxious Weeds as listed by the Noxious Weeds (Weed Control) Order 2014 (relevant for the Weeds and Community Activities Funding Category).

4.Completing the budget table

As part of your application you need to provide a detailed budget table outlining how the grant will be used. We will assess it to ensure it represents value for money.

All of the figures in the table must be GST exclusive and based on quotes. You must source quotes and attach them to your application. Ifyourapplication is successful, you will only receive the amount you have specified in your budget table – there is no allowance for price increases. Budgets may be adjusted, at the discretion of the Local Area Manager (refer to Section 7).

A sample budget table is provided in Appendix C to assist you with completing your table.

Eligible expenses

Expenses you can include in your project are:

  • Travel costs for you to attend a course or training event – travel by vehicle should be costed at $0.27 per kilometre for vehicles under 2600CC and $0.30 per kilometre for vehicles over 2600CC (based on NSW Government casual journey allowance). Travel by plane, should be based on best fare of the day. Note that travel costs associated with Local Land Services Western Region funded events may not be considered.
  • Course fees – if the course fee is greater than $5,000,you are required to pay any outstanding balance
  • Purchasing information resources such as training books, course information and computer software
  • Producing information resources – includes design, printing and distribution costs
  • Accommodation – half (50 per cent) of your accommodation costs can be included
  • Consumables such as herbicides, fencing materials, tree guards etc.
  • Catering for knowledge sharing events such as workshops and demonstrations
  • On ground activities such as ripping, laboratory testing.

Ineligible expenses

Expenses you cannot include in your project are:

  • purchasing capital equipment
  • catering that is not associated with knowledge sharing events.
  • The purchase of items that do not contribute to Local Land Services Western Region outcomes
  • Activities or items that pose a high risk or hazard to causing an injury, illness or disease or damage/loss to property, plant or equipment.

Hint – if you’re unsure about whether an expense is eligible, please contact the relevant Grant Manager.

5.Completing the hazard identification and risk assessment

As part of your application you must complete the hazard identification and riskassessment table which outlines what hazards and risks are associated with your project and how they can be avoided or minimized. This provides reassurance that your project can be undertaken without causing damage, incidents or injuries.

A ‘hazard’ is anything that has potential to cause injury or disease to people, damage to the environment, property, plant or equipment.

A ‘risk’ is the chance of the hazard actually causing an injury, illness or disease or damage/loss to property, plant or equipment.

A sample risk assessment is provided at Appendix D.

Hint – you need to consider the hazard or risks for each activity, item or product involved in your project. If you’re unsure about the hazards and risks for your project, or how they should be controlled, contact the relevant Grant Manager for advice.

6.Assessment and notificationprocess

Applications will be assessed by an independent officer at Local Land Services Western Region against the following criteria:

  • the project addresses one or more of the program objectives
  • the project has a public benefit
  • the project activities are clear and achievable and based on best management practices
  • the budget table is clear, accurate and represents good value for money
  • the project represents a low risk – i.e. the applicant has capacity to complete the project and there are no apparent issues that may impact on project completion or the project poses minimal risk to causing an injury, illness or disease or damage/loss to property, plant or equipment.

Applications that demonstrate that they meet these criteria will be eligible for funding.

Eligible applications will be submitted to the Local Area Manager in relevant district for final approval. The Local Area Manager may, at their discretion, adjust the budget (e.g. if an item is considered to represent poor value for money).

Applications will be assessed within one month of receipt. We will send you an email to confirm that your application has been received.

You will receive an email from us when your application has been assessed to inform you about the outcome of your application and the next steps (if your application is successful).

7.Feedback and appeal process

If your application is not successful for funding you can ask for feedback about why it was not supported. This can help you to improve your application if you wish to resubmit. To receive feedback, please contact the Grant Manager for the Funding Category you applied for. Contact details are provided at Section 12.

If, based on this feedback, you’re not satisfied with our decision not to support your application, you can lodge an appeal. Appeals must be in writing and directed to:

Erlina Compton, Acting General Manager, Local Land Services Western Region, PO Box 1048 Dubbo NSW 2830

8.Conditions of funding

If your application is successful, you will be required to:

  • formally commit to undertaking your project by entering into a Funding Agreement with Local Land Services Western Region
  • submit a Project Evaluation Report upon completion of your project to tell us what you did, what was achieved and how the grant was spent. This report is duewithin 60 days of completing the project. A copy of the report is provided on our website
  • seek approval from Local Land Services Western Region for any proposed variations or extensions to project objectives, timetable, work plan or budget by submitting an Application to Vary Project Form.
  • return any unspent funds by no later than 60 days after completion of the project
  • agree to allow Local Land Services Western Region to publish information about you and your project on our website, Facebook Page and other communication channels and products as required.

It is recommended that you do not apply for funding if you’re not able to meet these conditions.

9.How your information is used

The information you provide to Local Land Services Western Region in your application will be stored and used in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988. If you have concerns about the amount or type of information we require in the application form, please contact the relevant Grant Manager listed below in Section 12.

By signing the Funding Agreement you provide consent for Local Land Services Western Region to publish the following information on the public register:

  • applicants name and location
  • amount of funding granted
  • brief description of the project.

Local Land Services Western Region will also use this information to communicate to the public about the program. This may include publishing communication articles on our website, Facebook Page and other communication channels and products, as required.

10.How to submit your application

To facilitate the prompt assessment of your application and payment of your grant (if your application is successful), it is recommended that you submit your application by email.

Email your application to:

Alternatively, you can post your application to: Western Region Small Land Management Grants Program, 32 Enterprise Way, Buronga, NSW 2739

11.More information

For more information about the Western Region Small Land Management Grants Program or for advice on your project idea please contact the relevant Grant Manager.

Funding Category / Grant Manager / Location
Pest animals and community activities / Brian Dohnt
02 6836 1575
/ Cobar Office
62 Marshall Street Cobar
Weeds and community activities / Mitch Plumbe
08 8082 5204 / 0408 241 200
/ Broken Hill Office
32 Sulphide Street Broken Hill
Training and community activities / Jamie Love
08 8082 5207 / 0428 925 052
/ Broken Hill Office
32 Sulphide Street Broken Hill
Education and community activities / Kaye Gottschutzke
03 5021 9409 / 0429 981 331
/ Buronga Office
32 Enterprise Way Buronga
Site protection and community activities / Guy Gibbs
02 6872 2144
/ Bourke Office
21 Mitchell Street Bourke
Conservation farming and community activities / Gregory Moulds
03 5021 9444 / 0427 311 445
/ Buronga Office
32 Enterprise Way Buronga

Appendices

Appendix A – Map of the Western Region, indicating eligible locations

Appendix B – Examples of eligible projects for funding

Appendix C – Sample budget table

Appendix D – Sample hazard identification and risk assessment table

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Western Region Small Land Management Program – Guidelines and Conditions

Appendix A – Map of the Western Region, indicating eligible locations

This map outlines the boundary of the Western Region. If your location falls within the boundary, you’re eligible to apply for funding. If your property extends beyond the boundary, you’re still eligible provided that the project is being conducted in the area that falls within the Western Region boundary. If you’re unsure, please contact the relevant Grant Manager (refer to Section 12).