Linking and Protecting Native Vegetation Across the Namoi Catchment

BIOLINKS PROGRAM

Linking and protecting native vegetation across the Namoi Catchment

Biodiversity Funding Round – 2013-2014

All applicants are encouraged to thoroughly read the Guidelines provided before completing the attached Expression of Interest form. If you have any questions please contact your local NamoiCMA Office.

General Guidelines

Namoi CMA is looking to partner with landholders, groups and other land owners to deliver biodiversity outcomes across the Namoi Catchment.

The Biolinks Program is focused on increasing vegetation in the Namoi Catchment by revegetating corridors that link with existing bushland remnants. The program also supports landholders who are improving the management of the existing vegetation they are linking.Invasive species control actions will be included in both revegetation and remnant protection areas.

The program will address habitat loss, fragmentation, loss of native vegetation extent and climate change through restoring, protecting and re-establishing native vegetation linkages across the Catchment.

Who can apply?

private landholders
incorporated community groups
non-incorporated community groups who are sponsored by an incorporated body who is willing to enter into a funding agreement with NamoiCMA on the group’s behalf
businesses
local government
Crown Reserve Trusts or local government who have the responsibility for the care, control and management of CrownLand
partnership combinations of the above groups

Please note that the registered land owner of parcels of land to undertake funded works must sign a 10year management agreement with Namoi CMA.

You must be in the Namoi Catchment to be eligible to apply.

What activities are eligible?

Activities that are eligible under the Biolinks incentive program include but are not limited to:

Fencing or other management techniques to protect and enhance existing native vegetation remnants.
Planting native species back into the landscape along corridors that link to existing remnant vegetation. Where possible planting local provenance native species (Note: These corridors should link remnants). Native species can be planted back through the use of tubestock/Hyco planters or through direct seeding.
Fencing to protect planting corridors.
Provision of alternate water systems as a result of fencing off existing water sources.
Invasive species control (weed control or pest animal control) of remnant vegetation and planted corridors.

Higher priority is given to those projects which have both a revegetation component and remnant protection works.

What activities are NOT eligible for funding?

Activities outside the scope of the program include:

Remnant bushland protection alone without a revegetation component ‘linking’ remnants.
Planting into natural native grasslands
Activities that are inconsistent with State andCommonwealth Legislation
Planting of non-native species
Work that you plan to undertake before or after the timeframe for the project, or for work that has already been completed at the time of application. You may not count such work as part of your matching contribution.
Activities which are a landholder’s statutory responsibility.

How much funding can I apply for?

There is no maximum set for any project under the program, however, Namoi CMA will only fund projects it deems are cost efficient and within the intent of the program.There is a limited amount of funding within this program. Applications will be assessed against a range of economic, social and environmental priorities and criteria.Funding success for your project will be determined by how cost effective your project is at meeting the above criteria (i.e. the process is competitive). Projects in which the landholder contributes significantly with their time and/or their resources will be considered favourably.Projects that achieve larger areas of revegetation links or remnant protection are favoured.

What will the applicant be required to contribute?

To receive funding the applicant contribution must be equal to the money you are requesting (50:50 ratio). Your contribution can be in cash or in-kind including your labour to complete the works.

How long do I have to complete the project?

Successful applicants will need to complete infrastructureworkswithin two years of the commencement of the Agreement.

It is important to plan your project well to ensure your project can be implemented in a relatively short timeframe.

What if I don’t own the land?

The owner of the land must sign the Contractif the Application is successful. The Agreement will be between Namoi CMA and the owner of the land.The owner of the land must also hold an ABN or an ABRN.

What happens after I lodge my Expression of Interest?

1)A Namoi CMA Catchment Officer will contact you to arrange a site inspection to discuss your proposed project works. They will be able to advise you if your project works fit the funding criteria. They will be able to provide advice and discuss your project design and costing and they can also supply an aerial image of your property so you can undertake project planning.

2)If your project fits the funding criteria you will need to fill in an application form which will include a workplan and detailed costing of your project. Namoi CMA Catchment Officers will also conduct an environmental assessment on site to check on the existing condition of your vegetation.

3)Your application will then be assessed and ranked based on the information in your application and site data collected. Projects will be funded from the highest ranking project to the lowest until funds are fully subscribedor a minimum standard of project is met. All other projects will form an eligibility list in ranked order which will remain in place until June 30th 2014.

4)You will be informed if your application is not successful and you may seek additional advice/discussion from the Namoi CMA Catchment Officer.

5)If your project is funded a Namoi CMA Catchment Officer will develop a funding Agreement with you and the first payment will be made on signing of the Agreement.

6)Works under the funding Agreement are not to commence until the Agreement is signed by all parties.

What about State and Commonwealth Legislation requirements?

Namoi CMA only approves funding for your project. This does not authorise you to implement the project. You must ensure that your project has all necessary approvals, licences, permits, consents, etc. and that your project complies with all relevant legislation including, but not restricted to, the following:

National Parks and Wildlife Act (1974)

Native Vegetation Act (2003)

Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995)

Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (1979)

Environmental protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999)

Water Management Act (2000)

Fisheries Management Act (1994)

What if I want to sell my property during the contract period?

The agreement process being used for this program includes a 10 year funding management Agreement.In the event that the Fund’s Recipient wishes to sell, transfer or assign the Land, the Fund’s Recipient must:

advise Namoi CMA in writing of its intention together with contact details of the persons or entities involved in the proposed transaction;

inform the selling real estate agent/proposed purchasers, proposed lessee/share farmer or assignee of the existence of this Agreement, and its obligations including the Management Agreement and Monitoring and Evaluation Agreement; and

seek to have the incoming purchaser/transferee/tenant of the Land enter into a similar agreement with Namoi CMA for the balance of the term of this Agreement with a view towards the Overall Project Outcomes being achieved as well as accepting the obligations contained in the Management Agreement and the Monitoring and Evaluation Agreement.

Are trees planted under this programeligible for Carbon credits?

The Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) covers carbon sequestration projects including reforestation, revegetation and projects that increase the secure storage of carbon in soils. On-farm projects that reduce emissions through better on-farm management can also qualify as will some projects designed to avoid emissions from land clearing or deforestation.

Under the methodology, land holders across a range of agricultural sectors may receive credits to establish and manage permanent native forests. Landholders can then generate extra revenue by selling these credits to businesses who want to offset their carbon pollution.

For further details contact

FOR MORE ADVICE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CMA OFFICE
Tamworth / Peter Dawson / Ph: 0267 645 984
Mobile: 0427 606 265 / / PO Box 528Tamworth NSW 2390
FAX: 6764 5995
Gunnedah / Angela Baker / Ph: 0267 429209
Mobile: 0429 368 693 / / PO Box 546
Gunnedah NSW 2380
FAX: 6742 4022
Simon Turpin / Ph: 0267 429212
Mobile: 0428463488 /
Narrabri / Stacey Vogel / Ph: 0267 907702
Mobile: 0428 266 712 / / PO Box 7
Narrabri NSW 2390
FAX: 6790 7709
Megan Davies / Ph: 0267907703
Mobile: 0429 363 380 /
Quirindi / Tim Watts / Ph: 0267 461344
Mobile: 0427 255 849 / / PO Box 50 Quirindi NSW 2343
FAX: 6746 1076