Lower Hunter District 2015/16
Lower Hunter Biodiversity Program
Guidelines for Applicants
Program Information
Funding available
Total funding available is $115,485

$38,190 – National Landcare Program

$77,295 – Hunter Catchment Contributions
Applications open
30 October 2015
Closing date for
applications
Final date for
completion of
approved projects
Eligibility
30 November 2015
Eligible activities
See Page 3
Minimum Hunter LLS
outputs to be
delivered overall by
this Program


31 December 2016
Landholders, land managers and community organisations in the Paterson,
Allyn and Williams catchment areas.

Identified Priority
Areas
(funding restricted to)
5 landholders applying strategic projects for biodiversity outcomes
50ha area of land on which improved management practices have been
implemented
50ha area increase/ maintenance of condition of regionally significant
species habitat or communities
Properties within Paterson, Allyn and Williams catchments
(as identified in Water & Vegetation Priorities in the Hunter LLS Draft
Strategic Plan)
Funding available
Minimum of $3,000, and maximum of $15,000
Lodging applications
Electronically: incentives.program@lls.nsw.gov.au
or
Lower Hunter Small Grants Program
Hunter Local Land Services
Private Bag 2010
Paterson NSW 2421
- Standard LLS Grant funding terms and conditions apply (See Page 7 of
these guidelines).
- LLS on-ground works minimum standards apply (See Page 7-8 of these
guidelines)
Biodiversity Program contact:
Rob Henderson – ph: 02 4938 4934 or 0418 669 438
Email: rob.henderson@lls.nsw.gov.au
Written:
Conditions of Funding
Where to get
assistance?
About the LLS
Local Land Services (Hunter LLS) was established in January 2014 to deliver quality, customer-focused
services to farmers, landholders and the community across rural and regional New South Wales.
Hunter LLS bring together agricultural production advice, biosecurity, natural resource management and
emergency management into a single organisation. The functions and services provided by the Hunter LLS
will include:
 Agricultural production advice: supporting sustainable productive food and fibre industries;
 Biodiversity and natural resources protection and enhancement;
 Biosecurity services protecting New South Wales’ economy, environment and community from
pests, weeds and disease;
 Support for the people of NSW to deal with emergencies, in particular those related to biosecurity
threats and natural disasters.
These functions and services are delivered through a combination of Commonwealth and State funding,
grants, rates and user pays sources.
Hunter LLS covers from Lake Macquarie, north to Taree, and west to Merriwa and Murrurundi. For more
information on Hunter LLS, go to our website at www.hunter.lls.nsw.gov.au
The Lower Hunter District is part of the Hunter LLS region, and includes the Lake Macquarie, Newcastle,
Port Stephen, Maitland, Cessnock and Dungog Local Government Areas (LGAs).
About the Program
The Lower Hunter Biodiversity Program is a component of the 2015-16 Lower Hunter District Service
Delivery Plan. This Plan directs investment and services to Hunter LLS customers in the Lower Hunter
District, a section of the Hunter LLS region.
This Biodiversity Program aims to provide capacity building, technical and financial assistance to support
landholders to improve the connectivity and quality of native vegetation and riparian areas in the priority
catchments of the Allyn, Paterson and Williams Rivers, particularly related to extending habitat for threatened
flora and fauna species and improving existing Endangered Ecological Communities extent and quality, and
weed management.
Objectives
The objectives of Lower Hunter Biodiversity Program:
 Build landholder capacity to undertake sustainable land management practice change for
biodiversity, riparian and native vegetation outcomes, and address strategic regionally significant
weeds and threats to threatened species/communities.

Support and increase adoption of sustainable land management practice at a whole property level.

Strengthen local industry partnerships and landholder networks.

Develop and deliver extension products and services tailored to local client needs for improved triple
bottom line outcomes at a whole property scale.

Building resilience for climate change mitigation for adaptation across the district.
This funding program will be delivering on the National Landcare Program (NLP) on behalf of the Australian
Government, under the following Strategic Objectives required by the funding source:
1. Communities are managing landscapes to sustain long-term economic and social benefit from their
environments.
4. Communities are protecting species and natural assets.
2
Lower Hunter Biodiversity Program – Grant Guidelines
Eligibility
Landholders, land managers and community organisations in the identified priority areas, subject to:

The project property being located in the identified priority areas:
o Allyn River catchment
o Paterson River catchment
o Williams River catchment

The proponents completing works for any previously funded projects.

The proposed works must be able to be completed by 31 December 2016.

LLS minimum standards for on-ground works being met.

The proposed activities must abide by NSW State and Australian Commonwealth laws e.g. Native
Vegetation Act 2003, Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

All current HLLS financial obligations are paid.
3
Lower Hunter Biodiversity Program – Grant Guidelines
Eligible Activities
The types of activities that can be funded under this Program include (but are not limited to):
 Improving quality and extent of native vegetation corridors in the identified priority areas.

Revegetation with endemic native species to restore riparian and terrestrial vegetation.

Weed control associated with riparian and terrestrial vegetation management.

Increasing threatened species habitat quality and extent.

Protecting or enhancing land near Endangered Ecological Communities (EECs) or at risk vegetation
communities – see http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/pnf/eecfieldidguidelines.htm

Invasive pest animal control (as part of other activities)
Types of activities that will not be funded under this program include:
 Proponents who have not completed the works for their previously Hunter LLS or Catchment
Management Authority (CMA) funded project will be ineligible for funding
 The proposed works must not be previously funded through a Hunter LLS or CMA funding
agreement and still subject to maintenance provisions.
 All project activities must abide by NSW State and Australian Commonwealth laws e.g. Native
Vegetation Act 2003, Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011 etc.
 Purely production oriented activities.
 Major farm water supplies including irrigation.
 Activities that are the legal responsibility of the landholder, such as noxious weed control and
vertebrate pest management.
 Purchase of machinery and computer hardware and software, where there is no demonstrated land
use change.
 Activities more appropriately funded by other bodies.
 Activities that the land managers can reasonably be expected to undertake to ensure sustainable
management of areas under their control.
 Work that is undertaken before the project agreement for the proposal is signed or after the project
agreement ends.
 Projects that mainly beautify or improve amenity.
 Standard boundary fencing that is the landholder’s normal responsibility.
 Capital works, for example construction of buildings or viewing platforms to improve amenity.
 Expert advice that could alternatively be provided by the Hunter LLS or other government agency.
 Research.
 Any works for mostly private benefit.
 Activities that may be required due to: legal responsibilities, compliance with development consents
and/or reasonable duty of care.
 Activities that do not directly deliver on the specified Hunter LLS Strategic Plan outcomes.
The following activities will not be funded under the National Landcare Program:
 Activities or investments undertaken, or liabilities incurred, before the Commonwealth enters into a
written funding agreement with the successful Applicant

Activities that will be receiving, or completed activities that have previously received, funding through
other Australian Government (including Caring for our Country or the Biodiversity Fund), state or
territory or local government funding initiatives or programmes, or from other third parties, where
those activities are substantially the same and in the same location

Activities that are the responsibility, or the business, of state, territory or local governments or of
private land managers, including activities that are a legislative and regulatory responsibility, such as
managing or controlling certain weeds or compliance activities, and activities that would be
considered a landholder’s responsibility, such as standard boundary fencing. These activities may be
undertaken in conjunction with Programme funded activities provided that Programme funding is not
4
Lower Hunter Biodiversity Program – Grant Guidelines
used for them

Activities that are required to be undertaken by any person or are part of an approval under
Commonwealth, state or territory legislation, for example, the provision of an environmental offset
under the EPBC Act

Activities that are likely to have a significant adverse impact on any species or ecological community
listed under the EPBC Act, an ecosystem of national or international significance (e.g. a Ramsar
listed site, World Heritage area or part of the National Reserve System) or activities with the potential
to exacerbate a threatening process listed under the EPBC Act

Activities that may have a significant adverse impact on Indigenous cultural heritage and which have
not received approval through relevant state or territory legislative requirements

Activities that involve planting of species (including native species) that are known to be, or could
become, environmental or agricultural weeds in or near the project location

Activities or elements of activities that are primarily for the purpose of beautifying or improving
amenity, for example, landscaping, picnic tables, shelters and paving

Activities that predominantly support applied research, tool building and/or development of modelling
approaches except where an activity of this nature is demonstrably required to achieve outcomes in
line with Programme objectives and outcomes.
Assessment Process
Applications will be initially screened to confirm that all eligibility criteria are met, and that there is sufficient
information in the application form for an assessment to be made.
Applications will then be assessed by a panel against the following criteria:
1. The likelihood that proposed land use changes/activities will result in improved sustainable land
management practices, including grazing and/or natural resource management (NRM) practices,
and achieves biodiversity outcomes on the property.
2. The proponent is committed to completing the project within a required duration, and undertaking the
required ongoing maintenance and monitoring.
3. Applicant has included an in-kind and/or cash contribution.
4. Applicant can demonstrate that the project provides public and private benefit, and represents value
for money.
5. A risk assessment of the likelihood of a successful project outcome for funding provided.
6. All current Hunter LLS financial obligations are paid.
The LLS may contact applicants during the assessment process to confirm or clarify any information in the
application form. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of the assessment process. If your application
is successful, it intended that all contracts will need to be finalised and signed prior to 23 rd December 2015.
Further rounds may be opened in 2016 if all funds are not allocated or other funds become available.
Where to get assistance?
Hunter LLS staff (as listed on page 1) are available to assist you with the development of your application,
including providing advice on best practice management, design, costing, and developing a detailed map.
All applications must be accompanied by a project works map showing the location and type of proposed
management activities on your property. This map will be prepared by your Hunter LLS contact officer, in
consultation with you.
Applications for Lower Hunter Biodiversity Program will need to complete a Lower Hunter Small Grants
Application Form available on Hunter LLS website at www.hunter.lls.nsw.gov.au/
5
Lower Hunter Biodiversity Program – Grant Guidelines
Lodging Applications
Applications can be lodged in two ways.
1. Submit the original signed application to the LLS by 30 November 2015. Applications post marked
this date will be accepted. Send applications to…
Lower Hunter Small Grants Program
Hunter Local Land Services
Private Bag 2010
Paterson NSW 2421
2. Submit your application electronically by 30th November 2015 to
incentives.program@lls.nsw.gov.au
Electronically lodged applications must come from the applicant’s e-mail account and must include a
copy of the LLS produced map.
The subject line should include the following information:
HR_xxx-“Proponent surname”
(the HR_xxx project identifier will be provided by your LLS Officer)
----------- Applications that are sent directly to LLS staff will not be accepted. -----------
6
Lower Hunter Biodiversity Program – Grant Guidelines
Conditions of funding
enter into an agreement with a proponent until a copy of your
certificate of currency is supplied.
Contracts
Disclosure of Information
All Hunter LLS Grants will be delivered through an Agreement.
A copy of the standard agreement letter is available to all
applicants to review prior to submitting the application. Please
contact the Hunter LLS office to access a copy of the standard
agreement template.
The Hunter LLS has requirements with the Australian and NSW
Government to provide spatial information and details of funded
works. The Hunter LLS will be required report spatially and on
activities to these funding bodies, which may in turn be
published on public websites. The Hunter LLS aims to provide
information to the public spatially on achievements associated
with public funds. Your project may be represented spatially e.g.
point or polygon on catchment scale map in publicly released
documents but no detailed information will be released.
The Agreement letter will need to be signed by the applicant
and the land owner (If different). The landholder on the
application should match the landholder that will sign the
contract and this should also match landholder that will receive
the Grant funds.
How will you be paid?
A payment schedule will be determined as part of funding
agreement negotiations. Funds will generally be paid 40% on
completion of the first milestone which will generally be the
submission of a WHS management plan and baseline photos.
The remainder of funds will paid on completion of agreed
milestones with 10% being withheld for the submission and
approval the final report.
All Grant payments from the Hunter LLS will be made during the
2015-16 financial year provided milestones are achieved.
Milestone payments may require a site inspection by the Hunter
LLS to verify completion of the milestone. A final report on the
project outcomes will be required to receive the final payment.
Payment will be made on receipt of a signed ATO compliant tax
invoice on completion of agreement milestones. GST
registered Grantees will be paid 10% GST on top of the
approved Grant amount. Applicants should discuss the
implications of receiving funding from the Hunter LLS with a
financial adviser prior to applying.
Monitoring and Reporting
All on-ground projects funded by the Hunter LLS will be
required to provide before and after photos, and in some cases
regular photo-point monitoring. The Hunter LLS has a guideline
for photo monitoring available on the website.
The Hunter LLS may also require monitoring of groundcover
using the step point monitoring method or native vegetation
condition monitoring depending on the type of activities
proposed.
All projects funded by the Hunter LLS may be included in more
detailed vegetation and/or soil condition monitoring undertaken
by the Hunter LLS.
A final report on the project outcomes will be required to receive
a final payment prior to 31 December 2016.
Further details of monitoring requirements and templates for
reports are available from a Hunter LLS contact officer and will
be made available to successful applicants.
Maintenance
All funded activities will require maintenance to ensure the
outcomes are maintained. On-ground projects will generally be
required to be maintained for 5 years, but exceptions may apply
for community groups.
Public Liability Insurance
All funded projects must be prepared to maintain current Public
Liability Insurance ($10 million) for the duration of the
agreement. A copy of your certificate of currency should be
provided with your project application. The Hunter LLS will not
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
The Hunter LLS recommends that Aboriginal consultation be
undertaken during the planning stage of all projects.
The Hunter LLS has Aboriginal staff that can assist you in
contacting the appropriate person(s) or organisation.
Workplace Health and Safety
The first milestone payment will be linked to the completion of a
WHS risk assessment and in some cases the completion of a
Work Health and Safety Management Plan. The WHS
Management Plan should document a Work Health and Safety
risk assessment in accordance with Work Health and Safety Act
2011 requirements. Hunter LLS staff can assist in preparing a
risk assessment and Work Health and Safety Management Plan
for projects.
Minimum standards for on-ground
works
General
Proponents are required to successfully complete their project
as agreed in the contract, and maintain the condition of their
project site for the entire maintenance period required (5 years).
For example, weed and pest animal control should be
maintained at completed project level.
Fencing
All fencing (electric or standard) must be managed in a stockproof condition for the term of the agreement. In addition the
following standards apply:

Stock proof fencing to stabilise natural waterways:
o Fence to be permanent and located a minimum
distance back from the top of the high bank of 5m +
the full height of the high bank from the streambed +
an allowance for the rate of erosion versus
stabilisation.

Stock proof fencing to manage nutrient runoff or to restore
in-stream habitat:
o Fence to be permanent and located a minimum
distance back from the top of the high bank of 5m.

Stock proof fencing to protect or regenerate native riparian
vegetation:
o Fence to be permanent and should be located a
minimum distance back from the top of the high bank
of 5-20m for riparian vegetation – to be negotiated
with Hunter LLS contact officer.

Stock proof fencing to protect or regenerate remnant
native vegetation:
o Fence is to be permanent. Fencing around single
trees will generally not be funded.
Revegetation
All revegetation activities funded by the Hunter LLS must
achieve and maintain at least an 80% survival and
establishment rate and stock exclusion fencing must be
7
Lower Hunter Biodiversity Program – Grant Guidelines
installed where stock could potentially access the site. Local
provenance seed/planting tubestock must be used on
revegetation sites. Importantly, all areas revegetated through
funding will be defined as ‘protected regrowth’ under the Native
Vegetation Act 2003 (NV Act) and therefore cannot be cleared
in the future. (For further information about the NV Act
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/vegetation/nvact.htm)
In addition, the following standards apply to specific
revegetation activities:

Revegetation of gullies, rivers and creeks: Any plantings
along riparian lands must use local native species.
Riparian revegetation projects should aim, if possible, to
cover both sides of the flow line.

Revegetation for biodiversity and conservation purposes:
A mix of local native species suitable for the site must be
used. Wildlife corridors must link (be within 20m) of
existing areas of remnant vegetation or established
revegetation sites and must be at least 25 m wide or have
an average width of at least 30m.
Structural works
This may include earthworks or construction activities for:

Gully filling/shaping,

Construction of diversion banks,

Construction of gully control structures/ dams,

Construction of concrete or rock flumes,

Rock revetment, groynes and bed control structures

In-stream works for enhancing aquatic habitat and/or
controlling bed or bank erosion.
All structural works must be constructed to Hunter LLS
standards and meet all regulatory requirements.
Soil Testing
Where soil testing is required, it must be carried out by a NATA
accredited laboratory.
Provision of alternate stock water supplies
Alternate stock watering for protecting or regenerating native
riparian vegetation or managing nutrient runoff may be required
where stream bank vegetation is fenced. This may be achieved
by installing additional stock water troughs, pipelines, tanks and
pumps for a reticulated supply. The installation of additional
stock water supply should be limited to providing water to areas
that were previously supplied by the riparian area that has been
fenced. All stock water works including provision of alternate
stock water supply for sustainable grazing and implementing
property plans must be technically sound and comply with the
Native Vegetation Act, 2003.
Weed Control
Weed control for treating weeds or regenerating or protecting
native vegetation will need to demonstrate that weed control is
integral to achieving good biodiversity outcomes and/or
addressing broader environmental issues. While noxious weed
control may be required on a given site by legislation, funding
for the control of noxious weeds is permitted where weed
control is not the primary activity.
Weed control activities must achieve at least an 80% reduction
in cover of the targeted weed species and this should be
maintained for the term of the agreement. Directions on
appropriate herbicide use must be adhered to and relevant
permits must be acquired if undertaking weed control near
waterways or water bodies. Permits may also be required from
the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to control weeds
in Endangered Ecological Communities (EECs).
Grazing Management
Grazing must be excluded unless it is compatible with the
proposed NRM actions and intended outcomes. Technical
advice should be sought from Hunter LLS staff or other suitably
qualified persons.
Project activities and outcomes determine if projects involve
sustainable grazing or strategic grazing.
Sustainable grazing
Grazing management practices that increase pasture and stock
productivity without high inputs, improve farm profitability,
increase rainfall capture and enhance both on and off-farm
resources. This requires a good understanding of pasture
growth processes, managing stock feed demand against
herbage mass availability, managing for land capability,
maintaining high levels of groundcover and pasture litter and
increasing pasture perenniality and species diversity.
All activities for sustainable grazing incentives must be carried
out and monitored with a sustainable grazing plan.
Strategic Grazing
Grazing management practices used as a land management
tool for outcomes such as bushfire fuel load reduction, weed
control or increasing native plant diversity. It involves short
grazes at limited strategic times and to an extent compatible
with achieving NRM rather than production outcomes. It
predominantly entails stock exclusion.
Grazing must be excluded for projects that deliver native
vegetation, riverine or biodiversity outcomes, unless it is
compatible with a given vegetation community that is present
(e.g. grassy woodland), its current condition, proposed future
condition and proposed management actions. Where strategic
grazing is appropriate, it should follow a minimum period of
stock exclusion of 3 years to initiate and promote natural
regeneration and to ensure any necessary revegetation
plantings (groundcover, shrubs and or trees) are established.
Strategic grazing thereafter should be limited to a maximum of 8
weeks in any one year, a maximum of 2 weeks grazing within
any one grazing period and with grazing periods a minimum of
8 weeks apart.
A minimum of 70% groundcover must be maintained, with stock
excluded during declared droughts and immediately following
heavy rainfall. Step point and photo point monitoring of
groundcover at 6 monthly intervals must be undertaken.
Fire Management
The landholder must not carry out any burning for Native
Vegetation or Riparian Protection or Regeneration, and for
Revegetation of Highly Erodible Soils unless required to do so
under the Rural Fires Act 1997, or in accordance with a Hunter
LLS approved Fire Plan. Burning must involve an ecologically
appropriate fire management regime that promotes biodiversity
outcomes. Technical advice should be sought from Hunter LLS
staff or other suitably qualified persons.
8
Lower Hunter Biodiversity Program – Grant Guidelines