Manning Great Lakes District Land Management Grants Program
Guidelines for Applicants 2015-16
Program Information
Funding available in
2015/16
Total funding available is $107,500


$64,253 Australian Government’s National Landcare Program
$43,247 Catchment Action NSW
Applications open
30th October 2015
Closing date for
applications
30th November 2015
Final date for completion
of approved projects
31st December 2016
Eligibility
Landholders and/or land managers that are currently engaged with the Hunter LLS
through grazing or dairy industry programs in the Manning-Great Lakes (Page 3)
Eligible activities
See Page 3
Beef Grazing
3 Farmers adopting sustainable grazing practices
255 Ha of sustainable grazing practices implemented
2 Ha of riparian vegetation protected by fencing
5 Ha managed for water values
Minimum outputs to be
delivered by the Funding
Program
1 km of stream bank native vegetation enhanced or rehabilitated
10 ha of terrestrial native vegetation protected by fencing
Dairy
5 farmers adopting sustainable practice change
100 Ha of improved management practices implemented
45 Ha managed for water values
45 Ha land with improved irrigation practices
Priority Areas
Lodging applications
Conditions of Funding
Manning-Great Lakes District Grazing Lands
Electronically: incentives.program@lls.nsw.gov.au
or
Written: Manning Great Lakes District Land Management Grants Program
Hunter Local Land Services
98 Victoria Street,
Taree, NSW, 2430
Standard LLS Grant funding terms and conditions apply (see Page 7)
LLS on-ground works minimum standards apply (see Page 8)
Phone: 02 65518994
Where to get assistance?
Email: albert.mullen@lls.nsw.gov.au or peter.beale@lls.nsw.gov.au
Office: Hunter Local Land Services, 98 Victoria Street, Taree NSW 2430.
Hunter Local Land Services
About the LLS
Local Land Services (LLS) was established in January 2014 to deliver quality, customerfocused services to farmers, landholders and the community across rural and regional New
South Wales.
LLS bring together agricultural production advice, biosecurity, natural resource management
and emergency management into a single organisation. The functions and services provided by
the 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.
About the Program
The Manning Great Lakes District Land Management Grants Program is a component of the
Manning Great Lakes District Delivery Planning process, which directs the LLS service delivery
in the Manning Great Lakes District.
Objectives
The objectives of Manning Great Lakes District Land Management Grants Program:

Build landholder capacity to undertake sustainable grazing practice change.

Support and increase adoption of sustainable grazing and dairy practice change.

Strengthen local industry partnerships and networks to facilitate adoption and innovation in
sustainable grazing practices.

Develop and deliver extension products and services tailored to local client needs for improved
triple bottom line outcomes at a whole farm scale.
This Program is a key component of the Hunter LLS District Service Delivery plan and delivers
on the following Hunter LLS regional priorities:




Improve grazing, livestock and integrated land management practices and groundcover, soil
health and native vegetation condition.
Improved profitability, productivity and sustainability of grazing, pasture and livestock
management systems.
Improved landholder and industry capacity to manage livestock, pastures, native vegetation,
biodiversity, weeds and invasive pest animals, to generate triple bottom line (economic, social
and environmental) outcomes at a whole of enterprise scale.
Local industry groups and networks developed and supported
The LLS is also delivering on the National Landcare Program (NLP) on behalf of the Australian
Government. The NLP priorities that this program aims to deliver include:
Strategic Objective 2:
Farmers and fishers are increasing their long term returns through better management of the
natural resource base.
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Hunter Local Land Services
Eligibility
Sustainable Beef
Landholders and/or land managers that are currently engaged with the Hunter LLS through
grazing industry groups1 in the Manning Great Lakes District of Hunter Local Land Services
Sustainable Dairy
Landholders and/or land managers that are currently engaged with the Hunter LLS through
Dairy NSW and the Mid North Coast Dairy Advancement Group programs such as Pastures for
Profit (P4P), Mid North Coast Dairy Discussion Group, Focus Farm, Turning Milk into Money
(TMIM) in the Manning Great Lakes District of Hunter Local Land Services:
Eligibility of applications is subject to:

The project being located in the identified priority area

The proponents completing works for any previously funded projects.

The proposed works must be able to be completed by 31st 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.
Priority Areas

Manning-Great Lakes District grazing lands
Types of Activities
The types of activities that can be funded under this Program include (but are not limited to):

Changes to grazing practices, including strategic grazing practices that improve groundcover,
perenniality, composition, herbage mass retention and regenerative rest;

Land management practices that improve soil health, biota, infiltration, structure, organic matter
and plant root depth;

Managing stock impacts on sensitive areas through fencing or provision of alternative stock water
supply;

Infrastructure to enable strategic grazing and protection of sensitive areas;

Regeneration or planting of native vegetation
Types of activities that will not be funded under this program include:

Purely production oriented activities

Major farm water supplies including irrigation

Purely noxious weed control

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.
1 Grazing Industry Groups currently engaged with the Hunter LLS include the COP groups, Fertilizer for Profits groups
and other beef industry groups in the Gloucester and Taree districts
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Hunter Local Land Services

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 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 HLLS strategic plan outcomes.
The Programme may provide Regional Funding to address the following:


facilitating increased adoption of sustainable agricultural, fishing and aquaculture practices to
conserve and protect biodiversity, including: improving groundcover, soil health, water quality, bycatch reduction, minimisation of off-site impacts and coordinated regional landscape-scale
partnerships to address priority weed and pest animal issues
Building knowledge, skills, engagement, participation and awareness of the local landcare
community and industry, including with farmers, Landcare and farming systems groups or
networks, and technical experts to enable the adoption of innovative sustainable management
practices

The non-labour costs of activities to be delivered by teams that are part of the Australian
Government’s Green Army Programme or 20 Million Trees Programme. In these circumstances,
any approval for Programme activities will be subject to the Applicant obtaining a separate
approval according to the requirements of the Green Army Programme

Facilitating the uptake of sustainable agricultural practices by landcare community groups,
including ongoing engagement with agricultural industries and technical experts to ensure
adoption of best practice

Activities that build on, continue, or extend projects previously funded under Caring for our
Country Regional Delivery 2013-18, provided they are clearly demonstrated to be additional to
existing activities.
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 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
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Hunter Local Land Services

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
Where to get assistance?
LLS staff 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 LLS
contact officer, in consultation with you.
Applicants for Manning Great Lakes District Land Management Grants Program will need to
complete a “Request for Assistance” form (RFA) to receive advice to participate and apply for
funding through a Land Management Grant Application form process. RFA’s will close on the
16th of November 2015 for the current round. RFAs received after this date will be considered
for any later round of this Program.
Contact details for your local office:
Phone: 02 65518994
Email: albert.mullen@lls.nsw.gov.au
peter.beale@lls.nsw.gov.au
michael.barberie@lls.nsw.gov.au
Office: Hunter Local Land Services, 98 Victoria Street, Taree NSW 2430.
Lodging Applications
Applications can be lodged in two ways.
1. Submit the original signed application to the LLS by 30th October 2015. Applications
post marked this date will be accepted. Send applications to…
Manning Great Lakes District Land Management Grants Program
Hunter Local Land Services
98 Victoria Street,
Taree, NSW, 2430
2. Submit your application electronically by 30th November 2015 to
incentivesprogram@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. ----------5
Hunter Local Land Services
Applicants will be provided with a map from an LLS officer detailing their project proposal after
an initial site visitation and consultation to assist in developing their application. As map files
can be large in size, please email your application and map separately to ensure the emails are
transmitted by the due date but ensure to include the HR_XXX project identifier on all
correspondence.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Assessment Process
Applications will be initially screened to confirm that all eligibility criteria are met and there is
sufficient information in the form for an assessment to be made.
Applications will then be assessed by a panel against the following criteria:

The likelihood that proposed land use changes will result in improved grazing practices.

The proposed duration and commitment to the project by the proponent

Applicant in-kind and cash contribution

Level of integration between grazing and natural resource management outcomes

Providing public and private benefit, and represent value for money

Applicant’s capacity to complete projects in the specified timeframes.

A risk assessment of the likelihood of a successful project outcome

Are financial with the Hunter Local Land Services
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.
Further rounds may be opened in 2015-16 if all funds are not allocated or other funds become
available.
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Hunter Local Land Services
Conditions of funding
The 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.
Contracts
All projects funded by the LLS may be included in
more detailed vegetation and/or soil condition
monitoring undertaken by the LLS.
Hunter LLS Funding will deliver funding for projects
over $15,000 through the HLLS Landholder Works
Agreement contract. Projects under $15,000 will be
delivered through the HLLS Small Grant contract
A copy of the standard contract with all the terms and
conditions is available to all applicants to review prior
to submitting the application. Please contact the LLS
office to access a copy of the standard agreement
template.
The contract 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
photo-point
monitoring. The remainder of funds will paid on
completion of agreed milestones with 10% being
withheld for the submission and approval of the final
report.
All Grant payments from the LLS will be made during
the 2014-15 financial year provided milestones are
achieved.
Milestone payments may require a site inspection by
the 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 LLS with a financial adviser prior to
applying.
Monitoring and Reporting
All on-ground projects funded by the LLS will be
required to undertake photo point monitoring or take
before and after photos of activities. The LLS has a
guideline for photo monitoring on the website.
Hunter Local Land Services
A final report on the project outcomes will be required
to receive a final payment. All agreements will require
further brief annual monitoring reports for the
agreement duration on the vegetation condition
improvements achieved and the management actions
and monitoring undertaken.
Further details of monitoring requirements and
templates for reports are available from an LLS
contact officer and will be made available to successful
applicants.
Maintenance
All funded activities will require maintenance to ensure
the outcomes are maintained. All activities must be
regularly maintained for at least 5 years.
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 LLS will not enter into a contract with
a proponent until a copy of your certificate of currency
is supplied.
Disclosure of Information
The LLS has requirements with the Australian and
NSW Government to provide spatial information and
details of funded works. The LLS will be required
report spatially and on activities to these funding
bodies, which may in turn be published on public
websites. The 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.
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
The LLS recommends that Aboriginal consultation be
undertaken during the planning stage of all projects.
The 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
completion of a Work Health and Safety
Management Plan and submission of baseline
photo-point monitoring. The WHS Management
Plan should document a Work Health and Safety risk
assessment in accordance with Work Health and
Safety Act 2011 requirements. LLS staff can assist in
preparing a risk assessment and Work Health and
Safety Management Plan for projects.
Minimum standards for onground works
General
It is a requirement that proponents maintain the
condition of the project site to at least pre-project level
in addition to any management activities proposed.
For example, weed and pest animal control should be
maintained to at least the pre-project level and/or that
required by relevant legislation regardless of whether it
is a proposed management action or not.
o

Stock proof
waterways:
o

to
stabilise
natural
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.
All revegetation activities funded by the LLS must
achieve and maintain at least an 80% survival and
establishment rate and stock exclusion fencing must
be installed where stock could potentially access the
site. Local provenance seed/planting stock must be
used on revegetation sites. Importantly, all areas
revegetated through funding will be defined as
‘protected regrowth’ under the Native Vegetation Act
2003 and therefore cannot be cleared in the future. In
addition, the following standards apply to specific
revegetation activities:


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 20m for
riparian vegetation.
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:






Stock proof fencing to manage nutrient runoff or
to restore in-stream habitat:
o

fencing
Fence is to be permanent. Fencing
around single trees will generally not be
funded.
Revegetation
Fencing
All fencing (electric or standard) must be managed in a
stock-proof condition for the term of the agreement. In
addition the following standards apply:
Stock proof fencing to protect or regenerate
remnant native vegetation:
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 LLS
standards and meet all regulatory requirements.
Soil Testing
Where soil testing is required, it must be carried out by
a NATA accredited laboratory.
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Hunter Local Land Services
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 LLS staff or
other suitably qualified persons.
Project activities and outcomes determine if projects
involve sustainable grazing or strategic grazing.
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 LLS approved Fire
Plan. Burning must involve an ecologically appropriate
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,
fire management regime that promotes biodiversity
outcomes. Technical advice should be sought from
LLS staff or other suitably qualified persons.
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Hunter Local Land Services