National Landcare Programme - Regional Funding
Frequently asked questions
These frequently asked questions apply to Regional Funding under the National Landcare Programme.
If you have read the National Landcare Programme Regional Funding web page and the National
Landcare Programme Regional Funding 2014-15 to 2017-18 Application Guidelines (Application
Guidelines) but still have questions, please consult these frequently asked questions.
If your question is not answered here, you can contact us by calling 1800 552 008 or by emailing
NationalLandcare@environment.gov.au.
These frequently asked questions will be updated over time so we suggest you check this web page
periodically for any updates.
Overview
What is the Regional Stream of the National Landcare Programme?
The Regional Stream is a component of the Australian Government's National Landcare Programme
(the Programme). The funding delivered under this stream (Regional Funding) will be managed by
regional natural resource management (NRM) organisations to identify the best ways to achieve local
NRM and sustainable agriculture priorities and deliver on the Programme’s Strategic Objectives and
Outcomes. Specific delivery approaches will not be prescribed by the Government, rather it will be the
responsibility of regional NRM organisations to ensure their approach is appropriate.
Each regional NRM organisation will have been notified in writing of the notional allocation of Regional
Funding that they can apply for under the Regional Stream. Notwithstanding these notional
allocations, all Regional Funding Applications will be assessed on merit against the Application
Guidelines and funding is not guaranteed.
What role do regional NRM organisations have under the Regional Stream?
Regional NRM organisations have a significant role in the Programme’s delivery through their delivery
of the Regional Stream. They are expected to:

in collaboration with community, landcare and farming system groups, lead regional NRM
planning and prioritisation of NRM activities to support environmental protection and
sustainable agricultural practices

deliver nationally important outcomes that assist Australia to meet its national and
international obligations

broker partnerships, collaborate with networks and support local stakeholders in delivery of
regional NRM activities

build local community and industry engagement, skills and capacity in NRM and sustainable
agriculture

support Indigenous participation in delivering NRM outcomes

report NRM outcomes at a regional level and contribute to Programme reporting at the
national level.
What involvement will local community groups, including Landcare, have
under the Regional Stream?
Under the Regional Stream, regional NRM organisations will be expected to engage their local landcare
community in prioritising and delivering NRM activities across their NRM region, including assisting
them through partnerships and cooperative arrangements.
Delivery of Regional Funding should be designed to maintain or build upon current engagement in
landcare and practice change activities, while increasing the engagement and participation rates in
NRM and sustainable agricultural activities across a wide variety of groups.
What is the local landcare community?
The landcare community has matured and expanded over the past 25 years since its initial
establishment. It is recognised that the composition of the local landcare community will likely differ
between NRM regions. Depending on the NRM region, this might include stakeholders such as:

identified Landcare groups and other ‘care’ groups such as bushcare, coastcare, rivercare etc

‘friends of’ groups and other community environment groups

farmer/producer groups

Indigenous communities and organisations

individual land managers working in the landcare / NRM sector.
Local and State government are not defined as being part of the local landcare community. They are
however, encouraged to be involved and engage with their regional NRM organisation through
partnerships that deliver against the programme’s Strategic Outcomes and Objectives.
What are the requirements for community engagement under Regional
Funding?
Delivery of Regional Funding should be designed to maintain or build upon current engagement in
landcare and practice change activities, while increasing the engagement and participation rates in
NRM and sustainable agricultural activities of a wide variety of groups.
Under the Government’s reform agenda for the Regional Stream, all regional NRM organisations will
be required to:

direct a minimum of 20 per cent of their annual regional allocation to small, on ground projects
and related activities that are delivered by, or directly engage with, the local landcare community

not reduce their current level of investment to the local landcare community, including Indigenous
specific investment

maintain a Regional Landcare Facilitator to support farmers, fishers and land managers identify
and adopt farm practices and land management practices to sustainably manage natural
resources, to reduce agricultural emissions and adapt to changing climatic conditions.
Note: Staffing costs, including employment by the regional NRM organisation of a Regional Landcare
Facilitator or other community engagement officers cannot be counted as contributing to the 20 per
cent requirement.
What activities can be included within the 20 per cent required for community
engagement and participation?
Regional NRM organisations must direct a minimum of 20 per cent of their Regional Funding allocation
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towards small, on ground projects and related activities that are delivered by, or directly engage with,
the local landcare community.
Activities that can contribute to this 20 per cent requirement can include, but are not limited to:

local on-ground NRM projects undertaken by local landcare community groups and / or individuals

delivery of activities to farmers relating to farm practice change

activities that lead to increased participation of the community in NRM

local projects and activities can be a part of a bigger project being undertaken (e.g. a local landcare
group undertaking $30,000 of works as part of a $700,000 Ramsar project).
Note: Regional NRM organisation staffing costs, including employment of a Regional Landcare
Facilitator or other community engagement officers, cannot be counted as contributing to the 20 per
cent requirement.
Is Indigenous participation a priority under Regional Funding?
Yes. Closing the Gap on Indigenous Disadvantage (Closing the Gap) is a commitment by all Australian
governments to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians. NRM programmes contribute to the
Closing the Gap goals and provide opportunities for stronger Indigenous participation in the planning
and delivery of investment outcomes and contribute to wider social and economic benefits.
Regional NRM organisations have a central role in supporting Indigenous people and organisations to
participate in the delivery of NRM and contribute to wider economic and social benefits. They can
achieve progress in this area through activities such as planning support, utilising and respecting
Indigenous ecological knowledge, capacity building and the delivery of on-ground activities including
employment and contracting opportunities.
Under Regional Funding, it is expected that Indigenous people and organisations will have
opportunities to participate in the delivery of priority NRM and sustainable agricultural activities.
Indigenous participation is expected in the planning and delivery of all Regional Funding. It is expected
that Indigenous people will be involved at an early stage of Regional Funding delivery design to ensure
that activities are accessible, relevant and appropriate to Indigenous people and organisations. This
will ensure that Indigenous engagement and participation features strongly as an investment, project
and employment outcome for the National Landcare Programme. Regional NRM organisations should
investigate and identify opportunities in conjunction with Indigenous communities and either include
these as a part of their projects or provide a satisfactory reason for not doing so.
For further information refer to Indigenous participation in planning and delivery of National Landcare
Programme investment.
Performance assessment of regional NRM organisations
What are the Australian Government’s performance expectations for regional
NRM organisations?
Regional NRM organisations will be expected to monitor their performance and capacity, be
accountable for and transparent in decision making, and identify measures to achieve continuous
improvement in both the delivery of Regional Funding, and in their organisational performance.
The Australian Government has developed performance expectations for governance and NRM
delivery of Australian Government investment by regional NRM organisations.
These performance expectations are a key quality assurance and risk management tool for the delivery
of Regional Funding. They are intended to complement and draw on existing governance
requirements, not duplicate, including statutory and contractual obligations as well as voluntary
governance review processes; and to build on previous standards and expectations provided by the
Australian Government.
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The performance expectations cover the following areas:





financial governance
organisational governance
regional NRM planning
community engagement
monitoring and reporting.
What is the self-assessment process?
Regional NRM organisations will be required to complete an annual self assessment of their
performance against the performance expectations to allow the collection of comparative data over
time and to promote continuous improvement.
The performance expectations and this self-assessment aim to help organisations identify strengths
and opportunities for improvement in light of changing circumstances, and regional NRM
organisations are encouraged to consult with their stakeholders in undertaking their self-assessment.
Best practice would be to consult widely in completing the self-assessment.
The self-assessment requires regional NRM organisations to consider the expected practices and
advanced practices listed for each performance expectation and to make an assessment of their
current level of practice against that performance expectation using the following scale:




Developing
Meets all expected practices
Meets all expected practices and some advanced practices
Meets all expected and advanced practices.
Regional NRM organisations will be required to provide evidence in support of the self-assessment.
Identifying current performance levels as ‘developing’ will not have a negative impact upon the
regional NRM organisation, as the intention is to use the self assessment process as a tool to ensure
that all regional NRM organisations have the skills, or appropriate support, to perform at a best
practice level.
What is the annual performance review process?
The Departments will undertake an annual risk and performance based review of regional NRM
organisations that will inform a performance review schedule for the coming year. The schedule of
targeted annual performance reviews will be determined using information including, but not limited
to:

self assessment by regional NRM organisations of their governance (performance and corporate),
performance and compliance, including to identify any predicted or emerging gaps and risks to be
addressed

consideration by the Departments of performance and compliance, including the timeliness and
quality of reports provided to the Departments, taking into account mitigating circumstances that
may be beyond a successful Applicant’s control

the Australian Government’s risk assessment of regional NRM organisations’ Regional Funding
delivery

relevant information about regional NRM organisations’ delivery of Regional Funding, including
provision of a Regional Landcare Facilitator, and third party stakeholder feedback where this can
be verified as credible and relevant.
Following performance reviews, the Departments will work with regional NRM organisations to
identify follow up actions for improvement and regional NRM organisations will be required to
implement these actions. High-performing regional NRM organisations will also be reviewed to
facilitate sharing of best practice.
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Will members of the local landcare community be able to provide input to the
self-assessment process?
Regional NRM organisations are encouraged to consult broadly with their stakeholders, including the
local landcare community, in undertaking their self-assessment. In conducting performance reviews,
the Departments may also take into account third party stakeholder feedback where this can be
verified as credible and relevant.
Is further information available on the performance expectations?
Further information, including a table setting out the expected and advanced practices, can be found
in the Australian Government Performance Expectations for Regional NRM Organisations.
Regional Landcare Facilitators
Will a Regional Landcare Facilitator position continue under the new
arrangements?
Yes, a minimum of one full time equivalent (FTE) position is required. We would expect this to be
delivered by no more than 3 part-time positions. The position or positions must be clearly badged as
Regional Landcare Facilitators.
Will the duties of the Regional Landcare Facilitators remain the same?
We expect the Regional Landcare Facilitators to contribute to developing a skilled and capable local
landcare community within their region. The Regional Landcare Facilitators are expected to support
farmers, fishers and land managers identify and adopt farm practices and land management practices
to sustainably manage natural resources, to reduce agricultural emissions and adapt to changing
climatic conditions. The primary focus should still be on supporting sustainable agriculture groups and
activities; however this may be expanded to include a wider range of Landcare, Indigenous and NRM
groups and activities where appropriate to meet regional needs. The duties will not be as closely
specified as previously.
How will the Regional Landcare Facilitators be funded?
Regional Landcare Facilitators are to be funded through the Regional Funding component of the
National Landcare Programme. They will not be funded within the minimum 20 per cent required to be
invested in small, on ground projects with the local landcare community.
Will Regional Landcare Facilitators still participate in state and national
Regional Landcare Facilitator networks?
Yes, Regional Landcare Facilitators are expected to attend at least one state and one national Regional
Landcare Facilitator forum each year and are encouraged to contribute to maintaining the valuable
Regional Landcare Facilitator networks.
Is there still a mandated funding amount to support a Regional Landcare
Facilitator?
No, but regional NRM organisations will need to factor in a sufficient budget to cover Regional
Landcare Facilitator wages and operating expenses, activities and attendance at the state and national
network meetings.
Will a steering committee still be required to support Regional Landcare
Facilitators?
No, a steering committee is no longer mandated, but the overwhelming evidence is these have been
highly effective in supporting and guiding the work of Regional Landcare Facilitators and helping them
to be effective in their regions. Regional NRM organisations are encouraged to continue steering
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committees or reference groups that include industry and community representation as part of their
community engagement and program improvement mechanisms.
Will the Regional Landcare Facilitator positions need to be readvertised?
No, the current employees and contractors can be continued. If over the period to June 2018, it is
required to readvertise the position, it is expected that regional NRM organisations will recruit the
Regional Landcare Facilitator through a transparent process which is open to external applicants. This
includes situations where the position is contracted out to an external provider.
Programme integration
What is the relationship between the Regional Stream and other NRM
initiatives?
The Australian Government will invest over $2 billion in complementary NRM programmes over the
next four years. These include the National Landcare Programme, including the 20 Million Trees
Programme, the Green Army, Reef 2050, Working on Country and continuing investment through the
Land Sector Package.
For example, the 25th Anniversary Landcare Grants 2014-15 is a one-off grants round targeted towards
local community NRM and Landcare groups and individuals. The round is part of a transition to the
reformed delivery approach under the Regional Stream of the National Landcare Programme whereby
community engagement will be a key focus. Community groups who are successful in obtaining
funding for a 25th Anniversary Landcare Grant may wish to liaise with their regional NRM organisation
to discuss opportunities to build upon their projects using the community-targeted Regional Funding.
The 20 Million Trees Programme will support revegetation in urban, peri-urban and regional areas, on
both public and private land, to establish green corridors and urban forests. Regional Stream funding
can be used to fund non-labour costs such as materials for on ground works to support these projects.
From 2015-16, the Government will roll out an integrated programme model that allows proponents
to submit innovative proposals that maximise opportunities available through the National Landcare
Programme, including 20 Million Trees, and the Green Army Programme.
Applicant eligibility
Who can apply for Regional Funding?
To apply for funding under the Regional Stream of the National Landcare Programme, the Applicant
must:

be one of the 56 Australian Government recognised regional NRM organisations identified at
http://www.nrm.gov.au/regional/regional-nrm-organisations, and

have received notification from the Australian Government of their Regional Funding notional
allocations.
Can individuals and / or community groups apply for Regional Funding?
No, under the Regional Stream funding is only available to the 56 Australian Government recognised
regional NRM organisations. However, individuals and community groups are encouraged to contact
their regional NRM organisation regarding opportunities to deliver projects under the requirements of
the 20 per cent direct funding for community engagement.
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Our regional NRM organisation has an overdue report for an Australian
Government funded NRM project. Are we eligible for Regional Funding?
You may apply for funding however, if your Application is successful, at the time of contracting you
must not have any overdue final reports and/or acquittals for previous Australian Government grants.
If you do, the Department will not enter into a funding agreement with you.
Are groups who have previously received Australian Government NRM funding
eligible to receive funding for projects through their regional NRM
organisation’s Regional Funding?
Yes, provided your proposed project is approved for funding by your regional NRM organisation and it
is not for activities that have already been undertaken or are substantially the same activities as those
funded by another initiative or programme. Potential projects will need to be communicated to your
regional NRM organisation who will determine funding priorities in consultation with the local
landcare community.
Project eligibility
What NRM issues can be addressed through Regional Funding?
Regional NRM organisations, in consultation with their local landcare community, are responsible for
identifying the best way to achieve local NRM priorities and deliver on the Programme’s Strategic
Objectives and Outcomes. However, there are constraints on the types of activities for which funding
can be used to ensure that Australian Government funds are used appropriately.
The Programme may provide Regional Funding to address the following:
 building local landcare community awareness of biodiversity values, NRM capacity, skills,
knowledge and engagement.
 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 Indigenous people’s capacity for planning and delivering NRM and sustainable agricultural
activities.
 protecting, conserving or recovering nationally listed threatened and migratory species,
threatened ecological communities or ecosystems under the Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
 protecting Ramsar sites and values (excluding Kakadu).
 protecting World Heritage sites’ outstanding universal value and integrity (excluding
Commonwealth managed World Heritage sites and the Sydney Opera House, Australian Convict
Sites, the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens).
 building knowledge, skills, engagement, participation and awareness of the local landcare
community and industry, including with farmers, Landcare and farming systems groups or
networks, Indigenous groups and technical experts to enable the adoption of innovative
sustainable management practices.
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What are some examples of eligible activities under Regional Funding?
The Programme may provide Regional Funding for:
 activities that address priorities identified in regional NRM plans and which align with the
Programme’s Strategic Objectives and Outcomes as they relate to their associated national and
international obligations.
 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.
 administration costs of up to 10 per cent of the proposed annual budget in the Application.

Administration costs may include project monitoring and evaluation costs, and costs
associated with making improvements to organisational governance, delivery and
engagement practices consistent with the Australian Government Performance
Expectations for Regional NRM Organisations.

Applicants may not request more than 10 per cent of the proposed annual budget to
support these activities without justification in their Application. This will be considered by
the Departments on a case by case basis having regard to the extent to which the
Application justifies these costs relative to delivering and reporting against the
Programme’s Strategic Objectives and Outcomes.

Applicants may use a portion of these administration funds for regional NRM planning to
align national, state, regional and local NRM priorities, but cannot duplicate NRM planning
activities for which they have already been funded.
 covenanting, or other forms of in-perpetuity protection, where these represent cost-effective
approaches to achieving the Programme’s Strategic Objectives and Outcomes as they relate to
their associated national and international obligations.
 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.
 employing a Regional Landcare Facilitator.
 ‘co-funding’ arrangements, for example discrete elements of a Regional Funding Application that
deliver on the Programme’s Strategic Objectives and Outcomes and also complement separate
activities that are funded from other sources, such as the Jobs, Land and Economy Programme and
the Indigenous Protected Areas Programme.
 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.
What role will regional NRM plans have in Regional Funding?
Regional NRM plans will be key tools for planning and prioritising NRM activities in the region, in
consultation with the local landcare community. Through Regional Funding, regional NRM
organisations will be expected to show how regional NRM plans take account of national and
state/territory plans and, if relevant, appropriate agricultural industry strategic plans. They should
detail the investment strategies that regional organisations will use to address these priorities.
Are other contributions required under Regional Funding?
The Australian Government understands that some Applications will contain proposals to conduct
activities that produce a mix of private and public benefit.
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When considering undertaking projects on private land, regional NRM organisations must ensure that
other contributions (cash and/or in-kind) are made to the cost of the activities to account for the levels
of public and private benefits to be obtained from the activities.
For example, funding for on-ground works on private land may only be provided if there is a high
public benefit, and a contribution from the landholder/s that will compensate for any private benefit
obtained. The level of private investment (cash and/or in kind) should be appropriate for the private
benefit received and the Regional Funding (Australian Government) investment should be
commensurate with the expected public or broader community benefit derived.
The following examples describe how private and public benefits would be taken into account and
what the expected cost-sharing arrangements would be:

Information dissemination to improve soil condition addresses an information failure in the
market and produces benefits for the community beyond the proponent. The landholder
increases their knowledge about how to implement certain practices and then provides time
and resources to implement the practice, which covers the private benefit received.

Trialling practices to adapt them to local conditions may not have occurred without
government intervention and will facilitate widespread adoption in the region by passing the
knowledge on to other farmers. The adoption of the practice is likely to have production
benefit for the individual. Therefore, although set-up costs for the trial may be funded, the
individual landholders would be expected to contribute in-kind time with labour to reflect
likely production benefits.
Projects that include other contributions will usually be more cost-effective than similar projects that
have no other contribution.
Does my application need to be apportioned in any way by environment or
agriculture focused outcomes?
Under the Regional Stream, applicants are not required to structure their application budgets to
allocate a specific proportion to environment priorities or agriculture priorities i.e. the previous 70:30
ratio that applied under regional funding does not apply under the National Landcare Programme.
Rather, applications are expected to demonstrate how the regional funding will deliver against the
National Landcare Programme’s Strategic Objectives and Outcomes, in particular, how the proposed
outcomes align with the priorities in the region’s natural resource management plan which may
present a different mix of agriculture and environment priorities depending on the region’s
circumstances.
Applying for Regional Funding
How is Regional Funding accessed?
Funding under the Regional Stream of the National Landcare Programme has been notionally allocated
across the 56 recognised regional NRM organisations. To receive access to these funds, regional NRM
organisations must apply by either submitting a full Application using the Application form supplied to
them, or if they have a valid funding agreement currently established with the Australian Government,
they may renegotiate their funding agreement to align it with the Strategic Objectives and Outcomes
of the National Landcare Programme and meet the Regional Stream funding requirements.
Regional NRM organisations that wish to renegotiate their current funding agreements should contact
their project managers for further details.
On what basis will Regional Funding Applications be assessed?
Applications will be assessed on their merit against the following criterion to ensure that, if approved,
they will deliver value for money for the Commonwealth. The Departments reserve the right to use
information from any other source, as well as the information provided in Applications, for the
purposes of assessment.
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The Application must demonstrate how the proposed project relates to one or more the
Programme’s Strategic Objectives and Outcomes as they relate to their associated national and
international obligations (as outlined in Table 1 in the Guidelines).
In order to allow assessment against the criterion, applications for Regional Funding will need to
include information about:

how the Applicant will ensure community engagement in their project, particularly with the
local landcare community, industry and the Indigenous community. This includes the role
delivered by the Regional Landcare Facilitator with the local landcare community and industry.
In particular, Applicants will be required to outline how they will ensure appropriate
participation of the Indigenous community in Regional Funding implementation, and that
sufficient policies and procedures are in place to engage the relevant traditional owners
and/or community representatives adequately in decision-making at appropriate times

how the Applicant’s Regional Funding will deliver against the Programme’s Strategic Objectives
and Outcomes, how it will align with the priorities in the region’s natural resource
management plan, and how it will achieve value for money for the Australian Government.
In addition, applications for Regional Funding will also need to demonstrate:

a minimum of 20 per cent of their annual regional allocation will be directed to small, on
ground projects and related activities that are delivered by, or directly engage with, the local
community, including landcare, Indigenous groups, farming systems groups, other community
groups and individual land managers

that the Applicant’s Regional Funding contributes to Australia’s national and international
obligations.
Applicants will also be required to acknowledge, in their applications, the obligations that they will be
required to meet under the funding agreement to be entered into with the Australian Government for
Regional Funding.
Completing the Application form
Can supporting information be provided with a Regional Funding Application?
The Departments are not required to consider any supporting or additional documentation supplied
with the Application.
Are quotes required?
No. By submitting the Application, you certify that all details provided are true and accurate.
How much detail should be included in the Application budget? If something is
missed can it be put in later?
You must consider all aspects of your Application and ensure all relevant costs are included in your
Application. Items that were not budgeted for in the original Application will not be funded. Additional
funds are not available to meet costs that may have increased after the Application was submitted.
Can changes be made to a Regional Funding Application after it has been
submitted?
No. All relevant sections of the Application form must be completed and Applications must be
complete at the time of submission. Your Application may not be able to be properly assessed if you
fail to answer all relevant questions in the Application form.
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Post-Application
How long will it take for Regional Funding Applications to be assessed?
The Australian Government will assess Regional Funding Applications in a timely manner to enable
successful regional NRM organisations to start projects early in the 2015 calendar year.
How will Regional Funding Applicants be notified of the outcome of their
Application?
All Regional Funding Applicants will be advised in writing about the outcome of their Regional Funding
Application. Successful Applications will be announced by the relevant Minister and will also be listed
on the National Landcare Programme website.
Funding agreements for successful Applications
When can our regional NRM organisation start its Regional Funding Project?
Regional NRM organisations that are successful in obtaining their Regional Funding allocation will be
provided with a funding agreement that the authorised person needs to sign and return to the
Department of the Environment.
Regional NRM organisations must not commence work on the Regional Funding Project before a
funding agreement is executed with the Department of the Environment. Payment will not be
backdated for activities that commenced before the execution of the funding agreement, and no
payments will be made unless a funding agreement has been executed.
Who can sign the Regional Funding agreement?
The person identified as the authorised person in the Application form needs to sign the funding
agreement. This is the person with appropriate permissions to enter into a financial agreement on
behalf of the regional NRM organisation.
If this person has changed since completing the Application form, regional NRM organisations will
need to provide, with the signed funding agreement, a letter from outlining the new contact's role and
that they are authorised to represent the regional NRM organisation.
When will regional NRM organisations start to receive Regional Funding?
Once regional NRM organisations have returned two signed copies of their funding agreement and no
changes are required, it usually takes approximately 2-3 weeks for the funds to be deposited into the
nominated bank account. Please be mindful it can sometimes take longer to process the funds.
How long does our regional NRM organisation have to complete its Regional
Funding project?
If you are successful in obtaining Regional Funding, projects must be completed by 30 June 2018. The
sooner you return your funding agreement, the sooner you can commence work. If your funding
agreement is returned late the offer of funding may be withdrawn.
How can regional NRM organisations update contact details?
You can update your contact details for your Regional Funding Project by sending an email to
NationalLandcare@environment.gov.au with your Project ID in the subject line. Alternatively call
1800 552 008 and ask to speak to your Project officer.
Our regional NRM organisation would like to withdraw from Regional Funding.
How can we do that?
You can notify the Department by email NationalLandcare@environment.gov.au or phone
1800 552 008 if you wish to withdraw from funding. Please do so as soon as possible.
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Monitoring and reporting requirements
Does our regional NRM organisation need to do a monitoring, evaluation,
reporting and improvement (MERI) plan for its Regional Funding Project?
All regional NRM organisations funded under the Regional Stream will be required to have a MERI plan
in place that aligns with the requirements of the Regional Stream. Regional NRM organisations that do
not currently have an Australian Government approved MERI plan will be required to develop one for
approval by the Departments. Regional NRM organisations that do have an Australian Government
approved project MERI plan for their existing Regional Funding will be required to revise and resubmit
it to ensure it aligns with the requirements of Regional Funding.
Annual updates of project MERI plans will allow successful Applicants to specify the planned activities
and delivery targets for the coming year. This approach will allow successful Applicants to specify the
detail of, and adaptively manage, the coming year’s activities in the context of progress and learnings
to date. These annual updates will need to be completed to the satisfaction of the Departments before
further milestone payments of Regional Funding under the funding agreement will be made.
When will our regional NRM organisation be required to report on our
Regional Funding project?
Regional NRM organisations will provide detail on actual activities undertaken and delivery achieved
through their twice yearly reporting on their delivery progress (this includes financial reporting).
Successful Applicants will be required to report Regional Funding NRM outcomes using the online
Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement Tool (MERIT). This will allow successful Applicants
to record and upload data about their progress in delivering Regional Funding on a regular basis and to
submit reports online. It will also allow communities to access publicly visible elements of information
about the progress of natural resource management activities in their regions.
Regional NRM organisations will be encouraged to use MERIT to share more detailed accounts of their
Regional Funding delivery, such as methods of delivery and case studies.
Successful applicants will also be required to provide financial reports outlining the funds received
from the National Landcare Programme and the expenditure of these funds as well as an annual
audited financial statement.
How have reporting requirements and MERI plans been simplified?
In their Regional Funding Applications, regional NRM organisations will only be required to provide
high-level information about planned activity types that may be undertaken to deliver their
contribution to the Programme’s Strategic Objectives and Outcomes as they relate to their associated
national and international obligations (as outlined in Table 1). More detailed information on planned
activities will be outlined by regional NRM organisations in project MERI plans.
Under the Programme, project MERI plans have been simplified and are now included in MERIT.
Regional NRM organisations will be able to outline the contribution to be made to the Programme’s
Strategic Objectives and Outcomes and how baselines will be developed and the approaches for
collection, monitoring and evaluation of data.
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