2016-17 Upper Hunter Biodiversity Grants Program

Guidelines for ApplicantsProgram Information

Funding available in 2016/17

Total funding available is $267,372

$146,872 - Catchment Action NSW

$85,500 - Australian Government National Landcare Programme

$35,000 – Hunter Catchment Contributions

Access to further funding may be available through a Hunter region-wide Landscape Connectivity and Biodiversity Program for eligible projects

$146,475 – Australian Government

Applications open 1 August 2016

Closing date for applications 16 September 2016

Final date for completion of approved projects

31 May 2017

EligibilityLandowners in priority areas in the Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook and Singleton Local Government Areas (See Page 4)

Eligible activities See Page 5

Minimum outputs to be delivered by the Program

149ha protect and enhance terrestrial vegetation 149ha pest animal control 9ha pest plant control 10ha increase/maintenance of condition of threatened ecological communities 1ha increased extent of regionally significant habitat or communities 10ha increase/maintenance of condition of regionally significant species habitat or

communities

Priority Areas

Barrington Tops to Liverpool Range. Northern Greater Blue Mountains to Liverpool Range between Murrurundi, Merriwa,

Scone and Jerrys Plain, including Upper Hunter Woodland Birds Project Area. Lands in strategic regional biodiversity corridors across the Upper Hunter district. Lands adjacent to Mount Royal, Wollombi and Yengo National Parks. Box Gum Woodland Endangered Ecological CommunitySee Page 5

Lodging applications

Electronically: incentives.program@lls.nsw.gov.auorWritten: Upper Hunter Biodiversity Program

Hunter Local Land Services PO Box 250

Scone NSW 2337

Conditions of Funding

Standard LLS Grant funding terms and conditions apply (Page 9)

LLS on-ground works minimum standards apply (Page 11)

Grants will be secured under a Property Vegetation Plan for 15 years (for grants up to $100,000) or in perpetuity (for grants >$100,000)

Hunter Local Land Services

Where to get assistance?

Website: www.hunter.lls.nsw.gov.au

Phone: 02 65402400

Tony Millen (0459332959)

Email: tony.millen@lls.nsw.gov.au

Office: Hunter Local Land Services, 2 Flemington Drive, Scone NSW 2337

Note: Requests for assistance from Hunter LLS staff must be received by 2nd September to guarantee assistance with your project application.

About the LLS The Hunter Local Land Services region of Local Land Services covers the following Local Government Areas: Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Singleton, Cessnock, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Dungog and Mid Coast.The Hunter LLS Local Strategic Plan 2016-2021 prioritises and directs Hunter LLS customer services, partnerships and investment across the region.

It sets the following goals:

1. Communities – Resilient, self-reliant and prepared local communities2. Industries – Biosecure, profitable, productive and sustainable3. Natural Environments – Healthy, diverse, connected natural environments4. Our Organisation - Innovative, commercially focused and collaborative people delivering best

practice business management and reducing red tape.

The plan identifies priorities and strategies for addressing these goals. Those relevant to this grants program are identified in the next section.

The Hunter LLS approach to delivering on this plan involves local people, delivering high quality, integrated services for healthy productive landscapes.We will work with landholders and land managers to develop measures of productivity, profitability and sustainability, to help improve primary production within healthy landscapes and assist communities in the region to be profitable and sustainable into the future.

About the Program The Upper Hunter Biodiversity Program is a component of the Upper Hunter District Service Delivery Plan. This plan details the priorities, programs and projects to be delivered in the Upper Hunter District for the 2016/17 financial year.

Objectives

The objectives of Upper Hunter Biodiversity Program are:

Develop and implement Property Vegetation Plans with landholders to protect and enhance native vegetation and threatened species habitat and address biodiversity threats, including weeds, pest animals, grazing, logging and fire in priority investment areas.

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Protect and improve high conservation value biodiversity habitat connectivity, quality and condition.

Increase the capacity of landholders to identify and address threats to biodiversity.

This program delivers on the following Hunter Local Strategic Plan priorities:

Improving native vegetation connectivity for resilience (in key focus areas) and maintaining or improving native vegetation for a range of natural resource management outcomes.

Implementing landscape-scale approaches to deal with threats to the natural environment – in particular, supporting land managers to rehabilitate degraded habitat, manage weeds and pests, and contribute to the recovery of high priority and iconic species and listed threatened ecological communities.

Being responsive and accountable to a diverse range of customers, investors and stakeholders, including maintaining highly skilled and capable staff that are responsive to customers’ needs.

Ensuring investment decision-making is transparent and objective.

This program also delivers on the following Hunter LLS Local Strategic Plan strategy and associated outcome:

Strategy 2: Deliver Integrated Services

Outcome 2: By 2021, integrated services have helped primary producers and land managers in priority industries or landscapes implement practices for economic, social and environmental outcomes

Investors

Hunter LLS is delivering National Landcare Programme (NLP) funding on behalf of the Australian Government. The NLP priorities that this program will deliver include:

1. Maintain and improve ecosystem services through sustainable management of local and regional landscapes.

2. Increase the numbers of farmers and fishers adopting practices that improve the quality of the natural resource base, and the area of land over which those practices are applied.

3. Increase engagement and participation of the community, including landcare, farmers and indigenous people in sustainable natural resource management.

4. Increase restoration and rehabilitation of the natural environment, including protecting and conserving nationally and internationally significant species, ecosystems, ecological communities, places and values.

Hunter LLS is delivering Catchment Action NSW funding on behalf of the NSW Government. The Catchment Action NSW priorities this program will deliver include:

Improve the condition and species diversity of Box Gum Woodland Endangered Ecological Community (EEC) in the Upper Hunter.

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Protect and improve the condition and connectivity of native vegetation corridors in the Hunter for the recovery of Regent Honeyeater.

Improve priority habitat and recovery of Hooded Robin, Speckled Warbler, Brown Treecreeper and Regent Honeyeater, in the Upper Hunter woodland bird recovery project focus area.

Protect and improve the condition and connectivity of native vegetation habitat in the Barrington Tops to Liverpool Range regional corridor, for Box-Gum Woodland EEC and for threatened species including Brush-tailed Phascogale, Red-legged Pademelon, Koala, Scarlet Robin and Speckled Warbler.

Address threats to Barrington Tops, Mount Royal, Wollombi and Yengo National Parks and World Heritage Areas and improve habitat, for the recovery of Brush Tailed Rock Wallaby, Spotted Tailed Quoll and Glossy Black-Cockatoo, consistent with recovery plans.

Hunter LLS is also delivering Hunter Catchment Contributions funding. The Hunter Catchment Contributions priorities this program will deliver include:

By 2020, land managers participate in catchment activities that increase ground cover on highly erodible soils and decrease the impacts of pest and weeds.

By 2020, communities are engaged in natural resource management and are better able to manage natural disasters such as floods.

Eligibility

GeneralEligibility of all applications is subject to:

The project being located in the Upper Hunter, Singleton and Muswellbrook Local Government Areas.

The project being on land in or adjacent to a program focus area (see page 13) The applicants completing works for any previously funded projects. The proposed works must be able to be completed by 31st May 2017 LLS minimum standards for on-ground works being met (see page 11) The proposed activities must abide by NSW State and Australian Commonwealth laws e.g.

Native Vegetation Act 2003, Work Health and Safety Act 2011 Ongoing monitoring and reporting of project outcomes (see page 9) All current Hunter LLS financial obligations are paid.

Specific The project area must be a minimum of 20 ha.

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Priority AreasFocus Areas shown in the attached map at page 13:

Barrington Tops to Liverpool Range. Northern Greater Blue Mountains to Liverpool Range between Murrurundi, Merriwa, Scone and

Jerrys Plain, including the Upper Hunter Woodland Birds Project Area. Lands in strategic regional biodiversity corridors across the Upper Hunter district. Lands adjacent to Mount Royal, Wollombi and Yengo National Parks. Box Gum Woodland EEC (not on map).

Proposals that are not within the focus areas may still be considered.

Types of ActivitiesHunter LLS will consider providing financial support through this program for the following activities that constitute land management practice change in identified focus areas:

1. Natural regeneration of native vegetation through encouraging regrowth.

2. Enhancement of regrowth native forest condition through thinning.

3. Protecting and enhancing native vegetation and threatened species habitat.

4. Managing threats to native vegetation, biodiversity and threatened species.

5. Managing threats to riparian land.

The types of activities that can be funded include (but are not limited to):

Weed and pest animal control. Managing/eliminating stock impacts on native vegetation and biodiversity through fencing

and/or provision of alternative stock water supply. Infrastructure to enable strategic* grazing for biodiversity outcomes. Riparian stock exclusion fencing. Regeneration and/or planting of native vegetation to enhance the condition, extent and

connectivity of existing vegetation in strategic areas. Ecological fire management.

(* refer to page 12 for definitions)

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.

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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 Hunter LLS strategic plan outcomes.

The following activities will not be funded under the National Landcare Programme funding component of this 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

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

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Where to get assistance?LLS staff are available to assist you with developing your application, including providing advice on best practice management, design, costing, and developing a detailed project works map. All applications must be accompanied by a project works map developed by a Hunter LLS staff member showing the location and type of proposed management activities on your property.

Applications for the Upper Hunter Biodiversity Program will need to complete a Hunter Local Land Services Grant Application Form 2016-17.

Contact details for your local office:

Hunter Local Land Services, 2 Flemington Drive Scone NSW 2337

Ph 65402400

Tony Millen 0459 332959 tony.millen@lls.nsw.gov.au

Lodging ApplicationsApplications can be lodged in two ways.

1. Submit the original signed application to the LLS by 16 September 2016. Applications post marked this date will be accepted.

Upper Hunter Biodiversity ProgramHunter Local Land ServicesPO Box 250Scone, NSW, 2337

2. Submit your application electronically by 16th September 2016 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-“applicant 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.

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 on all correspondence.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Assessment ProcessApplication will be screened to confirm that all eligibility criteria are met, that there is sufficient information in the application for an assessment to be made and that compulsory sections of the grant application form are complete.

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Applications will then be assessed by a panel using decision support tools that score projects for their Natural Resource Management (NRM) benefit. Applications are then ranked by comparing the NRM benefit score and the funding requested in the application. Projects that represent the best value (NRM benefit) for HLLS investment will rank highest.

Applications will then be assessed by a panel against the following criteria:

The extent and likelihood that proposed land use changes will result in improved native vegetation, biodiversity and threatened species outcomes.

The proposed duration and commitment to the project by the applicant

Applicant in-kind and cash contribution

Level of public over private benefit, and value for money

Applicant’s capacity to complete projects in the specified timeframes

A risk assessment of the likelihood of a successful project outcome

Contribution towards delivery of program outputs and investor priorities

Applicant engagement in previous grant programs

Aboriginal cultural heritage outcomes

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 2016-17 if all funds are not allocated.

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Conditions of funding

ContractsAll Biodiversity Grants will be delivered through a Property Vegetation Plan (PVP).

If your application is successful you will be required to enter into a Property Vegetation Plan for 15 years (for grants up to $100,000) or in perpetuity (for grants >$100,000). PVP agreements are a statutory agreement under the Native Vegetation Act 2003 and will be registered on the title of the land. All projects are required to be maintained for the duration of the PVP agreement.

HLLS has standard and special conditions that will be included in your PVP agreement. Your HLLS contact officer can provide details of these conditions and provide a copy of a standard PVP agreement template for your consideration, prior to submitting the application.

Alterations to standard or special conditions would need to be negotiated through HLLS; however HLLS reserves the right to reject any alteration.

The agreement will need to be signed by the landowner. The landholder on the application should match the landowner 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 2016-17 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 ReportingAll 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.

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.

Given that funding aims to deliver economic, social and environmental outcomes, LLS will develop with successful on-ground grant funding applicants a set of relevant production, profitability and sustainability measures for monitoring and reporting on project outcomes.

All projects funded by the LLS may be included in more detailed vegetation and/or soil condition monitoring undertaken by the LLS.

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 outcomes 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.

MaintenanceAll funded activities will require maintenance to ensure the outcomes are maintained. All activities must be regularly maintained for at least 15 years, or in perpetuity for grants approved for greater than $100,000.

Public Liability InsuranceAll funded projects must be prepared to maintain current Public Liability Insurance ($20 million) for the duration of the agreement. A copy of your certificate of currency should be provided with your project application. If you are unable to provide the $20m of coverage you may apply to the LLS for a reduced amount, but this would be subject to an assessment of the Public Liability risk of the project.

Disclosure of InformationThe 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 HeritageThe LLS recommends that Aboriginal consultation be undertaken during the planning stage of all projects.

The LLS has Aboriginal staff that can assist you in

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contacting the appropriate person(s) or organisation.

Workplace Health and SafetyThe 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.

Conflicts of InterestThe Local Land Services has a Conflict of Interest Policy. Applicants should declare any perceived, actual or potential conflict of interest on their application. This could include being a current or past LLS staff member or being related to a staff member. Noting a Conflict of Interest will not automatically exclude applications for funding, but it does mean the LLS will need to follow certain procedures to ensure the conflict of interest is dealt with appropriately.

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Minimum standards for on-ground works

GeneralIt 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.

FencingAll 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 stabilise natural waterways:

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:

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:

Fence to be permanent and should be located a minimum distance back from the top of the high bank of 20m for riparian vegetation.

Stock proof fencing to protect or regenerate remnant native vegetation:

Fence is to be permanent. Fencing around single trees will generally not be funded.

Revegetation 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:

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 worksThis 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 LLS standards and meet all regulatory requirements.

Soil TestingWhere soil testing is required, it must be carried out by a NATA accredited laboratory.

Provision of alternate stock water suppliesAlternate 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 ControlWeed 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

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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 ManagementGrazing 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.

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 ManagementThe 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 fire management regime that promotes biodiversity outcomes. Technical advice should be sought from LLS staff or other suitably qualified persons.

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