2016-17 Cessnock and Lake Macquarie Rivers & Biodiversity Grants Program

Guidelines for Applicants

Program Information Total funding available is $228,114  $84,114 - Catchment Action NSW (CANSW)  $37,000 – National Landcare Programme - Australian Government (LNP)  $27,000 – Hunter Catchment Contributions (HCC)  $80,000 - Hunter Water Corporation (HWC)

Funding available in 2016/17 Individual Grants are available to a maximum of $50,000 (including maximum $15,000 per application of HWC funding)

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 16 September 2016 applications Final date for completion of 31 May 2017 (large project may be considered to 31 Dec 2017) approved projects Landholders, land managers and community organisations in Western Eligibility area of Lake Macquarie LGA and Cessnock LGA (Mount Vincent to Mount View area)

Hunter Local Land Services 816 Tocal Road Paterson NSW 2421 Private Bag 2010 Road Paterson NSW 2421 Tel: 02 4930 1030| Fax: 02 4930 1013 | www.lls.nsw.gov.au/hunter Eligible activities See Page 4

CANSW Hunter Threatened Species Program:  30 ha protected under voluntary conservation agreement, with terrestrial native vegetation enhanced/rehabilitated and pest animal control (vertebrates) measures implemented  Hunter Native Vegetation Program:  30 ha protected under voluntary conservation agreement, with terrestrial native vegetation enhanced/rehabilitated and pest animal control (vertebrates) measures implemented; plus 3 ha pest plant control measures implemented NLP Ecosystem Services: Minimum outputs to  1 ha increase in area of regionally significant species habitat or be delivered by the communities Program  10 ha increase / maintenance of condition of regionally significant species habitat or communities. Protecting Species: 4 ha increase / maintenance of condition of threatened ecological communities. HCC  Implement native vegetation program for biodiversity in conjunction with other natural resource management activities. Develop and implement a prioritised program of riparian works in the Lower Hunter River / Hunter Estuary. Coordinated delivery between the LH Team HWC Implement the Congewai & Quorrobolong Catchment Improvement Program (referred to as Paxton CIP) Priority Areas are Western area of Lake Macquarie LGA and Cessnock Priority Areas LGA (Mount Vincent to Mount View area) Electronically: [email protected] Written: Hunter Local Land Services Lodging applications Private Bag 2010 Paterson NSW 2421 Standard LLS Grant funding terms and conditions apply (See Page 10 Conditions of & 11) Funding LLS on-ground works minimum standards apply (See Page 12 & 13) Where to get Mick Budden: assistance? Phone: 02 4938 4940 or 0428 267 826 Email: [email protected] 2 General enquiries: Phone: 02 49301030 Email: [email protected] Office: Hunter LLS, 816 Tocal Road Note: Requests for assistance (RFA) from Hunter LLS staff must be received by 2 September 2016 to guarantee assistance.

1. About Hunter LLS The Hunter Local Land Services (LLS) region covers the following Local Government Areas: Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Singleton, Cessnock, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Dungog and MidCoast. 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 communities 2. Industries – Biosecure, profitable, productive and sustainable 3. Natural Environments – Healthy, diverse, connected natural environments 4. 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. 2. 3. About the Program The Cessnock Lake Macquarie River and Biodiversity Program is a component of the 2016 – 2017 Lower Hunter District Service Delivery Plan, which cover the Cessnock and Lake Macquarie Local Government Area. This plan details the

Hunter Local Land Services 3 priorities, programs and projects to be delivered in the Lower Hunter District for the 2016/17 financial year.

Objectives The objectives of Cessnock, Lake Macquarie Rivers and Biodiversity Program are:  Build landholder capacity to undertake sustainable land management practice change for biodiversity, riparian and native vegetation outcomes, and address strategic regionally significant weeds and threats to threatened species/communities.  Support and increase adoption of sustainable land management practice at a whole property level.  Strengthen local industry partnerships and landholder networks.  Develop and deliver extension products and services tailored to local client needs for improved triple bottom line outcomes at a whole property scale.  Building resilience for climate change mitigation for adaptation across the district  Support good planning and management of riparian areas for water quality, riparian stability and flood protection

This program delivers on the following Hunter Local Strategic Plan regional priorities: Natural Environments - Healthy, diverse, connected natural environments. This program also delivers on the following Hunter Local Strategic Plan strategy and 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.

4 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:  Hunter Threatened Species Program

 Hunter Native Vegetation Program

 Hunter Riparian Program

Hunter LLS is also delivering Hunter Catchment Contributions funding. The Hunter Catchment Contributions priorities this program will deliver include:  By 2020, Communities are engaged in natural resource management and are better able to manage natural disasters such as floods.  By 2020, Land managers are implementing priority riverine stabilisation projects that restore healthy river and estuarine ecosystems.  By 2020, Land managers participate in catchment activities that increase ground cover on highly erodible soils and decrease the impacts of pest and weeds.

4. Eligibility Landholders, land managers and community organisations in the identified priority areas, subject to:  The project property being located in the identified priority areas: o The Western area of Lake Macquarie LGA. o Mount Vincent to Mount View area of Cessnock LGA.

Eligibility of all applications is subject to:

Hunter Local Land Services 5  The proponent completing works for any previously funded projects.  The project being able to be delivered within the given timeframes  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 of the proponent being paid.  The proponent discussing the proposed project with an LLS project officer who has developed a site report and a map of the proposed works.

Specific 1. Riparian Management in Targeted Paxton CIP.  Riparian planting, weed management and fencing (weed management only in combination with other riparian activities).  Erosion works – bank stabilisation, in stream works, stream crossing installations.  Stock water management – provision of off stream watering.

5. Eligible Activities The types of activities that can be funded under this Program include (but are not limited to):  Protection and improvement of high conservation value biodiversity habitat connectivity, quality and condition.  Protection and improvement to the condition and connectivity of native vegetation corridors in the Hunter for the recovery of Regent Honeyeater.  Improve priority habitat and recovery of Lower Hunter Dry Rainforest, Quorrobolong Scribbly Gum, Cynanchum elegans and Regent Honeyeater, in landscape conservation corridors between Mount View and Mount Vincent.  Protect and improve the condition and connectivity of native vegetation corridors in the Hunter for the recovery of Regent Honeyeater.  Address threats to 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  Improvement to the condition and connectivity of riparian vegetation in

6 the Rivers while improving downstream water quality and estuarine habitats  Improved landscape connectivity and resilience, biodiversity conservation, invasive weed and pest animal control.  Revegetation with endemic native species to restore riparian and terrestrial vegetation.  Weed control associated with riparian and terrestrial vegetation management.  Protecting or enhancing land near Endangered Ecological Communities (EECs) or at risk vegetation communities – see http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/pnf/eecfieldidguidelines.htm  Invasive pest animal control (as part of other activities)

Types of activities that will not be funded under this program include:  Proponents who have not completed the works for their previously LLS or Catchment Management Authority (CMA) funded project will be ineligible for funding  The proposed works must not be previously funded through a LLS or CMA funding agreement and still subject to maintenance provisions.  Project activities that do not abide by NSW State and Australian Commonwealth laws e.g. Native Vegetation Act 2003, Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011 etc.  Project that do not met the LLS minimum standards for on-ground works  Purely production oriented activities.  Activities that are the legal responsibility of the landholder, such as noxious weed control and vertebrate pest management.  Purchase of machinery and computer hardware and software, where there is no demonstrated land use change.  Activities more appropriately funded by other bodies.  Activities that the land managers can reasonably be expected to undertake to ensure sustainable management of areas under their control.  Work that is undertaken before the project agreement for the proposal is signed or after the project agreement ends.  Projects that mainly beautify or improve amenity.  Standard boundary fencing that is the landholder’s normal responsibility.  Capital works, for example construction of buildings or viewing platforms Hunter Local Land Services 7 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 Local Strategic Plan 2016-2021 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

8  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

6. 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 showing the location and type of proposed management activities on your property. Applications for Cessnock, Lake Macquarie River and Biodiversity Program will need to complete a Land Management Grant Application Form. Contact details for your local office: Project Manager: Mick Budden Phone: 02 4938 4940 Email: [email protected]

General Office Phone: 02 49301030 Email: [email protected] Address: Hunter Local Land Services, 816 Tocal Road (Private Bag 2010) Paterson NSW 2421.

Hunter Local Land Services 9 7. Lodging Applications

Applications 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. Cessnock Lake Macquarie River & Biodiversity Program Hunter Local Land Services Private Bag 2010 Paterson NSW 2421 2. Submit your application electronically by 16 September2016 to [email protected] 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_XXXX on all correspondence. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

8. 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:

1. The degree to which the project delivers on the objectives of the funding program

2. The degree to which the project delivers on investor priorities

3. The scale of outcomes

4. The degree to which project actions are likely to deliver the intended outcomes

5. The capacity to complete planned works on time

6. The relative proportion of applicants in-kind and/or cash contributions

7. The approach to monitoring evaluation and reporting

8. The approach to Aboriginal Cultural Heritage 10 9. The degree to which the applicant has engaged in previous grant programs

10. The likelihood of the project delivering productivity benefits

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.

Hunter Local Land Services 11 9. Conditions of funding

10. Contracts

All Hunter LLS Land Management Grants will be delivered through a Land Management Agreement.

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 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 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.

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 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.

Maintenance

All funded activities will require maintenance to ensure the outcomes are maintained. All activities must be regularly maintained for at least 5 years.

Hunter Local Land Services 816 Tocal Road Paterson NSW 2421 Private Bag 2010 Road Paterson NSW 2421 Tel: 02 4930 1030| Fax: 02 4930 1013 | www.lls.nsw.gov.au/hunter Public Liability Insurance

All 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 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.

Conflicts of Interest

The 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.

Hunter Local Land Services 816 Tocal Road Paterson NSW 2421 Private Bag 2010 Road Paterson NSW 2421 Tel: 02 4930 1030| Fax: 02 4930 1013 | www.lls.nsw.gov.au/hunter 11. Minimum standards for on-ground 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.

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 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 works

This may include earthworks or construction activities for:

 gully filling/shaping,  construction of diversion banks, Hunter Local Land Services 816 Tocal Road Paterson NSW 2421 Private Bag 2010 Road Paterson NSW 2421 Tel: 02 4930 1030| Fax: 02 4930 1013 | www.lls.nsw.gov.au/hunter  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.

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.

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.

Hunter Local Land Services 816 Tocal Road Paterson NSW 2421 Private Bag 2010 Road Paterson NSW 2421 Tel: 02 4930 1030| Fax: 02 4930 1013 | www.lls.nsw.gov.au/hunter 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 fire management regime that promotes biodiversity outcomes. Technical advice should be sought from LLS staff or other suitably qualified persons.

Hunter Local Land Services 816 Tocal Road Paterson NSW 2421 Private Bag 2010 Road Paterson NSW 2421 Tel: 02 4930 1030| Fax: 02 4930 1013 | www.lls.nsw.gov.au/hunter