REEF TRUST PHASE IV GULLY AND STREAM BANK EROSION CONTROL PROGRAM Frequently Asked Questions
Application process (including Mapping Tool)
1. How can I apply for a grant under the Program?
Applicants who wish to apply for funding through the Reef Trust Phase IV Gully and Stream Bank Erosion Control Program (the Program) are invited to submit an Application for a Project that targets areas of high Gully and/or Stream Bank Erosion density within one or more of the targeted Management Units in the natural resource management regions. Management Units are subdivisions of Reef natural resource management regions and are generally defined based on river basin and catchment boundaries. Targeted Management Units are outlined in Section 1.2 of the Guidelines. The Application Process is described at section 5.1 of the Reef Trust Phase IV Gully and Stream Bank Erosion Control Program Applicant Guidelines 2016 (the Guidelines) and can be found at http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/gbr/reeftrust/addressing-stream-bank-gully-erosion. 2. I’m having trouble opening the online Application Form (Html Form). What can I do?
The Application form has been designed to be accessible from common browsers such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome browsers. If using Internet Explorer and you are experiencing difficulties you may need to update the version. Using a different browser may address issues. If using a different browser does not help, then contact the Department at [email protected] for further advice. The form can only be complete online, however, Applicants can return to a saved form using the unique reference number for the application. 3. I’m having trouble accessing the mapping tool in the Application Form (Html Form).
This mapping tool is known to work with the following browsers: - Internet Explorer version 10 and above (Internet Explorer’s Compatibility View is not supported) - Chrome version 36 and above - Firefox version 17 and above If you experience any issues please ensure that you are using the latest browser version.
4. Are multiple Project Sites permitted in a Management Unit?
Yes. A focus of the Reef Trust Phase IV Gully and Stream Bank Erosion Control Program is for remediation works to be carried out in connected systems of Gully and Stream channels. Applicants are strongly encouraged to undertake activities at multiple locations within a Management Unit. Applicants must be able to obtain permission from the landholder of each site to carry out the project activities, prior to the project activities being commenced. Applicants must declare in the Application form that they will seek the permission of the landholder to carry out works on each site, and that they will provide this to the Department if requested during the course of the project. Use the Mapping Tool to provide a separate Mapping Polygon for each site in your Application, using the drop down list to identify the suite of activities which will be carried out. 5. How much information do I need to include in the mapping tool?
It is preferable that you create Mapping Polygons of the actual area to be addressed through Project Activities using the mapping tool in the Application Form. Instructions on how to do this are provided from the link in the Application Form. If this isn’t possible, at a minimum the Mapping Polygons should indicate the areas where you have or plan to seek landholder agreement to undertake Project Activities. The Mapping Polygons provided in the Application Form will be used in the assessment process to determine value for money and proposed outcomes, as well as determining eligibility of the Project, so it is important to provide the correct information. 6. What are the maps used for during Assessment?
The maps produced for each Management Unit are used to determine eligibility of the Project. For example, if the polygons drawn are not within one of the eligible Management Units, the Project will not proceed to merit assessment. As stated in the Guidelines, the Project Site must: be within the Cape York, Burdekin, Fitzroy, Mackay Whitsunday, Wet Tropics or Burnett-Mary natural resource management regions specified be within the identified Management Unit areas from which Gully and Stream Bank Erosion makes a high contribution to fine sediment exports to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon (refer to Section 1.2 of the Guidelines, Table 1 and Figure 1). 7. Must all sites be identified in the Application Form? Can I apply to remediate Gullies and/or Stream Banks on land that has not yet been identified?
Where possible, please identify, to the best of your knowledge, where Gully and/or Stream Bank remediation activities are going to occur. Applicants may wish to consult with local extension officers or local groups to locate the areas of high density Gullies and/or Stream Bank Erosion and the likelihood of engagement with landholders in certain areas. This information is utilised to assess eligibility of the Project (site locations are within the specified Management Units as outlined in section 1.2 of the Guidelines, Table 1 and Figure 1) and value with relevant money assessment. 8. Does it matter if units of measure produced by the polygons in the mapping tool do not match the units of measure in the activity table in the Application Form?
The activity table provides an indication of the activities which are planned to be undertaken. The estimated units of measure provided should align with the Project budget and be developed through estimated costs of activity implementation. There will be two units of measure produced by the Application Form – one from spatially mapped estimates and one from the list of activities and the targets associated with these. The activities table represents all units of measure for the Project, while the mapping polygons represent specific spatial locations and the activities to be undertaken at them. For this reason the units of measure are unlikely to be the same. The units of measure included in the activity table will be utilised in the Application assessment to make a comparison of cost, scale and scope of the project with other Applications. 9. What do I do if I receive error messages when I click on the Submit button?
If you receive any error messages after you click Submit, you will need to address the errors before you try to submit again. Scroll down to see all the errors. Sometimes these notifications flow onto the next page of the error advice. In most instances the form will highlight the field which needs to be completed and a text box will pop up indicating what actions you need to take prior to submitting the form. These error messages are generally about incomplete information in the Application Form, for example you may not have checked all of the required Declarations. If you double click on the error message, you will be taken to the question which contains the error. 10. I have tried to address the error messages but it is not working
Call 1800 852 975 prior to the Closing Time of 2pm Queensland time (AEST) 15 December 2016.
11.I have addressed the error messages but my Application Form still won’t submit
Sometimes the problem is a firewall which is blocking you from uploading information from your computer system. This may apply to schools or other organisations with secure networks. If you are sure that the Application Form is complete and you have filled out all the required fields and declarations and addressed any errors but the form still won’t submit, then email [email protected] before the Closing Time, explaining the problem and quoting your tracking code. It is important that you email prior to the closing time, as late Applications will be treated according to Section 5.2 of the Guidelines - available at http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/gbr/reeftrust/addressing-stream-bank-gully-erosion If the Department receives the email with your tracking code attached prior to the Closing Time and there are no error messages in it, it may be possible for the Department to submit the Application Form on your behalf to meet the closing time. If the Department does not receive your email until after the closing time, or it is received but the Application still contains error messages and cannot be submitted, the Application will be considered as late (see question 13. My Application is going to be late and I need to ask for an extension” below). 12.My Application is going to be late - I need to ask for an extension
Subject to this section, to be eligible for consideration, Applications must be received by the Department before 2pm Queensland time (AEST) on 15 December 2016. Any Application received by the Department after the Closing Time, will be considered late and will be registered separately. The Department has no obligation to accept a late Application. The Department may consider admitting late Applications under extenuating circumstances. An explanation of extenuating circumstances should be provided in writing to reef2050 @environment.gov.au prior to the closing time. Any decision by the Department to accept or not accept a late Application is at the Department’s absolute discretion and will be final. 13.Can I provide or attach additional information in my Application?
The only documents which can be attached to your application are those confirming/outlining third party support for the Project. Additional supporting documentation should not be submitted, as it will not be considered as part of the assessment process. 14.How will I know my application has been received or is successful?
Once an online Application is submitted, an automatic receipt will be generated. This will be sent via email and will include a copy of your submitted application. After the Minister for the Environment and Energy has approved proposals for funding, all Applicants will be informed in writing whether or not their Project has been successful. Details of successful Projects will be listed on the Department’s website once successful Applicants have been informed. Please monitor the Department’s website for more information, http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/gbr/reeftrust/addressing-stream-bank-gully-erosion, or subscribe to the email news by emailing [email protected] with ‘subscribe’ in the subject line. The Application Form also includes an opportunity to subscribe to the mailing list following the declaration section. All unsuccessful Applicants will be offered feedback on their Application at the end of the assessment and approvals process, provided a request in writing is made within forty days of public notice of successful Projects.
15.Can I get help from the Department with my Application?
Departmental representatives are available to provide information on factual matters such as the Assessment Process and Eligibility Criteria, clarification of terms, activities which will be funded, spatial priorities or relevant information sources. If you have any questions about the Application process or other aspects of the Program, please contact the Department on: Phone: 1800 852 975 Email: [email protected] 16.Can I get help from the Technical Partners with my Application?
Technical Partners will not be available to help with Applications and should not be contacted. Technical Partners will be available to assist successful Delivery Partners in the implementation of their Projects. 17.I made a mistake on my application form – can I change it?
Amendments to submitted Application Forms can only be made before the Closing Time. If you need to alter your Application before the Closing Time, please contact the Department by email on [email protected]. A new Application with the altered information will need to be submitted by the Applicant with a written request from the Applicant for the Department to withdraw the original Application received. As only one application per Project can be submitted, only the last Application received before the Closing Time will be considered. In the instance of re-submission due to errors, the latest version will automatically be considered. Once submitted, and the Closing Time and date has passed, changes to an Application can only be made by contacting the Department by email at [email protected]. Any requested changes will be considered by the Department; 3 however, the decision to accept or reject the requested change will be made at the Department’s discretion and will be final. This does not remove the Applicant’s obligations regarding the accuracy of their Application at Section 7.1 of the Guidelines.
18.I don’t have access to the internet and can’t access the online Application form
Electronic Applications are preferred. If you do not have access to the Internet and/or for some other reason cannot access the online Application Form, contact the Department on 1800 852 975 or by email at [email protected] at least two weeks in advance of the Closing Time to make alternative arrangements (refer to Section 5.1 of the Guidelines).
Keep a copy of your Application Form for your records. For hard copy Applications, Applicants will be notified in writing to confirm the Department’s receipt of the Application. If you have made alternative arrangements with the Department, your Application must still be received by the Department before the Closing Time (refer to Section 5.2: Late Applications in the Guidelines). If you believe your Application may not arrive before this time, please contact the Department on 1800 852 975. 19.What time does my Application need to be submitted by?
The Closing Time for Applications is 2pm Queensland time (AEST) on 15 December 2016. This means that if you are located outside Queensland the Closing Time will be different. Closing times for other states and territories are as follows: 3pm AEDT – Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory 2.30pm ACDT – South Australia and Northern Territory 12pm AWST – Western Australia Program Delivery 20.What is the Reef Trust Gully and Stream Bank Erosion Control Program?
The Program (the Program) is a component of the Australian Government’s $210 million Reef Trust. Runoff from agricultural land in the Reef catchments is a major threat to the Great Barrier Reef, and fine silt and clay sediment and associated nutrients in particular are having a detrimental impact on Reef water quality and overall Reef health and resilience. The Program will address areas of extensive and active Gully and Stream Bank Erosion in high priority Management Units, within the Burdekin, Fitzroy, Cape York, Mackay Whitsunday, Wet Tropics and Burnett-Mary natural resource management regions. The Program will provide funds through a competitive grants process to Delivery Partners to apply low cost, effective Gully and Stream Bank remediation techniques guided by the latest available scientific information. Further information about the Program can found in Part 1 of the Guidelines (available at http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/gbr/reeftrust/addressing-stream-bank-gully- erosion). 21.What is the objective of the Gully and Stream Bank Erosion Control Program?
The Objective of the Program is the long term reduction of sediment run-off from high risk Gully and Stream Bank Erosion areas in the Reef catchments. 22.What are the outcomes of the Program?
The Program will deliver on three of the Reef Trust outcomes: 1. improving the water quality of the Great Barrier Reef from large scale land use, through reduction in fine sediment runoff 2. improving the health and resilience of coastal habitats. Habitat protection includes: coastal and inland riparian habitat through protection from erosion and improved connectivity, maintaining and improving biodiversity, and ecosystem health and resilience 3. improving and protecting marine biodiversity through riparian habitat restoration and efforts to improve riparian-coastal ecosystem connectivity. The Program outcome are:
activities that control and work to prevent Gully and Stream Bank Erosion within catchments that are delivering high rates of sediment to the Great Barrier Reef
co-ordination of Gully and Stream Bank Erosion control activities to manage sub-surface sediment erosion within priority Management Units
integration of science and technical advice to actively inform adaptive management of the Program
to support continuous improvement of our understanding and capacity to manage sediment losses across a range of landscapes and climate zones to improve water quality
commitment to the ongoing management and sharing of knowledge for long term success to ensure remediated Gullies and Stream Banks remain managed over time to reduce erosion
demonstration of cost-effective Gully and Stream Bank Erosion control activities.
23.How will the success of the Program be measured?
The success of the Program will be measured by the following Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): the cost per tonne of sediment yield reduced or avoided the area/length of Gully Erosion managed the area/length of Stream Bank Erosion managed the degree of targeting of Program activities within each priority Management Unit for reducing sediment loads, including areas of extensive and active Gully and Stream Bank Erosion the actual and potential physical effectiveness of Program activities to reduce Gully and Stream Bank sediment yield, as indicated by monitoring and reporting and visible in site photo points. demonstration of resilient and cost-effective treatments to grazing and cane industry stakeholders extent of collaboration and partnerships in addressing Gully and Stream Bank Erosion perception, gathered through stakeholder feedback, of the Program by grazing and cane industry and environmental management stakeholders the improvement in overall knowledge in managing losses of fine sediments to the Reef and built capacity to manage erosion into the future. The monitoring and reporting requirements will align with these KPIs to ensure data is collected to address them. For additional information refer to Section 1.4 of the Guidelines. 24.What are the anticipated timeframes for the program?
Key steps Timing Applications open 14 November 2016 Applications close 2pm Queensland time (AEST) 15 December 2016 Assessment January 2017 Successful Projects announced January – February 2017 Funding Agreements offered January – February 2017 Funding Agreements executed and funding released January – February 2017 Projects completed By 30 June 2022
25.What is the Gully and Stream Bank Toolbox?
The Gully and Stream Bank Toolbox, developed in consultation with the Technical Partner (Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation, Griffith University and Australian National University Enterprise), contains detailed technical information to help Applicants target, design and deliver their approach to address Gully and Stream Bank erosion in their Project, and it assists with the completion of the Application. It contains maps of targeted areas Management Units, recommended descriptions of erosion control activities including guidance on their selection, 5 and monitoring and reporting requirements. It is available at http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/gbr/reeftrust/addressing-stream-bank-gully-erosion
26.How many years will the grants run for? How many grant rounds will there be?
Under this competitive grants Program, up to $4 million (excluding GST) will be available per natural resource management region. The program will run over six financial years, until the end of the 2021-2022 financial year. Therefore, Project activities must be completed by 30 June 2022, and have a duration of at least three years. The Department may run subsequent rounds at its discretion, depending on timing and availability of funds.
27.Who are Delivery Partners?
An Applicant becomes a Delivery Partner if successful through the Application process and awarded a Funding Agreement. A Delivery Partner is, amongst other things, responsible for: delivering the agreed Project in line with the Funding Agreement planning and implementing appropriate Gully and Stream Bank remediation actions once contracted, liaising with the Technical Partner through the Department, to ensure the latest scientific evidence is included in delivering the Project monitoring and reporting to the Department on progress of activity implementation, outputs and outcomes throughout the Project (see section 6.4) ensuring the legacy of activities implemented through agreements with landholders, where the Delivery Partner does not have primary responsibility for the land acquittal of agreed Project in line with the obligations specified in the Funding Agreement. 28.If I am the landholder, can I apply to deliver the funding?
If you are a landholder within one of the Management Units and your land features high density Gully and/or Stream Bank Erosion, you are eligible to apply for funding under the Program for remediation activities. However, the program has been designed to allow Delivery Partners with the capacity, knowledge and expertise in project management, delivery, monitoring and reporting, as outlined in the Guidelines and Toolbox (http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/gbr/reeftrust/addressing-stream- bank-gully-erosion), to engage with a range of landholders to deliver a cost-effective program of Gully and Stream Bank remediation across one or more Management Units. If you want to consider the range of options for your land, it may be worth contacting your local or regional community, environmental and/or natural resource management groups who may be interested in partnering with you and other landholders in your area. 29.Are Multiple Applications allowed?
The Department will only consider one Application from each Applicant. Each Application may include multiple Project sites across one or more Management Units in one or all of the natural resource management regions. In the instance that an Applicant submits more than one application, the most recent will render all previous applications ineligible (refer to Section 3.2 of the Guidelines). Each Applicant is eligible to submit only one Application for the Program. Guidance for Designing Project Proposals 30.What activities will the Program fund?
The range of Project Activities which may be funded under this Program include:
controlling livestock access
active and passive revegetation
catchment grazing management
drainage management
Gully and Stream Bank Erosion stabilization works training and extension activities (only where other activities are also undertaken).
Further information on specific activities can be found in Section 3.4 of the Guidelines and
Section 3 of the Gully and Stream Bank Toolbox. Innovation and alternate approaches to erosion control and fine sediment management 31.Am I limited to the activities identified in the Applicant Guidelines, Toolbox and Application Form?
The Department may consider funding activities which are not listed in the Guidelines or the Gully and Stream Bank Toolbox. Innovative approaches are encouraged under the program. We recognise that there are a multitude of methods to address erosion issues in Reef catchments. The diversity of landscapes, soils types and rainfall means no one approach fits all situations or circumstances. Innovative/alternate approaches to erosion control and fine sediment management will be assessed by the same value for money and efficiency considerations as the activities set out in Table 1 of the Toolbox. In addition, these approaches and methodologies will be assessed for their value to inform continual improvement in understanding and capacity of sediment reduction and build a legacy of capacity to address erosion into the future (see Section 1.2 of the Guidelines). Consequently, applicants are invited, in their application, to consider other methods/approaches which can be justified as a viable alternative for addressing erosion hotspots in the landscape.
32. What Activities will not be funded by the Program?
As per Section 3.5 of the Guidelines, the following activities will not be funded by the program:
activities outside the Management Units in Section 1.2
agricultural extension and training activities, other than at sites where physical Gully and Stream Bank Erosion remediation activities are in the process of occurring or have occurred
activities which are retrospective—activities that have been completed or commenced but not yet completed before entering into a Funding Agreement with the Department
activities required to be carried out by law or by a private contractual obligation
activities that are the responsibility or business of state, territory or local governments or of private land managers, including activities that are a legislative and regulatory responsibility (e.g. managing or controlling certain weeds or compliance activities). These activities may be undertaken in conjunction with funded activities provided they align with Program priorities and the Application identifies non-Australian Government funding for that part of the Project. activities required as compliance or government business 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 likely to have a significant adverse impact on any matter of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act
activities likely to have significant adverse impact on Indigenous cultural heritage and have not received approval through relevant state or territory legislative requirements
planting species that are known to be, or are potential, environmental or agricultural weeds
activities that are primarily for the purpose of beautifying or improving amenity (e.g. landscaping picnic tables, shelters and paving)
7 activities/structures designed to manage irrigation and farm drainage such as water retention/ storage and reuse system
applied research, tool building and/or modelling approaches except where it is demonstrably required to achieve on-ground outcomes in line with Program priorities and during the life of the project
the purposes of political or ideological advocacy (e.g. protesting against a development)
assets, unless identified in the budget table in the Application Form and agreed to by the Department. Delivery Partner(s) will be required to seek approval in writing from the Department prior to using Program funds for any additional asset purchases not identified in the original Application Form
primary monitoring, modeling or research based activities not part of, or subordinate to, an on- ground project
purchase of vehicles
international travel
volunteer labour
devolved grants, where the Applicant applies for funds to distribute or pay for activities done by unidentified or broadly identified stakeholders according to the Applicant’s own criteria
development, rollout or ongoing support of industry best management practice frameworks (these have ongoing support that will be leveraged from the Queensland Government).
33.Are third party (cash or in-kind) contributions required in an Application?
No. It is recognised that Gully and Stream Bank Erosion issues are largely inherited by landholders from previous land management, and therefore it is not essential to have a contribution (cash or in- kind) from the Applicant and/or a third party. However, third party contributions (cash or in kind) are encouraged. Applicants should consider any private benefits landholders may receive from implementation of the Project and any private contributions from landholders that would improve the cost-effectiveness of their Application. Applicants are also encouraged to consider partnering with organisations or other bodies in order to supplement funding for Gully and Stream Bank Erosion control. Fund raising contributions are another way to support funds received under this Program. Applicants should consider how their own view of an acceptable level of payment will place them with respect to the other Applicants. The cost-effectiveness and value with relevant money of Applications will be a consideration in the assessment process. While the lower the price of an Application the greater the chances of success are, it is important that Applicants are realistic with their costing, and ensure they receive sufficient funding to support them to carry out the proposed scope and scale of the Gully and Stream Bank remediation activities proposed If the Gullies and Stream Banks being remediated are located on private land, landholders are required to continue to manage, as a minimum, their land to control weeds and stock access, and therefore provide an in-kind/cash contribution to ensure the legacy of investments into the future. Delivery partners are encouraged to establish longer-term management (including livestock exclusion and ongoing grazing land management) with landholders. 34.What expenses have limited value as Applicant/third party contributions?
The expenses which have limitations as Applicant/third party contributions to the Project include:
salaries and labour expenses
administrative support and overheads
purchase of equipment/building infrastructure.
Further information is contained in Section 3.4 of the Guidelines. 35.What expenses are ineligible as Applicant/third party contributions?
The following are not eligible to be counted as Applicant/third party contributions to the Project: funds from this Program or other Australian Government programs expenses for work you have already undertaken or plan to undertake outside of the timeframe for the Project. 36.I need to start my Project now – can I get funding for work I’ve already done?
No. An Applicant must not commence work on the Project before the Project Commencement Date which is the date that the signed (by the official contact) Funding Agreement is countersigned by the Commonwealth Government delegate (the Funding Agreement is ‘executed’). Payments 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. The Funding Agreement will include provision for the Department to seek repayment of funds that are found not to have been spent in accordance with the purposes specified in the Funding Agreement. 37. When do I start my project?
The Project commencement date is the date that the signed (by the official contact) Funding Agreement is countersigned by the Australian Government delegate (the Funding Agreement is ‘executed’). The Department will work with successful Applicants with the aim of having Funding Agreements in place during January - February 2017. A copy of the executed Funding Agreement will be returned to Successful Applicants for their records. 38.How will I receive payments for the delivery of my project?
Following the execution of the Funding Agreement, funds will be paid in accordance with the agreed milestones and payment schedules, provided any conditions required before the commencement of Projects are met, as set out in the Funding Agreement. GST will be applied to payments based on the Recipient’s GST status at the time of Application, unless the Department is notified of a change at the time of entering into a Funding Agreement. Before any payments are made, Delivery Partners will be required to provide: evidence of meeting the associated milestone obligations of the Funding Agreement through the monitoring and reporting processes any other conditions of payment (e.g. .evidence of purchase of equipment, satisfactory progress report, approvals, other documentation etc.). For further information refer to section 6.3 of the Guidelines. Monitoring and Reporting
39.What reporting requirements will grant recipients have to undertake?
In line with standard Australian Government audit and evaluation requirements, all funded Projects will be subject to financial and performance monitoring and evaluation to ensure that they are meeting specified milestones and performance indicators, as detailed in the associated Funding Agreement. Applicants will be required to undertake site specific monitoring and reporting to inform six monthly reporting (through the Australian Government’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement Tool (MERIT - https://fieldcapture.ala.org.au/) which includes provision of Progress of activity implementation and outputs reports and Project site reports. In addition, Applicants will be required to report against Paddock to Reef grazing benchmarking questions, undertaken with the landholder (http://www.reefplan.qld.gov.au/measuring- success/paddock-to-reef/). Monitoring and reporting requirements are detailed on the Department’s website at www.nrm.gov.au/my-project/monitoring-and-reporting and in Section 4 of the Gully and Stream Bank Toolbox http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/gbr/reeftrust/addressing-stream-bank-gully- erosion). Information about how to register and use the MERIT online reporting tool, as well as information about other reporting requirements will be sent to you as soon as possible after the Project Commencement Date. Delivery Partner(s) will be required to map their Project Sites and monitor and report on Project Activities and Outcomes. Project information such as the outputs, outcomes and location of Project Activities may be made public in line with the Principles on open public sector information, available at http://www.oaic.gov.au/information-policy/information-policy-resources/information-policy-agency- resources/principles-on-open-public-sector-information. 9 Further information regarding monitoring and reporting requirements can be found in Section 4 of the Gully and Stream Bank Toolbox. 40.Why is this extent of monitoring and reporting needed?
An essential part of the Project Activities is to report the characteristics of Gullies and Stream Banks at Project sites, the Gully and Stream Bank Erosion control activities implemented, and to monitor the environmental impact on local conditions. Monitoring and Reporting in the Program has several purposes, including to: 1. document the site design process to enable review within the project team and by the technical partner 2. identify the expected outcomes against which monitoring results will be compared 3. enable learning and adaptive management of the selection and design of erosion control activities within projects and across the Program, by considering the cost-effectiveness of activities, and by incorporating partner and landholder perspectives of those activities 4. confirm the completion and integrity of on-ground activities within each project 5. assist the Technical Partner and the Paddock to Reef Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting Program to estimate erosion reductions from activities funded by the Program 6. facilitate subsequent communications about projects and outcomes to stakeholders e.g. through factsheets or field days 7. ensure any ongoing maintenance issues are identified and rectified to ensure that the Program activities achieve their maximum potential 8. provide a baseline for subsequent monitoring of longer-term outcomes on vegetation, erosion, land management and grazing-related outcomes. 9. provide program managers with regular project progress and performance information and identifying opportunities for improvement. Further details can be found in Section 4 of the Gully and Stream Bank Toolbox 41.What percentage of the total Project funding can be allocated to monitoring and reporting?
General guidance provided for the amount of funds for monitoring and reporting requirements is five per cent of the total Project cost. Due to the nature and scale of this Program, consideration may be given to requests for more support for monitoring and reporting activities (a higher percentage than five per cent of the total Project cost) to assist with demonstrating outcomes. These requests will need to be detailed and well justified in the Application Form. The justification and validity of this request will be considered through the Assessment Process. Further information regarding monitoring and reporting requirements can be found in Section 4 of the Gully and Stream Bank Toolbox (http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/gbr/reeftrust/addressing-stream-bank-gully- erosion). I have applied for a grant – what happens next? 42.How long will it take for my Application to be assessed?
The Australian Government will assess Applications in a timely manner to enable successful Projects to start early in the 2017 calendar year. Applications will be assessed in January – February 2017. 43.How will my Application be assessed?
The Assessment Criteria are set out in Section 5.3 of the Guidelines (available at http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/gbr/reeftrust/addressing-stream-bank-gully-erosion). This includes the complete process for assessing applications. Each of the projects will receive a score out of 10 for the four assessment criteria. Applications will be assessed in terms of the extent to which they have demonstrated:
an appropriate and adequately justified approach to Gully and Stream Bank remediation
capacity to deliver
likelihood of success and risk management
Value with relevant money (Reef Trust Grant Funds). 44.Who is Assessing my application?
Each Application will be assessed by an Australian Government officer/employee (which may include staff from various Commonwealth agencies) and the Technical Partner. The description of the complete Assessment Process can be found in Section 5.4 of the Guidelines, which are available at http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/gbr/reeftrust/addressing-stream-bank-gully- erosion. 45.How will the Government decide which Projects to fund?
Upon receipt, all Applications undergo an Eligibility check to ensure that all Eligibility Criteria have been met, and the Application can proceed to the merit assessment. Applications will be assessed in a competitive, merit based process, on the extent to which they address the Assessment Criteria. A Moderation Panel, including Australian Government officials and the Technical Panel and possibly, where relevant, the Queensland Government and third party organisations interested in providing co-contributions, will consider the assessed Applications prior to advice being provided to the Minister. The Moderation Panel will be advised by a probity advisor. In order to fully consider the benefits and risks of an Application, the Moderation Panel may also take into account other factors, which are listed in Section 5.4 of the Guidelines (available at http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/gbr/reeftrust/addressing-stream-bank-gully-erosion). The recommended package provided to the Minister may contain some or all components of successful Applications (see question 44). Following the deliberations of the Moderation Panel, the Department will provide advice to the Minister on the merits of each Application for final approval of funding. The Minister will consider the high scoring, recommended Applications, relative to the funding available. The Minister will make the final determination on which Applications receive funding and no further negotiations will be entered into. 46.Will all the Management Units I apply for receive funding?
Due to the competitive nature of this Program, the merit of your Application directly influences funding allocations. Based on the merit of your Application, in comparison with other Applications, the Moderation Panel may consider prioritising funding amongst priority Management Units, based on scientific evidence and advice from the Technical Partner. The Minister makes the final decision on which projects will be funded, and this may result in certain Management Units being funded while others are not. 47.Will all the Project sites within each Management Unit I apply for, receive funding?
The Moderation Panel will consider and recommend where refining the scope, scale, activities, funding amount and/or funding profile of the project would better achieve the Program outcomes. Following the Minister’s approval of project funding recommendations provided by the Moderation Panel the Department will enter into negotiations with successful Applicants regarding the approved scope, scale and funding for specific projects. The Moderation Panel may also seek alignment with complementary projects in order to maximise outcomes. 48.How will I receive notification regarding the outcome of my Application?
After the Minister has approved proposals for funding, all Applicants will be informed in writing (via email or mail) whether or not their Application has been successful. Details of successful Projects will be listed on the Department’s website once successful Applicants have been informed http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/gbr/reeftrust/addressing-stream-bank-gully-erosion. 49.Can I appeal the decision if my Project is not funded?
The Minister’s decision is final and there is no appeal process for the Reef Trust Phase IV Gully and Stream Bank Erosion Control Program competitive grants. Providing feedback 50.Will I receive feedback on my Application?
You may wish to seek feedback on your Application to help develop any future grant applications you may wish to make. After the Minister has approved Applications for funding, all Applicants will be informed in writing (via email or mail), whether or not their Application has been successful. All Applicants have the opportunity to receive written or other feedback on their Application if a request 11 is made within 40 days of public notice of successful projects (see Part 8 of the Guidelines for the Department’s contact details) Debriefings will be offered to Applicants after the Funding Agreements with Delivery Partners have been signed. 51.How do I provide Feedback to the department on the Application Process and Program?
The Department welcomes feedback on the Application process and the Program. This assists in evaluating Program development, including the application process, the effectiveness of the technical support and the application. The Departments contact details are outlined in Part 8 of the Guidelines (http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/gbr/reeftrust/addressing-stream-bank-gully- erosion).F