The Rural Landholder Initiative (RLI) is Lismore City Council’s flagship biodiversity program, supporting landholders to enhance and restore Lismore's rural landscape.
Since 2015, the RLI has supported more than 200 projects, planted over 50,000 native trees and managed hundreds of hectares of key habitat. Together, these projects are restoring riverbanks, koala habitat, remnant rainforest and other areas of environmental significance, while building the knowledge, skills and confidence of our rural community.
Through grants of $15,000 for individual landholders and $50,000 for community groups, the RLI provides the resources, support and partnerships needed to turn good ideas into meaningful on-ground outcomes.
Together, we can restore our landscape, strengthen our rural communities and create a healthier future for the Lismore region.
You may be eligible for an RLI grant if:
- You own a rural property >2ha within the Lismore Local Government Area (LGA)
- Your proposed project will protect, restore or enhance biodiversity
- You can provide a cash or in-kind contribution to the project
- You are able to commit to maintaining the project outcomes beyond the funding period
- You are up to date with Council rates for the property
You can view the full eligibility criteria here: RLI Policies and Guideline
Not sure if you're eligible? Council's Rural Landholder Initiative Officer - Ellie Sales (ellie.sales@lismore.nsw.gov.au) can help you determine whether your property and proposed project meet the eligibility requirements.
EOIs for the RLI open every year in November, with successful projects commencing the following year on July 1.
Examples of simple project plans are available in our Additional resources section of this page.
As part of the RLI, Lismore City Council offers free field days for rural landholders that focus on practical land management techniques, such as managing environmental weeds, restoring waterways, and protecting threatened species' habitats.
The field days provide an opportunity for landholders to network, share experiences and learn from land management leaders. Keep an eye out on the Lismore City Council Facebook page for upcoming field days in your area.
Below is a series of short videos from some of our previous field days highlighting a range of interesting topics:
Goolmangar Workshop and Field Day - Landscape Hydration
Georgica Field Day – Rural Lifestyle and Biodiversity
Whian Whian Field Day – Mixed Orchards and Biodiversity
Coraki Field Day – Floodplain Cropping and Biodiversity
Boatharbour Field Day – Grazing and Biodiversity in our Water Catchments
High Conservation Value (HCV) land is an area that supports important species, populations, habitats, or communities.
The Biodiversity Management Strategy identifies criteria for determining HCV areas, such as land containing threatened species or populations, key habitats for threatened fauna and flora, endangered ecological communities, priority vertebrate assemblages, koala habitat, rainforest, old growth forest, native riparian vegetation, wetland and estuarine vegetation, and very high priority wildlife corridors.
Investing in the enhancement and protection of HCV land is a priority for Council, and an important consideration when selecting successful RLI applicants.
Council's Environmental Strategies Officers can provide more details, and the HCV areas can be viewed on Council's online mapping tool.
The floodplains of the Richmond River are a priority to protect and enhance through weed management, revegetation, erosion control and habitat improvement. Retaining, rehabilitating and conserving existing native floodplain vegetation on riverbanks and wetlands is encouraged.
Fencing for stock exclusion and off stream watering in sensitive riparian areas and wetlands on the floodplain may be eligible for increased funding of $2500 where it is undertaken with habitat restoration actions and a successful Rural Landholder Initiative project.
Restoration activities on the floodplains are informed by the Coastal Zone Management Plan. This is a catchment-wide initiative.
Websites
The Farm Health Assessment Tool
The Farm Health Assessment Tool is a self-assessment tool for land management practices and suggested pathways for improvement. These four booklets address land management issues for major industries.