Rural Landholder Initiative grants are currently closed. Advertisement will be placed in our fortnightly publication Local Matters and in our Biodiversity eNewsletter (subscribe below) when the next grant round opens.
Information for rural landholders
Council’s online Interactive Mapping Service may assist you to find out environmental information about your property.
Council has produced a range of booklets on the major environmental issues for five land use types in our region: beef graziers, dairy farmers, orchardists, floodplain croppers and rural ‘lifestyle’ landholders.
The booklets offer ideas for improving land management practices for biodiversity and includes a Farm Health Assessment Tool so that landholders can self-assess if their practices.
We recommend you consult the booklets to gain ideas about how to improve your land management practices. These can also help if and when you wish to apply for grant funding. You can download the booklets from our Rural Landholder Initiative page, pick them up at Council’s Corporate Centre, 43 Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah, or ask for them to be mailed to you.
Other professional advice is available from your local Landcare network, Local Land Services agents, Rous County Council (weeds and water) and other government and non-government agencies.
For further information or advice, contact our Extension Officer Kate Steel on 1300 87 83 87.
Annual grants program
The Rural Landholder Initiative is part of Council’s Biodiversity Management Strategy (BMS) and is designed to conserve biodiversity hotspots on private land. The program assists and builds the capacity of rural landholders through education and incentives, to enhance and improve biodiversity in our Local Government Area (LGA).
Council will call for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from rural landholders across the LGA who are seeking assistance with materials and labour for on-ground works to protect and enhance areas such koala habitat, riverbanks and remnant vegetation.
Assistance provided is up to $5000 for primary works and initial maintenance in the first year, with complex restoration projects eligible for second year funds up to $2500. Sites along floodplain riverbanks can apply for up to $10,000 if works include fencing and off-stream watering.
Rural Landholder Initiative grants are currently closed. Advertisement will be placed in our fortnightly publication Local Matters and in our Biodiversity eNewsletter (subscribe below) when the next grant round opens.
What are the current priorities?
High conservation value areas across the LGA
The concept of high conservation value (HCV) can be applied to species, populations, habitats or communities, or areas of land that support these HCV elements.
The BMS identifies criteria that Council considers must be present to consider an area as high conservation value. These include:
- Land containing threatened species or populations
- Key habitat for threatened fauna and flora, e.g. Regent Honeyeater habitat
- Endangered Ecological Communities, e.g. Swamp Sclerophyll Forest
- Key habitats that support priority vertebrate assemblages, e.g. Forest Red Gum grassy open forest
- Land within areas identified as very high priority wildlife corridor
- Koala habitat
- Areas of land that support any type of rainforest
- Old growth forest
- Native riparian vegetation
- Wetland and estuarine vegetation including on the floodplains
Full details of HCV and priority species are included in the BMS document and can be discussed with the Environmental Officers at Council. You can also find HCV areas on Council’s online mapping tool.
Map - High Conservation Value Habitat North of Lismore
Map - High Conservation Value Habitat South of Lismore
Map - Key Habitat Corridors North of Lismore
Map - Key Habitat Corridors South of Lismore
Map - Koala Habitat North of Lismore
Map - Koala Habitat South of Lismore
Restoration on the floodplain: Identify priority riparian areas and rehabilitate
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 (up to $10,000 over two years).
Map - Lismore Floodplain Landscapes
Project Ideas
Applicants are advised to consult the recently released Rural Landholder Initiative education booklets for ideas on land management practices that relate to improving and conserving biodiversity across our landscapes and waterways. The booklets relate to healthy landscapes and waterways, as well as four key industries operating in our region.
Potential applicants are advised to consult with qualified bush regenerators, Landcare professionals, Council staff, Local Land Services, Rous County Council (weeds and water) and government agents about project planning, action plans and best practice techniques.
The most successful projects are those that take a planned approach, are widely consulted and have landholder effort already committed.
Am I eligible to apply?
To be eligible, you must meet the eligibility criteria detailed in the Rural Landholder Initiative Guidelines for Funding.
In summary:
- Only landholders who own land within the Lismore LGA are eligible to apply (community and industry groups are not eligible).
- Lismore City Council staff are not eligible to apply.
- Projects that are primarily for beautification or improving amenity without significant environmental outcomes are not eligible.
- Projects are not eligible if they are part of any development consent condition.
- Applicants must be up to date with rate payments to Lismore City Council for the property associated with the application.
- All applicants must make an equal cash or in-kind contribution to the project funds and show value for money.
- Successful applicants must be willing to sign an agreement to maintain the project site beyond the funding period.
These are the minimum requirements.
We STRONGLY RECOMMEND preparing a written plan for your project.
Projects that clearly demonstrate where the landholders are already working on a progressive program of works have a much higher consideration when seeking public funding support.
Examples of simple project plans are available in our Educational Resources, Booklets and Planning Tools section.
Lismore City Council
Lismore City Council has a range of educational resources, booklets and planning tools to help landholders manage their property and plan biodiversity actions or on-ground works.
Free Rural Landholder Initiative Field Days
Friday, 21 June, 9am-2pm (includes lunch)
