The information below relates to the 2005 funding
$2.2 million in grants will be provided to land managers in the Western Catchment to undertake on-ground works or training to improve natural resources in their area through the Western CMA's first round of incentive funds.
62 applicants were successful, and have been sent contracts to sign. A further 19 applicants have been placed on an eligibility list.
Of the $3.5 million available, the successful applicants will receive a total of $2.2 million. $1.3 million of National Action Plan funding was unable to be provided as there were insufficient applications from the area earmarked for that funding: the north-east of the Catchment and along the Barwon-Darling.
A further round of funding is scheduled for Autumn 2006
Projects to receive funding include:
$859,360 committed to 25 applicants for native pasture recovery. Land managers will use fencing, trapyards, saltbush plantings and other strategies to encourage native pasture on a total of 2,883km 2 , equivalent to more than four times the size of Singapore .
$403,180 committed to 13 applicants for riverine habitat improvements. Works include establishing alternative watering points and fencing a total of 150km along the Barwon-Darling, Birrie, Bokhara , Warrego, Paroo and Culgoa Rivers and Mogila and Tarrion Creeks. This is equal to the distance between Sydney and Nowra.
$383,500 awarded to 11 land managers for pest management. Works to control feral goats will be undertaken on 1000km 2 , and control of Hudson Pear, Mesquite and African Boxthorn will be undertaken on an area totalling 746km 2 , as well as around 7 villages.
$273,422 committed to nine applicants to manage high value ecological communities. Populations of goats and foxes on properties adjoining the Mutawintji National Park will be controlled to protect the endangered yellow-footed rock wallaby. Other projects to be funded include the management of Coogee Lake, an ephemeral wetland in the Broken Hill area; and exclusion of goats and stock from Mt Drysdale, an area of historical significance to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
$125,413 was committed to seven applicants to encourage sustainable agriculture and three applicants received $156,839 to undertake works to improve water quality.
Applications closed for Incentive Funding, Round 1 on September 2, 2005. The following information applied to Round 1 and is included as reference information only.
What’s available?
The WCMA has $3.5 million for on-ground works and training aimed at improving the Catchment’s natural resources.
Who can apply?
Individuals, groups and organisations in the Western Catchment can apply. Projects must be targeted at land within the Western Catchment boundary.
Joint projects with neighbouring Catchment Management Authorities that operate across regional boundaries are encouraged.
What kind of projects will be funded?
Projects that best contribute towards the Western Catchment Management Authority’s Management Targets will be funded.
The Western Catchment Management Authority has been established to work with the community to improve the way natural resources (land, vegetation, rivers, groundwater and biodiversity) are managed.
Six Management Targets will be used to measure how well natural resources are being managed.
| Catchment Program |
Management Target
From Western Catchment Blueprint 2001 |
Examples
These are suggestions only - activities that best contribute to the management targets will be funded |
| Sustainable Agriculture |
Sustainable agriculture management practice carried out by 50% of landholders by 2015 |
Managing total grazing pressure
Improved grazing methods
No-till farming
Grazing/farming management workshops |
| Native Pasture Recovery |
Maintain or rehabilitate one million hectares of native pasture vegetation communities by 2015 |
Woody weed control
Rehabilitating scalds
Rangeland re-seeding
Soil-erosion control |
| Pest management |
No increase in the number of species or extent of pest weeks and animals above current levels |
Control of:
- mesquite
- African boxthorn
- cacti
- pigs
- foxes |
| Riverine habitat |
Habitat improved on 20% of priority river, floodplain and wetland areas by 2015. |
Alternative stock water points
Protective fencing
Controlling aquatic weeds
Revegetating riverine areas
Aquatic habitat |
| Water Quality |
Water quality and salinity levels meeting ANZECC* criteria for greater than 95% of the time by 2015 |
Sedminent control structures
Stormwater management
Training on fertiliser use
Sewage management
Chemical waste management
Increasing ground cover |
| High Value Ecological Community |
Within three years of Catchment Action Plan approval that ecological communities of high conservation value are identified and within eight years of the Catchment Action Plan approval that they are adequately protected through negotiation with landholders |
Wetland grazing management
Riparian rehabilitation works
Mound spring protection
Voluntary Conservation Agreements |
*Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality provides a framework for water resource management.
Those projects considered to best contribute towards meeting the Western Catchment's Management Targets will receive funding.
Click here for more detailed information about our management targets.
How will applications be assessed?
A technical panel will assess all applications on the basis of their:
- Ability to address the Western Catchment’s Management Targets;
- Long term effectiveness;
- Methodology; and
- Cost effectiveness.
How will costs be shared?
Successful projects for 2005 will be funded at a 1:2 cost sharing ratio (the applicant contributes $1 and the Western CMA contributes $2). This cost sharing ratio has been determined for 2005 only. It reflects current climatic and economic conditions as well as encouraging the community to be partners in meeting the Catchment Management Targets. Cost sharing can be cash or in-kind.
How do I apply?
Funding guidelines and application form - Word version
You are advised to take care when using the word version as you may delete important information. It is recommended that you print off a copy BEFORE filling it out, so you have a copy of the original version.
Funding guidelines and application form - Electronic version
Funding guidelines and application form - Printable version
To open these forms you need Adobe Reader. If you do not have this software you can download it FREE of charge. Click here http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html to download Adobe Reader.
The forms are also available at any Western CMA office or by ringing 1800 032 101. It is strongly recommended that people seek assistance from their local Western CMA office in preparing and submitting their project proposal.
On-ground works managing native vegetation will require an approved Property Vegetation Plan (PVP) prior to the first payment.
Click here to see the Incentives Brochure
Key staff contacts:
Russell Grant, Operations Manager, Projects p. 02 6836 1575 m. 0419 970 213
Chris Higgins, Community Support Officer, Cobar p. 02 6836 1575
Jessica Cohen, Community Support Officer, Bourke p. 02 6872 2144
Barry Edwards, Aboriginal Community Support Officer, Bourke p. 02 6872 2144
Bert 'Blackie' Gordon, Aboriginal Community Support Officer, Walgett p. 02 6828 1272
Louise Turner, Catchment Officer, Broken Hill p. 08 8087 8400
Dot Stephens, Aboriginal Community Support Officer, Broken Hill p. 08 8087 8400 |
