Deadline: 27-Oct-2025
The Lockyer Valley Regional Council is inviting applications for its Community Environmental Grants Program to support a healthy, sustainable and integrated natural environment within the Lockyer Valley through cooperative community projects.
The CEG Program provides funding to local schools and community groups to undertake environmental projects involving education, management and conservation of the natural environment.
Non-recurrent grants of between $500 and $5000 will be made available to schools and community organisations to undertake projects that will deliver solid environmental outcomes, depending upon availability of funds and the merit of project proposals. These grants will be awarded to schools and community-based organisations in the Lockyer Valley that focus on environmental initiatives, environmental education, environmental management, environmental conservation, environmental enhancement, and building capacity for long-term sustainability.
Applications for funding will be evaluated and assessed against criteria as part of a competitive process. Council will assess applications for funding projects based on their ability to contribute to landscape protection, monitoring and rehabilitation of biodiversity and address major ecological threatening processes such as rural and urban runoff, clearing of vegetation, riparian corridors and linkages, and pest management. Projects should also promote waterways and catchment health and reduce erosion and sediment runoff into waterways. Establishing partnerships and links with external agencies and residents to improve protection, restoration and management of the region’s environment will be considered valuable, particularly for projects on lands adjoining or lying within the immediate vicinity of existing conservation areas, Land for Wildlife properties, conservation parks, national parks, nature refuges, and Council bushland reserves. Other priorities include facilitating investment by State Government and regional bodies, providing environmental research projects directly relevant to the region’s strategies, creating opportunities that strengthen and enhance waterways, revegetation, regeneration, and erosion mitigation, delivering strong research into protected fauna, flora and ecosystems, and providing projects that have strong environmental outcomes.
Grants will be provided under specific funding conditions. They must be expended strictly on items described in the application form and budget. Applicants are required to provide details of previous grant applications, and funding is dependent on budgetary allocations. Organisations are expected to meet all reporting requirements and provide evidence of Council acknowledgement through means such as branding or signage. Within three months of completion, funded organisations must submit a Grant Acquittal Form and supporting material to Council. If recipients are unable to apply funds as agreed, or fail to comply with conditions, they must notify Council immediately, which may result in repayment of funds.
Applications must be submitted using the Lockyer Valley Community Grants Application Form by the closing date. The Community Grants Assessment Committee will first check eligibility before assessing, prioritising and scoring applications. The criteria for assessment include evidence of need, fit with Council’s policies and priorities, community involvement and inclusion, equity and access for the community, environmental sustainability, and overall expected benefits. Final allocations will be determined at a Council Meeting, with the possibility of partial funding. All applicants will be notified of results, with successful applicants advised in writing.
Successful applicants must use the grant only for the approved project within the specified timeline, return any unspent funds, and demonstrate sound governance and compliance with laws and regulations. They must also adequately support and supervise volunteers, maintain Public Liability Insurance cover, and indemnify Council against any legal claims arising from the project. A completed acquittal form must be submitted within three months of the project’s conclusion. The deadline for application is 27 October 2025.
For more information, visit Lockyer Valley Regional Council.