Fencing Biosecure Production Zones and Pest Knockout Grant Program – Australia

Deadline: 25-Jan-23

The Fencing Biosecure Production Zones and Pest Knockout Grant Program is a NSW Government initiative, designed to provide support to landholders in the Western Local Land Services region to achieve good biosecurity outcomes and manage pests, diseases and weeds at a landscape scale.

Objectives

• The objectives of the program are to:
  • Reduce the impact of pest plants, pest animals, and disease on natural resources and agriculture.
  • Reduce the potential impact of biosecurity risk emergencies on communities, environment and the economy.
  • Increase landholder knowledge and adoption of general biosecurity duty and management of pest plants and animals and plant and animal pests and diseases.
  • Reduce the impact of invasive weed species on natural resources and agriculture.
  • Improve agricultural productivity and sustainability.
  • Enable land managers to better manage natural resources.
• This program is administered by Local Land Services.

Priorities

This project will deliver on the following Western Local Land Services priority programs:

• Boosting Biosecurity Defenses
• Strengthening Western NSW products and marketability position
• Western’s Least Wanted – Pest Plants and Animals
• The Pest Group Model
• Growing the Western region
• Biodiversity Matters

Funding Information

• The NSW Government has allocated a total of $3.7 million dollars (GST exclusive) over three years commencing in 2022-2023 to deliver the Grant Program.
• Grant amount: Up to $2,800,000

Types of Project Funded

• Local Land Services will fund up to 30% of the total fence cost, up to $8,000 per kilometre.
• Fence must match Local Land Services minimum standard design or be of an equivalent standard.
• Is constructed with the primary objective of excluding and controlling the movement of pest animals and managing total grazing pressure by domestic and native animals.
• Exclusion fencing must form an enclosure or complement existing total grazing pressure standard fencing.
• Notes:
  • Total fence cost includes materials, site preparation and labour.
  • Funding amounts are GST exclusive.

What can’t you apply for?

• Fencing that does not meet the fencing standards.
• Activities outside the Western Local Land Services region.
• Research and development projects.
• Water infrastructure.
• Costs incurred in the preparation of a grant application or related documentation.
• Cost of fencing lane ways, roadway enclosures or similar.
• Activities that have been completed or commenced prior to signing of your funding deed.
• Activities previously funded through other Commonwealth or State Government programs and investment.
• Activities related to labour, operational, maintenance, monitoring, and reporting costs post project completion.

Eligibility Criteria

• Funding under the Grant Program is available to landholders including individuals, groups, Aboriginal organisations, non-government organisations, and not-for-profit organisations.
• To be eligible for grant funding, the landholder must meet each of the following requirements:
  • The project is located within the Western Local Land Services region.
  • I am the owner of the land OR I have been given written permission by the owner of the land to apply.
  • The property is greater than 10,000 hectares in size.
  • The project area is at least 5000 hectares in size.
  • I do not have any outstanding debt with Western Local Land Services, including rates.
  • I am willing to enter a contractual arrangement with Western Local Land Services for 10 years which is the duration of the project.
  • I will commit to starting the project within one month of executing the contract.
  • I will commit to completing fencing by 10 June 2024.
  • I hold or commit to obtaining a minimum of $20 million in public liability insurance, prior to executing a funding deed with Western Local Land Services.
  • I do not have any overdue or non-compliant projects with Western Local Land Services.
  • I am willing to participate in a coordinated landscape approach to invasive species knockout.
  • I commit to being an active project participant for the duration of the project.
  • I am not aware of any covenants or other agreements over the property that would negate/disallow this funding.
  • If you do not meet these requirements, you will not be eligible.

Ineligible

You are not eligible for funding if:

• You are not the owner/Western Lands Lessee of the land.
• Your property is located outside the Western Local Land Services region.
• You have overdue or non-compliant contracts with Local Land Services.
• You have outstanding debt, including rates, owing to Local Land Services.

For more information, visit NSW Government.