Grants and rebates

Environmental sustainability grants

The Community Grants Program offers financial support for non-profit community organisations, groups and associations.

The aim of the Environmental Sustainability Grant category is to assist community groups undertake a range of projects which help protect and restore our natural environment, including projects that build community capacity, appreciation and knowledge.

Community Grants Program

Rate rebate (Bushcare Incentive Program)

The Bushcare Incentive Program was developed as part of Council's overall biodiversity conservation initiatives. It acknowledges and rewards the conservation efforts of private landholders and complements other Landcare initiatives.

Incentive payment

Council is offering the incentive in the form of a rate rebate.

To be eligible, property owners must enter into an agreement with the Trust for Nature (Trust for Nature conservation covenant) which will be negotiated with the landowner.

A Trust for Nature conservation covenant will attract a once off up front payment of $25 per hectare of land protected and a 100 per cent rate rebate on the protected area thereafter.

The rate rebate does not apply to capital improved value of land.
A conservation covenant is a voluntary agreement between the landowner and the Trust for Nature.

The covenant is registered on Title and binds all future owners of the land to manage the protected land in accordance with the covenant.

The agreement will take into account individual circumstances and property management objectives.

The process for registering a covenant is free for landowners.

Other incentives

• Management advice and/or funding will be available through the NCCMA and its partner agencies to undertake fencing and revegetation activities. To be eligible, projects must meet certain criteria and are also subject to funding availability.

• Participating landowners become eligible to apply for Council's Environment Grants for managing the protected area.

• A covenant assessment will include a brief survey to provide you with information about the plants on your property. A more extensive survey of your bushland can be carried out if desired by the property owner.

• Covenantors receive regular newsletters, access to field days and are visited by their local Regional Coordinator every few years to provide management advice.