Pine Protection Program
10 March 2014
2
Western Local Land Services, March, 2014
Pine Protection Program
Pine Protection Program
Guidelines and Expression of Interest
Guidelines for individuals, groups and organisations applying for funding to implement on-ground works to address protection of sandhill pine communities within the project area.
Send expressions of interest to:
Mail:
Western Local Land Services
Fencing of Endangered Pine Communities
PO Box 363
Buronga NSW 2739
Hand deliver:
Western Local Lands Services district office:
Buronga – 32 Enterprise Way
Email:
Fax:
03 5021 1308
Closing date:
Expressions of Interest must be received by 5 pm Friday 28 March 2014
In partnership with
Western Local Land Services
Western Local Land Services works with local groups, organisations and individuals to ensure a healthier catchment in the longer term.
Incentives programs are a major way in which Western Local Land Services supports improvements in the environment.
Application process
Applicants are required to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) by Friday, 28 March 2014. Applicants will then be assigned a file number and a case officer who will work with them to develop the application prior to the closing date of 4 April.
Only applicants who have submitted an EOI prior to 28 March will be eligible to submit an application for funding.
Funding criteria/eligible activities
Western Local Land Services is calling for expressions of interest (EOI) to fund projects that improve existing sandhill pine communities. The funding program is aimed at assisting landholders to construct exclusion fencing, enclosing areas where grazing pressure will be managed by controlling movement of rabbits, goats and other grazing species. The fencing will give landholders the ability to significantly improve their management of groundcover and pasture condition. Funding will also be provided for management of pest animals outside the enclosure.
Pine Protection Program guidelines
General
· All on-ground works are to be conducted on land within the project area as identified on page 7.
· You must not commence your project until you have signed a contract with Western Local Land Services.
· Your project may be used by Western Local Land Services for demonstration and/or promotional purposes with your consent.
· If you have any questions about project eligibility or other concerns about the Expression of Interest form you should contact the Buronga office of Western Local Land Services.
Eligibility
· Applications are invited from all land managers including individuals, groups, non-government organisations, not-for-profit organisations; Local Government and State Government agencies (core functions of government agencies will not be funded).
· Where an applicant is not the owner/lessee of the land, specific permission will be required from the owner/lessee to implement the project. Written permission from the owner/lessee will be required before approval.
Monitoring and evaluation of outcomes
· If your project is funded you will be required to undertake basic monitoring of your project’s environmental outcomes. This monitoring information will assist Western Local Land Services to assess project and applicant successes which is necessary to justify future funding rounds.
· Monitoring will be required yearly, for the term specified in the contract.
· Monitoring guidelines will be provided by Western Local Land Services.
· At times, Western Local Land Services staff may require property access for project monitoring purposes. You will be advised in advance of any access requirements.
Compliance with existing State and Commonwealth Legislation
Western Local Land Services only approves the amount of funding for your project. This does not necessarily authorise you to implement the project. You must ensure that your project has all necessary approvals, licences, permits, consents, etc. and that your project complies with all relevant legislation including, but not restricted to, the following:
· Western Lands Act 1901 – NSW
· National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 – NSW
· Native Vegetation Act 2003 - NSW
· Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 – NSW
· Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 – NSW
· Environmental Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act 2000 – Federal
· Local Land Services Act 2013 – NSW
· Water Management Act 2000
· Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1997
Project timeframe
The timeframe for this project spans from February 2014, Western Local Land Services is looking for projects that can be completed no later than August 2014.
Funding priority will be given to projects with achievable and realistic short timeframes (e.g. completion by August 2014)
Western Local Land Services contracts require ongoing maintenance of project outcomes for five years.
Lodging an Expression of Interest
If you believe that your project is eligible, you must lodge an expression of interest (EOI) which is attached at the back of these guidelines.
EOIs will be considered if they are received or post-marked by 28 March 2014. You will receive an acknowledgement to confirm receipt of your EOI.
Developing applications
If your EOI is suitable, your project will be assigned a Western Local Land Services case officer who will work with you during April to develop a project application which achieves your individual outcomes and those of Western Local Land Services. Your case officer will assist you to:
· ensure that your project meets the targets of Western Local Land Services and the source of funds (NSW Environmental Trust)
· ensure the proposal is up-to-date with current best management practices
· ensure the most suitable, cost-effective project is being developed for your business and long term natural resource management outcomes
Note: All applications will be competitively assessed. Applications must be received by 4 April 2014.
Assessment process
Your application will be assessed by an internal technical panel and ranked accordingly. Based on the information provided the assessment panel will:
· Score your application and approve or reject.
· Rank all approved applications.
The panel may suggest modifications to projects.
Example assessment questions
· To what extent does the applicant’s prior experience/projects indicate a strong correlation to the stated project aims?
· To what extent is the proposal appropriate to achieve project outcomes?
· To what extent are materials clearly specified and fit for purpose?
· To what extent are the fence designs appropriate to the proposal?
· To what extent is this cost effective proposal in relation to the overall project?
· Are risks to the project implementation identified and adequately addressed?
· To what extent has the applicant demonstrated the ability to complete the project in the specified timeline?
· To what extent does the applicant’s prior experience/projects indicate a strong correlation to the stated project aims?
· To what extent is the proposal appropriate to achieve project outcomes?
· To what extent are materials clearly specified and fit for purpose?
Project approvals and contracts
You will be advised in writing if your project has been approved and placed on an eligibility list.
Once approved projects have been ranked, funds will be allocated to each project.
This will be a progressive process until all funds available in the relevant program budget are spent or the project eligibility list is exhausted.
If your proposal is funded, you will be contacted in writing by Western Local Land Services and an offer of contract for your project will be made. The contract will be granted for a period of five years and will detail the negotiated outputs and outcomes of the project.
Note: All project establishment works must be completed by August 2014.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to accept the contract by the given deadline, or decline the funding and notify the Western LLS.
Note: Projects are allocated funds in order from the highest rank down the eligibility list until funds are fully subscribed in the relevant funding source. However, due to restrictions in NSW Environmental Trust allocations, priority may be given to projects which achieve outcomes in specific areas as identified by the Australian Government.
Eligibility list for approved but unfunded projects:
If your project is approved but misses out on funding when program funds are fully allocated to higher ranking projects, it will remain on an eligibility list.
Funds may become available if contract offers are declined. The next ranked project on the eligibility list is then allocated funds.
Where the newly available funds are not sufficient to fund the next ranked project, the funds are allocated to the next project on the eligibility list that can be fully covered by the available funds.
The eligibility list is only valid for the current round of funding. Applicants will need to reapply for any future funding rounds.
Payment schedule
If you accept the contract, seventy-five percent (75%) of Western Local Land Services funds identified in the budget will be paid to you within one month of signing the contract and submitting the first invoice. This is in recognition of the short time frames and is designed to facilitate early completion.
Upon completion of the on-ground works, your project will require a final inspection by a Western Local Land Services officer. If satisfactory, the remaining twenty-five percent (25%) will be paid within two months of the final inspection report, tax invoice and monitoring data being submitted.
If the works are deemed unsatisfactory, the final payment may be withheld, appropriate measures to remedy the issue will be discussed, funds recovery action may be taken and restrictions on future funding may occur.
If you are not in a financial position to carry out the project given the above payment schedule it is advised that you forfeit the grant and re-apply when financially capable.
Please keep your local Western Local Land Services officer informed of project progress.
Funding grants are considered taxable income by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). However, applicants should consult their financial advisors or the ATO about the tax implications of a Western Local Land Services grant.
Final Inspection
All projects funded through Western Local Land Services incentives programs are required to undergo a final inspection to complete the project and initiate final payment. Final inspections are carried out by Western Local Land Services officers who will:
· negotiate a suitable timeframe with you to conduct the inspection.
· check all infrastructure against the contract. The contract will usually comprise of the information provided in the application form and any negotiated outcomes. This will include the quality of material, the location of infrastructure, the amount of materials used etc.
· GPS locations of key points and infrastructure in order to accurately record the project for future monitoring.
· discuss with you your ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements.
Please note: Any changes to contracted outcomes that do not have a written variation approval on file could constitute grounds for cancellation of the contract, thus forfeiting the final payment.
Unsuccessful applicants
You will be notified in writing if your project is unsuccessful.
You may seek additional advice/discussion from Leigh Pyke, Acting Manager Land Services on 03 5021 9408.
Appeal process for unsuccessful applicants
Western Local Land Services’ Senior Executive Committee will review any appeals. The Committee’s determination will be final.
An application for appeal must be made in writing to Leigh Pyke, A/Manager Land Services, Western Local Land Services, PO Box 363, Buronga NSW 2739 stating the reasons for the appeal.
No new information is considered. The appeal is based on what is provided in the application form.
The result of your appeal will be provided in writing and can be discussed if requested.
If your appeal is successful, your project will be placed on the eligibility list based on your original assessment score.
What happens to the information I provide?
Collection:
Project proposal information collected is used to assess your application and to contact you. Please contact Western Local Land Services if you believe the information collected is not relevant or is excessive.
People involved in the collection, assessment and processing of the Pine Protection Program will view your information. These people are required by law to not disclose your information.
Storage:
Your information will be stored in secured files within Western Local Land Services offices. The information will be kept for the organisational life of Western Local Land Services. Western Local Land Services staff only, for work purposes, will have access to your information.
Access:
You are able to view or correct this information at your request in business hours.
Use:
Consent will be sought for any use of the collected information outside Western Local Land Services.
Disclosure:
The amount of funds granted, applicant name, location and brief project description will be placed on the Western Local Land Services public register. This will take effect if the applicant enters into a contract with Western Local Land Services.
The purpose of the public register is to inform the community where public natural resource management funding is directed in the catchment and additionally, to ensure integrity, honesty and transparency in the administration of funding programs.
Contact your local Western Local Land Services office:
The best approach is by working with the staff of your local Western Local Land Services office. Senior Land Service Officers and Land Service Officers (including Aboriginal Communities) are available to assist you in submitting the strongest possible application for your project.
Location / Position / Name / ContactBuronga / Acting Manager Land Services / Leigh Pyke / 03 5021 9408
Buronga / Land Services Officer / Tanya Cooper / 03 5021 9453
Figure 1: Project Area Boundary
Expression of Interest for
Pine Protection Program
Only landholders located within the project area boundary are eligible for funding
Send expressions of interest to:
Mail:
Western Local Land Services
Fencing of Endangered Pine Communities
PO Box 363
Buronga NSW 2739
Hand deliver:
Western Local Lands Services district office:
Buronga – 32 Enterprise Way
Email:
Fax:
03 5021 1308
Admin – Office User Only
CIMS No. CW______
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