Landcarers across NSW will continue to benefit from the thriving partnership between Local Land Services and Landcare NSW, after the two organisations refreshed and re-signed their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Following a year of drought, bushfires and floods, in 2021 the organisations are committed to empowering local communities and Landcare groups to deliver sustainable agriculture and to best manage the state’s natural resources. Read the full article here.

Image: LLS. Local Land Services Chair Richard Bull and Landcare NSW Chairperson Stephanie Cameron signing the new MOU.

Following the celebration of World Wetlands Day, last Tuesday, the National Parks and Wildlife Service is urging people in the New England and North West to explore local wetlands.

Here is a related article published recently in The Armidale Express.

Date: Sunday, 14th February 2021
Time: 8.30am

Location: Creeklands near Saint Peters Preschool (87 O’Dell Street).

CHAINSAW (BASIC) ACCREDITATION

Where: Armidale Golf Club
Date: Thursday, 25th February 2021 Time: 8am - 4pm

Help you meet your legal obligations under the Workplace Health & Safety Act.
Read more about course content and competency units.

Date: Saturday, 27 February 2021
Time: 9:30am – 12noon

Where: Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve, Bagot Road off Tubbamurra Road approx. 18km north of Guyra.

The Northern Tablelands LLS will host a Field Day, as part of their Upland Wetland NLP2 project (jointly funded together with the National Landcare program), in the year of the 50th Anniversary of the Ramsar Convention.

New England & North West Regional Landcare Awards

Guest presenters - Colin Seis and Geoff Bassett

When: 9.30 - 4 pm Thursday 4th March 2021
Cost: $35 per person
Location: Inverell RSM Club

Read More

Commencing: March 2021
Locations: Piallaway - Manilla - Croppa Creek

North West Regional Agriculture and Landcare Facilitator, Lana Andrews, has advised about a new program, ‘Farming for Change’ with Dr Judi Earl and Craig Carter.
Click here for a copy of the flyer.

Round 4
Requests: up to $25,000

Closing Date: 17 Feb 2021

** A good opportunity for our local Landcare groups!!

Applications can be made by not-for-profit community-based organisations operating in rural communities in an LGA with a bushfire disaster declaration, from September 2019 to April 2020.

Round 8
Funding Requests: up to $10,000

Closing Date: 23rd February 2021, 5pm AEST

Funding announced: June 2021.

The FRRR's Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) programs aim to give the thousands of small rural, regional and remote communities across Australia an opportunity to access funding to support broad community needs. Key information here.

Round 8
Requests: up to $25,000

Closing Date: 23rd February 2021, 5pm AEST

Funding announced: June 2021.
Key information here.

Round 20
Funding Tiers: $20,000 or $60,000

Closing Date: Thursday, 25th February 2021. 

SNEL Landcare groups, please consider Tiers 1 & 2 in this funding round. Key information here. 

Foundation of National Parks & Wildlife Community Conservation Grants
Funding Requests: up to $10,000 (Special provision for requests over $10K - refer below)

Closing Date: 26th February 2021, 8pm AEST

The purpose of the Community Conservation Grants is to assist in the protection of native species, habitats, landscapes and cultural heritage. Key information here. 

BBRF - Round 5
Grants: from $5,000 to $1 million, to cover 50% or more of eligible project costs.

Applications close: 5th March 2021. 

** Good opportunity for our local Landcare groups!! This funding stream supports new or expanded local events, strategic regional plans or leadership and capability strengthening activities that provide economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas.

BBRF Round 5
Grants: from $20,000 to $10 million, to cover 50% or more of eligible project costs.

Applications close: 5th March 2021. 

** Good opportunity for our local Landcare groups!!  This funding stream supports investment ready projects that provide economic and social benefits for regional and remote areas. Projects can be either construction of new infrastructure or the upgrade or extension of existing infrastructure.

From 1 July 2020, the NSW Government lifted the cap for the Drought Assistance Fund (DAF) to $100,000 per primary producer. This interest-free loan has a term of seven years, with no repayments in the first two years. It is available for the implementation of systems & management practices that enhance the sustainability of farm businesses.

Funding: up to $5,000.
Applications close: 31st March 2021.

Private landholders who share a boundary with public land and were impacted by the Northern and Southern fires of late 2019 and early 2020 are eligible to receive up to $5,000 per kilometre to contribute to the replacement of damaged boundary fences.

Do you have native vegetation on your farm? Could you benefit from some additional income to manage this land? 

The newly-established Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) has a new program that could be of interest. BCT are calling for expressions of interest (EOI) from people interested in earning annual payments to conserve biodiversity on their property.

Download the Conservation Tender Fact Sheet here. 
For more information, contact the BCT on 1300 992 688 or by email: info@bct.nsw.gov.au

Under the new Commonwealth funded Bushfire Legal Aid Scheme, small businesses and farmers with legal issues related to the 2019/2020 bushfires can apply through a private lawyer for funding to assist with their legal costs. If you are an eligible small business or primary producer, you can apply for funding of $2000 to assist you to resolve your legal matter, and up to $5000 for related expenses.

DPI's Rural Recovery Support Service is working with primary producers, small landholders and communities across the Northern Tablelands to support recovery after disasters or adverse events. They can provide practical and personal support in managing your recovery, linking you with services and assisting with decision making and future planning.

Please contact a Recovery Officer in your area: 

• Armidale: Greg Mills  0417 476 884
• Walcha: Chloe Hoy  0408 993 455