The Surf Coast Shire Council is seeking applications for its Natural Environment Grants to fund community projects that protect biodiversity and increase participation in conservation and/or education activities.
Purposes
Surf Coast Shire Council is committed to working with the community and other land managers to protect and enhance local biodiversity.
The Natural Environment Grants fund projects that:
protect and enhance biodiversity, in particular threatened flora and fauna;
support effective and collaborative pest plant and animal management (in accordance with Council’s Pest Plant and Animal Management Strategy 2020 – 2023);
build and strengthen partnerships to protect biodiversity and manage pest plants and animals; and/or
improve community understanding of local biodiversity and how to protect it.
Funding Information
Grants of up to $5,000 are available in each round of this program.
Applicants must contribute a minimum of 50% (cash or in-kind) towards the total project cost
Eligibility Criteria
Groups that operate in or contribute to the Surf Coast Shire community.
Incorporated not-for profit groups, or unincorporated groups who apply through an appropriate not-for-profit incorporated body that supports the application and is willing to accept responsibility for the funding (i.e. auspice agreement).
Groups that operate as part of a larger governing body, where this grant is outside the scope of what is funded by the governing body, e.g. Churches, Cemetery Trusts, SES, CFA.
Not-for-profit community groups and sporting clubs that lease Council owned buildings within the Surf Coast Shire.
Schools, if the activity is not part of the standard school curriculum.
Ineligibility Criteria
Groups that don’t meet the eligibility requirements specified in these Guidelines.
Groups that have received Surf Coast Shire Council funding for the same activity within the same financial year.
Groups that have an overdue Acquittal Report for previous funding received from Council.
Committees of Surf Coast Shire Council, including Advisory Committees, Committees of Management or Sub Committees.
Individuals or private landholders who are not part of a coordinated project run through an appropriate group.
Individual businesses who are not part of a coordinated project run through an appropriate group.
Elected members and employees of Council must not be involved in the development of an application and are not eligible to sign or be listed on any grant.
