The Biodiversity Fund: Northern Australia Targeted Investment 2013–14

The Biodiversity Fund is seeking applications for projects to improve the condition, extent and connectivity of habitats to secure biodiversity and carbon outcomes. This round applies to Northern Australia, including the Top End and Savanna Gulf regions,

The Biodiversity Fund seeks to protect and manage high value ecosystems including places which support significant natural and indigenous heritage values.

The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC) is conducting open information sessions in Darwin on 20 November at the Grande Media Waterfront from 9am to 11am. The session will also provide information about the Indigenous Carbon Farming Fund. Please RSVP by Thursday 15th November to biodiversityfund@environment.gov.au

The 2011 State of the Environment Report identified that invasive species, inappropriate fire regimes and changing land use are having a significant negative impact in Northern Australia. Drastic declines in the numbers of native birds and mammals in Northern Australia are of concern. It appears that certain feral animals may play a large part in the decline of small mammals.

The Biodiversity Fund encourages cooperative management across jurisdictions, tenures and land uses to improve carbon and biodiversity outcomes. Applications that demonstrate engagement with Traditional Owners and their communities are encouraged.

The Biodiversity Fund encourages on-ground works and associated activities. It is not a research program.

Applicants should take account of regional Natural Resource Management plans or Threat Abatement Plans.

Projects that are eligible must address one or more of the following:

·         Protecting and enhancing existing native vegetation

-          transition from degraded to healthy ecosystems

-          management approaches that improve habitat condition and manage threats

-          particularly interested in appropriate fire regimes and building capacity

·         Managing invasive species in a connected landscape

-          Preference will be given to managing invasive species that significantly diminish ecological value.

-          Projects need to be in addition to those required by law or existing business-as-usual activities.

-          particularly interested in reducing the spread of invasive species, including areas of high biodiversity and carbon value, or

-          reducing the impact of invasive species across connected landscapes.

·         Biodiverse plantings

-          Establishment and managing mixed native species plantings on previously cleared land, particularly those native vegetation types that have been substantially cleared.

Eligible projects will run for a period of two to four years, with total grant funding of a minimum of $500 000 (GST exclusive).

An application cannot include:

·         planting species that are known to be, or could become, environmental or agricultural weeds

·         principally support applied research, tool building and/or modelling approaches

An Expression of Interest will require an indicative budget only.

For work done on public land, a co-contribution (financial or in-kind) is required from the land owner. Applicants seeking to work on private land should also be prepared to contribute (financially or in-kind), the level depending on the public and private benefits to be obtained.

 

Applicants can submit Expressions of Interest for up to three separate projects.

 

Important Dates:

Expression of Interest period begins	05 November 2012
Closing date for Expressions of Interest	04 December 2012
Full Application period begins	Early March 2013
Full Application period closes	Early April 2013

 

For more inbformation contact the Biodiversity Fund information line on 1800 008 678 or click here.