South West Land Management Tenders

Do you want to undertake on-ground NRM work on your property? Then Groundworks could be for you, up to $2.4 Million is available across the South West region and you get to name your price!

Applications for Groundworks tenders are now closed for the 2006/08 Investment Plan period; further information will be provided when additional funding is available

THE “GROUNDWORKS” PROGRAMME

Groundworks offers financial incentives to land managers to undertake on-ground activities to achieve multiple NRM outcomes by way of a closed tender system for the South West NRM region, based on the Land Management Tender process. Groundworks will operate from December 2006 to June 2008, within which time there will be two calls for tenders or funding rounds.

Although no applicants will be excluded from submitting a tender, preferred applicants will be those land owners/managers who work across property boundaries by taking a landscape approach. Implementation of a catchment management plan, or land managers working together with an integrated approach, will be highly regarded. It is hoped that this will encourage a coordinated, landscape-scale approach to natural resource management, particularly in target landscapes.

The types of activities are not specifically prescribed, but could include any activities that result in NRM outcomes, for example:

• Fencing of native vegetation / waterways
• Streamlining, revegetation
• Perennial pasture establishment
• Creation of vegetation corridors / windbreaks
• Effluent management or water reuse
• Feral plant, animal and disease control
• Alternative fertiliser application / soil ammendment
• Salinity containment
• In-stream works to improve water quality (eg riffles, stock crossings)
• Wetland rehabilitation and reconstruction

Land managers include private and public land managers i.e. Local Government, Catchment and Community Groups, Farmers, . (Note Western Australia Government agencies are not directly eligible for funds, however, funds can be allocated to a community group, Local Government, or private landholder to manage in partnership with the agency for an area under WA Government ownership/vesting.)

For more information please contact your local Natural Resource Management Officer / Landcare Officer or
For projects on the Swan Coastal Plain or Western Jarrah Forests contact:

Kim Wilson
Phone: (08) 9733 2577
Email: ctb@southwest.com.au
Or
Glen Byleveld
Phone: (08) 9526 0012
Email: glen@landcaresj.com.au

For projects in the Lower South West-Warren and Wheatbelt-Woolbelt areas contact:

Nerilee Boshammer
Phone: (08) 9765 1555
Email: nerileeb@westnet.com.au
Or
Linda Raynor
Phone: (08) 9765 1555
Email: lindar@westnet.com.au

Round two Applications Closed on the 27th of July 2007

Click on the links below to download the tender guidelines and application form (in pdf format), please contact the project officers above for MS Word versions.

Groundworks Tender Guidelines SCP WJF         Groundworks Application Form SCP WJF

WHERE DOES THE FUNDING FOR “GROUNDWORKS” COME FROM?

The Groundworks South West Land Management Tender is funded by the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) and/or the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAP). These are joint initiatives of the West Australian and Australian Governments, which are managed by the South West Catchments Council.

     

The Peel-Harvey Catchment Council is coordinating the Swan Coastal Plain and Western Jarrah Forests component of the programme and the Blackwood Basin Group is coordinating the Lower South West-Warren and Wheatbelt-Woolbelt areas

WHAT IS A LAND MANAGEMENT TENDER?

A Land Management Tender process means that you, the landholder/manager, can set the price you believe is appropriate and feasible for you to achieve your natural resource management goals.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Round 2

• Call for Round 2 applications/tenders 5th June 2007 onwards
• Application packages distributed by the Groundworks Team (on request)
• Round 1 applications/tenders close by COB 27th July 2007
• Groundworks Team processes, assesses and ranks tenders using a Multi-Criteria Analysis tool August - September 2007. Site assessments may be required
• Successful applicants informed and (if required) final negotiations undertaken March - April 2007
• Funding agreements developed and funds allocated (50% on commencement and 50% on completion) by October 2007.
• Note all funds must be expended by May 31st 2008

NB: Applications will be processed upon receipt, so please submit them ASAP.

SELECTION CRITERIA AND CONDITIONS

Preference will be given to the following:

• Group tenders with a cross property/coordinated approach
• Applicants with existing farm/catchment plans or catchment management approach
• Tenders operating in conjunction with existing natural resource management projects
• Applicants located in strategic, target areas, i.e. priority landscapes
• Tenders with high public benefit
• Tenders that present value for money

Important Points:

• Submission of a tender does not guarantee funding
• An applicant can submit more than one tender
• Tenders to be submitted as soon as possible as assessment will begin on submission
• The opportunity to make modifications to proposals may arise following submission
• Site assessment may form part of assessment of tenders
• Funding will be allocated at 50% on commencement of works and a further 50% on completion
• All projects will be required to be completed by 30^th June 2008
• Any unspent funds cannot be used for activities outside that approved for this project
• Each successful tender will receive 100% of the tender price
• Works are not to be commenced until a start date is agreed upon during final contract negotiations with the Groundworks Team
• All works are to meet with the minimum standards stated on Page 3 of the Guidelines
• If you are unsuccessful in Round 1, you may apply for funding under Round 2

Minimum Standards for On-ground Works Under Groundworks

1. Stock to be permanently excluded from the revegetation by permanent and suitable fencing. If grazing is necessary, contact the Groundworks Team to discuss suitable best management practice.
2. Fencing must remain in place for a period of no less than 10 years and must meet the following minimum standards required for the specific land use.

   Conventional

   6 strands with at least 2 barbed and two plain wires, split jarrah (or equivalent) or galvanised posts at 4m spacing.

   Electric

   6 strands plain wire with split jarrah (or equivalent) or galvanised posts, 8m spacing with an intermediate dropper.

   Ringlock

   At least 2 strands plain wire with ringlock (7 x 90 x 30cm), split jarrah (or equivalent) or galvanised posts at 4m spacing.

   Strainers

   To be a minimum of 10” by 2.4m assembled in a box section with a 4m rail.

    

3. Standard boundary fences that are normally the landholder’s responsibility can not be funded.
4. Both sides of the waterway/drain are to be fenced for stream-lining. Wherever possible plant on the north side of the stream to increase shade and improve water quality. Please check ownership/vesting of drains to be revegetated (Shire or Water Corporation). Water Corporation requires that you allow for vehicle access along one side of the drain for maintenance. Permission to undertake the works will be required from the appropriate land manager.
5. Bushbelts to be at least 10m wide, at least 3 rows and to be planted with a minimum planting density of 1000/seedlings/ha.
6. Riparian vegetation is to be at least 10m wide. Recommended width is 30m, and preference will be given to wider riparian zones. At least 3 rows to be planted.
7. Composition of seedlings to be at least 75% shrubs and to include a range of species, relevant to the soil type. At least 75% of Species on the list must be indigenous to the region.
8. Tree lines to be ripped to a depth of 0.7m if possible. Best results are obtained by ripping when the ground is dry.
9. Mounding or furrowing of the tree lines should be done once stock have been excluded.
10. Weed control is essential when preparing your revegetation site. Applications of both a glyphosate knockdown herbicide (Group M) and a pre-emergent herbicide such as the triazines (Group C) have been giving the best results. Weed control in the second year is also recommended.
11. Tree lines must be monitored for attack by pests, including wingless grasshoppers, and control measures undertaken.
12. Tree guards are recommended where browsing animals (e.g. rabbits, ducks, kangaroos etc) occur in large numbers.

THE LAND MANAGER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL AFTERCARE AND MAINTENANCE.