New grant opportunities for environmental bushfire recovery

Media Release - Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

The Australian Government has released guidelines for two new grant programs, as part of its $200 million investment in the recovery of our wildlife and habitats from the devastating impacts of last summer’s bushfires.

The $10 million Bushfire Recovery for Wildlife and Habitat Community Grants Program will support communities to undertake on-ground recovery actions to benefit their local environment.

The $2 million Indigenous Fire and Land Management Workshops program will provide opportunities for Traditional Owners to share knowledge and build understanding of traditional fire and land management practices.

Guidelines for both programs are now available, with applications opening soon.

Threatened Species Commissioner Dr Sally Box said communities were deeply affected by the bushfire impacts on the environment.

“I’m inspired by the efforts of communities since last summer, and grateful that they remain so willing and committed to helping their local environment recover.”

“Many Indigenous communities are already applying their knowledge and taking actions to support bushfire recovery and build long-term environmental resilience. The new program is an opportunity for Traditional Owners to strengthen and share their knowledge and build capacity to undertake Indigenous fire and land management throughout Australia,” she said.

Activities funded from the new grant programs will build on work funded since January 2020 that includes more than a million hectares of pest animal treatment, nearly 7,000 hectares of initial weed treatment and 700 hectares of erosion control to protect burnt and unburnt areas and restore habitat.

$2 million Indigenous Fire and Land Management Workshops Program

Guidelines available at www.business.gov.au/IFLM

Applications open on 2 November 2020

Applications close on 10 December 2020

Grants from $20,000 to $200,000

Eligible applicants: Traditional Owners, Indigenous organisations and Indigenous enterprises

Eligible activities: Indigenous-led workshops that strengthen traditional fire and land management knowledge within Indigenous communities, develop actions to safeguard these practices and, where appropriate, collaborate with fire management agencies, State and local governments, and landowners to integrate these practices more broadly.

Program is available nation-wide.

$10 million Bushfire Recovery for Wildlife and Habitat Community Grants Program

Guidelines available at www.business.gov.au/brwhc

Applications open on 22 October 2020

Applications close on 27 November 2020

Grants from $5,000 to $150,000

Eligible applicants: community organisations, conservation groups, Traditional Owners and local governments

Eligible activities include provision of supplementary shelter, nest boxes and artificial hollows, eradicating or reducing the impact of pest animals and weeds, protecting sensitive habitat and waterways, and seed collection, propagation and revegetation of native plants.

Projects are to be delivered within or adjacent to an area that has been affected by the 2019–20 bushfires in the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria or Western Australia.