Land Management Incentive Program Grants

This grant program provides residents and community groups with financial support (and advice) for sustainable land management activities on private property that have positive environmental and/or sustainable land management outcomes. 

What can be funded

A maximum grant of up to $500 or up to $2,000 is available per (eligible) single property, or up to $10,000 for a community led cross-tenure or landscape-scale initiative. There is a total grant pool of $60,000 per annum. 

A 50% (matching) co-contribution of funds, materials or in-kind labour will usually be required.  

Project must result in environment benefit and activities may include:  

  • weed control
  • revegetation
  • indigenous seed collection
  • works for threatened species conservation
  • rabbit control
  • fox control
  • pasture management
  • sustainable/regenerative agriculture enhancements
  • environment and land management education for landholders
  • biodiversity or exclusion fencing

Council officers can help you assess your land management options and priorities for funding. 

Eligibility 

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must:  

  • be a private landowner/holder(s) or community group (e.g. Landcare; rabbit, fox action; environment groups)   
  • display a commitment to ongoing good land management practices 
  • be located within the Shire of Nillumbik; and 
  • be located within the Green Wedge Zone, Rural Conservation Zone, or have an Environmental Significance Overlay - other locations by exception, for example at sites with cultural heritage significance.

Full details and eligibility criteria are provided in the Land Management Incentive Program guidelines(PDF, 201KB).

Even if you’re not eligible for the grant, residents can still request advice and a free site visit from the Environment team. 

Apply now

Please make sure to read the full Land Management Incentive Program guidelines(PDF, 201KB) before applying below. Contact the Land Management Officer or Biodiversity Officer if you have any questions or need advice. 

How to apply

Step 1.Submit an expression of interest. 

You will need to provide: 

  • The property address
  • Project or issue type
  • Weed species involved 

Submit now 

After submitting the EOI (via Smarty Grants), a Council Officer will contact the applicant within 10 working days to discuss the proposed project and arrange a site visit

Step 2.If eligible, complete the application form.

The application form will be sent out to eligible applicants (via Smarty Grants) by Council to collect additional information about the project, such as photos and quotes/costings.  

Step 3.Council will assess your request.

Applications are assessed monthly against the LMIP eligibility criteria. Applicants will then be notified of whether their application has been successful and of any conditions.  

Step 4.If successful, commence works.

Successful applicants or their contractor can then commence project works.  

Step 5.Submit an acquittal form and receive reimbursement. 

Once the project is completed, an acquittal form is required. Council will then reimburse the grant recipient. Certain cases may allow for funding before project completion.