Stewardship in Action Grants
The State Government's Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is calling for applications for funding under the Stewardship in Action program.
Stewardship in Action (SIA) is a grants program that assists committees of management with reserve improvement projects. The program recognises the valuable role of committees and the importance of Crown land reserves to small communities.
Objectives of the Program
* To protect and enhance the environmental, economic and social values of Crown land reserves.
* To encourage and support committees of management in their stewardship of Crown land reserves.
Eligibility
Eligibility for grants is restricted to Rural and inland committees of management appointed under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act, for works undertaken on the Crown land reserves that they manage.
The following uses are ineligible for grants:
* Retrospective funding for projects already started or completed;
* Purchase of land;
* Salary and/or administrative costs;
* Projects specifically provided for by other funding schemes;
* Victorian Government agencies managing Crown land reserves;
* Metropolitan-based committees of management;
* Committees of management that have major sources of income, for example major tourist parks.
Grant Conditions
* Grants will be made for amounts up to $50,000 unless a special case is made on the basis of major reserve improvement outcomes.
* The project should arrest physical deterioration; and/or improve accessibility; and/or protect natural values; and/or increase community use of the reserve; and/or contribute to the general condition of the reserve.
* Grant recipients must use their grant money solely for the purposes approved by the Department and outlined in the funding agreement.
* Projects for which funds are granted must be completed within 12 months of the date of the grant.
* Committees that are registered for GST must provide a tax invoice.
*The provision of appropriate documentation supporting the project should be prov application. This should be commensurate with the complexity of the project and include a clear and detailed outline of the proposal, expected time-lines and costs. A statement about the outcome expected of the project and its contribution to the overall management of the reserve would be useful.
* The committee should generally be able to provide some contributing funds or in-kind support.
| Grant applications close | 15 December 2006 |
| Notification of successful applicants | March 2007 |
| Grant funding distributed | March 2007 |
| Report on successful completion of projects | 12 months from date of grant being made. |
Priorities for projects will be determined on a State-wide basis. Following a decision to allocate a grant, successful applicants will be advised and requested to submit an invoice along with the signed funding agreement. Grants to Committees of Management that are registered for GST purposes will be grossed up by the value of the GST. Committees not registered for GST will not receive any consideration in the grant for GST paid.
Once a grant has been made committees will be required to report on successful completion of the project within the twelve month completion date noted on the signed agreement.
Committees which are directly appointed by the Crown to manage facilities, ie. Stewart Park Reserve & Jubilee Park Reserve, Avenel, Euroa Arboretum, etc. must apply direct to DSE, ie. not via Council.
Applications for projects on crown land for which Council is the Committee of Management appointed by DSE to manage the reserve and has subsequently delegated its responsibilities to a management committee, eg. Longwood Recreation Reserve, Violet Town Rec Reserve, etc. , you will need to apply via Council and cannot apply direct to DSE.
To receive Council endorsement, projects must be immediately discussed with Jodi Bjorksten and a complete copy of the proposed application provided to me by 5 December at the latest. Unless extenuating circumstances apply, applications received for Council endorsement after 5 December will not be accepted.
For more information: Marli Kelly on 0409 410 178 - 17 November, 2006
For details/interview call the Editor on (03) 5798 1858