Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme Applicant ... · iii Important information These Reef...

Applications must be received by 2pm Queensland time (AEST) on: 26 November 2015

Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme Applicant Guidelines 2015–16Reef Trust Phase II Investment

ii / Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme Applicant Guidelines 2015–16 (Guidelines)

© Commonwealth of Australia 2015

The Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme Applicant Guidelines is licensed by the Commonwealth of Australia for use under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Australia licence with the exception of the Coat of Arms of the Commonwealth of Australia, the logo of the agency responsible for publishing the report, content supplied by third parties, and any images depicting people. For licence conditions see: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ . Attribute this document as ‘Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme Applicant Guidelines 2015–16, Commonwealth of Australia 2015’.

The Commonwealth of Australia has made all reasonable efforts to identify content supplied by third parties using the following format ‘© Copyright, [name of third party]’.

Cover image: (front) Gully erosion in the Upper Burdekin catchment (Rebecca Bartley) (back) Great Barrier Reef (GBRMPA), © copyright Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA)

For further information on this Programme contact:

Reef Trust Section

Department of the Environment

Phone: 1800 852 975 Email: [email protected]

Electronic Applications are preferred. If you are unable to submit your Application online, contact us for an alternative.

LATE APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE ACCEPTED

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iii

Important informationThese Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme Applicant Guidelines 2015–16 (Guidelines) provide information to help organisations and individuals to prepare an Application for a Gully remediation project (Project) supported by the Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme (Programme).

Applicants can apply to deliver Project Activities in up to 10 Management Units within four of the natural resource management catchments of the Great Barrier Reef.

To assist Applicants to plan their Projects, these Guidelines and other key information will be available online. Applications must be submitted before the Closing Time of 2.00pm Queensland time (AEST) 26 November 2015.

Key documentsThe following documents are available online (www.environment.gov.au/reef-trust) to help you prepare your Application for funding under the Programme:

• Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme Applicant Guidelines 2015–16 (this document)

• Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme Application Form

• Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme—Gully Toolbox

• Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme Frequently Asked Questions

• Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme Sample Funding Agreement – Part A, B and C

• Capitalised terms used in these Guidelines are defined in Appendix B: Glossary.

Key datesAnticipated timeframes:

Application Form and Guidelines available

Applications Open

Applications Close

Application assessment period

Projects announced

Acceptance of Funding Agreements

Projects must be completed before

29 October 2015

29 October 2015

2.00pm Queensland Time (AEST) 26 November 2015

November – December 2015

December 2015

December – January 2016

30 June 2018

http://www.environment.gov.au/reef-trust

iv / Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme Applicant Guidelines 2015–16 (Guidelines)

Table of contents

Part 1: About the Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme 11.1 Background 11.2 Delivery of the Programme 11.3 Responsibilities 31.4 Grant funding available 51.5 Objectives and outcomes 51.6 Timing 5

Part 2: Eligibility 72.1 Eligibility Criteria 72.2 Applicant declarations 7

Part 3: What will the programme fund 83.1 Project Design 83.2 Are multiple Applications allowed? 83.3 How much funding can be requested per Application? 83.4 What Project Activities will the Programme fund? 93.5 What Activities will NOT be funded? 113.6 Applicant/third party contributions 12

Part 4: Application and project considerations 134.1 Project Planning and management 134.2 Mapping 14

Part 5: Application and assessment process 155.1 How to apply 155.2 Late Applications 165.3 Assessment Criteria 165.4 Assessment Process 19

Part 6: Conditions of funding 216.1 The Funding Agreement 216.2 Commencement date 216.3 Payment of funding 216.4 Monitoring, reporting, record keeping and acquittal 216.5 Project delays 226.6 Project review 226.7 Tax implications 236.8 Insurance 236.9 Promotion and publicity 23

Part 7: Rights and responsibilities 247.1 Applicant rights and responsibilities 247.2 The Australian Government’s rights and responsibilities 257.3 Disclosure 267.4 Privacy 26

Part 8: Enquiries and complaints 27

Appendix A: Glossary 28

Appendix B: Useful references 32

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Part 1: About the Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme

1.1 BackgroundThe long term protection and conservation of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (the Reef ) is the primary focus of the Australian Government’s $140 million Reef Trust. Reef Trust funds will be invested in a range of Projects that address the highest priority threats to the Reef.

One of these threats is runoff from agricultural land in the Reef catchments. Pollutants—including sediments, nutrients and pesticides—are making their way to the coast and having a detrimental impact on Reef water quality and overall health and resilience.

The Scientific Consensus Statement 2013 indicated that sub-surface erosion (especially through gullying) in the catchments is the dominant source of fine sediment and associated nutrients delivered to the Reef lagoon. Fine sediment poses the highest risks to Reef ecosystems, as it can reduce the amount of light available (which is central to the health and productivity of seagrasses and other plants) and can smother corals. The associated nutrients attached to sediments may also influence crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks.

There is approximately 80,000 km of Gully Erosion in the Reef catchments. Large reductions in elevated sediment loads at the catchment scale will not be achieved unless Gully Erosion is addressed cumulatively through proactive land management actions.

This Programme is a component of the Reef Trust that will address the source of these sediment loads delivered to the Reef lagoon. The Australian Government recognises the significance of this threat to the Reef and future Reef Trust phases of investment will investigate how similar outcomes may be achieved at a larger scale.

Further information on Reef Trust can be found here: www.environment.gov.au/reef-trust.

Further information on the Reef Trust Phase II investments can be found here: www.environment.gov.au/marine/gbr/publications/reef-trust-phaseii-investments.

1.2 Delivery of the Programme

The Programme will address areas of extensive and active Gully Erosion in high priority Management Units, within the Burdekin, Fitzroy, Cape York and Burnett Mary natural resource management regions (Figure 1). The Programme will provide financial incentives through a competitive grants process to one or multiple Delivery Partners to apply low cost, effective Gully remediation techniques guided by the latest available scientific information.

Targeting Gully Erosion with proactive interventions will build on the approach undertaken in other programmes, which have primarily focused on improving grazing land management practices to address soil erosion. Whilst stocking rates and grazing management need to be considered as parallel strategies, primarily focusing on Gully Erosion control through this Programme will help to increase understanding of Gully management techniques and enable broader applications of these learnings in the future.

Research has indicated that certain Management Units within these four regions have higher Gully contribution to sediment export than others. Potential Delivery Partners who wish to participate in the Programme are invited to submit an Application for a Project that targets areas of higher Gully density within one or more of the targeted Management Units in the natural resource management regions.

The priority Management Units are listed below (Table 1) and are highlighted by blue borders in the map (Figure 1).


http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/gbr/publications/reef-trust-phaseii-investments

http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/gbr/publications/reef-trust-phaseii-investments

2 / Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme Applicant Guidelines 2015–16 (Guidelines)

Table 1 and Figure 1: Management Units targeted through this Programme.

Natural Resource Management Region Management Unit

Cape York Normanby

Burdekin Bowen-Bogie/Bowen Broken

East Burdekin

Lower Burdekin

Don

Fitzroy Theresa Creek

Isaac

Mackenzie

Fitzroy

Burnett-Mary Mary

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Proposed Projects should engage a number of parties (including landholders) and Applicants should be able to access private land, employ appropriate Gully remediation best management practices and be cost-effective. Investment through this Programme aims to encourage cost-effective, innovative approaches to delivering Gully remediation. For instance, it is anticipated that Delivery Partners would work with multiple properties which intersect highly gullied areas to allow for better outcomes and more efficient delivery.

A Technical Partner has been engaged by the Department to provide advice on technical components of the Programme and guidelines, support the evaluation of the effectiveness and appropriateness of proposals, advise on monitoring and reporting requirements and provide technical advice to the contracted Delivery Partners to support Gully remediation and land management activities, in collaboration with the Department.

1.3 Responsibilities

Department of the Environment

The Department of the Environment has principal responsibility for the administration of the Programme.

The Department is, amongst other things, responsible for:

• the development of these Guidelines, the Gully Toolbox, the Application Form and the Assessment Process;

• assessment and moderation of Applications;

• making recommendations to the Minister on Delivery Partner(s);

• administering contractual arrangements with the Technical Partner;

• coordinating interactions between the Technical Partner and Delivery Partner(s);

• administering the operations of the Programme in a timely, accountable and efficient manner; and

• monitoring the contractual performance of Delivery Partner(s) and overall impact of the implementation of on-ground activities.

Applicants/Delivery Partner(s)

An Applicant becomes a Delivery Partner if successful through the Application process and awarded a contract.

An Applicant/Delivery Partner (as relevant) is, amongst other things, responsible for:

• developing and submitting an Application;

• delivering the agreed Project in line with the Funding Agreement;

• where necessary, obtaining the appropriate approvals (including for access to land from public or private landholder(s), where the Delivery Partner does not have primary responsibility for the land);

• planning and implementing appropriate Gully remediation actions;

• once contracted, liaising with the Technical Partner through the Department, to ensure the latest scientific evidence is included in delivering the Project;

• monitoring and reporting on progress of activity implementation, outputs and outcomes throughout the Project;

• acquittal of agreed Project in line with obligations specified in the Funding Agreement; and

• ensuring the legacy of activities implemented through agreements with landholders, where the Delivery Partner does not have primary responsibility for the land.

Technical Partner

The Department has contracted CSIRO as the Technical Partner to provide technical advice regarding the latest Gully Erosion science. The Technical Partner will help to incorporate this science into the Programme design, develop the Gully Toolbox and assess the Applications received, alongside Departmental Officers. This will ensure efficacy of activities and targeting of priority areas.

The Technical Partner is not providing advice on Applications whilst the Application period is open or during the Assessment period. All contact regarding the discussion of the Programme, between the successful Delivery Partner(s) and the Technical Partner will occur once a contract is established between the Department and the Delivery Partner(s).


The Technical Partner is, amongst other things, responsible for:

• the delivery of services in relation to technical advice under their contractual arrangements with the Department;

• working closely with the Department to develop these Guidelines, the Gully Toolbox and the monitoring and evaluation tools;

• providing a technical assessment of the Applications;

• once contracts are awarded, working with Delivery Partner(s) (through the Department), to deliver appropriate Gully remediation actions;

• providing advice on monitoring and evaluating results from management practice changes; and

• evaluating the Programme to provide advice on future Reef Trust programmes and activities.

Figure 2: An example of the relationships between the responsible parties through the Programme

Department of the Environment• Assesses and coordinates moderation of Applications and makes recommendations to the

Minister for the Environment.

• Conduit and coordination of communications between Technical Partner and Delivery Partner(s).

Technical Partner• Provides a technical assessment

of applications.

• Liaises with Delivery Partners following the awarding of contracts, through the Department, to provide advice on approach and on-ground activities.

• Advises on appropriate monitoring and reporting methods and analyses results throughout the project period.

Delivery Partner(s)• Undertakes the project in-line with the Funding

Agreement and is responsible for the delivery of outcomes.

• Liaises with the Technical Partner through the Department, to ensure the latest scientific evidence is included in delivering the project and monitoring and reporting requirements are met.

• Manages relationships and activities involving the landholder (including permissions for access to land).

• Ensures the legacy of activities by considering the management of land adjacent to the gullies.

Landholders*• Provides access to land and in-kind contribution,

where appropriate.

• Agrees to support delivery of activities and objectives.

* this relationship only holds when the Delivery Partner is not the responsbile party for the land where Gully Erosion control is being implemented

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1.4 Grant funding available Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme has up to $5 million (GST exclusive) in grant funding to 30 June 2018. The anticipated split over the three years is:

2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 TOTAL

Anticipated funding (GST exclusive) $1,480,000 $1,700,000 $1,820,000 $5,000,000

1.5 Objectives and outcomesThe objective of the Reef Trust is to:

Provide cost effective, strategic investment which goes above and beyond existing programmes to address key threats to the Great Barrier Reef and catchments for the long-term protection and conservation of the outstanding universal value of the Great Barrier Reef.

This Programme contributes to Outcome 1 of the Reef Trust, aiming to improve the quality of water entering the Great Barrier Reef from broad-scale land use to increase the health and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef. It aligns with the debiting purposes of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (Reef Trust Special Account 2014) Determination 01, specifically clause 7 (1) (a) to make payments for projects to improve water quality and the coastal habitat in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

The objective of the Programme is the long-term reduction in sediment run-off from high risk Gully Erosion areas in the Reef catchments.

The expected outcomes of the Programme are:

• control and prevention of further erosion in areas (as defined in the Gully Toolbox) where Gully Erosion is extensive, active and delivering high rates of sediment into the Reef lagoon;

• integration of science and technical advice to actively inform adaptive management of the Programme; and

• demonstration of cost-effective Gully Erosion control activities.

The success of the Programme will be measured by the following Key Performance Indicators:

• the area of Gully Erosion managed by solutions that:

– reduce erosion of soil from active Gullies (stabilising existing Gullies); and

– prevent new Gullies from forming (rehabilitating areas showing early signs of gullying (rills and scalding));

• the degree of targeting of Programme activities to areas of extensive and active Gully Erosion in priority Management Units;

• the actual and potential physical effectiveness of Programme activities to reduce Gully sediment yield as indicated by monitoring and evaluation;

• demonstration of resilient and cost-effective treatments to grazing industry stakeholders; and

• perception of the Programme by grazing industry and environmental management stakeholders.

1.6 TimingThe Programme will open for Applications on 29 October 2015. To be considered, Applications must be submitted before 2pm Queensland time (AEST) on 26 November 2015 (Closing time). Successful Projects must be able to be completed by 30 June 2018.


Table 2: Indicative timing for implementation of the Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme

Key steps Timing

Applications open 29 October 2015

Applications close 2pm Queensland time (AEST) 26 November 2015

Assessment November 2015

Successful Projects announced December 2015

Funding Agreements offered December 2015 – January 2016

Funding Agreements executed and funding released December 2015 – January 2016

Projects completed By 30 June 2018

Photo: Coral low tide (Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA))

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Part 2: Eligibility

2.1 Eligibility CriteriaTo be eligible for funding under the Programme:

• the Application must, subject to Section 5.2:

9 be received by the Department before the Closing Time, unless otherwise accepted by the Department in accordance with Section 5.1;

9 be submitted on the Programme Application Form;

9 contain completed declarations (see Section 2.2);

9 be certified by the individual applying or, in the case of the Applicant being an organisation, the office holder or an employee with the authority to represent the organisation.

• the Applicant must:

a. be a legal entity able to enter into a Funding Agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia (as represented by the Department of the Environment), for instance:

9 an individual (Australian citizen or permanent resident only);

9 a legally incorporated organisation;

9 a trustee of a trust;

9 a company;

9 a partnership where each of the partners are legal entities;

9 an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation, council or incorporated association;

9 a government-related entity; or

9 an incorporated association or cooperative society, and

b. either:

have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST, if required to be registered by the Australian Tax Office or

provide a Statement by a Supplier prior to entering into a Funding Agreement with the Department, explaining why the Applicant is not required to

have an ABN (using the template available on the ATO website at https://www.ato.gov.au/Business/Australian-business-number/In-detail/Statement-by-a-supplier/).

• the Project must:

9 be able to be completed by 30 June 2018

• the Project Site must:

9 be within the Cape York, Burdekin, Fitzroy and/or Burnett Mary natural resource management regions specified in Section 1.2; and

9 be within the identified Management Unit areas from which Gully Erosion makes high contribution to fine sediment exports to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon (see map in Section 1.2).

A mapping tool is available in the online Application Form. Applicants will be asked to demonstrate that the on-ground works for which funding is being sought are within these eligible areas. Applicants are encouraged to address multiple sites within the Management Unit. For instance, it may be appropriate and more cost-effective to work with multiple adjacent properties which intersect areas of high and medium Gully density. The capacity of the Applicant to deliver over the multiple sites and/or regions, within the required time frame, will be taken into consideration during the Assessment Process. Please refer to the Gully Toolbox for further information.

2.2 Applicant declarations Applicants will be required to make declarations within their Application. Applicants should read the Applicant declarations at the beginning of the Application Form, and the Project declarations at the end of the Application Form prior to filling out an Application to ensure they are eligible to apply and can comply with Programme requirements. Responses to declarations in eligible Applications will be considered in the Assessment Process. Also see Section 7.1 for Applicant Responsibilities.

https://www.ato.gov.au/Business/Australian-business-number/In-detail/Statement-by-a-supplier/




Part 3: What will the programme fund

3.1 Project DesignThe following includes guidance on the characteristics a Project must have to be assessed under the Programme. A Project must:

9 contribute towards Reef Trust Outcome 1—aiming to improve the quality of water entering the Great Barrier Reef from broad-scale land use to increase the health and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef;

9 consist of Project Activities, as described in Section 3.4;

9 be requesting no more than $1 million (GST exclusive) of Programme funding per Management Unit; and

9 commence as soon as practicable after a Funding Agreement is entered into and be able to be completed by 30 June 2018.

3.2 Are multiple Applications allowed?

The Department will only consider one Application for a Project, per Applicant. The Project proposed by the Applicant can detail Sub-Projects in up to 10 Management Units and the Sub-Projects can have multiple Project Sites within each of the Management Unit(s). There cannot be more than one Sub-Project per Management Unit, (ie. maximum number of Sub-Projects for an Application is 10).

If multiple Application Form submissions are received from an Applicant, only the last Application received before the Closing Time will be considered.

3.3 How much funding can be requested per Application?

Up to $5 million (GST exclusive) is available to fund Projects through this Programme from 2015–16 to 2017–18.

Research has indicated that specific Management Units within the four regions have Gullies with higher contribution to sediment export than others. The targeted Management Units are identified in Section 1.2. Funding will be prioritised amongst the priority Management Units in the regions, based on scientific evidence, relating to:

• the total Gully Erosion contribution to fine sediment export (kilotonne per year) to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon;

• the area and length-specific Gully Erosion contribution (tonne per hectare per year and tonne per kilometer per year) of Management Units in each region; and

• the viability to undertake activities in those areas.

Projects may request up to $1 million (GST exclusive) per Management Unit, with consideration of the level of priority of each Management Unit (see Gully Toolbox) when costing activities. While Applicants can request up to $1 million per Management Unit, the total budget available through this Programme is $5 million. For Applicants applying to implement activities in more than one Management Unit, consideration will need to be given to the relative priorities and allocation of funding between the Management Units. There will need to be a reasonable allocation of funding across the Management Units and the Australian Government expects that Applicants will take this into account when applying.

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The final allocations of funding will depend on the quality and variety of Applications received. The Australian Government reserves the right to adjust funding amounts between regions and Management Units. It is possible that Project budget profiles may need to be adjusted to better meet the priorities for investment and the available funding under the Programme. There is no guarantee that all the Management Units included in an Application will be funded.

Where such budget adjustments are anticipated, Applicants will be consulted before Funding Agreements are finalised.

3.4 What Project Activities will the Programme fund?

The range of Project Activities which may be funded under this Programme are listed below. Activities should be implemented mainly within areas mapped as having (high or medium) Gully density (>1% of area) as defined by maps in the Gully Toolbox. Refer to the Gully Toolbox for further details.

9 On-ground activities, are listed below—foundational Project Activities are a pre-requisite for higher cost activities, eg. Activities (i) and (ii) are compulsory at sites where erosion areas are not already fenced off.

i. Control Stock Access:

– fencing to remove or control grazing pressure on and within at least ten metres of Gullies for the primary purpose of Gully Erosion control;

– off creek watering points where this fencing will prevent stock accessing existing perennial surface water and no alternative water points are available;

ii. Revegetation and/or seeding at sites where (i) is undertaken:

– re-establish and improve native perennial herbaceous and woody vegetation around and within Gullies, including weed control if necessary; and

– establish or maintain a high biomass of native perennial vegetation, in areas draining into or within Gullies;

iii. In-Gully works at sites where (i) and (ii) are undertaken: (including but not limited to)

– porous check-dams across drainage lines within Gully channels, to slow runoff and enable deposition of fine sediment, nutrients and seeds;

– minor Gully reshaping works;

– other methods that can be justified as effective to:

� slow runoff into Gullies;

� enhance revegetation of Gullies;

� enable deposition of fine sediment, nutrients and seeds; and

� reduce Gully sediment yields;

iv. Conducting training and extension activities at Project Sites where at least (i) is undertaken:

This is required to support the legacy of Project Activities at Project Sites. Other graziers are encouraged to participate in this training where that helps to achieve Programme objectives. These activities may include:

– training in grazing land management and soil health including pasture spelling and setting stocking rates;

– training in infrastructure management to reduce surface runoff; and

– Voluntary Land Management Agreements or similar instruments to improve and maintain the condition of grazing land draining into or within Gullies, or in non-gullied areas of soil types vulnerable to Gully Erosion.


On-ground Project Activities should be selected and designed for each Project Site so that cost effectiveness and the following are considered:

1. Promotion of native perennial herbaceous and woody revegetation in and around Gully channels by controlling stock access and reducing the slope gradient or increasing hydraulic roughness to trap some fine sediment, nutrients and seeds.

2. Improvement of ground cover and biomass of native perennial herbaceous and woody vegetation in areas draining into Gully features to reduce surface and subsurface runoff by increasing rainfall interception, evapotranspiration, soil moisture storage and runoff detention.

The selection and design of Project Activities for Project Sites should be informed by reference to the associated Gully Toolbox www.environment.gov.au/reef-trust.

9 Within the proposed Project budget, Applicants may include funding for Project administration such as Project planning,Project management meetings and running the Project, however, these costs must be 10 per cent or less of total Project cost. Administrative support and overheads such as:

– Project coordination and planning;

– office accommodation;

– office equipment hire;

– phone/internet costs;

– electricity costs;

– printing/photocopying;

– insurance costs; and

– costs associated with legally required documents such as site searches, permits etc.

will only be funded where the expenses can be clearly demonstrated to be additional to the normal day to day running costs of the organisation and are shown to relate directly to specific Project objectives, measurable outcomes and fit within a defined timeframe.

9 Applicants may also include funding for monitoring and reporting on Project progress and outcomes (including site assessments and other standard reporting requirements outlined in Section 6.4 and the Gully Toolbox). These costs are recommended to be five per cent or less of total Project cost, however due to the nature and scale of this Programme, consideration may be given to requests for more support for monitoring and reporting activities (a higher percentage than five per cent of the total Project cost) to assist with demonstrating outcomes, providing these requests are detailed and well justified in the Application Form.

It should be noted that the Delivery Partner(s) are responsible for the Gully remediation outcomes from activities implemented under this Programme. Delivery Partner(s) are expected to engage with landholders (where the Delivery Partner is not responsible for the land), to target areas with significant Gully Erosion and work with landholders and relevant experts to address the issues.

What Project Activities have Programme funding limitations?

Funding is limited for:

? salaries and labour expenses

The Programme will only fund reasonable salary expenses where these expenses are proven to be directly attributable to the discrete Project and with measurable outputs in a Monitoring and Reporting Plan. Funding for salaried positions related to the normal ongoing operations of an organisation will not be considered. Applications may include requests for funding to engage consultants or contractors with relevant knowledge and/or specialist expertise that is required to complete the Project. If the estimated cost of such work is more than $10,000 [GST exclusive], three written quotes must be obtained. A detailed description of the activities these people will undertake will be required. In all cases, contact, relevant experience and qualification details


11

of consultants/contractors must be held by/provided to the Delivery Partner and provided to the Department or any other authority, if requested;

? purchase of equipment

Any purchase of plant and equipment must be cleared with the Department and may be approved only where it is considered essential to the achievement of Project outcomes. Funding to lease such equipment must also be cleared with the Department and may be considered where it is essential to the completion of on-ground works or to achieve specific Project activities;

? food and accommodation

Food and accommodation expenses will not be funded unless it is demonstrated that these are essential to achieving specific Project outputs detailed in the Monitoring and Reporting Plan;

? domestic travel

Funding for domestic travel will only be considered where it is considered essential to the success of the Project, and it is demonstrated that this travel would contribute to specific Project outputs included in the Monitoring and Reporting Plan;

? hire of vehicles

Hire or leasing of vehicles will only be funded where it can be demonstrated that this is essential to completing specific Project phases or outputs detailed in the Monitoring and Reporting Plan;

? road drainage

Erosion remediation around roads or track drainage will only be funded where necessary to control very severe gullying. In this instance considerable co-contributions are expected; and

? seeding of areas draining to Gully heads but outside of Gully fencing

Seeding as a part of remediation may be funded however where extensive seeding is likely to have a private benefit (i.e. in grazed paddocks surrounding the Gully fencing), co-contributions are expected.

3.5 What Activities will NOT be funded?

Funding will not be provided for:

8 activities outside the priority catchment Management Units in Section 1.2;

8 extension and training activities, other than at sites where physical Gully remediation activities are in the process of occurring or have occurred;

8 activities which are retrospective—activities that have been completed or commenced but not yet completed before entering into a Funding Agreement with the Department;

8 activities required to be carried out by law or by a private contractual obligation;

8 activities that are the responsibility or business of state, territory or local governments or of private land managers, including activities that are a legislative and regulatory responsibility (e.g. managing or controlling certain weeds or compliance activities). These activities may be undertaken in conjunction with funded activities provided they align with Programme priorities and the Application identifies non-Australian Government funding for that part of the Project;

8 activities required as compliance or government business or are part of an approval under Commonwealth, state or territory legislation, for example the provision of an environmental offset under the EPBC Act;

8 activities likely to have a significant adverse impact on any matter of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act;

8 activities likely to have significant adverse impact on Indigenous cultural heritage and have not received approval for the activities through relevant state or territory legislative requirements;

8 planting species that are known to be, or are potential, environmental or agricultural weeds;

8 activities that are primarily for the purpose of beautifying or improving amenity (e.g. landscaping picnic tables, shelters and paving);


8 applied research, tool building and/or modelling approaches except where it is demonstrably required to achieve on-ground outcomes in line with Programme priorities and during the life of the Project;

8 the purposes of political or ideological advocacy (e.g. protesting against a development);

8 assets unless identified in the budget table in the Application Form and agreed to by the Department. Delivery Partner(s) will be required to seek approval in writing from the Department prior to using Programme funds for any additional asset purchases not identified in the original Application Form;

8 primary monitoring, modeling or research based activities not part of or subordinate to an on-ground Project;

8 purchase of vehicles;

8 international travel;

8 volunteer labour;

8 devolved grants, where the Applicant applies for funds to distribute or pay for activities done by unidentified or broadly identified stakeholders according to the Applicant’s own criteria.

3.6 Applicant/third party contributions

A contribution (cash or in-kind) from the Applicant and/or a third party towards the Project is not essential. Should Gullies be located on private land, landholders are required to continue to manage their land to control weeds and stock access, and therefore provide a cash or In-kind Contribution into the future. Any cash or In-kind Contributions (such as labor and time) are encouraged as they will be considered in a value for money assessment of the Application.

What expenses are limited as Applicant/third party contributions?

The following have limitations as Applicant/third party contributions to the Project:

? salaries and labour expenses

Reasonable salary expenses where these expenses are not proven to be directly attributable to the Project with measurable outputs in a Monitoring and Reporting Plan and are related to the normal ongoing operations of an organisation. Third party In-kind Contribution of labour should be calculated at no more than the award wage for that activity/profession;

? administrative support and overheads

Administrative support and overheads (Section 3.4) where these expenses are not clearly demonstrated to be additional to the normal day-to-day running costs of the organisation and are not shown in the Monitoring and Reporting Plan to relate directly to specific Project objectives, measurable outcomes and fit within a defined timeframe; and

? purchase of equipment/building infrastructure

Purchase and/or hire of plant and equipment and/or building of infrastructure where it is not proven that it is considered essential to the achievement of specific Project outcomes.

What expenses are not Applicant/third party contributions?

The following will not be accepted as Applicant/third party contributions to the Project:

8 funds from this Programme or other Australian Government programmes; and

8 expenses for work you have already undertaken or plan to undertake after the timeframe for the Project.

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Part 4: Application and project considerations

4.1 Project Planning and management

As an Applicant for funding under the Programme, you are required to:

• be able to obtain the written consent of the property owner(s) or property manager(s) to implement the Project, where you do not own or manage the Project Site(s), before beginning implementation at this site;

• have or be able to obtain, where relevant, the support of the traditional owners and/or local Indigenous organisation and provide evidence of this support to the Department on request;

• be willing to meet with the Technical Partner and the Department to develop the Monitoring and Reporting Plan and discuss the implementation of initial activities following entering into a Funding Agreement;

• prior to initial activity implementation, and subsequently on an ongoing basis during the 6 monthly reporting period, provide the Department and Technical Partner with Project Site initial monitoring and designs for review prior to intended commencement of those on-ground works, including site locations, land surface and gully vegetation cover and condition, estimated gully depth and erosion rate, maps and designs of on-ground activities, the estimated cost of sediment reduction (dollars per tonne per year), and landholder perspective of activities, referring to the Gully Toolbox, and consider and respond to their advice in relation to refining the approach, activities, monitoring and reporting;

• undertake and report on monitoring of Project Sites regarding works completion, land surface and gully vegetation cover and condition, landholder practices and perspectives of activities, and learnings;

• ensure that you have all the necessary resources (that is, your financial and/or In-kind Contributions) to undertake the Project. This may include materials, equipment and technical advice/expertise;

• ensure your Project complies with all requirements set out in any applicable Commonwealth, state or territory, or local government legislation and regulations;

• ensure all necessary planning, regulatory or other approvals and/or permits are in place prior to the agreed date of commencement, including approvals associated with the protection of Indigenous cultural heritage. These agreements are a necessary condition for work to proceed and therefore must be available to the Department;

• undertake a risk assessment for the Project, identify appropriate strategies for reducing or managing risks and be prepared to implement appropriate mitigation strategies;

• consider any potential biosecurity risks (the risk of spreading pests and diseases) relevant to the Project, and how these risks could be minimised;

• provide a safe working environment and appropriate safety equipment for all Project participants and ensuring safe access to Project Sites where work is being carried out, in line with the relevant Commonwealth, state or territory work health and safety legislation;

• hold appropriate insurance, as relevant, during the Funding Agreement period and as long after as required by the Funding Agreement;

• facilitate local grazing community support for and engagement in the Project as appropriate;

• manage grazing within the Project Site(s) where such grazing would be detrimental to the establishment, condition and survival of vegetation;


• be prepared for the regions climatic conditions and plan on-ground works accordingly;

• minimise the disturbance to native herbaceous or woody vegetation whilst implementing Project Activities and consider how fire management may be implemented to maintain perennial vegetation composition; and

• consider how the Project outcomes will be managed over the long-term and incorporate methods to enable legacy.

4.2 Mapping An outline of the areas that Project Activities will be implemented must be included in the Mapping Tool in the Application Form. The precision of mapping may vary depending on the detail of the information available about gullied areas.

Using the Mapping Tool in the Application Form, it is preferable that you create Mapping Polygons showing the best estimate of the area to be addressed. Instructions are provided from the link in the Application Form. If this isn’t possible, at a minimum, the Mapping Polygons should indicate the proposed areas where you plan to seek landholder agreement to undertake Project Activities (eg. this may be at a whole of farm scale), and an estimate of the gully area to be covered by the specified activities.

The Mapping Polygons provided in the Application Form will be used in the Assessment Process to determine the Eligibility of the Sub-Project.

Photo: Coral, fish, of the Great Barrier Reef (Paradise Ink) © copyright Department of the Environment and Paradise Ink

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Part 5: Application and assessment process

5.1 How to applyThe Application period opens 29 October 2015 and closes 2pm Queensland time (AEST) on 26 November 2015 (Closing Time).

Use the following process to submit an Application for funding:

1. Read these Guidelines, the declarations at the end of the Application Form, the Gully Toolbox, and any other relevant information made available on the Department’s website www.environment.gov.au/reef-trust.

2. Complete the online Application Form, available at www.environment.gov.au/reef-trust. Only one Application addressing up to 10 Management Units per Applicant, will be assessed.

3. Submit the completed Application Form online prior to Closing Time. Please ensure that you retain a copy of your Application and a record of the Application submission number. Please do not email an Application Form to the Department, as emailed Applications may not be accepted.

It is advised that Applicants allow extra time to correct any errors or omissions in the electronic Application Form that may be brought to the attention of the Applicant upon attempting to submit. Please contact the Department well before Closing Time if any assistance is required to complete the form or correct errors.

If, for any reason, you cannot submit your Application online, it is your responsibility to contact the Department by phone on 1800 852 975 or by email at [email protected] to make alternative arrangements and to ensure that the Application is received at the Department’s address in Canberra before the Closing Time.

Please note that each downloaded Application Form has a unique identifier embedded into it as a means to exclude duplicate submissions.

If you have made arrangements with the Department to submit a hard copy Application Form it must be received by the Department before Closing Time. If you believe your Application may not arrive before this time, please contact the Department on 1800 852 975.

Hard copy Applications are to be posted or delivered as follows:

Post to:

Reef Trust Biodiversity Conservation Division Department of the Environment GPO Box 787, CANBERRA ACT 2601

Courier deliveries to:

Reef Trust Biodiversity Conservation Division Department of the Environment Reception, John Gorton Building King Edward Terrace, PARKES ACT 2601

Where an Application is submitted by an organisation (that is, not an individual), submission of the Application Form electronically will mean the Application Form is deemed to have been signed and approved by an authorised officer of that organisation. Where an organisation has arranged with the Department to submit a hard copy Application, it must be signed and approved by an authorised officer of the organisation before submission.

Amendments to submitted Applications

Amendments to submitted Application Forms should only be made before the Closing Time. If you need to alter your Application before the Closing Time, please contact the Department by email on [email protected]. A new Application with the altered information will need to be submitted by the Applicant with a written request from the

http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/gbr/reef-trust


mailto:[email protected]



Applicant for the Department to withdraw the original Application received.

The Department has no obligation to accept amendments to submitted Application Forms after the Closing Time. Any requested changes will be considered by the Department however, the decision to accept or reject the requested change will be made at the Department’s discretion and will be final. This does not remove Applicant’s obligations regarding the accuracy of their Application.

The Department may, at its sole discretion, extend the Application period. Any such extension will be communicated via the Department’s website.

It is each Applicant’s responsibility to ensure all information required in the Application Form is received by the Department before the Closing Time.

Applicants are responsible for all costs incurred in the preparation and lodgement of an Application and in respect of any discussions, enquiries or work undertaken prior to signing a Funding Agreement.

Departmental representatives are available to provide information on factual matters. If you have any questions about the Application process or other aspects of the Programme, please contact the Department on:

Phone: 1800 852 975

Email: [email protected]

What to include

All Applications will be assessed on the basis of information provided in the Application Form. Please read the Guidelines and Gully Toolbox carefully and refer to the Frequently Asked Questions and/or contact the Department, if you are unsure of anything. It is important that your Application provides all the relevant information requested as Applications will be assessed based on the information provided in the Application only.

The information requested includes, but is not limited to, full details of the proposed approach, including an explanation of the extent, specification and location of Project Activities to be undertaken in the

Management Units, justification of why the proposed Project Activities are cost-effective relative to realistic alternatives or other locations, capacity to deliver, partnerships to be formed, a budget that indicates the total estimated cost of the proposed work, and any other sources of funding sought or provided, such as cash or In-kind Contributions. You should also ensure that your Application addresses each of the Eligibility Criteria.

Applicants should consider all potential risks to the Project and be able to identify and be prepared to implement appropriate mitigation strategies. Applicants are required to conduct a self assessment of the potential risks in conducting their Projects as part of the Application Form.

Please refer to the Gully Toolbox at www.environment.gov.au/reef-trust for further details on what to include in your Application.

5.2 Late ApplicationsSubject to this section, to be eligible for consideration, Applications must be received by the Department before the Closing Time.

Any Application received by the Department after the Closing Time (if lodged electronically or delivered by post or courier), will be considered late and will be registered separately.

The Department has no obligation to accept a late Application. The Department may consider admitting late Applications under extenuating circumstances. An explanation of extenuating circumstances should be provided in writing to [email protected]. Any decision by the Department to accept or not accept a late Application is at the Department’s absolute discretion and will be final.

5.3 Assessment Criteria The Assessment Criteria set out in the table below will be used when assessing the merit of the Applications. During the Assessment Process, each Sub-Project will receive scores out of 10 against each of the Assessment Criteria which contribute to an overall score.



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Table 3: Applications will be competitively scored and ranked using these Assessment Criteria

Assessment Criteria Considerations

1. Demonstrated an appropriate and adequately justified approach to Gully remediation

In assessing the appropriateness of the approach and the justifications, consideration will be given to the following factors:

1.1 the Project aligns with the Programme outcomes and Key Performance Indicators in Section 1.5;

1.2 the Application demonstrates alignment between the proposed Activities and the Guidelines and the Gully Toolbox and has demonstrated familiarity with relevant studies, publications and approaches to Gully Erosion control;

1.3 demonstrated capacity to select and design appropriate Activities to suit a range of landscape types;

1.4 consideration and design of the on-ground activities detailed in the Gully Toolbox, with respect to relevant environmental, natural resource management, or conservation plans, Projects, initiatives, programmes or advice (examples of relevant plans and strategies are listed in Appendix B);

1.5 the area or length of Gully Erosion features that will be treated by the requested funding (Activity output targets in Application Form);

1.6 the location of the Project Sites are targeted within areas with higher density of Gully Erosion (as per the Mapping Tool), or otherwise to achieve cost-effective Gully Erosion control (define sites or target areas using the mapping tool available in the Application Form – see Section 2.1); and

1.7 the degree of engagement with stakeholders and the community, and the sharing of knowledge to contribute to the long-term success of the Project and broader uptake of Gully remediation activities.

2. Demonstrated capacity to deliver

In assessing the capacity of the Applicant to deliver, consideration will be given to how the Applicant has demonstrated that:

2.1 the Project Activities will be delivered to an adequate standard;

2.2 the Project has sound oversight and that contractual obligations can be met;

2.3 the governance arrangements for the Project are sufficient, including appropriateness for the scale and type of Project, how the Applicant will deliver the Project outcomes on time and within budget, and capacity for reporting;

2.4 the extent of the Applicant’s knowledge, skills and past experience in efficiently and effectively delivering environmental projects, including government grants, and how the Applicant’s skills, capacity and resources will successfully deliver the Project;

2.5 the technical capacity of organisations to deliver works and/or the technical expertise sourced;

2.6 the way in which relevant partnerships will operate administratively and practically and the benefit they will provide to the Project. If relevant, how any collaboration between Project partners and/or across multiple tenures will be managed; and

2.7 the likelihood of the Applicant receiving all necessary approvals, including the permission of private landholders and regulatory approvals.


Assessment Criteria Considerations

3. Likelihood of success and risk management

The Application should demonstrate sound risk consideration, including:

3.1 that potential risks to the Project have been considered and appropriate mitigation strategies prepared; and

3.2 that the Project is reasonably likely to succeed in achieving its stated aims having regard to planning undertaken, proposed resources, time, expertise, delivery mechanism and activities, and any risks, including relating to Work Health and Safety.

The extent the Application demonstrates commitment to the ongoing management of the Gullies once remediation is complete, with consideration given to:

3.3 how the Project Site(s) will be managed over time to reduce erosion;

3.4 methodology to ensure remediated Gullies remain protected on private land;

3.5 additional commitments to the ongoing management of the Project through, for example, financial contributions, other significant in-kind contributions from third parties or Project partners, a commitment to long term ecological monitoring or Voluntary Land Management Agreements; and

3.6 any other strategies which contribute to ongoing management in the maintenance of Gully Erosion works.

4. Value for money The Application should demonstrate that the total Sub-Project budget represents good value for money, taking into account whether:

4.1 the Sub-Project budget contains an adequate level of detail;

4.2 the area or length of Gully Erosion that will be controlled by the Activities;

4.3 the Sub-Project budget is consistent with the Activities which will be funded and estimated costs provided in the Gully Toolbox;

4.4 the funding requested is adequately justified with respect to the Sub-Project’s scale, Sub-Project Site location(s) and intended outcomes;

4.5 the Sub-Project budget meets the criteria in these Guidelines in terms of exclusions for certain items; and

4.6 the level of financial and/or In-kind Contribution to be provided by the Applicant, Project partners, third parties or other sources is relevant and reasonable. Such contributions may include:

– Site landholder participation in training relevant to grazing land management and forage management;

– Site landholder participation in land management agreement including routine maintenance of fences for at least five years; and

– Site landholder co-contribution to on-ground works (not essential).

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5.4 Assessment ProcessThe Department is committed to ensuring that the process for funding Projects under the Programme is fair and in accordance with the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines. The Assessment Process will be overseen by an independent probity advisor to ensure processes are robust, transparent and equitable.

Receipt and registration

Once an online Application is submitted, an automatic receipt will be generated. For hard copy Applications, Applicants will be notified in writing to confirm the Department’s receipt of the Application.

Eligibility of Applications

All Applications will undergo an eligibility assessment to confirm that all Eligibility Criteria have been met (Section 2.1). Applications that do not meet the Eligibility Criteria will be deemed ineligible and will not be recommended for funding.

Assessment

Applications will be assessed in a competitive, merit based process, on the extent to which they address the Assessment Criteria. This assessment will determine whether the eligible Application represents an efficient, effective, economical and ethical use of Commonwealth resources, as required by Commonwealth legislation, and whether any specific requirements will need to be imposed as a condition of funding.

All eligible Applications will be assessed against the Assessment Criteria and ranked on their merit, based on information provided in the Application Form and relative to other Applications with the same focus. Each of the Management Units will be assessed as a separate Application and compared with all other Applications at the Management Unit level, including the general questions not specific to the Management Unit. The Applicant’s response to the declaration requirements will also be considered (Section 2.2).

Applications for funding will be assessed by an Australian Government officer (which may include staff from various Commonwealth agencies) and the Technical Partner.

Assessors may, as required, seek additional advice to assist in making their assessment, including information about the Applicant such as the Applicant’s previous performance in similar programmes. Advice may be sought from within the Department, or across the Australian Government, as required. This advice may include spatial information or other data held by the Australian Government that is relevant to the Assessment Process. Applicants should provide accurate Mapping Polygons of the Sub-Project Sites (using the mapping tool provided in the Application Form) to ensure accuracy in spatial assessment of the proposed Sub-Project Activities against Criterion 1.

Policy advice on the adequacy of Applications may also be sought from relevant Australian and Queensland Government Departments.

Moderation Panel

A Moderation Panel, which may consist of Australian Government officials, Queensland Government and the Technical Partner, will consider the assessed Applications as a package prior to advice being provided to the Minister. In order to fully consider the benefits and risks of an Application, the Moderation Panel may also take into account other factors, including for example:

• commitments made by the Australian Government;

• the focus of Projects relative to the funding available;

• the distribution of proposed Projects across the four regions and Management Units;

• effective partnerships and collaboration in achieving erosion outcomes across the landscape;

• the extent to which Applications complement and support Projects already funded and/or other Applications submitted in the round;

• the spatial and environmental context, including climatic factors and landscape use;

• socio-economic factors which may influence outcomes; and

• the balance of organisation and Project types.


The Australian Government reserves the right to run additional funding rounds or activities relating to the Programme in the event that gaps remain in the Programme or additional funding is sourced.

The Moderation Panel may make recommended adjustments to Applications where a realignment of Sub-Project Activities or budget would better meet Programme outcomes. Opportunities to refine the scope, scale, funding amount and/or funding profile of high quality Sub-Projects to better achieve the Programme outcomes may also be identified through the Assessment Process. The Australian Government may also seek alignment with complementary Sub-Projects in order to maximise outcomes. This will be discussed with Applicants, where relevant, following the final approval of funding.

The Department may contact Applicants during the Assessment Process to seek clarification about the Application, especially where the information provided in the Application is ambiguous or where contradictory statements are made. The Department reserves the right to accept or disregard additional information provided by the Applicant and will not consider responses which materially improve or amend an Applicant’s original Application.

The Department reserves the right to, at its absolute discretion, exclude from further consideration those Applications that do not contain sufficient information on which to make an assessment.

Final approval of Funding

Following the deliberations of the Moderation Panel, the Department will provide advice to the Minister on the merits of each Application for final approval of funding.

The Minister will consider the recommended Applications, relative to the funding available. The Minister will make the final determination on which Applications receive funding and no further negotiations will be entered into. For Projects with multiple Management Units, the Minister may approve selected Management Unit Sub-Projects within the Application.

The Department may, at its sole and absolute discretion, revisit the Assessment Process in exceptional circumstances.

In selecting Applications to receive funding, the Minister may select strategic or exceptional Projects from outside the competitive funding round, provided such projects meet the objectives of the Programme.

The competitive nature of the Programme means that not all eligible Applications may be funded.

Notification of assessment outcomes

After the Minister has approved Applications for funding, all Applicants will be informed in writing (via email or mail) whether or not their Application has been successful. All Applicants may request feedback on their Application (see Part 8 for the Department’s contact details).

The identity of successful Applicants will be published on the Department’s website, usually once a formal announcement is made.

Nothing in these Guidelines is to be construed as to give rise to any contractual obligations, express or implied. No conduct or statement made by the Department or the Minister prior to the execution of a Funding Agreement between the Department and a successful Applicant is to be construed as giving rise to a contract or undertaking of any kind (including without limitation, an undertaking that could give rise to an action in negligence or estoppel).

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Part 6: Conditions of funding

6.1 The Funding AgreementSuccessful Applicants must enter into a legally binding Funding Agreement with the Commonwealth Government within the timeframe specified in the letter of offer provided to successful Applicants.

The sample Funding Agreement sets out the general reporting, promotional and auditing terms under which funding is provided and will apply to all successful Applications. Additional funding requirements may vary between Projects and will be outlined in the Project schedule. A sample Funding Agreement is available on the Department’s website at www.environment.gov.au/reef-trust.

6.2 Commencement date The Project commencement date is the date that the signed (by the official contact) Funding Agreement is countersigned by the Australian Government delegate (the Funding Agreement is ‘executed’). The Department will work with successful Applicants with the aim of having Funding Agreements in place during January 2016. A copy of the executed Grant Contract will be returned to successful Applicants for their records.

6.3 Payment of fundingFollowing the execution of the Funding Agreement, funds will be paid in accordance with the agreed milestones and payment schedules, provided any conditions required before the commencement of Projects are met, as set out in the Funding Agreement.

A Delivery Partner must not commence work on the Project before a Funding Agreement is executed. Payment will not be backdated for activities that commenced before the execution of the Funding Agreement, and no payments will be made unless a Funding Agreement has been executed. The Funding Agreement will provide for the Department to seek repayment of funds that are found not to have been spent in accordance with the purposes specified in the Funding Agreement.

Before any payments are made, Delivery Partner(s) will be required to provide:

• evidence of meeting the associated obligations of the Funding Agreement through the monitoring and reporting processes; and

• any other conditions of payment (e.g. evidence of purchase of equipment, satisfactory progress report, approvals, other documentation etc).

6.4 Monitoring, reporting, record keeping and acquittal

In line with standard Australian Government audit and evaluation requirements, all funded Projects will be subject to financial and performance monitoring and evaluation to ensure that they are meeting specified milestones and performance indicators as detailed in the associated Funding Agreement.

Monitoring and reporting requirements are detailed on the website at www.nrm.gov.au/my-project/monitoring-and-reporting and in the Gully Toolbox (www.environment.gov.au/reef-trust). Information about how to register and use the Department’s online reporting tool as well as information about other reporting requirements will be sent to you as soon as possible after the Project commencement date.

Delivery Partner(s) are required to provide the following information and reports to the Australian Government, and additional information on request:

• an online Monitoring and Reporting Plan and Project activity schedule when the Project begins using the Department’s online MERI Tool (MERIT);

• an online progress report every six months during the Project. Some of this information may be made available to the public. Information required to be provided may include, where relevant (further details in the Gully Toolbox):

– Site characteristics, maps, design overviews and costs of on-ground activities planned for the coming period, and expected sediment reductions as described in the Gully Toolbox;


http://www.nrm.gov.au/my-project/monitoring-and-reporting

http://www.nrm.gov.au/my-project/monitoring-and-reporting



– Monitoring of surface and gully vegetation cover and condition including photos, before and after gully control activities in treated gullies at each site and in nearby non-treated (control) gullies, and landholder perspectives of activities, using templates provided; and

– Paddock to Reef grazing benchmarking questions, undertaken with the landholder;

• annual financial reports and annual independently audited financial statement(s); and

• a final Project report, due within 40 business days of the agreed completion date for the Project, providing evidence of practical completion and demonstrating the results and expenditure of your Project on completion.

Given the nature and scale of the Programme, you will be asked to provide specific data and other evidence as part of your reporting requirements, in a manner agreed and specified in the Funding Agreement. Evidence will include tangible demonstration of achievement of Project Activities in the approved Monitoring and Reporting Plan and photographic evidence of the progress and completion of funded Project Activities.

You will be required to keep written records of the delivery of Project Activities and monitor the results. This information will help you to evaluate and report on the success of your Project. Staff from the Department and the Technical Partner may contact Delivery Partner(s) to check how a Project is progressing, or to arrange a visit to the Project Site. You must also keep proper accounting records for all Project costs, including cash and In-kind Contributions. You will have to account for your expenditure of Programme funds received.

Delivery Partner(s) will be required to map their Project Sites and monitor and report on Project Activities and Outcomes. Project information such as the outputs, outcomes and location of Project Activities may be made public in line with the Principles on open public sector information, available at www.oaic.gov.au/information-policy/information-policy-resources/information-policy-agency-resources/principles-on-open-public-sector-information.

Meeting the required reporting obligations within the given timeframe is essential to ensure the continuation of funding.

General guidance provided for the amount of funds for monitoring and reporting requirements is five per cent of the total project cost. Given that this Programme is a proof of concept which may be extended following an evaluation of effectiveness, Applicants can request a reasonable level of additional support (a higher percentage than five per cent of the total Project cost) for monitoring and reporting, and the justifications for and validity of this request will be considered through the Assessment Process. Further information regarding monitoring and reporting requirements can be found in the Gully Toolbox.

6.5 Project delaysIn the event of Project delays the Funding Agreement will require the Delivery Partner(s) to notify the Department in writing of the delay, setting out the reason for the delay and the method and timeline for rectification of the delay. The Department will work with Delivery Partner(s) to ensure that, wherever possible, delays can be rectified and do not result in the termination of the Project.

6.6 Project review If, during the life of the Funding Agreement, a Delivery Partner organisation undergoes a significant change to its organisational structure, resources, or circumstances, such as an amalgamation with another organisation, the Department may carry out a review and assess whether the Project governed by a Funding Agreement continues to represent value for money. Following that review, the Department may:

• reduce the amount of funding payments or the scope of the Project to help complete the Project efficiently; and

• terminate the relevant Funding Agreement if the Project is no longer considered to represent value for money.

http://www.oaic.gov.au/information-policy/information-policy-resources/information-policy-agency-resources/principles-on-open-public-sector-information




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6.7 Tax implicationsThe Goods and Services Tax (GST) is generally applicable to Funding Agreements where the Applicant is registered for GST or required to be and the payment is considered subject to GST. If you’re unsure of the GST status of your organisation and any associated implications, please contact the Australian Taxation Office or seek independent advice. GST will be applied to payments based on the Delivery Partner’s GST status at the time of Application unless the Department is notified of a change at the time of entering into a Funding Agreement.

Please be aware that there may be tax implications resulting from receipt of grant funds. It is strongly recommended that Applicants consult the Australian Taxation Office or seek professional advice on any taxation implications that may arise from participation in the Programme.

6.8 InsuranceSuccessful Applicants must ensure that, at the time of entering into the Funding Agreement the relevant legal entity holds the required insurance(s) for the level and duration specified in the Funding Agreement. The Department may require the Delivery Partner(s) to provide copies of the relevant certificates of currency for their insurance.

6.9 Promotion and publicitySuccessful Applicants must agree to acknowledge Australian Government and Reef Trust support. Any signage or publications related to the Project must carry an appropriate Australian Government and Reef Trust logos (Reef Trust Branding Guidelines advising on the promotion of Projects will be supplied to Delivery Partner(s)). The Australian Government reserves the right to publicly disclose information about the Project in any promotional material in a manner agreed and specified in the Funding Agreement.

Photo: Wetland in northern Queensland (Andrew Heaney) © copyright Department of the Environment


Part 7: Rights and responsibilities

7.1 Applicant rights and responsibilities

General obligations

It is the responsibility of the Applicant to:

9 fully and properly inform themselves of the requirements of the Programme, these Guidelines, and the requirements of the Application process;

9 ensure that their Application is complete and accurate, as the Department is not obliged to request additional or missing information;

9 ensure their Application is received by the Department before the Closing Time;

9 identify any information contained within their Application, which they consider should be treated as confidential and provide reasons for the request (noting the Department will not be in breach of any confidentiality obligations where disclosure is required as authorised in Section 7.3);

9 keep a copy of their Application and any attachments for their records; and

9 after submitting their Application, inform the Department of any changes to their circumstances, which may affect their Application or their eligibility for funding under the Programme.

Conflict of interest

Applicants are required to declare as part of their Application, existing or perceived conflicts of interest that would, or may impact on, or prevent the Applicant proceeding with the Project or any Funding Agreement it may enter into with the Australian Government.

Where an Applicant subsequently identifies that an actual, apparent, or potential conflict of interest exists or might arise in relation to their Application for funding, the Applicant must inform the Department in writing immediately.

A conflict of interest may exist, for example, if the Applicant or any of its personnel:

• has a relationship (whether professional, commercial or personal) with a party who is able to influence the Application Assessment Process, such as a departmental staff member;

• has a relationship with, or interest in, an organisation, which is likely to interfere with or restrict the Applicant in carrying out the proposed activities fairly and independently; and

• has a relationship with, or interest in, an organisation from which they will receive personal gain as a result of the granting of funding under the Programme.

Risk, costs and expense

The Applicant’s participation in any stage of the Application process, or in relation to any matter concerning the process, is at the Applicant’s sole risk, cost and expense. The Department will not be responsible for any costs or expenses incurred by an Applicant in preparing or lodging an Application or in taking part in the process or the Programme. Delivery Partner(s) will be fully responsible for implementing and delivering their Projects funded under the Programme.

The Australian Government will not accept responsibility for any misunderstanding arising from the failure by the Applicant to comply with these Guidelines, or arising from any discrepancies, ambiguities, inconsistencies or errors in their Application or in these Guidelines.

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False and misleading information

Applicants are entirely responsible for the accuracy of all information submitted in their Application. If Applicants knowingly provide inadequate, false or misleading information, the Application may be excluded from the Assessment Process. Applicants should be aware that the giving of false or misleading information is a serious offence under the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

If an Applicant discovers any material discrepancy, ambiguity, inconsistency or error in their Application, they must immediately bring it to the attention of the Department via [1800 852 975] or via email to [email protected].

The Department may request further information from an Applicant and allow an Applicant to remedy any discrepancy, ambiguity, inconsistency or error in an Application. The Department reserves the right to accept or disregard clarification information provided by an Applicant, and will not consider clarification information that materially improves or amends an Applicant’s original Application. Projects may be terminated if it is identified that false or misleading information was provided in an Application.

7.2 The Australian Government’s rights and responsibilities

The Australian Government is committed to ensuring the process for providing funding under Programmes is fair and in accordance with published Guidelines.

Fairness and impartiality: Applicants will be treated equally and have the same opportunity to access information and advice;

Consistency and transparency of process: Applications will be evaluated in a systematic manner against explicit predetermined Assessment Criteria;

Security and confidentiality: the processes adopted for receiving and managing Applicant information will ensure the security and confidentiality of information, as appropriate;

Identification and resolution of potential conflicts of interest: staff involved in the Application and Assessment Process are required to declare and address any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest prior to providing any advice or assessment; and

Circumstances for waiving/amending criteria or process: the Australian Government is committed to ensuring that the Programme is transparent and in accordance with published Guidelines. The Australian Government, however, reserves the right to amend these Guidelines by whatever means it may determine at its absolute discretion and will, where possible, provide reasonable notice of these amendments. The Government also reserves the right to vary, suspend or terminate the Assessment Process at any time and at its absolute discretion.

Guidelines may be varied from time to time by the Australian Government as the needs of the Programme dictate. Amended Guidelines will be published on the Department’s website. The Australian Government also reserves the right to invite Applications outside of the timeframes outlined in these Guidelines to meet Programme needs.

The Department will not accept responsibility for any misunderstanding arising from the failure by an Applicant to comply with these Guidelines, or arising from any discrepancies, ambiguities, inconsistencies or errors in their Application.

These Programme Guidelines have been developed giving consideration to the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines 2014 and the Department’s Disability Action Plan.



7.3 Disclosure Applicants must identify any information contained within their Application, which they consider should be treated as confidential and provide reasons for the request.

The Department will only consider a request for confidentiality where:

• the information to be protected is identified in specific rather than global terms

• the information is by its nature confidential; and

• disclosure would cause detriment to the parties concerned.

The Department is subject to the legislative and administrative accountability and transparency requirements of the Australian Government, including disclosure to the Parliament and its Committees. Notwithstanding any obligation of confidentiality, the Department may disclose, or allow at any time the disclosure of, any information contained in or relating to any Application:

• to its advisers, employees or internal management for purposes related to the Application and Assessment Processes, including to evaluate or otherwise assess Applications and manage any resultant arrangements;

• to the responsible Minister;

• in response to a request by a House or a Committee of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia;

• within the Department, or with another agency, where this serves the Australian Government’s legitimate interests;

• where the information is authorised or required by law to be disclosed, noting that information submitted to the Australian Government is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) and its requirements; and

• where the information is already in the public domain otherwise than due to a breach of any relevant confidentiality obligation by the Australian Government.

In submitting an Application, Applicants consent to the Department using the information submitted for the above mentioned purposes, for administering, monitoring and evaluating the Programme and any other incidental or related purpose.

Applicants should be aware if they are successful, Commonwealth policy requires the Department to publish information on its website about Delivery Partner(s), including but not limited to the:

• name of the person or entity receiving the funding

• title and purpose of the Project

• amount of funding awarded

• term of the funding

• funding location.

By submitting an Application, the Applicant consents to publication of the above information by the Department if they are granted support through the Programme.

The Department will store and use the personal information collected by it in compliance with its obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Applicants may access or correct personal information by either emailing the Department at [email protected] or sending a letter to the Department’s postal address.

Information collected may also be used in research on the Programme’s effectiveness. This research may be published. The Australian National Audit Office may also request access to all relevant activity files.

All information submitted to the Australian Government is subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) and the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

7.4 PrivacyAll personal information included in an Application is protected by law, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), and is collected by the Australian Government Department of the Environment for the assessment and administration of the Programme. This information is required to process your Application.

The personal information may be used by the Department or given to other parties where you have agreed or it is required or authorized by law.

More information about the way in which the Department will manage personal information, including the Department’s privacy policy, can be obtained by requesting a copy from the Department or at www.environment.gov.au/privacy-policy.


http://www.environment.gov.au/privacy-policy

27

Part 8: Enquiries and complaints All enquiries will be handled consistent with the Department’s Service Charter 2014–16, available from the Department’s website www.environment.gov.au.

The Department is committed to best practice in relation to resolving disputes and/or complaints. Should a problem or complaint be identified, please contact the Department via email to [email protected] or by post to:

Reef Trust Biodiversity Conservation Division Department of the Environment GPO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601

The complaint will be managed in line with the Department’s Complaints Management Policy. The Department is committed to consistent, fair and confidential handling of complaints and to resolving complaints as quickly as possible. Feedback and complaints will be handled impartially and in a confidential manner.

Photo: Beef cattle grazing in Queensland (Arthur Mostead) © copyright Department of the Environment and Arthur Mostead

http://www.environment.gov.au



Appendix A: Glossary

Term Definition

AEST Australian Eastern Standard Time, which at the time of this Application period will be Queensland time.

Applicant An entity that makes an Application for funding under the Programme. An Applicant may become a Delivery Partner should their Project be awarded funding.

Application An Application for funding under the Programme to deliver specified Gully remediation activities.

Application Form The Programme grant funding Application Form, available at www.environment.gov.au/reef-trust, or a hard copy version of that form as provided for by Section 5.1 of these Guidelines.

Assessment Criteria The assessment criteria to be used to assess Applications as described in Section 5.3 of these Guidelines.

Assessment Process The process that will be used to assess Applications as described in Part 5 of these Guidelines.

Australian Business Number (ABN)

An Australian Business Number (ABN) is a unique identifier numeric code that identifies an Australian person(s) or legal entity for the purposes of dealing with the Australian Taxation Office, other businesses and all levels of government. An ABN is required to register for GST and other elements of the Australian Taxation System.

Closing Time The Closing Time for Applications as outlined in Section 1.6 of the Guidelines.

Delivery Partner An Applicant who has been awarded funding under the Programme for their Project.

Department The Commonwealth Department of the Environment.

Eligibility Criteria The essential criteria that must be met in order for an Application to be considered for assessment under these Guidelines, as described in Section 2.1 of these Guidelines.

EPBC Act The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), Australia’s national environment legislation.

Evapotranspiration The transfer of water from the land to the atmosphere by evaporation from the soil and other surfaces including vegetation and by transpiration from plants.

Funding Agreement A legally enforceable, performance-based contract between the Department and a successful Applicant that sets out the terms and conditions governing the funding to be provided under the Programme.

Guidelines The Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme Applicant Guidelines 2015–16 (this document) which provide information to help interested organisations to prepare an Application for a Project. These Guidelines include information on the Application Process and criteria that will be used to assess Applications submitted under the Programme.


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Term Definition

Gully/Gullies A drainage channel incised or cut into the land surface, often with defined outer edges, and a depth of >0.3m, or into the bed of a natural water course to a total size exceeding several times the prior depth and width of the watercourse. Prior to the Gully incision the flow path would have carried shallow surface runoff only during and shortly after rainfall.

Two forms of Gully Erosion occur within reef catchments:

• Hillslope Gully Erosion is linear or branching features along a former overland flow path or drainage line. An example is shown below:

• Alluvial Gully Erosion occurs in deeper alluvial or depositional soils, and is characterised by irregular planform shape deviating considerably away from the predominant alignment of the pre-existing watercourse. An example is shown below:

Gully Erosion The removal of soil along the floor and walls of a Gully or Gullies by surface water runoff and/or soil saturation. Gully Erosion is not stream bank erosion, being the removal of soil from the side of a natural watercourse. Gully Erosion is not scald, rill or sheetwash erosion of a non-unincised land surface.

Gully Toolbox Detailed technical information to help Applicants design their Application. The Applicants’ use of the Toolbox will be considered through the Assessment Process. It can be found here: www.environment.gov.au/reef-trust

In-kind contributions A non-cash input which can be assigned a cash value. This could include labour, or use of machinery or equipment, among other things.



Term Definition

Mapping Polygon A Mapping Polygon is an area shape (polygon) which describes the spatial dimensions of your Project Site(s). The mapping tool provided in the Application Form contains instructions about how to create a single or multiple polygons for your Application. The mapping tool also enables you to identify the latitude/longitude of the Project Site(s). Mapping Polygons are used with other spatial information to assess eligibility, and for assessment against the Assessment Criteria.

Moderation Panel A panel that will moderate the assessed Applications, and provide recommendations to the Minister on Applications suitable to receive funding under the Programme.

Management Unit or Units

Subdivisions of reef natural resource management regions is generally defined based on river basin and catchment boundaries. Spatial data is provided in the Gully Toolbox ( www.environment.gov.au/reef-trust).


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Term Definition

Minister The Minister responsible for the Australian Government Department which administers the Programme, currently the Minister for the Environment.

Programme The Reef Trust Gully Erosion Control Programme.

Project An agreed schedule of work activity/activities, funded by the Programme in accordance with these Guidelines.

Project Activities The activities that Applicants propose to undertake to address the Programme objectives.

Project Site The location/area where Project Activities will take place. A Project may have multiple Project Sites across or within Management Units.

Sub-Project A set of Project Activities proposed to be undertaken within one Management Unit.

Technical Partner CSIRO, who will provide advice on the development of the Programme, the approach to implementation of activities and the monitoring and reporting undertaken by Delivery Partner(s).

Value for money An assessment of effectiveness and efficiency in the use of public funds to achieve the Project outcomes.

Work Health and Safety (WHS)

In the context of the Programme, this means protecting the health and safety of workers and other persons while in the workplace from exposure to hazards and risks, and the terms ‘worker’, ‘workplace’ and ‘other persons’ are defined and used in the relevant WHS laws.


Appendix B: Useful referencesThe information sources listed below may provide useful sources of information for planning your Project. For further information please phone 1800 852 975.

Gully Toolbox• Information on activity selection and design,

monitoring and other technical aspects: www.environment.gov.au/reef-trust

Monitoring and reporting • Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and

Improvement Strategy: www.nrm.gov.au/my-project/monitoring-and-reporting-plan/meri

• Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement Tool: https://fieldcapture.ala.org.au/

National Strategies • Australia’s Native Vegetation Framework:

www.environment.gov.au/land/publications/australias-native-vegetation-framework

• Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010–2030: www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/publications/australias-biodiversity-conservation-strategy

• Strategy for Australia’s National Reserve System 2009–2030: www.environment.gov.au/land/nrs/publications/strategy-national-reserve-system

Matters of National Environmental Significance—lists, tools and plans • conservation advice by NRM region: www.

environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/conservationadvice.pl?proc=main

• protected matters search tool: www.environment.gov.au/erin/ert/epbc/index.html

• regional natural resource management plans, issues for the region and contact information: www.nrm.gov.au/about/nrm/regions/index.html

• Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia: www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/environmental/wetlands/pubs/directory.pdf

• Conservation Management Zones of Australia: www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/conservation-management-zones

World Heritage areas • Information on Australia’s World Heritage

areas: www.environment.gov.au/topics/heritage/ about-australias-heritage/world-heritage

• further information on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area: www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/world/great-barrier-reef/index.html

• Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report: www.gbrmpa.gov.au/managing-the-reef/great-barrier-reef-outlook-report

Invasive plants • The Australian Weeds Strategy: www.weeds.org.au/

docs/The%20Australian%20Weeds%20Strategy.pdf

• Weed spread and management action maps: www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/weeds/

• Atlas of Living Australia: lists.ala.org.au/speciesListItem/list/dr781

• Weeds of national significance and other lists of weeds of national interest: www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/weeds/weeds/lists/

• Weed management plans, training, weeds facilitator contacts: www.weeds.org.au/

• Further information on core attributes for surveying and mapping nationally significant weeds: www.environment.gov.au/node/14124


http://www.nrm.gov.au/my-project/monitoring-and-reporting-plan/meri

http://www.nrm.gov.au/my-project/monitoring-and-reporting-plan/meri

https://fieldcapture.ala.org.au/

http://www.environment.gov.au/land/publications/australias-native-vegetation-framework

http://www.environment.gov.au/land/publications/australias-native-vegetation-framework

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/publications/australias-biodiversity-conservation-strategy



http://www.environment.gov.au/land/nrs/publications/strategy-national-reserve-system

http://www.environment.gov.au/land/nrs/publications/strategy-national-reserve-system

http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/conservationadvice.pl?proc=main



http://www.environment.gov.au/erin/ert/epbc/index.html

http://www.environment.gov.au/erin/ert/epbc/index.html

http://www.nrm.gov.au/about/nrm/regions/index.html

http://www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/environmental/wetlands/pubs/directory.pdf

http://www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/environmental/wetlands/pubs/directory.pdf

https://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/conservation-management-zones

https://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/conservation-management-zones

http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/heritage/ about-australias-heritage/world-heritage

http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/heritage/ about-australias-heritage/world-heritage

http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/world/great-barrier-reef/index.html

http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/world/great-barrier-reef/index.html

http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/managing-the-reef/great-barrier-reef-outlook-report



http://www.weeds.org.au/docs/The%20Australian%20Weeds%20Strategy.pdf

http://www.weeds.org.au/docs/The%20Australian%20Weeds%20Strategy.pdf

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/weeds/

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/weeds/

http://lists.ala.org.au/speciesListItem/list/dr781

http://lists.ala.org.au/speciesListItem/list/dr781

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/weeds/weeds/lists/

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/weeds/weeds/lists/

http://www.weeds.org.au/

http://www.environment.gov.au/node/14124

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Waterways and coastal environments• OzCoasts Australian online coastal information:

www.ozcoasts.gov.au/index.jsp

• Aquatic Ecosystems Toolkit: www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/environmental/ecosystems/ae-toolkit-mod-1.html

• Informing the Outlook for Great Barrier Reef coastal ecosystems: www.gbrmpa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/28257/Informing-the-Outlook-for-Great-Barrier-Reef-coastal-ecosystems.pdf

• information and tools on the wide variety of wetland systems and types in the Great Barrier Reef catchments from the Queensland Government Wetlands Program wetlandinfo.derm.qld.gov.au/wetlands/

Related Australian Government programmes:• The Green Army Programme:

www.environment.gov.au/land/green-army

• 20 Million Trees: www.environment.gov.au/land/20-million-trees

• National Landcare Programme: www.nrm.gov.au/national-landcare-programme

• Australian Pest Animal Research Program: www.daff.gov.au/brs/land/feral-animals/aparp

• National Weeds and Productivity Research Program: www.daff.gov.au/natural-resources/invasive/national_weeds_productivity_research_program

• Water for the Future: www.environment.gov.au/water/australia/index.html

• Reef Programme: www.nrm.gov.au/national/continuing-investment/reef-programme

http://www.ozcoasts.gov.au/index.jsp

http://www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/environmental/ecosystems/ae-toolkit-mod-1.html



http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/28257/Informing-the-Outlook-for-Great-Barrier-Reef-coastal-ecosystems.pdf



http://wetlandinfo.derm.qld.gov.au/wetlands/

http://wetlandinfo.derm.qld.gov.au/wetlands/

http://www.environment.gov.au/land/green-army

http://www.environment.gov.au/land/20-million-trees

http://www.nrm.gov.au/national-landcare-programme

http://www.nrm.gov.au/national-landcare-programme

http://www.daff.gov.au/brs/land/feral-animals/aparp

http://www.daff.gov.au/natural-resources/invasive/national_weeds_productivity_research_program



http://www.environment.gov.au/water/australia/index.html

http://www.environment.gov.au/water/australia/index.html

http://www.nrm.gov.au/national/continuing-investment/reef-programme

http://www.nrm.gov.au/national/continuing-investment/reef-programme

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