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Supporting Sustainable Primary Production 2019-20Guidelines for applicants Supporting Sustainable Primary Production funding is provided by the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board levy. Funding is available for projects up to $30,000 (+ GST) for the 2019-20 financial year. There is no minimum amount applicable, however funding is limited and will be awarded to projects on a competitive basis. Funding will be awarded on merit to those projects that demonstrate the best value for money and delivery of agricultural and environmental benefits. Projects will be assessed against a set of standard criteria (see sections 2 and 3).

Content 1. Introduction 2. Eligibility criteria 3. Assessment of project submissions4. Funding 5. Eligible expenditure 6. Applying for funding and project delivery7. Assistance with project development 8. Examples of potential projects 9. Appendices

1. Introduction The Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board The Natural Resources Management Act 2004 (the Act) seeks to support sustainable primary and other economic production systems with particular reference to the value of agriculture and mining activities to the economy of the State (Clause 7.1d).The Supporting Sustainable Primary Production project seeks to support this object of the Act, within the context that natural resources are used and managed within the principles of ecological sustainable development.Under the Act, the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board has developed an Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources

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Management Plan which recognises integrated natural resources management as the basis for achieving sustainable development of natural resources while ensuring that natural ecosystems retain their health and function in the future. The board acknowledges the strong links which exist between healthy functioning ecosystems and sustainable primary production. The maintenance of both is fundamental to social, environmental and economic well-being. With over 50% of the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges region’s land use attributed to primary production, farming represents a critical sector when addressing the management of natural resource issues and strategic investment for productive and environmental outcomes. Supporting Sustainable Primary ProductionDuring 2019-20, support for agricultural and horticultural groups is funded through the NRM levy and managed by Department for Environment and Water staff, based in the Natural Resources Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges region.Groups or organisations from horticultural and agricultural industries can apply for funding of projects which improve sustainable land management practices within the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges region. Individual or farm enterprises cannot access this funding, however they are encouraged to discuss their ideas with their local Natural Resources District Office as they may be able to access other funding opportunities. A project proposal must be discussed with your local Sustainable Agriculture Officer before submitting your project brief. See ‘contacts’ in section 7 for the relevant staff member’s details. Consideration for funding will be made for a broad range of sustainable land management and environment protection projects that address both emerging and continuing priority issues across the region. Project proposals may be submitted at any time throughout the year, however applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals as early in the financial year as possible. Projects must be delivered between 1 July 2019 and 1 June 2020. Multi-year projects are not eligible, however applicants are encouraged to consider and demonstrate within their Project Brief how the project could be extended beyond the 2019-20 financial year, should funding be available. *Note – this is not a mandatory requirement, it is simply an opportunity to demonstrate project longevity and future opportunity should applicants wish to do so, and will not be an assessed criteria in determining 2019-20 funding allocations.

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2. Eligibility criteria A range of eligibility criteria will need to be met before assessment of projects can occur. The applicant will need to:

• be an incorporated agricultural industry organisation with an ABN• obtain, before agreed commencement, all necessary planning and regulatory

approvals• have no overdue reports from previous project funding, excepting agreed

extensions• have the agreement of any partner organisations to submit the proposal, and

provide a letter of support with the application form• clearly identify how the proposal will contribute to the priorities and targets

outlined in these guidelines (see Appendix B and C)• clearly identify how well the proposal addresses one or more of the criteria

outlined in section 3• ensure that proposed project activities are not eligible activities under the

board’s incentives scheme (www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges/get-involved/grants-and-funding); if unsure discuss with a Sustainable Agriculture Officer

• ensure that proposed project activities are not a component of any other funding agreement

• be undertaking project activities within the region; see Appendix A for a map of the region.

3. Assessment of project submissions Criteria for assessment Assessment of proposals will be guided according to how well the proposal addresses one or more of the following board criteria. The project should seek to:

• facilitate the sustainable use of natural resources within primary industries• enhance the productivity or profitability of sustainably-managed farm

businesses through natural resource management• enhance biological diversity through the protection of areas of remnant native

vegetation and support the restoration of systems and processes that have been degraded or lost

• protect catchments through the sustainable use of land and water resources and seek to rehabilitate resources that have become degraded

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• prevent or reduce the impacts of pest plant and animal species that may have an adverse effect on the environment, production systems and the community

• increase the capacity of people to manage natural resources through the provision of education opportunities and support mechanisms

• integrate long-term and short-term economic, environmental and social considerations into resource use planning and decision making processes

• consider the Aboriginal heritage, interests of traditional owners, other heritage issues and the interest of the community in relation to natural resources

• promote an understanding of the interrelationship between managing soil, water, biodiversity assets and primary production

• provide opportunities for production systems to adapt to climate change.• contributes to the region’s intermediate and regional targets (Appendix B)• addresses the region’s natural resources management plan sub-regional

priorities (Appendix C)• uses innovative strategies to address identified gaps in knowledge, skills and

technical understanding• contributes to the development of partnerships between the board/Natural

Resources AMLR and industry groups and commercial farmers• contributes to positive practice change using well understood existing practices

or through innovation and new ideas• develops strategies or tools that address emerging issues, or previously

unidentified limitations to implementing sustainable land management practices, and which demonstrates value for money.

4. Funding Funding will be offered to industry groups and organisations on the following basis:

• projects will be supported up to an amount of $30,000 + GST per financial year• payment schedules are based on staged payment of funds allocated to the

project, in line with the proposed budget against work program and satisfactory milestone reporting

• projects to be completed by 1 June 2020. No extension will be available.• projects that may involve more complex delivery and reporting requirements,

could require a dedicated, accountable Project Manager provided by the proponent, details of which are to be shown in the budget.

A direct negotiation process The board acknowledges that stakeholder groups may work differently and use a variety of investment approaches to achieve outcomes. This will provide the opportunity for funding to be assigned to projects with innovative approaches to addressing land management issues, which are co-developed by the board and industry partners.

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Direct negotiation is the principal process in which funding for projects can be sought under this scheme. It is designed to provide funding opportunities for a diverse range of primary industry groups, organisations and projects throughout the year, rather than as a once-off opportunity. Proposals should include a component of co-contribution through either matching funding and/or in-kind contributions. Proposals should outline any other financial support/funding from third parties and provide a specific commitment in writing from co-investors.

5. Eligible expenditure Only expenditure incurred by the funding recipient, directly attributable to the project may be treated as eligible expenditure. Eligible expenditure must be incurred on or after the project commencement date, which cannot be before the date delegated Natural Resources AMLR staff sign a project funding agreement. Eligible expenditure must also be incurred on or before the project completion date. Funding is provided strictly to support the project and its core activities. The recipient should only claim that proportion of costs which directly relates to activities performed on the funded project. For the purpose of assessing a project proposal, ineligible activities and items include but are not limited to:

• purchase of equipment that becomes the sole property of an individual or organisation

• establishment of new production sites or facilities• activities causing environmental damage, either directly or indirectly• preparation of the original grant application, or preparing any project reports• routine administration expenses including communications, accommodation,

office computing facilities, printing and stationery, postage, legal and accounting fees and bank charges.

This list is not exhaustive. Other activities or specific expenditure may be ineligible where the board decides they do not directly support the achievement of the planned outcomes of the project or that they are contrary to the spirit and intention of the sustainable industry support funding.

6. Applying of funding and project delivery Stage 1Applicants are required to discuss their project ideas with a Natural Resources AMLR staff member prior to completing a project brief. This will help to ensure a project is more likely to address the priorities of both the industry group and the board, and identifies the greatest number of opportunities to ensure a successful partnership.

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Stage 2 Once a project idea has been developed, the applicant submits a project brief for assessment. Applications must be made by using a project brief template which is available from:www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges/get-involved/grants-and-funding/sustainable-industry-support-rural-landor in hard copy by contacting a staff member listed in section 7. Stage 3The project is assessed against a set of criteria by a panel of Natural Resources AMLR staff and selected community members. Stage 4Applicants are notified of the panel decision, and if successful, a detailed project funding agreement is completed jointly by the applicant and Natural Resources AMLR staff and signed by both parties.Stage 5Project implementation commences, and proceeds against agreed milestones and funding schedules.Stage 6Project closure, evaluation and reporting in accordance with the project agreement.

7. Assistance with project submissions Assistance in developing projects, can be provided by staff listed below. This will ensure that the project outcomes are aligned with the region’s natural resources management plan targets and regional priorities. Sustainable Agriculture Team LeaderNicole Bennett (Monday-Thursday 9 am-3 pm and Friday 9 am-5 pm)Cleland Conservation Park, Summit Rd, Crafers SA 5152 P: 8130 9062M: 0427 840 443E: nicole.bennett@sa.gov.au Sustainable Agriculture Officer – Northern Taryn MangelsdorfGawler Natural Resources Centre, 8 Adelaide Rd, Gawler SA 5118P: 8523 7703 M: 0427 188 125E: taryn.mangelsdorf@sa.gov.au

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Sustainable Agriculture Officer – CentralJames HallBlack Hill Natural Resources Centre, 115 Maryvale Rd, Athelstone SA 5076 P: 8336 0929M: 0448 472 168E: james.hall2@sa.gov.au Sustainable Agriculture Officer – SouthernJeff EdwardsWillunga Natural Resources Centre, 5 Aldinga Rd, Willunga SA 5172 P: 8550 3405 M: 0437 652 674 E: jeffs.edwards@sa.gov.au

8. Examples of potential projects Project concepts could fall into a number of categories that are aligned with the funding principles for example: Practice change:

• producing and implementing environmental management systems specific to an industry

• facilitating the uptake of practices that reduce erosion risk in agricultural production systems

• introducing the targeted use of native vegetation in production systems to provide support for natural systems

• promoting the adoption of water use efficiency in relation to soil condition and water quality

• supporting further adoption of industry best practice relating to sustainable land management, such as perennial pasture management, improving soil carbon levels, maintaining environmental flows, incorporating biodiversity outcomes into farming systems.

People and communities: • engaging young farmers in the adoption of sustainable land use practices• developing farming group networks to address regionally or industry significant

land management issues.

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9. Appendices Appendix A: Map of the region and subregions

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Appendix B: Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board’s intermediate and regional targets

Table 1: 20 year regional targets (2008–28)

Target 1 The region will have the system capacity to harvest up to 35 GL of stormwater and 50 GL of wastewater per annum

Target 2 Aquatic ecosystem and groundwater condition is maintained or improved

Target 3 All water resources used within sustainable yield (allowing for variability)

Target 4 Reduce the average annual cost of flood damage

Target 5 Maintain or increase the productive capacity of agriculture

Target 6 Land condition for primary production improved by 15%

Target 7 Condition and function of ecosystems (terrestrial, riparian) recovered from current levels

Target 8 Extent of functional ecosystems (coastal, estuarine, terrestrial, riparian) increased to 30% of the region (excluding urban areas)

Target 9 Improvement in conservation prospects of native species (terrestrial, aquatic, marine) from current levels

Target 10

Land based impacts on coastal, estuarine and marine processes reduced from current levels

Target 11

Halt in the decline of seagrass, reef and other coast, estuarine and marine habitats and a trend towards restoration

Target 12

All coast, estuarine and marine water resources meet water quality guidelines to protect defined environmental values

Target 13

Increase participation in natural resource management activities by 20%

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Appendix C: Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board’s subregional priorities

Northern Coast and Plains – priorities for the futureSubregion wide

• build community knowledge and support for the value of the biodiversity of the area, especially northern coast, particularly with respect to recreational use

• encourage increased demand, and supply of, alternative water sources for fit-for-purpose uses (stormwater and recycled water)

• take action to address historic impacts, manage current threats, and facilitate population increases to reverse species and ecological community declines

• support land use planning to minimise the impact of current and future urban growth to the natural environment

• protect priority primary production areas from inappropriate development to maintain industry and business viability

• facilitate integrated climate change adaptation of people and the landscape• protect and expand remnant vegetation (which is often retained on roadsides)

and buffer it from surrounding impacts• promote sustainable land management practices to reduce the risk of erosion in

broadacre agriculture• promote sustainable horticulture management to reduce impacts on the

environment• support agriculture and horticulture to adapt to climate change or transition to

alternative business models• protect water resources for aquatic health and agricultural use (quality)• protect and restore the Light and Gawler rivers’ riparian zones for improved

biodiversity and water quality outcomes• manage the allocation and use of water resources to provide water for the

environment and for sustainable use by industry (quantity)• monitor for, and control, pests that have not yet become established in the

region or in the Northern Coast and Plains subregion.Coastal specific

• restore and rehabilitate the northern coast saltmarsh and shrubland system (with the highest priority around Port Prime) including planning for climate change impacts on species distribution

• minimise the impacts of new development (particularly agricultural, industrial and urban) in the northern coast and adjacent subregions through appropriate land use planning controls

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• ensure that land use planning decisions allow for the retreat from sea level rise (as a result of climate change) of northern coastal landscapes (samphire, mangroves and shrubland)

• improve the condition of the Barker Inlet and Gawler River estuaries through reducing land based impacts

• protect migratory shorebirds habitat and increase the knowledge of the value of this habitat within the community.

Northern Hills – priorities for the future• restore and reinstate grassy ecosystems where this will help stem biodiversity

declines (along the northern, western and eastern flanks of the range); this requires improved technical knowledge, community recognition and sustainable use

• protect and improve the integrity of the shrubby forest and woodland dominated landscapes (in the South Para and Kaiserstuhl areas)

• take action to address historic impacts, manage current threats, and facilitate population increases to reverse species and ecological community declines

• facilitate integrated climate change adaptation of people and the landscape• protect priority primary production areas from inappropriate development to

maintain industry and business viability• support agriculture to adapt to climate change or transition to alternative

business models• promote sustainable land management practices focusing on minimal till and

maintaining soil cover• protect and restore the North Para, South Para and Mid Light rivers riparian

zones for improved biodiversity and water quality outcomes• protect water resources for aquatic health and agricultural use (quality)• manage the allocation and use of water resources to provide water for the

environment and for sustainable use by industry (quantity)• encourage increased demand, and supply of, alternative water sources for fit-

for-purpose uses (stormwater and recycled water)• monitor for, and control, pests that have not yet become established in the

region or in the Northern Hills subregion.

Central Hills – priorities for the future• protect and improve the integrity of the shrubby forest and woodland

dominated landscapes found along the spine of the range (from Scott Creek to Black Hill)

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• restore and reinstate grassy ecosystems where this will help stem biodiversity declines (along both the western and eastern flanks of the range); this requires improved technical knowledge, community recognition and sustainable use

• take action to address historic impacts, manage current threats, and facilitate population increases to reverse species and ecological community declines

• better understand land use and land use change in a highly diverse landscape to support better development planning and management of land use conflict

• support agriculture to adapt to climate change or transition to alternative business models

• promote sustainable land management practices in a diverse land use and ownership environment

• manage the allocation and use of water resources to provide water for the environment and for sustainable use by industry (quantity)

• protect water resources for aquatic health and agricultural use (quality)• protect and restore riparian landscapes in the Torrens and Onkaparinga rivers

to improve water quality and protect habitats• facilitate integrated climate change adaptation of people and the landscape• protect priority primary production areas from inappropriate development to

maintain industry and business viability• encourage increased demand and supply of alternative water sources for fit-for-

purpose uses (stormwater and recycled water)• monitor for, and control, pests that have not yet become established in the

region or in the Central Hills subregion.

Willunga Basin – priorities for the futureSubregion wide

• restore and reinstate grassy ecosystems where this will help stem biodiversity declines (particularly along the western flanks of the range, which includes areas containing the nationally threatened Grey Box Grassy Woodlands)

• take action to address historic impacts, manage current threats, and facilitate population increases to reverse species and ecological community declines

• connect communities to their environment (both local and more remote)• connect communities to sustainable food production• protect, restore and buffer the vegetation of the Aldinga Scrub Conservation

Park and the Washpool, and aim to provide connections between the two• improve the condition of the Onkaparinga estuary• encourage increased demand, and supply of, alternative water sources for fit-

for-purpose uses (stormwater and recycled water)• manage the allocation and use of water resources to provide water for the

environment and for sustainable use by industry (quantity)• protect water resources for aquatic health and agricultural use (quality)

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• support agriculture to adapt to climate change or transition to alternative business models

• protect priority primary production areas from inappropriate development to maintain industry and business viability

• facilitate integrated climate change adaptation of people and the landscape• promote sustainable land management practices focusing on maintaining soil

cover and sustainable primary production practices• monitor for and control pests that have not yet become established in the

region or in the Willunga Basin subregion.Coastal specific

• protect and rehabilitate priority areas of the Willunga Basin subregion coast (including coastal heath and dune environments at Port Willunga, Aldinga, Silver Sands, Sellicks, Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park and the samphire ecosystem at the Washpool)

• monitor and manage migratory and resident shorebirds at the Washpool, and at key beach-nesting birds (Hooded Plovers) breeding sites including Maslin Beach, Port Willunga and Aldinga/Silver Sands.

Fleurieu Peninsula – priorities for the futureSubregion wide

• protect and improve the integrity of the shrubby forest, woodland and heathland dominated landscapes found along the spine of the range (including Deep Creek, Parawa Plateau, Newland Head, and Spring Mount to Myponga highlands), and increase the area around the parks (Newland Head and Deep Creek) managed primarily for the conservation of natural vegetation communities

• restore and reinstate grassy ecosystems where this will help stem biodiversity declines (along both the western and eastern flanks of the range; this requires improved technical knowledge, community recognition and sustainable use

• take action to address historic impacts, manage current threats, and facilitate population increases to reverse species and ecological community declines (including Fleurieu Swamps, Myponga River landscape, and Fleurieu estuaries)

• manage the allocation and use of water resources to provide water for the environment and for sustainable use by industry (quantity)

• improve land management practices to reduce impacts on water quality, aquatic and marine health, with a particular focus on priority watercourses, including Myponga, Waitpinga, Hindmarsh, and Bungala and Inman rivers and their estuaries

• facilitate integrated climate change adaptation of people and the landscape

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• encourage increased demand and supply of alternative water sources for fit-for-purpose uses (stormwater and recycled water)

• protect water resources for aquatic health and agricultural use (quality)• protect intact landscapes (particularly schlerophyll stringybark forest) from

ongoing threats such as fragmentation and pest invasion• promote sustainable land management practices focusing on maintaining soil

cover and management of acid soils• support agriculture to adapt to climate change or transition to alternative

business models• increase understanding around land use interface issues between agriculture

(existing and new industries), rural living and urban needs• protect priority primary production areas from inappropriate development to

maintain industry and business viability• monitor for and control pests that have not yet become established in the

region or in the Fleurieu Peninsula subregion.Coastal specific

• use development controls to protect scenic cliffs and coastal landscapes from population increases and development pressures

• increase education and awareness programs for land managers and users of the coastal environment on the value of the coastal landscape

• include water sensitive urban design outcomes in all urban development to minimise impacts on the coastal environment

• protect and rehabilitate priority areas of the southern coast including: beaches and lower slopes of Fishery Beach, Lands End, Cape Jervis and Morgans Beach; cliffs and cliff tops from Newland Head to the Bluff; priority small estuaries; and Normanville Dunes and Tokuremoar Reserve.