Environment Group Support Grants

Environment Group Support Grant

Council is proud to support the Environment Group Support Grant Program in recognition of the significant contributions our community environment groups make.

The program aims to support groups with capacity building, weed control and biolink enhancement to benefit the community and natural environment of the Macedon Ranges Shire.

There are three categories of funding that eligible groups can apply for. Groups can apply for one, two or all three funding streams. 

Council and community partners, Macedon Ranges Community Enterprises Ltd (MRCE) and Community Bank Gisborne and District have collaborated to co-fund the Category 3, Biolink Boost Grant. MRCE will match Council’s funding to the amount of $20,000, boosting the funding available for the Biolink Boost Grant to $40,000. 

  Maximum funding
per project    
Council funding
available
Matched funding
by MRCE
Total available
Category 1: Landcare, Friends Groups and
Network Support Funding
Up to $800 $20,000   $20,000
Category 2: Strategic Weed Partnership Program Up to $1,500 $10,000   $10,000
Category 3: Biolink Boost Grant Up to $5,000 $20,000 $20,000 $40,000

To discuss your project ideas or for any questions, call the Environment Unit (03) 5422 0333 or email environment@mrsc.vic.gov.au

How to apply

The 2024/2025 grant period has now closed.

 

Eligibility

Who can apply?

Environmental groups eligible for funding include Landcare, Friends groups and networks.

  • Landcare group: a not-for-profit organisation with a membership with Landcare Victoria, open to all members of the public that conducts activities or promotes sustainable management of private and/or public land.
  • Environment Friends group: a group that works to protect and enhance the conservation values of a specific site or area through on-ground works and community education.
  • Network: Comprises of three Landcare Networks and the Biolinks Alliance.

Other groups may be entitled to apply for this funding if they can demonstrate that their primary focus is nature conservation at the discretion of Council’s Environment Unit.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible, applicants must meet the below criteria.

  • Works must be undertaken within the Macedon Ranges Shire.
  • Landcare Support Grants from previous grant funding must be acquitted.
  • Groups must have their own current public liability and accident insurance.
  • Groups must be incorporated. Groups that are not incorporated are welcome to apply if they are auspiced by another incorporated entity. Note: each incorporated group may submit a maximum of two applications.
  • Receipts or other documents for other activities may be requested at the discretion of Council to verify submitted acquittals.
  • A copy of the group’s most recent AGM minutes and treasurer’s report must also accompany the grant application.
  • The application of herbicides must adhere to the relevant State Government legislation.

The following are ineligible to apply to the Environmental Group Support Grant:

  • Individuals.
  • Political organisations.
  • For profit/commercial organisations.
  • Government agencies/organisations.
  • Groups that are in debt to Council.
  • Groups that have not completed the acquittal and reporting requirements of previous Council grants.
  • School/scouting/religious groups.
  • Groups auspiced by Council.

Guidelines and resources

Guidelines 2024-25

Hard copies can be provided upon request. 

Child Safe Standards

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is committed to a zero tolerance approach to child abuse, through actively promoting child safety and ensuring compliance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards. All applicants must demonstrate compliance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards and read/understand Council's Child Wellbeing and Safety Policy. Note: If your organisation is being auspiced for the purpose of this grant, the auspicing organisation will also need to meet the Child Safe Standards.

Smarty Grants

Environment Group Support Grants can be applied for using SmartyGrants. 

SmartyGrants is an online grant management program to help grant recipients and Council record and track all the details around grant transactions. Through this program, you can apply for the grant, track it, and upload acquittal documents.

Assessment

Assessment of applications will be based on the scoring matrix of each category. The scoring matrix can be found within the funding categories and assessment criteria in the grant guidelines.

Variations/Extensions or returning grant funds

We understand that sometimes things don't go as planned. Call us on (03) 5422 0333 or email environment@mrsc.vic.gov.au if:

  • you are encountering unexpected challenges in your project delivery.
  • you need to make a variation or seek an extension to the project as planned in your application. You will need to complete a variation/extension request form and this will need to be approved by Council before any changes are undertaken.

Acquitting your grant

Once you have delivered your project, you will need to complete a Project Acquittal Report. You can access the form by logging in here and then clicking the 'My Submissions' link at the top of page. Here you will see your submission number and any associated forms open and waiting for you to complete.

Note: The 'My Submissions' area will store a history of all the submissions and additional forms you complete.

The report includes:

  • a summary of the benefits, challenges and learnings of the project; and
  • a summary of the grant expenditure and any remaining grant funds (if applicable);
  • promotional and marketing activities undertaken, including examples of the recognition of Council's financial support, photo evidence of the project and any media coverage.

Please note: If you have been auspiced for the purposes of your grant, the acquittal report will need to be signed off by the Treasurer of the Auspice and the Treasurer of the Applicant Organisation. If you have any questions regarding this, contact the Environment team.

Acquit now

2023/24 Funding Recipients

Category 1 – Landcare Friends Groups and Network Support Funding

Organisation Amount
Pipers Creek & District Landcare Group Inc. $800
Woodend Landcare $800
Macedon & Mount Macedon Landcare $800
Riddles Creek Landcare $800
Ashbourne Landcare $800
Newham and District Landcare $800
Friends of Bald Hill Reserve $800
Campaspe River & Land Management Group $800
Campaspe Valley Landcare Group $800
Upper Deep Creek Landcare Network $800
Macedon Ranges Seed Savers $576
Tylden Landcare $800
Upper Maribyrnong Catchment Group $800
Friends of Daly Nature Reserve $717.50
Friends of Black Hill $800
Deep Creek Landcare Group $800
Total  $11,693.50

Category 2 – Strategic Weed Partnership Program

Organisation Amount           
Woodend Landcare $1,500
Newham and District Landcare $1,500
Campaspe River & Land Management Group                       $1,500
Campaspe Valley Landcare Group $1,500
Upper Deep Creek Landcare Network $1,500
Tylden Landcare $1,500
Macedon & Mount Macedon Landcare $1,500
Total $7,500

Category 3 – Biolink Boost Sponsored by Macedon Ranges Community Enterprises Ltd and Community Bank Gisborne & District

Organisation Project details  Amount
Woodend Landcare

Five Mile Creek Black Gum Biolink Enhancement Project

$4,956
Ashborne Landcare

Project Koala Hope

$5,000
Newham and District Landcare Group

Enhancing biodiversity within the Cobaw Biolink

$5,000
Campaspe Valley Landcare Group

Blackwells -Snipes Creek to Campaspe River junction

$5,000
Tylden Landcare Group

Rebuilding connected habitat for lizards, woodland birds and Koalas between Kyneton and Lauriston

$5,000
Upper Maribyrnong Catchment Group

Deep Creek Biolink Project at Darraweit Guim Primary School

$3,650
Friends of Daly Nature Reserve

Bunjil's Stepping Stones

$1,750
Campaspe River and Land Management group

Connecting the Kyneton community to the Campaspe River

 $5,000
Macedon and Mount Macedon Landcare Group

Tony Clarke Waterways

 $5,000
Total
$40,356

Guidelines 2023/24

Environment Support Grant guidelines(DOCX, 2MB)