For projects on private and rural land within the municipality for actions aimed at protecting and enhancing existing native vegetation.

Funds will be directed towards practical initiatives that:

• Improve biodiversity through increase in the extent of native vegetation;
• Create or extend wildlife corridors;
• Contribute to improved understanding of the need for biodiversity on non-government land.
• Biodiversity on Rural Land Grants
• Examples of Biodiversity on Rural Land projects include:
• Exclusion of stock by fencing native vegetation;
• Extension or enlargement of native vegetation;
• Creating or extending wildlife corridors;
• Provision of nesting boxes or artificial hollows;
• Weed or pest control within native vegetation;
• Survey or planning for conservation;
• Capacity building (training and identification aids); and
• Wetland creation or maintenance.

The grant is designed for projects on private rural land. It cannot be used for projects on public land, Crown land or Latrobe City Council owned land. It cannot be used for projects in urban areas (townships).

Grant Funding

Funding available: up to $1,500 per property.

Funding Rounds

The Biodiversity on Rural Land Grant program accepts applications annually.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply applicants must:

• Be individuals delivering a project on private rural land;
• Be free of debt to Latrobe City Council and have no outstanding acquittals from previous Latrobe City Council grant applications; and
• Reside in Latrobe City.

Who Cannot Apply

• Groups, entities and organisation; and
• Individuals residing outside of Latrobe City.

What will not be funded? 

• Funding cannot be used for projects on public land, Crown land, Latrobe City Council owned land or in urban areas (townships);
• Projects which are the responsibility of the State or Commonwealth Government departments;
• Retrospective costs. This includes reimbursement of costs already incurred and funding for projects which have already taken place or begun prior to the application being approved by Latrobe City Council;
• Payment of debts or loans;
• Funding will not cover expenses such as insurance, electricity, lease or rent payments, telephone, wages, salaries and project management costs.
• The purchase of land;
• Repair of facilities damaged by vandalism, fire or other natural disasters where the incident should reasonably be expected to be covered by insurance;
• Applications for projects that engage in activities which promote discrimination, violence or antisocial behaviour;
• Activities that are not focused on delivering biodiversity or threatened species conservation outcomes;
• Any activity involving the use of fire-arms, tranquilisers, traps or explosives;
• Any illegal activity;
• Development of recreational facilities or beautification projects;
• Development of infrastructure or engineering works;
• Barbed wire fencing; and
• Any other action or activity determined to be an inappropriate or unsuitable use of the funds.

• Phone: 0403 614 310
• Email: grants@latrobe.vic.gov.au