What is it?
The Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) was set up by the Australian Government in 1997 to help restore and conserve Australia's environment and natural resources. Under the Trust, councils, community groups and organisations have received funding for environmental and natural resource management projects.
In 2001 the Commonwealth allocated further funding to create NHT2. In total, the Australian Government has dedicated $3bn to NHT programs and funding is now available until 2007-08. Under the Program, additional support is contributed by the states and territories.
Under NHT2 the Australian Government and the state and territory governments signed bilateral agreements to invest in outcomes at the local, regional and national levels. This has considerable implications for councils. To gain funding, councils must now participate in the regional NRM processes.
The three main objectives of the NHT are:
- biodiversity conservation
- sustainable use of natural resources
- community capacity building and institutional change
Under these objectives there are a ten priority areas for investment, including restoration of habitat, protecting ecosystems, reducing pest plants and animals, improving resource condition, improving profitability and increasing the skill base of managers of natural resources.
Investment under the NHT2 is at national, regional and local (Envirofund) levels.
National investments
National investments for are generated by the Australian Government, the states/territories and national level non-government organisations. Activities funded should address national issues, across state issues, or issues that cross jurisdictions or regions. Areas of activity funded under the national stream include resource assessment, research, industry strategies, innovative ways of managing NRM issues, for example weed management, training and information for the NRM facilitator network and national co-ordination and facilitation of the NHT program.
Councils can not apply for funding for national projects.
Regional arrangements
Regional delivery is the principle mode of investment under NHT2. It is primarily through this mechanism that councils can become involved. Australia has been broken up into 56 Natural Management Resource regions. Each region is responsible for preparing a regional NRM plan. This plan must highlight all the NRM issues in the region, develop actions to address these concerns and then select the most important issues for action. The plans also set resource condition and management action targets based on agreed national standards.
The new regional structures comprise landowners, industries, non government organisations, indigenous representatives, representatives from the three levels of government and other interested people. This group puts together the regional plan which they seek to have accredited by the state/territory and Australian Government according to a set of agreed criteria.
Once a plan has been accredited, a regional investment strategy is developed, detailing what funds are needed to implement the plan. NHT and NAP funds are invested in the priorities set out in the investment plan, assuming they meet the main objectives of the NHT.
The Australian Government contributes cash, and this is matched by either cash or in-kind contributions by the state or territory. The regional bodies are also encouraged to seek other sources of funding to implement the Investment Strategies.
Regions must establish measurable and achievable resource condition and management action targets and the actions must be based on sound science.
Regional report cards are available for all of the NRM regions. These report cards outline the progress of the regions in developing NRM plans, specific programs in the region and investment by the Australian Government. They also provide contact information for the Landcare, Bushcare, Coastcare and NRM facilititators.
Local investment
Community groups may gain access to smaller, individual grants up to $30 000 through the Australian Government Envirofund to address local natural resource management issues. Funding will be used by individuals or groups to carry out on ground actions targetting local issues, or to build their capacity to manage such issues. The Envirofund is aimed at groups that have had little or no previous engagement with the Trust.
Councils can assist these groups to develop their applications and can provide administration and support to a community group which can increase the likelihood of successful funding.
For more information on the Natural Heritage Trust, call the information line on freecall 1800 065 823.
Envirofund - What role for councils?
The Australian Government Envirofund aims to build the capacity of local communities to address NRM issues and is aimed at those who have little or no previous engagement with the NHT. Small individual grants of up to $30 000 are available through two funding rounds each year.
Envirofund projects must address at least one of the NHT's 10 areas of priority and should demonstrate clear NRM benefits. Generally, the Australian Government provides one dollar for every dollar, or in-kind equivalent, contributed by the applicant.
Councils can not directly apply for the funding, however, many councils sponsor unincorporated community groups. In these cases, councils are responsible for accepting and administering funding for the project. They do this by entering into a funding agreement with the Australian Government. Councils can also provide administrative support, financial guidance, necessary insurance cover, equipment and expertise for developing up and and implementing proposals. Councils can provide matching contributions to projects to assist them in attracting Envirofund funding.
For projects sponsored by local government, one of the two signatories on the form must be the Town or Shire Clerk, the Chief Executive Officer or the General Manager. A council can sponsor more than one application, but not from the same applicant and councils should not sponsor more than one project with similar activities. These should be funded through the regional arrangements.
Sponsoring councils have the same responsibilities as applicants to keep accounting records, submit a final report and monitor the activities and results of the project. These responsibilities are set out in the funding agreement which councils sign before the project commences.
Councils provide a crucial function to ensure that small community groups can access funding for local projects under the NHT. Council involvement in the application and project can increase the likelihood of projects being funded under Envirofund. Council support with administration, expertise and provision of equipment or funding can ensure the success of the project over the 12 month period.
