Enhancing Remnant Vegetation Pilot

The Agriculture Stewardship Enhancing Remnant Vegetation Pilot is trialling mechanisms to pay farmers for improving biodiversity on farms. The Enhancing Remnant Vegetation Pilot is part of the wider $66.1 million Agriculture Stewardship Package, an Australian Government commitment to improve biodiversity stewardship on farms.

native veg

Under the pilot, farmers who improve and manage native vegetation using the stipulated protocol will receive payments for biodiversity outcomes.

Applications

The northern Tasmanian NRM region has been selected as one of six Australian regions to test the Enhanced Remnant Vegetation Pilot.

Under the pilot, farmers who improve existing native vegetation – in line with management protocols developed by the Australian National University (ANU) – will receive payments for biodiversity outcomes.

Farmers could receive payments to manage and enhance remnant native vegetation on-farm. Examples may include:

  • enhanced grazing control;
  • enhanced weed control;
  • enhanced pest control;
  • infill plantings; and
  • revegetation.

These plantings can also benefit farmers by providing shelter for livestock, improving soil moisture and reducing erosion. 

Watch this film for more information.

Applications are now closed.

Core elements

The Enhancing Remnant Vegetation Pilot has 5 core elements:

  1. Participation - The Pilot will provide incentives for farmers to manage remnant native vegetation on their properties and will be run in the six Agriculture Stewardship Pilot Natural Resource Management regions (which includes the NRM North region).
  2. Active management- Participating farmers will be required to actively manage the vegetation over and above existing legal requirements, including through activities such as installing fencing, managing weeds and pest animals, and a degree of replanting. They could also undertake a degree of revegetation in adjoining or nearby areas where it supports improved biodiversity outcomes.
  3. Long term biodiversity outcomes - Farmers involved in the program will enter into contractual agreements with the Australian Government to protect and manage specific areas of remnant native vegetation.
  4. Monitoring and reporting - In addition to the management activities, farmers will be required to assist in monitoring and reporting on the condition of the vegetation for biodiversity in the protected area.
  5. Upfront plus ongoing payments - Farmers will receive regular payments to account for project costs, based on a pricing model developed by ANU. Details of this model will be detailed in the pilot guidelines.
map NRM North

Northern Tasmania has been selected as one of six regions to trial the program.

Eligible municipalities

Eight municipalities are in the northern Tasmania NRM region. These are:

  • Launceston
  • West Tamar
  • Meander Valley
  • George Town
  • Break O’Day
  • Flinders Island
  • Dorset
  • Northern Midlands

How to apply

Before applying, you must read and understand the pilot guidelines and the management protocols for your region. These documents can be found below and on the GrantConnect website. Any alterations to these documents and frequently asked questions will be published on GrantConnect. By registering with GrantConnect you will be automatically notified of any changes. GrantConnect is the authoritative source for grants information.

To apply:

  1. Read pilot documentation and the management protocols for your eligible NRM region.
  2. Plan your project and consider how it fits into your existing agricultural business, seeking expert advice (e.g. agronomists, financial advisers, service providers and others) where needed.
  3. Complete your application by following links at agsteward.com.au.  
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Planting protocols for the northern Tasmania NRM region must be followed to be eligible.

Q & A's

Where can I find more information?

Guidelines, management protocols and other information on the Enhancing Remnant Vegetation Pilot is available from the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and GrantConnect websites.

We strongly recommend that applicants seek independent professional advice about participation in this pilot, potentially including financial, legal, and agronomy specialists. Applications opened 29 September 2021 and close 5.00pm (AEST) 27 October 2021.

Funding

This project is funded by the Australian Government.

Support & enquiries

NRM North is supporting the delivery of the pilot in northern Tasmania.

For regional support and project design, contact:

Ben Slingsby

Land Program Manager

Mobile: 0491 229 987

Email: bslingsby@nrmnorth.org.au

For technical enquiries on the pilot or ag stewardship program:

Enquiries about the program can also be directed to agstewardship@awe.gov.au or 1800 329 055.