Home/Media Releases/Large grants under $5m Weeds Action Fund tackle threat to landscape

Large grants under $5m Weeds Action Fund tackle threat to landscape

A large grants round under Stage 2 of the Tasmanian Government’s $5 million Weeds Action Fund opened today. The initiative supports stopping the spread of and eradicating weeds that pose a threat to Tasmania’s agriculture and the environment.

Delivery partner, NRM North is facilitating the competitive grants up to $50,000 per year, for up to three years.

Weeds Action Fund Coordinator, Dr Raelene Mibus said that the Weeds Action Fund is different to past weed programs.

“We want people to work together and be strategic.”

“To be successful, applications must be built on strong collaboration and engage broadly across the community. This may involve working with your neighbours, local council, other infrastructure providers or agencies, like TasWater, TasRail, State Growth Roads, forestry businesses, or community groups,” said Dr Mibus.

“We are looking to protect and improve highly valued areas across Tasmania in a lasting way,” said Dr Mibus.

These large grants aim to stop the spread or if possible, eradicate a select group of weed species across broad landscape units, such as municipalities, catchments or regions.

Projects must demonstrate significant, measurable improvements to the productivity of agricultural land or the protection of environmental assets.

The large grants round will provide funds to multi-year, large-scale projects that engage neighbouring landholders and managers to deliver widespread and lasting outcomes.

The weeds targeted in this grant round are described in the Weeds Action Fund Targeted Large Grants Guidelines that can be found on the NRM North website. These include gorse, several invasive grasses and other species.

Gorse 700x700.jpg

Gorse (Ulex europaeus) is a target weed in this large grants round.

Targeted Weeds

  • Gorse (Ulex europaeus)
  • serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma)
  • Chilean needle grass (Nassella neesiana)
  • African feathergrass (Cenchrus macrourus, syn. Pennisetum macrourum)
  • African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula)
  • Parramatta grass (Sporobolus africanus)
  • yellow burweed (Amsinckia spp.)
  • Heather ​(Calluna vulgaris)
  • Karamu (Coprosma robusta)

Funding is available for on-ground works, planning and extent mapping, community education, extension activities, and project management support.

As the administrator of Stage 2 of the Weeds Action Fund program, NRM North works with delivery partners NRM South and the Cradle Coast Authority to coordinate grants to eligible farmers, community organisations, land managers and other entities throughout Tasmania.

Applications close 5.00 pm, Wednesday 5 May, 2021.

For more information visit: www.nrmnorth.org.au/land/weeds-action-fund/large-grants-round/

For media enquiries contact NRM North Communications Coordinator Jessie Stanley on 03 6333 7791.