Incentives, funding and scholarships

Hunter Local Land Services has a range of services and funding opportunities for our community in the Hunter region. Our range of grants and incentives allow for landholders, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, community groups, farming groups, public land managers, industry groups and oyster growers to apply for large to small grants.

Below is the list of funding programs available in the Hunter region for 2022-23. Many of these program are targeted (restricted to certain geographic areas, or applicant types) please check the eligibility requirements of each of the programs.

We can provide initial advisory services to landholders and Landcare groups, and through this can identify appropriate funding programs available in the Upper, Lower Hunter and Mid Coast regions.

Current Hunter Region Grants and Funding 2023

1. Land Management Incentives and advice - targeted programs (via EOI process)
2. Community Small Grants and Scholarships - open grants (online application)
3. Dig It – Revegetation Small Grants - targeted grants (via EOI process) (NEW)
4. Farm Makeover Grants - open grants
5. Beef Producer Group Grants - targeted grants (NEW - COMING SOON)
6. Climate Ready Aquaculture Small Grants - targeted grants (CURRENTLY CLOSED)
7. NRM Partnership Grants - targeted grants (application form)
8. Clean Coastal Catchments - (Mid Coast) targeted grants (COMING SOON)
9. Strategic Weeds-Grants Program (Regional) grants open.

Visit the grant program pages for more information including program objectives, priority areas, application requirements and more.

More information:

Contact us for more information on our grants programs incentives.program@lls.nsw.gov.au

Call us for any assistance or land management advice on 1300 795 299, whether it’s related to funding opportunities or general enquiries.

Land Management Incentives

Funding is available for a range of ground projects across the Hunter region including improving riverbank vegetation, restoring native vegetation, improving native fauna habitat, and sustainable on-farm practices. These include:

• 4 Valleys Program-Hunter Water Catchments (Paterson, Allyn, Williams, Chichester)
• Riverbank Vegetation Improvement Program (Mid Coast)
• Bringing Back the Regent Honeyeater (Upper and Lower Hunter)
• In Good Hands: Farmers and Landcare Protecting Box Gum Grassy Woodlands (Upper Hunter)
• Weed Action to Protect Box Gum Grassy Woodlands (Upper Hunter)
• Halls Creek Catchment Improvement Project (CURRENTLY CLOSED)
• Improving Priority Habitats for Koalas (Mid Coast)
• Bushfire Wildlife Recovery (Lower Hunter and Mid Coast)
• Riverbank Vegetation Improvement Program (Hunter Valley)
• Lower Hunter Estuary Program

View the interactive map and find out which Land Management Incentives are available.

Community Small Grants & Education Scholarships 2021-2024

Hunter Local Land Services will be delivering a program for community groups, networks or associations and individuals in building knowledge, skills and participation in land management practices. We encourage Landcare groups, schools, industry associations, farmer networks, pest animal networks, aboriginal organisations or other Natural Resource Management or agricultural community organisations to apply.

Read more and apply for a Community Small Grants & Education Scholarship.

Dig It! Revegetation Small Grants

Dig It! is a new program, piloted in 2021-22, to enable landholders to contribute to revegetating the Hunter region. The program is not a standalone grants program. Local Land Services provide support, training and resources to assist with the restoration and enhancement of native vegetation in the landscape.

Find out more and submit an expression of interest for a Dig It! Revegetation grant.

Farm Makeover Incentive Program

Hunter Local Land Services is supporting land managers to take the first step towards building drought resilience on their farms. The Agricultural Extension team is delivering a Farm Makeover Incentive Program as part of The Paddock Between the Ears Project. The aim is to show landholders through one small decision to makeover a natural resource on their farm, they can improve drought planning and farm production outcomes.

Landholders can apply for Farm Makeover grants to help fund a small project or ‘doable chunk’ to improve a natural resource asset on their farm.

Read more and apply for a Farm Makeover grant.

Strategic weeds grant program

Hunter Local Land Services and the Hunter Regional Weeds Committee have made funding available for organisations of the Hunter LLS Region to undertake weed management related activities.

Read more and apply for the Strategic Weed Grant Program.