Fixing Farm Erosion Expression Of Interest

Landholders in the North Coast have reported significant erosion following flooding and storm events in recent years. Reports of erosion have been widespread and vary in nature, severity and primary cause. Best practice activities to repair and prevent further damage can be complex for many landholders to understand. North Coast Local Land Services is currently inviting landholders with erosion impacted land, or sites, to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to receive support to help manage the site and prevent future degradation.

Support available to successful applicants will include a farm visit from an expert consultant to provide management advice and a tailored plan with recommendations of how to remediate the impacted area. This plan may include a design and cost estimate for remediation works.

Applicants will also be invited to attend group workshops on erosion control, repair and management that will be delivered in locations across the North Coast Local Land Services region.

Applications will be assessed and prioritised to achieve best overall regional outcomes. The impact to production, severity and scale of erosion, landholder capacity to deliver remediation works, downstream impacts, and location will also be taken into consideration.

Examples of erosion impacts

• threat to built infrastructure such as pumps, sheds, irrigation infrastructure, etc
• reduced accessed to production areas
• dam failure or reduction in dam capacity
• decline in land productivity
• reduction in productive land area
• other types of erosion impacting production.

Successful applicants will receive

• a tailored plan with management advice and steps to take which may include an initial design and estimate of costings for remediation works
• invitation to attend group workshops on erosion control and repair
• erosion management resource materials.

Successful applicants will not receive

• on-ground delivery of farm erosion control works
• financial assistance

Landholder capacity

This project is unable to provide financial support for undertaking the works that may be outlined in the remediation plans. The expectation is that landholders can use these plans to undertake self-funded works or apply for future funding opportunities.

Applicants currently in a position to deliver the on-ground works either through their own labour, machinery or funds once a plan is in place will be prioritised.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must meet the following key eligibility criteria which includes:

• Located in the North Coast Local Land Services region (Figure 1)
• Demonstrated production impact from erosion that was sustained due to flooding, storm events and extreme wet weather during 2022 (ARGN 1012, February onwards)
• Capacity and willingness to deliver the remediation works.

Figure 1: North Coast Local Land Service outline of eligible area

How to apply

If you meet the eligibility criteria, complete an Expression of Interest form

Timeframe

EOIs are now closed.

Farm visits will occur from October - February 2024.

Group workshops to occur December - February 2024 with dates and locations to be advised.

Contact us

If you have any questions, require further information or support with completing an EOI please contact: Harriet Brickhill - Project Officer, North Coast Local Land Services, Mobile : 0467 446 222  Email: harriet.brickhill@lls.nsw.gov.au

Alternatively, you can contact your nearest Local Land Service Office on 1300 795 299

The Fixing Farm Erosion EOI is funded through the Early Needs Recovery Program. Local Land Services is delivering the program in collaboration with the Department of Regional NSW and the NSW Department of Primary Industries. The program is part of the $150 million Primary Industry Support Package which is co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.