Building the Capacity of Local Government to Respond to Pests Guidelines for Round 4
Roadsides act as critical pathways for the introduction and spread of pests, imposing detrimental impacts to roadside values as well as adjoiningublic and private land.
The Victorian Government’s ‘Building the Capacity of Local Government to Respond to Pests’ (BCLG) project will build the capacity of municipal councils to manage Regionally Prohibited Weeds, Regionally Controlled Weeds and Established Pest Animals on municipal roadsides through a partnership approach. The BCLG project will provide funding for a roadsides grant program. This program will operate on a ‘without prejudice’ basis and will build on past initiatives that the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has completed with municipal councils.
Round 4, of the BCLG Grants Program will run for the next year.
Round 4 projects are to be implemented and completed by 1 June 2012.
The BCLG Grants Program has two components:
- On-ground works - effective treatment of declared invasive plants and animals on roadsides in line with State and regional priorities, and meeting local needs with an emphasis on long term control;
- Capacity Building - increasing the capacity of municipal councils to strategically manage invasive plants and animals for the long term.
Round 4 project proposals can include both on-ground works and capacity building components.
On-ground works
Eligible project activities are listed below in order of priority:
- Treating Regionally Prohibited Weeds on municipal roadsides.
- Controlling and preventing the spread of Regionally Controlled Weeds and the treatment of rabbits on municipal roadsides that align with DPI compliance areas and/or support community led pest management activities. Follow-up treatment works for projects funded in Rounds 1, 2 & 3 of the 2008/11 BCLG grant program should also be considered.
- Pest management activities for declared invasive species on roadsides that support other investment for integrated landscape protection projects
Capacity-Building Projects
The following are examples of eligible projects. For more examples please refer to the Tackling Weeds On Private Land Success Stories – Tackling Weeds Part 2
- Mapping infestation of declared invasive pest species on roadsides in line with the National Core Attributes for Weed Mapping (PDF document) which can be found on the Weeds Australia website (external link)
- Training relating to pest management for staff/contractors eg. Vehicle Hygiene / Weed identification / effective treatment of pest animals in native vegetation)
- Developing information and data collection systems that will enable improved management of invasive plants and animals. (eg. development of systems that enable collection/sharing of pest management information, alignment of data collection practices with state and national standards)
- Developing strategies or policy that will provide direction for invasive pest management within the municipality or in partnership with other organisations.
- Establishment of processes/procedures to prevent the spread of invasive plant species by machinery and equipment on roadsides (eg. contractor codes of practice, contract clauses)
- Integrating roadside weed management into existing roadside management projects for the protection of an asset (eg. Biodiversity, weed/pest overlays);
- Reviewing or developing contractual agreements for on-ground works to include or improve pest management specifications (eg. fire prevention plans, grass slashing operations, consideration of weed seed lifecycle when timing on-ground works).
- Capacity building projects should demonstrate how outcomes will be incorporated into Municipal Council processes and procedures
Ineligible Activities
- Purchase of capital items or equipment (i.e. computer hardware, spraying equipment)
- Long distance travel (ie. interstate or overseas)
- Purchase of computer software, however purchase of software licenses will be considered
- Funding is not available for projects that are; eligible for funding under another State or Federal Government program, or where the activity is clearly within the responsibility of another government program, or are seeking retrospective funding for projects or programs that have already started or have been completed
General Conditions
- Grants under this program are available only to Victorian municipal councils (joint applications are encouraged).
- Grants will be paid in two instalments – half at the commencement of the project and the remainder on submission and approval of a project completion report.
On completion of the project a project completion report must be submitted detailing activities undertaken and costs incurred. This report must be signed by the CEO and the project coordinator before the last instalment of the grant can be paid. A template for the project completion report is available on the DPI website, www.dpi.vic.gov.au/lgpartnerships
Timetable
- DPI staff are available to support and provide advice to municipal councils to develop project applications. Refer to DPI contact list
- Project activities must be completed and reported by the dates outlined in the table below:
|
Round 4 |
|
|---|---|
|
Activity |
Date |
|
Applications open |
21 March 2011 |
|
Applications close |
29 April 2011 |
|
Successful applicants notified |
From 2 June 2011 |
|
Signed agreements and first invoice submitted to DPI |
30 June 2011 |
|
Submit final completion report and final invoice |
1 June 2012 |
|
Project assessed & final funding payment |
15 June 2012 |
Project Assessment
A panel comprising representatives from DPI Biosecurity Victoria, and the Municipal Association of Victoria will assess applications on merit and make final recommendations for approval.
Following the assessment panel’s recommendations, project activities and outcomes may be amended. This will be a consultative process between DPI and municipal councils to ensure project activities align with available funds. Priority will be given to projects that can best demonstrate how the project will:
- successfully implement effective and cost efficient on-ground works (see priority criteria described in the on-ground works section)
- build the capacity of their Municipal Council to strategically manage invasive plants and animals for the long term.
Collaborative projects should be considered by municipal councils for Round 4.
Projects that include co-investment from the municipality or other stakeholders are encouraged, although not a mandatory requirement.
Payment Schedule
Fifty per cent of the project grant will be paid upon acceptance of a signed grant agreement form and an invoice with the correct grant amount and GST specified. The remaining 50% of the grant will be paid upon acceptance of the signed project completion report and invoice for remaining funds.
Funds for the remaining 50% of the grant will not be available after 30 June 2012.
Project Variation
If, for any reason the project is unable to proceed as planned, variation or cancellation of the project must be discussed with DPI’s Grant Coordinator. All uncommitted funds are to be returned to DPI as soon as the project is cancelled and no later than 1 April 2012 to allow redirection to another project.
Project Reporting
A project completion report, signed by the CEO, is required to be submitted to DPI at the end of the project and no later than 1 June 2012. The project completion report for round 4 will be available on the main Building the Capacity of Local Government to Respond to Pests page.
Lodgement of Round 4 Project Applications
Municipal Councils are required to lodge their round 4 applications electronically on the round 4 Project Application Form in MS Word format. Round 4 Applications should be sent to Doug.May@dpi.vic.gov.au by 5.00pm Friday 29th April 2011.
Further Information
Please refer to your local BCLG regional contact officer list
The BCLG Application Form Round 4 and further information about the program is available on the main Bulding the Capacity of Local Governemt to Respond to Pests page.
