Environment Group Support Grants
Council is proud to support the Environment Group Support Grant Program in recognition of the significant contributions our community environment groups make.
The program aims to support groups with capacity building, weed control and biolink enhancement to benefit the community and natural environment of the Macedon Ranges Shire.
There are three categories of funding that eligible groups can apply for. Groups can apply for one, two or all three funding streams.
Council and community partners, Macedon Ranges Community Enterprises Ltd (MRCE) and Community Bank Gisborne and District have collaborated to co-fund the Category 3, Biolink Boost Grant. MRCE will match Council’s funding to the amount of $20,000, boosting the funding available for the Biolink Boost Grant to $40,000.
Applications for the 2024-25 round closed on 30 September 2024.
|
Maximum funding
per project |
Council funding
available |
Matched funding
by MRCE |
Total available |
Category 1: Landcare, Friends Groups and
Network Support Funding |
Up to $800 |
$20,000 |
|
$20,000 |
Category 2: Strategic Weed Partnership Program |
Up to $1,500 |
$10,000 |
|
$10,000 |
Category 3: Biolink Boost Grant |
Up to $5,000 |
$20,000 |
$20,000 |
$40,000 |
For further information, call the Environment Unit on (03) 5422 0333 or email environment@mrsc.vic.gov.au
2024/2025 Funding Recipients
Category 1 – Landcare Friends Groups and Network Support Funding
Organisation |
Amount |
Pipers Creek & District Landcare Group |
$800 |
Woodend Landcare |
$800 |
Macedon & Mount Macedon Landcare |
$800 |
Macedon Ranges Field Naturalists |
$800 |
Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network |
$800 |
Newham and District Landcare Group |
$800 |
Macedon Ranges Indian Myna Action Group |
$800 |
Campaspe River & Land Management Group |
$800 |
Campaspe Valley Landcare Group |
$800 |
Upper Deep Creek Landcare Network |
$800 |
Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group |
$800 |
Tylden Landcare Group |
$800 |
Upper Maribyrnong Catchment Group |
$800 |
Friends of Daly Nature Reserve |
$800 |
Bullengarook Landcare Group |
$800 |
Deep Creek Landcare Group |
$800
|
Friends of Kyneton Botanic Gardens |
$800 |
Total |
$13,600 |
Category 2 – Strategic Weed Partnership Program
Organisation |
Amount |
Woodend Landcare |
$1,500 |
Newham and District Landcare Group |
$1,500 |
Campaspe River & Land Management Group |
$1,500 |
Bullengarook Landcare Group |
$1,500 |
Tylden Landcare |
$1,500 |
Macedon & Mount Macedon Landcare |
$1,500 |
Total |
$9,000 |
Category 3 – Biolink Boost Sponsored by Macedon Ranges Community Enterprises Ltd and Community Bank Gisborne & District
Organisation |
Project details |
Amount |
Woodend Landcare |
Five Mile Creek Black Gum Biolink Enhancement Project
|
$5,000 |
Friends of Black Hill Reserve Kyneton |
Black Hill Reserve Understory Revegetation Biolink for Woodland Birds project
|
$4,726.33 |
Newham and District Landcare Group |
Enhancing biodiversity within the Cobaw Biolink
|
$5,000 |
Campaspe Valley Landcare Group |
Blackwells Paddock seed planting and revegetation 2025
|
$5,000 |
Upper Deep Creek Landcare Network |
Mount William Range Biolink Boost Project |
$5,000 |
Baynton Sidonia Landcare Group |
Baynton Sidonia Tree Project |
$5,000 |
Greening of Riddell |
Riddells Creek excessive reed burden cull |
$2,800 |
Campaspe River and Land Management group |
Consolidating Campaspe River Rehabilitation
|
$5,000 |
Macedon and Mount Macedon Landcare Group |
Riddells Creek/ Bruce St. Revegetation
|
$5,000 |
Deep Creek Landcare Group |
Enhancing Deep Creek's Biodiversity |
$4,595 |
Total |
|
$47,121.33 |
Guidelines and resources
Guidelines 2024-25
Hard copies can be provided upon request.
Child Safe Standards
Macedon Ranges Shire Council is committed to a zero tolerance approach to child abuse, through actively promoting child safety and ensuring compliance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards. All applicants must demonstrate compliance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards and read/understand Council's Child Wellbeing and Safety Policy. Note: If your organisation is being auspiced for the purpose of this grant, the auspicing organisation will also need to meet the Child Safe Standards.
Smarty Grants
Environment Group Support Grants can be applied for using SmartyGrants.
SmartyGrants is an online grant management program to help grant recipients and Council record and track all the details around grant transactions. Through this program, you can apply for the grant, track it, and upload acquittal documents.
Assessment
Assessment of applications will be based on the scoring matrix of each category. The scoring matrix can be found within the funding categories and assessment criteria in the grant guidelines.
Variations/Extensions or returning grant funds
We understand that sometimes things don't go as planned. Call us on (03) 5422 0333 or email environment@mrsc.vic.gov.au if:
- you are encountering unexpected challenges in your project delivery.
- you need to make a variation or seek an extension to the project as planned in your application. You will need to complete a variation/extension request form and this will need to be approved by Council before any changes are undertaken.
Acquitting your grant
Once you have delivered your project, you will need to complete a Project Acquittal Report. You can access the form by logging in here and then clicking the 'My Submissions' link at the top of page. Here you will see your submission number and any associated forms open and waiting for you to complete.
Note: The 'My Submissions' area will store a history of all the submissions and additional forms you complete.
The report includes:
- a summary of the benefits, challenges and learnings of the project; and
- a summary of the grant expenditure and any remaining grant funds (if applicable);
- promotional and marketing activities undertaken, including examples of the recognition of Council's financial support, photo evidence of the project and any media coverage.
Please note: If you have been auspiced for the purposes of your grant, the acquittal report will need to be signed off by the Treasurer of the Auspice and the Treasurer of the Applicant Organisation. If you have any questions regarding this, contact the Environment team.
Thank you to our program partners