Stream 3: Grants for Traditional Owners
Stream 3 of the Partnerships Against Pests grants program is open to Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs) and Traditional Owner Corporations (TOCs) to support the delivery of established weed and pest animal programs on country or within their organisation.
For Stream 3, eligible Traditional Owner groups are invited to submit project proposals which align with the Partnerships Against Pests program objectives and outcomes.
The funding could be used for a program or project that:
- Delivers on-ground works to manage established weeds and pest animals on Traditional Owner owned and managed properties.
- Builds or strengthens land management partnerships between Traditional Owners and community, government, industry and/or non-government organisation partners.
- Builds the skills and knowledge of public and private landowners/ managers to deliver management programs in culturally sensitive and appropriate ways.
- Builds the capacity and/or capability of Traditional Owners and/or Traditional Owner Corporations to manage weeds and pests on Country.
- Delivers educational activities that support other DEECA funded weed and pest projects.
This list is not exhaustive, and the grants team are open to discussing any potential projects that meet the objectives of the program.
These grants support the delivery of established weed and pest animal projects in line with the objectives of DEECA’s Pupangarli Marnmarnepu ‘Owning Our Future’ - Aboriginal Self Determination Reform Strategy 2020-2025.
Any RAPs/TOCs seeking more information about this funding should email: partnershipsagainstpests@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
Previously funded projects
The Traditional Owner stream of the Partnerships Against Pests grants has so far awarded nearly $750,000 in funding to 4 projects. These projects will be completed over up to 3 years and include a range of capacity and knowledge building activities for established invasive species, as well as work towards the achievement of Whole of Country Plans and Natural Resource Agreements.
Project | Recipient | Project Summary | Approved Funding | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BGLC: Pest Management Initiative | Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation | This project will implement a comprehensive pest management program aimed at controlling invasive plant and animal species to protect flora & fauna, thereby protecting native biodiversity and enhancing the health of our Country. | $160,000 | 2 years |
Enabling advancement of the Taungurung narrative regarding non-endemic species. | Biik Land Management | This project aims to facilitate knowledge sharing regarding the impact of non-endemic species on Taungurung Country. Species narratives will be created in a three-phase process (existing knowledge outline, knowledge sharing, and development of Taungurung narrative), using deer as the pilot species. This process will be repeated and refined for other non-endemic fauna and flora (pest plant and animal) species resulting in a larger community narrative, profiling the resilience of Taungurung Country to the presence of these species. | $250,000 | 3 years |
DJAKITJ Plant and Pest Management Capacity Uplift Project | DJANDAK | This project will work with the DJAKITJ Enterprise to assist in the agronomic, weed and plant management focus areas, including:
The project will also work with community partner groups to provide additional capacity building opportunities with native plant and plant pest management strategies. | $255,000 | 3 years |
Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation Weed Management Plan | Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation | Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation will collaborate with RMCG to develop a comprehensive strategic plan to manage the spread of weeds and seeds between properties. The strategic plan will involve:
The grant will also be used to implement weed matting to control the weeds around 75,000 Manuka seedlings. This initiative aligns with Yorta Yorta's strategy to heal and protect the environment. | $82,875 | 1 year |