Funding
Funding after 1 July 2008
Funding under the Natural Heritage Trust concludes on 30 June 2008. For information on the development of funding arrangements under the Caring for Our Country program due to commence on 1 July 2008 see
Past funding
The Australian Government generally determined the priorities for distributing Natural Heritage Trust funding. However, some funding was available on a competitive basis at a local, regional and national level.
Regional funding
Regional Plans
Funding of regional plans and investment strategies made up a large share of funding from the Trust (and the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality). The majority of funds were allocated to regional bodies.
Investment in projects in regional areas was made through regional natural resource management (NRM) plans and investment strategies. NRM plans for each region were developed within local communities, and supported by government and the best available science. At least one regional body was formed in each region to undertake the task of managing and protecting the region's natural resources. Some components of competitive funding may be still be available through the regional bodies. Contact your regional facilitator for further information.
Local funding
Australian Government Envirofund
The Australian Government Envirofund had two main objectives:
- to enable community groups to undertake small scale on-ground projects tackling important local issues
- to provide a means through which community groups can become involved with broader approaches to natural resource management
Grants of up to $50,000 (GST inclusive) were available for local projects.
National funding
National Strategic Plan
The National Strategic Plan sets out the priorities for Commonwealth only investment over the financial years 2003-07. These investment priorities and the Framework for the Extension of the Natural Heritage Trust guided decisions about Commonwealth investments at the national level of the Trust.
The NHT Projects section of this web site provides access to lists and descriptions of projects funded by the Trust.
Regional Competitive Component
The Regional Competitive Component supported higher-cost, larger-scale, multi-regional or cross-jurisdictional, multi-year projects that aimed to lead to significant improvements in the sustainable management of natural resources. There were three rounds of funding available. The successful projects for the third round were announced in October 2005.
National Competitive Component
The National Competitive Component supported new, innovative and pilot projects that lead to significant improvements in the sustainable management of natural resources and improve regional NRM delivery. There were two rounds of funding available. The successful projects for the second round were announced in October 2005.