Express your interest

How can the Healthy Habitat project help me?

• Find out more about your property and develop a management plan for future activities with the assistance of our project officers and other local experts.

• Build your knowledge and skills by attending our training workshops on issues such as weed management and re-vegetation.

• Access up to $2800 (GST exclusive) in grants to remove weeds, plant native vegetation and protect existing native habitat.

How can I get involved?

Applications are now closed for Alligator Creek and Nome residents. If you live in Black River you need to register. Return the form to NQ Dry Tropics. The registration form will ask you to indicate which components of the project you are interested in. You may choose to do everything or just attend one of the training workshops.

Not all Black River residents will be in the targeted area and be eligible for funding. Contact our office for more information.  

Am I eligible for funding?

To apply for funding you need to have a property size of at least 1.6 hectares (four acres) and be located in one of the designated Alligator Creek, Nome or Black River areas. If your property is smaller than 1.6 ha you can apply for funding jointly with your neighbours, to achieve a total area of at least 1.6 ha.

Property owners are encouraged to submit applications that link with neighbouring activities and applications. Neighbouring properties working in cooperation achieve better native habitat management outcomes and offer better value for money.

What can I apply for?

Funding applications can be made for activities that help restore and protect native habitat. These activities may include weed management, fencing of native habitat areas and planting of native vegetation. The activities must directly impact on the restoration and/or protection of native habitat and wildlife and must be based on an action plan that has been developed in consultation with a Healthy Habitat project officer.

What activities can’t be funded?

• Costs incurred before the commencement date of a contract between the land owner and NQ Dry Tropics.
• Purchasing or leasing of equipment or materials that are part of a land owner’s normal responsibility for the management or maintenance of their property.
• Activities that have an adverse impact on any matter of environmental significance or will create a known environmental risk.

How much can I apply for?

Up to $2000 (GST exclusive) is available per property. For properties under 1.6ha $2000 is available for joint applications.

Successful applicants are expected to provide a matching contribution equivalent to the dollar value of the grant i.e. 50% of the total project cost. The matching contributions can be a combination of cash and/or in-kind support. In-kind support can include time, equipment and fuel.

An additional $800 herbicide subsidy may be available through Townsville City Council.

How do I apply?

Register for a property visit by a Healthy Habitat project officer. The project officer will help you develop an action plan or may recommend further expert advice to help with this. This expert advice will be provided free of charge. Once a suitable action plan has been developed, you can apply for funding. An application form will be provided by the project officer.

How will I be assessed?

There are four criteria for assessment of your application:

• The area of native habitat that will be restored and/or protected
• The species that will be protected
• The extent of linkages made with neighbouring properties
• Value for money

When will I be assessed?

Applications will be assessed as they are received by NQ Dry Tropics. The assessment process will take approximately two weeks.

When can I start my project?

Once your application has been assessed you will advised by NQ Dry Tropics. If successful you will be required to sign a contract with NQ Dry Tropics to ensure you will complete the agreed activities with the funds supplied. Once this contract has been signed you can begin your project.

When do I have to be finished?

A completion date for your project will be determined in consultation with you.

When will I get payed?

As a general rule payment will be made on the completion of the project, however for some projects payments may be made in instalments upon completion of milestones.

Are there any conditions?

You may be asked to participate in some free training such as the weed management or revegetation workshops.

If you have received past funding from the Australian Government all conditions around that funding must have been met for you to be eligible to receive funding through the Healthy Habitat project.

Can I submit multiple applications?

Applications for multiple projects on separate properties under the same ownership can be submitted and will be considered separately, however, a limit may be placed on the total amount of funding approved per owner.

Where can I get more information?

For more information you can contact a member of the Healthy Habitat project team at NQ Dry Tropics on 4724 3544 or email paul.wuth@nqdrytropics.com.au