Expert Details
Thinking of applying for a Coastcare grant? Ask Tina for tips.
|
Name: Tina Demetriou |
|
Description:
Tina is an expert in Coastcare grants and assisting community groups in preparing project proposals.
If you are seeking funding from a business or want to build a corporate partnership, refer questions to Scott Gibson.
| Questions and Answers |
Questions Posted by: Dave Norton |
| Qn: We run a medium size banana plantation in the wet tropics region, we have just completed a 18month project looking at efficient on farm water use and nutrient management, and best practices to stop nutrient losses to the reef. We have now implemented best nutrient management practices and are looking to change the source of our fertilizer from synthetic ferilizers (worst for environmental damage) to organic fertiliser. The plan we are building is to construct a plant on farm to take waste product from other industries ( seafood, timber, sugar cane) and recycle these natural materials into orqanic soil admendments, to meet the nutrient requirements of commercially grown bananas. Part of th e project will involve the construction of a 2acre off stream wetland to filter the runoff from the recycling plant. Basically we are looking to demontrate to the industry best practices to improve water quaility leaving the farm. Will a project of this nature fall into the caring for coast project guide? Ans: Hi Dave If the project itself is to construct the off stream wetland for the purpose you have stated I think you have a really good basis for the project. So in short, yes you fall into the criteria. What I would recommend is that you write down the skeletal outline of the project and then call one of the NRM facilitators either in your area or at Community Coastcare in Canberra, and run it by them to ascertain if you have all bases covered. When you are considering your project you need to look at the 5 assessment criteria - available at www.nrm.gov.au- have a look at these as there is extra detail, however in short: 1. Environmental and sustainable land management outcomes in line with the national priorities - you have covered this, you just need to be really clear on explaining how. 2. knowledge and skills sharing and community engagement - this could include general community as well as your 'industry' community, so you should look at how you will share this knowledge and perhaps even capacity build/upskill others in the industry or get them involved in your project. This needs to be a significant part of the project. 3. Value for money of the proposed project - so consider the best option not just in terms of figures, but quality, value and on-going benefits. 4. Demonstrated high public benefit - if you are going to be increasing the health of surrounding environments/reefs etc you can detail this quite extensively. You may also consider the overflow health benefits not only of the physical environment but also the health of people and other species and show how this will be of public benefit. Remeber, Governments are spending Australian tax payers money, so they need to justify spend in terms of public benefit, so keep this in mind in your wording 5.Partnerships - this is key - individuals, community, industry, Indigenous community and Indigenous Lands Councils, organisations and schools etc are all kinds of partnerships you can forge. There are very useful and clear fact sheets on the website also that will assist you in 'walking through' the process, I highly recommend you have a read of these. best of luck with it |
Questions Posted by: Tony Scott |
| Qn: Hi Tina, We are looking at putting a caostcare application in for the larger 250,000 grants. It will be based on a coastal walk incorporating aboriginal interpretation. I am a bit hesitant on putting the application in because a large component is planning i.e. doing a site plan (large community consultation) that meets the land managers requirements, cultural heritage assessment, threatened species assessment (100K worth) before we even implement some on ground works. What are your thoughts on this? Ans: Hi Scott It sounds like a really good and worthwhile project integrating good partnerships. Planning is a good thing. As they say, failure to plan is planning to fail. Perhaps you can tease out the structure of the planning process. The fact that a great deal of planning shouldn't be a deterant as that is such a key and integral component of any good project. With the planning phase, have a look at the five key assessment criteria and design the planning process in line with these criteria. This could be a really worthwhile time to be able to engage with community and build up relationships, engage new members, new partners and so forth. I'm not sure exactly why you are hesitant, so I hope I am answering your questions. I am assuming you feel that that much planning may not be looked upon favourably? If so, apart from what I have mentioned above, simply justify, justify, justify as you go on the importance of all the elements of the planning process in relation to the overall project. ie, how will the planning achieve priorities as set out in the program criteria? how will it help achieve goals and objectives? how will it engage community? how will it nurture partnerships and future visions? Don't forget to outline how the walkway will be protecting and preserving coastal environments (and what types of environments), will it be protecting species and habitats? if so which species and what habitat? how much involvement will you have with Indigenous communities? Will the Indigenous community have on-going involvement?how will the project have on-going benefits for the wider community? Will you also have some kind of workshop or event that launches or opens the walkway and informs people of the existance and or call for people to join in preserving the area etc? you may even decide the whole project may be the planning, consultation, community engagement at this stage and stage 2 (a separate grant application) may be the actual on-ground works and launch, workshops, field trip, cultural walk/talk. etc. I hope this helps, you are also welcome to contact me if you need or please feel free to ask further questions. |
Questions Posted by: Tony Randall |
| Qn: Hi Tina, With regard to the the areas where environmental restoration work may be undertaken trough a Coastcare Grant, do these grants apply to esturine areas and also to local freshwater watercourses and wetlands adjacent to the coastal strip.If so how far from the beach is permissable within the application. Ans: Community Coastcare projects may target all coastal environments including: - intertidal zones - beaches - dune ecosystems - estuarines and coastal wetlands - islands and reefs and coastal vegetation - coastal waters ie nearshore marine areas They haven't given clear definition of how far landward, however they have stated it may also target: - areas immediately landward of coastal waters where there are processes or activities that affect the coast and its values....so in other words you can target areas landward of the waterways that are the 'source' of issues, rather than just targeting the problem once it has happened. |
Questions Posted by: Fiona Blinco |
| Qn: Will the community Coastcare grants accept and fund a 3 year capacity building project, or does all the funding have to be spent in one year? Ans: In my understanding smaller projects up to $50k need to be finalised within 18 months and larger scale projects between $50k-$250k need to be completed in 24 months. They don't usually like to waver from this structure. |
Questions Posted by: Catherine Carter |
| Qn: We have an accommodation business on the outskirts of Byron Bay and a 26acres of wetland bordering a tea tree lake. We would like to do some regeneration and provide a board walk. Ans: You have the basis for a good project. You just need to consider: - partnerships - who will be involved - bordering landholders, Council, CMA's, Indigenous community, community groups, environmental groups, schools, tourists etc - indicate who the project also relates to and see if you can get greater partnership involvement. - community engagement - you will have to show how there will also be public benefit - will you be opening the area to the public - guided walks, talks, school excursions etc. - Indigenous community - perhaps you can include the local Indigenous community to input to the site plans and any educational elements that can flow on from there. - regeneration - explain the habitat and species that will be positively affected by this project and how it relates to the region, nearby waterways and systems. (note: Scott Gibson also replied to this questions, click here to see what he said) |
Questions Posted by: Steve |
| Qn: Our school has an extensive wetland area (owned by Ed. Dept.) adjoing our school. We would like to build an observation deck in this area to allow us to conduct water quality monitoring, science activities etc. Are you aware of any specific grant that our organisation could investigate that could assist us in our attempts to complete this project. Ans: The Community Coastcare grants are now open to all schools and educational institutions. This could be a good one to investigate. All details are at www.nrm.gov.auand follow the link to Community Coastcare. You would do well to focus on partnerships in the project, explain how you will be involving the wider community. There needs to be a wide public benefit, beyond just your school, so perhaps you would also have open days, field trips, small events, guided walks, Indigenous guided walks and talks and so forth. Also flesh out the water quality monitoring, how and why will you be doing this. Where does the wetland area extend into etc If you have a look at that and have further questions, please feel free to ask. |
Questions Posted by: Richard House |
| Qn: Grants are always for projects. I am Chairman of Victor Harbor Coastcare (20 members)and one of our problems is that we also need money for running costs such as postage, PO Box No rental, hall hire for meetings, etc. Our annual membership of $5/head is insufficient. Are there any sources for getting money for running costs? Ans: All the grants that I am aware of do not cover running costs. I would hesitate to guess that what you are requiring is sponsorship. Grants are funded by public money, so Governments would be hard pressed to justify why 'Australian tax payers' are paying for anyone's running costs. Partnerships and sponsorships are probably your biggest focus for this kind of thing. (note: This question has also be addressed by Scott Gibson, to view his reply click here ) |
Questions Posted by: Melissa |
Qn: Hi Tina, firstly, In what ways could the general public, coastcare groups etc be making a real positive impact, in your field of work/expertise? Secondly, If you could change one thing tomorrow about the way our coastal systems and resources are currently managed, what would that be? Ans: The general public and coastcare groups can make a positive impact by looking in their own backyards and understanding the landscape and environment; getting to know the lay of the land and where waterways link and connect. They can do this by seeking out resource maps at local government and environment centres. The groups can then really make an impact by creating a small or large project that involves many in the community; aimed at increasing awareness of relevant local issues and or actually fixing the problem. Make contact with your local Aboriginal community and/or Lands Council and consider partnering with them to incorporate education from an Indigenous perspective. Groups can also talk to local government Environmental Educators or Sustainability Educators and co-create projects, workshops, activities that are aligned with the goals of the local environmental plan. Additionally any group can take one small thing (if not more) to their own homes, schools, clubs, groups ie, composting, creating community gardens, go on walks in nature areas, film nights, link themes into school activities, plays, music nights, art/photographic competitions and so forth. In essence: think local, act local...(whilst keeping a global conscience). I would like to see a more holistic approach to the management of coastal systems and resources that pays particular attention to Traditional Indigenous land use management, schools and the education system, Councils, businesses - where everyone has input into the management of these areas and also everyone develops an equal sense of responsibility. I would like to see more on developing people's connection to the land. |
