The Communities Environment Program is funding small, community-led environment projects that address local environmental priorities. In consultation with their community, each Federal Member of Parliament must identify potential applicants and projects in their electorate and invite them to apply for a grant.

The Communities Environment Program aims to support the environmental priorities of local community and environment groups in their regions and neighbourhoods, to recover and strengthen the environment and to build and strengthen local communities.

Grants can range from $2,500 to $20,000 per project and the majority of funding must be directed to on-ground activities within the electorate of the nominating Member of Parliament. Cash and/or in-kind co-contributions are encouraged.

Eligible project activities may include:

  • monitoring local flora, fauna, water quality and marine debris
  • supporting recovery of threatened species
  • actions identified in recovery plans or conservation advices for threatened species, such as providing nest boxes or artificial burrows
  • seed collection and propagation to support revegetation
  • planting trees and understorey to rehabilitate degraded habitats
  • reducing the impacts of invasive weeds and pest animals
  • fencing to control access to sensitive sites, remnant vegetation or revegetation sites
  • installation of infrastructure, such as boardwalks to manage access to sensitive natural habitats
  • reducing sediment, contaminant and nutrient run-off to waterways
  • litter clean-up events, marine debris collection or litter management infrastructure
  • new or enhanced recycling drop-off facilities, and community-based initiatives to repair, share, re-use or recycle products
  • workshops to increase community skills in monitoring, conserving, and/or protecting threatened species, ecological communities or other important environmental assets

Note: Activities must be mostly on-ground and be undertaken in an eligible location.

To be eligible to apply an organisation must:

  • be nominated by a local federal Member of Parliament
  • have an Australian Business Number (ABN), and
  • be an incorporated entity type listed in the Program’s Guidelines (including schools, Parents and Citizens Associations and Indigenous organisations)

Next steps: Community groups should submit a one page summary of their project to: braddon@aph.gov.au. Projects activities must be eligible and should be submitted to Mr Gavin Pearce by Tuesday 17th September 2019 for the consultation phase.

If your project is approved, you will be invited to complete an application form.

Applications open: 12 August 2019

Applications close: 10 October 2019

Please refer to the information below and the Program Guidelines for further information https://www.environment.gov.au/cep

Please note that some community groups may have previously submitted projects to the former Member for Braddon when expressions of interest were called for in March.

The program could not be progressed till after the recent Federal Election. As there is a new Member for Braddon, please re-submit your application to the office of Gavin Pearce through the email: braddon@aph.gov.au.

NB Community groups and organisations in the Kentish municipality should contact Mr Brian Mitchell MP, Lyons Electorate.