NatureAssist

To be eligible for NatureAssist grant funding, landholders must be willing to enter into a conservation agreement with the Queensland Government to declare a nature refuge over part, or all, of their property. The part of the property proposed as a nature refuge can still be used for compatible land uses such as sustainable grazing, eco-tourism or carbon farming.

Existing nature refuges are eligible for NatureAssist funding if they are willing to substantially expand the area of their nature refuge.

Existing nature refuge landholders can apply for Nature Refuge Landholder Grants or other situational grants like disaster recovery grants, when available.

Eligible projects may include activities related to the protection and improvement of biodiversity values, for example, pest and weed management, fire management, fencing to manage stock access to environmentally sensitive areas, baseline flora and fauna surveys or engaging First Nations people to record and develop management plans to protect cultural heritage.

The NatureAssist program supports practical, on-ground activities that protect and enhance important habitats, helps connect protected areas to form wildlife corridors, and ensures the long-term sustainability of Queensland's biodiversity.

A landholder must be willing to enter into a voluntary, in perpetuity conservation agreement with the Queensland Government to establish a nature refuge and protect the significant biodiversity values of their land.

The following considerations also apply: the significance of the biodiversity values on the land, the degree of threat to those values, the feasibility and sustainability of the proposed project, and the capacity of the applicant to carry out the project effectively.

NatureAssist Grant Guidelines will outline the full eligibility criteria specific to each grant round.

Application periods and funding rounds for the NatureAssist program are announced by the Queensland Government and may vary from year to year. Grant rounds are generally run as closed rounds where suitable landholders are invited to apply.

NatureAssist Grant Guidelines for each grant round will outline the relevant timeframes.

Funding amounts vary depending on the scope and scale of the project, as well as the specific government priorities and budget for each funding round. Applicants are required to provide a detailed budget as part of their application.

Yes, recipients of NatureAssist funding are required to enter into a grant agreement that details the obligations of both the grant recipient and the Queensland Government. This includes milestone timeframes, instalment amounts, project reporting requirements and demonstration of project outcomes. NatureAssist grants are paid in instalments, upon the completion of set milestones.

Once funded, the project will need to be implemented according to the agreed terms and conditions outlined in the grant agreement. Progress reports submitted throughout the project and an audited financial report upon completion of the project, are required to ensure that outcomes are achieved, and the funds are spent appropriately.

NatureAssist is focused on landscape-scale protection. As such, nature refuge proposals of significant size will be prioritised for NatureAssist consideration.

Get in contact with the department via nature.assist@des.qld.gov.au and someone will be in touch with you. Please provide the following information to enable us to attend to your enquiry:

• The lot on plan description(s) of your property.
• The approximate area proposed as a nature refuge.
• The current land uses occurring on the property.
• Any significant values you are looking to protect.
• Type of activities proposed for NatureAssist funding.
• Your name and contact details.