Increasing support for landholders

This Landholder Support Program is open to landholders with a registered Trust for Nature covenant in the Wimmera and Glenelg Hopkins catchments who were impacted by the Western Victoria Bushfires over the summer of 2024/25 around Gariwerd and Little Desert.

Applications are open from 2 to 31 January 2026.

Applications must meet the following eligibility criteria: 

1. Landholder with registered covenant within the Wimmera or Glenelg Hopkins catchment 
2. Covenant impacted by the bushfires of summer 2024/25 
3. Landholder is seeking support for up to $3,000 (incl. GST) 
4. Landholder is seeking support for approved works (e.g. boundary fencing, woody weed control, revegetation) 
5. Landholder has submitted quote from suitably qualified and insured contractor 
6. Confirmation works can be delivered by contractor by 31 May 2026 

Landholders can apply for works that will benefit the recovery of their covenant from the bushfires, specifically:

• Woody weed control  
• Boundary fencing 
• Revegetation 

Applications must provide the following details to be successful:  

• details of the works to be undertaken by a contractor, for example: 
  • woody weed control – approximate size of the weed treatment area, treatment method, target species, arrangement of the weeds (i.e., scattered, small patches, large patches, majority coverage, complete coverage) 
  • revegetation – objectives, target vegetation community or ecological vegetation class (EVC), revegetation method, species or types of species 
  • covenant boundary fencing – location, length, type, the species that the proposed fence is altering access to (e.g., deer, stock, pest herbivores). 
• at least one photo of the site where the works will occur 
• a fixed price quote from an appropriately licenced and insured contractor  
• copies of relevant licences, permits and/or insurances for the contractor (e.g. for activities involving chemicals, a contractor must hold the relevant type of commercial operator licence and hold comprehensive public liability insurance). 
• approximate timeframe for completion of the works (noting that all works must be completed by 31 May 2026). 

You must fill out the complete application form, which you can find here.

Applications must include all the information specified in the question ‘What are the evaluation criteria?’.  

Preference will be also be given to applications that: 

• demonstrate alignment to the covenant’s management plan (where possible) 
• demonstrate value-for-money 
• preference Indigenous-owned business for contracting works 
• landholders that have not received funding for on-ground works via Trust for Nature in the past 12-months. 

The program will provide up to $3000 (including GST) for each successful applicant.

To apply: 

• Check that your application meets the evaluation criteria, including a fixed price quote from a contractor.  
• Click on this link to access the application form on the Trust for Nature website. 

To apply, landholders must submit quotes from contractors who will undertake the works. Preference will be given to applications that support First Nations led businesses. Works must be completed by 31 May 2026.

Trust for Nature will review all applications for eligibility, and successful landholders notified by 14 February 2026. 

Quotes and invoices from contractors must be addressed to Trust for Nature for payment (not made out to the landholder).  

Quotes and invoices must contain: 

• Contractor’s identity 
• Contractor’s Australian business number (ABN) 
• Date that the quote or invoice was issued 
• Trust for Nature’s information:
  C/O Laura McLean
  Ph: 0427 378 103
  Email: landholdersupport@tfn.org.au
  Level 5/379 Collins Street, Melbourne, Vic, 3000 
• Description of the services, including the quantity (if applicable) and the price. 
• Total sum of the works, including the GST amount (where applicable) *must not exceed $3,000 (including GST). 
• Extent to which each sale on the invoice is a taxable sale. 
• Account details (on invoices). 

Trust for Nature will pay the contractor directly, noting that the amount in the invoice does not exceed $3,000 (including GST), and does not exceed the initial quote. 

Yes. Contractors must have appropriate licences and insurances, which must be submitted with the application. 

In addition, preference will be given to applications that include quotes from Indigenous-owned businesses. 

No. Trust for Nature cannot assist with preparing quotes, providing contractor details, or negotiating works by contractors.

All applications will be assessed against the eligibility criteria by the Evaluation Panel (refer to ‘What are the evaluation criteria?’). 

Successful applicants will be notified by email after which time contractors can be booked to undertake works according to the quote submitted in the application.  

Unsuccessful landholders will also be notified. 

Following completion of the approved works by the contractor, successful landholders will need to provide to Trust for Nature: 

• Correctly rendered invoice to Trust for Nature (not exceeding $3,000 including GST and the initial quote) 
• Photos of the completed approved works. 
• Spatial information from the contractor (in a kml/kmz, gpx or shapefile format): 
• woody weed control: Track log of spraying, or polygon of area treated.  
• revegetation: Polygon of area revegetated. 
• boundary fencing: GPS line of the new or repaired fence.