15 February 2016 

Applications open - 2016 Round NSWALC Community Fund Grants 

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) is pleased to announce that applications are being sought from eligible LALCs for the 2016 round of the NSWALC Community Fund grants.

The NSWALC Community Fund 

The NSWALC Community Fund is part of the Community Development Levy mechanism introduced into the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 in 2009 to evenly spread the wealth from land councils with more valuable land holdings to those councils with less valuable land and development opportunities.

The NSWALC Community Fund Policy outlines how NSWALC will make funding available from the NSWALC Community Fund, including which LALCs will be eligible, for what purpose grants can be sought and on what basis applications will be assessed.

2016 Funding Round 

The funding round for 2016 is now open and applications will be accepted up until 5pm, 15 April 2016.

All LALCs will be advised of their eligibility to apply by NSWALC. Eligible LALCs may apply for grants of up to $50,000 for the following purposes:

•  Grants to assist with the acquisition of land, and
•  Grants to undertake land management activities       

How to apply 

Information about how to apply, what activities may be funded, and how applications will be assessed is outlined in the 2016 Application Guidelines. Eligible LALCs are encouraged to review this document prior to submitting an application.

Electronic versions of the application form in both Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF are also available on the NSWALC website www.alc.org.au. Please note that electronic applications are preferred.

Application forms and supporting documents should be submitted by 15 April 2016, and can be submitted via the following:

POST:   Policy and Programs Unit

NSWALC

PO Box 1125

Parramatta NSW 2124

EMAIL:              policy@alc.org.au

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the NSWALC Policy and Programs Unit on 02 9689 4444 or email policy@alc.org.au

Eligibility 

The NSWALC Community Fund Policy stipulates that only less advantaged LALCs are eligible for grants from the NSWALC Community Fund. Less advantaged LALCs are defined as being those LALCs with net land assets (less the value of any former reserves and missions, and any jointly managed National Parks owned by the LALC) worth less than the network average.

In December 2015, NSWALC advised each LALC of their potential eligibility for grants for the 2016 round and provided an opportunity for LALCs to provide feedback. 

2015 Round

In the inaugural 2015 round of the NSWALC Community Fund Grants program NSWALC made up to $600,000 available for eligible projects. NSWALC received 21 applications from eligible LALCs. The following table outlines the projects that were funded: