The main aim of the Coastal and Estuary Grants Program is to manage risks from coastal hazards, restore and maintain coastal habitats and improve the health of estuaries, wetlands and coastal rainforests in New South Wales.

Grant funding enables local councils and communities to prepare coastal management programs and implement actions identified in those programs. Grant offers are subject to statewide priorities and the availability of funds each financial year.

Funding is available for planning projects that aim to:

• develop a coastal management program (CMP)
• transition a coastal zone management plan (CZMP) to a coastal management program
• conducting studies to comprehend coastal processes and map coastal hazards/coastal vulnerability areas necessary for coastal management program development
• conducting studies to identify threats to coastal management areas within the NSW coastal zone essential for coastal management program development
• investigate and design coastal and estuary management activities recommended in a certified coastal management program.

Funding:

For all funding streams aside from exempt activities, CZEAS projects and projects over $5 million, the NSW Government will provide $2 for every $1 provided by the applicant (2:1 ratio).

Who can apply

Local councils, county councils, joint organisations (established under an Act of Parliament) and incorporated Regional Organisations of Councils (ROC).

Where multiple councils are working together within the same coastal sediment compartment or estuary to prepare and implement a coastal management program, one council, county council, joint organisation or incorporated Regional Organisations of Councils (from within the area) must be the lead agency in terms of signing the funding agreement, managing monies and reporting on the project.

Public land managers (such as a Crown reserve trust or a location-specific NSW Government authority) may apply in partnership with a lead council, providing the council or other eligible organisation is the principal applicant and assumes overall responsibility for administering the grant.

• Phone: (02) 9895 6494
• Email: coastalestuary.floodgrants@environment.nsw.gov.au