The Grants Program offers $6 million to regional councils to improve, consolidate or close landfills in the Regional Levy Area and Non-Levied Area of NSW.

The objective of the LCEI Program is to provide funding for regional and remote councils in the RLA and NLA of NSW to close or improve landfill and transfer station sites . The Program aims to:

• support regional NSW local councils carry out site-specific improvement works to council-managed landfill and transfer station facilities.
• consolidate and close regional landfills at end of life or where councils have identified viable alternatives for waste disposal via the Council Waste Management Strategy or Regional Waste Strategy
• establish site-specific transfer stations at the location of the closed landfill site
• improve environmental and human health and well-being in communities
• improve management, safety and operation of landfills and transfer stations
• provide access to advisory services and education on best practice methods to improve waste management practices and landfill management efficiency, including to extend the life of landfills
• encourage use of the E-RAMP tool to assess sites at most risk and suitable for closure.

$6 million will be offered over three streams:

• up to $300,000 in Stream 1 for consolidation and closure of landfills and construction of transfer stations
• up to $250,000 in Stream 2 for site improvements for better environmental and operational performance
• up to $25,000 in Stream 3 for access to professional services and education courses related to Streams 1 and 2 such as feasibility studies, design closure plans, technical engineering plans to support councils. For further information on Stream 3 click here.

Organisations that are eligible to apply must:

• be located in the Regional Levy Area (RLA) or the Non-Levied Area (NLA) and;
• be located in a NSW council (as defined in the NSW Local Government Act), or;
• be a Regional waste group (RWG), Regional Organisations of Councils (ROC) or Joint Organisations of Councils (JOC). These organisations may apply and/or coordinate the project on behalf of several NSW councils within their regional group, provided each council nominates a contact person for the project.

• Email: infrastructure.grants@epa.nsw.gov.au