The Environment Levy Community Fund (ELCF) aims to support community-initiated projects with the principle purpose of achieving environment or sustainability outcomes.

The Environment Levy supports the implementation of projects to achieve the strategic directions, outcomes and aspirations for the future for our local community. The key focus areas are as follows:

• Invasive plant management;
• Biodiversity management;
• Coastline, estuary and river management;
• Sustainable food production; and
• Climate change adaptation and mitigation.

A portion of Environment Levy income has been allocated to the delivery of Council's Environment Levy Community Fund grant program.

Program objectives:

• Support environmental sustainability and on-ground projects
• Implement the community's Sustainability aspirations as outlined in Bellingen Shire Council's Community Vision 2035 and Biodiversity Strategy 2019.

• Energy and water saving initiatives
• Climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives
• Waste minimisation and recycling
• Fauna and flora protection and conservation
• Food growing and resilience
• Environmental education and community capacity building

Who can apply? 

• Incorporated not for profit organisations 
• Schools and pre-schools                         
• Groups and unincorporated associations with a nominated auspicing body (see definitions).

Who cannot apply?   

• Individuals 
• Commercial enterprises 
• Organisations which have outstanding reports or acquittals for past funding programs administered by Bellingen Shire Council 
• Organisations which do not have public liability insurance to cover the timeframe in which the project would be undertaken 
• Organisations that are outside of the Bellingen Local Government Area

• Phone: 6655 7300
• Email: council@bellingen.nsw.gov.au