Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Hill Country Erosion Programme
SLM Hill Country Erosion Fund
The Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Hill Country Erosion Fund is part of the SLM Hill Country Erosion Programme.
About the fund
The SLM Hill Country Erosion Fund, through regional initiatives, provides targeted government support to communities that need to protect erosion-prone hill country while recognising that, wherever possible, farmers seek to retain the maximum practical production from their land.
Regional councils and unitary authorities may apply for funding for projects that assist hill-country farmers to treat erosion-prone land and implement sustainable management practices.
Through the fund, $2 million per year is available for regional initiatives. Projects may be funded for up to four years. The actual annual funds available will depend on the value of grants awarded in previous years. There is no minimum or maximum annual grant.
A Hill Country Erosion Fund grant will not cover the full cost of a project. Regional councils and landowners are also expected to provide some financial support to the proposed project. Landowners' support may include an "in-kind" contribution.
What the fund can be used for
Funds can be used for regional initiatives that:
- protect unstable or potentially unstable land;
- protect stream beds;
- support community catchment facilitation groups;
- plan or implement erosion protection programmes;
- educate owners of hill country;
- provide resources for protection programmes.
What the fund cannot be used for
The fund cannot be used for projects that primarily focus on:
- purchasing land;
- commercial forestry;
- lower catchment infrastructure (roads, stop banks);
- water quality improvement;
- carbon sequestration;
- biodiversity;
- land management programmes covering an area of less than 10 000 hectares;
- retrospective costs;
- activities more appropriately funded by other funds or organisations;
- local or central government fees or charges;
- participation in statutory processes, litigation or resource inventory work.
There are other funds that may be more suitable for supporting these types of work.
Who can apply to the fund
Regional councils and unitary authorities may submit applications for funding.
Community groups and landowners are not eligible to apply to the fund, but can participate in regional initiatives that are supported by the fund.
How to apply for funding
Regional councils and unitary authorities can request an application pack by contacting:
HCE Project Adviser
Natural Resources Group
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
Tel: 04 894 0632
Email: hcefund@maf.govt.nz
The application pack contains information about the application process, assessment criteria and administration requirements for successful applications.
Application process
Application to the SLM Hill Country Erosion Fund is a two stage process.
Stage 1: Assesses the proposal against the eligibility criteria. Those applicants that meet the criteria and provide a strong case for further consideration will be asked to submit a Stage 2 application. Click here to view the eligibility criteria.
Stage 2: Evaluates the application with focus on the definition of the problem, how the programme will be implemented, consideration of alternatives, the level of support and how the proposal relates to local and central government policies and rules. Click here to view the assessment criteria.
Application timeline - 2010
| 25 February 2010 | Stage 1 applications close |
| Mid March 2010 | Stage 1 shortlist invited to submit Stage 2 applications |
| 22 April 2010 | Stage 2 applications close |
| June 2010 | Applicants notified of final decisions |
Funded projects
| Grant No. | Project title | Name of Applicant Group |
|---|---|---|
| 07/01 | Sustainable Land Use Initiative | Horizons Regional Council |
| 08/02 | Poplar & Willow Breeding Programme | Plant & Food Research |
| 08/03 | Wairoa Sediment Reduction Initiative and Catchment Facilitation Programme | Hawkes Bay Regional Council |
| 09/04 | South Taranaki Regional Erosion Support Scheme | Taranaki Regional Council |
Contact for Enquiries
HCE Project Adviser
Natural Resources Group
MAF Policy
PO Box 2526
WELLINGTON 6140
Telephone: (04) 894 0632
Contact this person
