Aboriginal Land Clean Up and Prevention Program

Program snapshot

Category: Illegal dumping grants

Amounts: Total of $1,000,000 with individual grants of $10,000 to $75,000

Eligible bodies: NSW Local Aboriginal Land Councils; and local councils, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, consultants, and other entities working in partnership with a Local Aboriginal Land Council

Contact: aboriginal.programs@epa.nsw.gov.au

Status: Opens for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from 13 December 2021 to 31 March 2022

Managed by: NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)

Aims

Under Waste Less Recycle More Extension the Aboriginal Land Clean Up and Prevention (ALCUP) aims to:

  • reduce the impacts of illegal dumping on Aboriginal land through clean up and prevention activities
  • build and maintain collaborative approaches and partnerships to help manage and reduce the occurrence of illegal dumping
  • integrate deterrence, surveillance and monitoring measures and community education to prevent illegal dumping activities on Aboriginal land
  • incorporate cultural activities that enable Aboriginal people to care for Country, engage in knowledge sharing and gain skills and employment in land management.

In round 4, the EPA made changes to ALCUP to reflect feedback from Aboriginal communities and organisations to better meet the needs of Aboriginal communities. We thank the individuals and organisations that helped us review the program. We are always happy to talk about improvements that can be made. Please email any suggestions or problems to aboriginal.programs@epa.nsw.gov.au

Funding of between $10,000 to $75,000 is available to Local Aboriginal Land Councils for individual projects. All funded activities must be completed within an 18-month period.

The priorities for the funding reflect the EPA's commitment to deliver an integrated approach to combat illegal dumping through active engagement and collaboration between government, land managers and local communities.

To apply

Round 5 ALCUP opens on 13 December 2021 and closes on 31 March 2022.

Round 5 EOIs must be submitted through the EPA's online grant application service, powered by SmartyGrants.

Start your online application now

SmartyGrants Applicant guides:

Please contact the EPA for any help needed to fill in your EOI on SmartyGrants.

Successful grantees will be required to submit a progress report no later than 9 months after the grant agreement is signed, a final report and final financial report no later than 18 months after the grant agreement is signed.

Past recipients

Round 4 templates:

Under Round 3 the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) awarded over $300,000 to eight projects from seven successful New South Wales Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

Organisation Amount Project summary
Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council $20,000 This project will focus on the NSW State Heritage listed Bundian Way. An ancient Aboriginal walking path from the high country to the coast which passes through Bilgalera and the Kiah River. Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council will install signs to deter dumping behaviour. Restrict entry point with gates to prevent dumping and clean-up illegally dumped waste.
Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council $39,895 Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council has identified hotspots in an Indigenous Protected Area at Wardell located 17km from Ballina. The area has been prone to illegal dumping for over 15 years. This project will alert the community to the threat of illegal dumping through newsletters. Signage will be installed to deter dumping. Waste will be removed with clean-up works and access to the site restricted to prevent further illegal dumping.
Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council $48,000 Jerrinja have developed a partnership with All Sustainable Futures to assist administer this project. Identified as a hotspot of illegal dumping activity, the Orient Point Mission is adjacent to a significant indigenous burial site. Waste will be removed from the site, road access will be restricted with gates or bollards and the road length revegetated. These prevention measures will also be coupled with community consultation and education to prevent future illegal dumping.
Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council $41,000 Jerrinja have developed a partnerhsip with All Sustainable Futures to assist administer this project. Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council will focus on the two sites Jerriwerri and Currambene Creek, which have been prone to illegal dumping issues over the last 30 years. A community led clean-up will be conducted. Access roads will be gated, or have bollards installed to restrict entry to enable the road length to be revegetated. Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council will also engage in community consultation and an education program to prevent future illegal dumping.
Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Council $50,000 Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Council is situated upon a former Aboriginal mission and reserve adjacent to the Karuah River. This site has been subject to continuous illegal dumping of mixed waste for several years, posing a threat to the natural environment and waterways. The project involves a clean-up of dumped waste, installation of signage and fencing. Partnered with education and publicity components to raise awareness of the project.
Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council $49,980 Booninybah (Letitia Spit, Fingal Head) is a culturally and environmentally significant site to the local Aboriginal population and the wider community. Work will be undertaken to reduce the impact of illegal dumping, with an outreach strategy to the wider community. The project will include clean-up activities, an education campaign, installation of signage, bollards and earth months.
Ulladulla Local Aboriginal Land Council $30,700 For over 20 years South Street and Warden Street in Ulladulla along with Matron Porter Drive in nearby Narrawallee have been hotspots for illegal dumping. Ulladulla LALC will use funding to install prevention measures such as gates, fencing and bollards at access points. Illegally dumped waste will be removed and the sites monitored to prevent further dumping.
Yaegl Local Aboriginal Land Council $44,788 Illegal dumping has taken place over 10 years in the land surrounding Yaegl's tenant housing where many families reside. This funding will address historical illegal dumping and focus on environmental hygiene and land management. Illegally dumped waste will be cleaned up and signage and bollards will be installed to deter and prevent future dumping. The local community will be involved in planting native species and caring for country.

Under Round 2 the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) awarded $172,828 to five New South Wales Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

Organisation Amount Project summary
Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council $25,740 Covering over 52ha the Worimi Land Council’s site known as ‘The Farm’ has a long history of illegal dumping. The site comprises natural bushland and is the site of two burial grounds. Due to its significance, the land was one of the first land claim parcels applied for by the Worimi Land Council. Illegally dumped waste has been deposited on the land and has built up over time. Asbestos sheeting was reported by the Rural Fire Service leading to the site not included in recent fire reduction operations in 2014. The funding will be used to remove the waste from the site, re-string old fencing to limit vehicle access and installation of illegal dumping deterrence signage.
Gugin Gudduba Local Aboriginal Land Council $28,072 The Land Council owns two properties which are prone to illegal dumping. Illegal dumping has remained an ongoing issue over the past 20 years. It is estimated the two properties collectively hold 12 tonnes of illegally dumped waste. Illegal dumping has resulted in land degradation and is prohibiting re-vegetation at the properties. The funding will enable the removal of the illegally dumped waste at both sites and the installation of fencing to limit vehicle access at both sites. The Land Council will also install illegal dumping deterrence signage at each site.
Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council $23,533 The project is to address the ongoing illegal dumping activity at Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council land holdings. The land holdings have been subject to both historic and recent dumping of household items, farm waste and old machinery. The funding will be used to remove the illegally dumped waste from the land holdings and for the installation of gates and bollards to restrict access to the sites. Additionally, illegal dumping deterrence signage will be installed at access track entries and along property boundaries.
Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council $50,000 Gandangara Land Council has large parcels of land in the south west area of Sydney. Gandangara Land Council owns large stretches of land along Heathcote Road in Menai. This stretch of land is significantly affected by illegal dumping. Within the proposed project areas it is estimated the land holds 720 tonnes of illegally dumped waste. The type of waste dumped includes asbestos, construction and demolition, burnt out vehicles, tyres, garden waste and household waste. The funding will enable the removal of hazardous waste and household waste and the installation of fencing, gates and earth mounds to prevent illegal access to the site. Additionally the project will include two community clean-up events and the installation of illegal dumping deterrence signage and surveillance at key locations
Cobowra Local Aboriginal Land Council $45,483 Waste has been dumped at Cobowra Land Council land since mining times in the last century. The site holds a mixture of rubbish in the disused mining shafts and in more recent times vandals have dumped numerous car bodies by pushing the vehicles over the large rock formations into the Cobowra Lands. The project includes the clean-up and removal of illegally dumped waste at two sites. The funding will enable the installation of earth mounds and boulders at two access points and fencing will be installed to limit illegal access to the sites. Additionally the project will include surveillance activities, installation of illegal dumping deterrence signage and the fitting of sensor lights at main access points
      

Under Round 1 the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) awarded $253,353 to eight New South Wales Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

Organisation

Amount

Project summary
Walgett LocalAboriginal Land Council (WLALC) $50,000 The Walgett Aboriginal Land Council is custodian of two Aboriginal Reserves: the Naomi Reserve and the Gingie Reserve. These reserves have illegally dumped waste posing an environmental threat to the nearby river system. Both reserves are an Aboriginal Place of Significance, containing sacred sites and trees that require protection. The funding will be used to clean up the illegally dumped waste and will enable deterrence signage to be established around the reserves.
Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (DLALC) $50,000 Approximately 1400 tonnes of general household waste and building materials (including bonded asbestos) have been illegally dumped on the land. Funding will be used to install barriers and gates to limit vehicle access. Once barriers are established the dumped material will be safely removed. Surveillance cameras will be installed to deter dumping at hotspots and enable monitoring. Signage will be erected alerting dumpers that surveillance cameras are present as well as detailing the associated illegal dumping fines.
Batemans Bay Local Aboriginal Land Council (BBLALC) $41,821 The BBLALC owns significant forested land west of Nelligen NSW which has a significant amount of illegal dumping. The funding will be used to clean up the illegal dumping and install signage, fencing and gates to deter any further dumping.
Biraban Local Aboriginal Land Council (BLALC) $49,993 The remote bushland is easily accessible due to broken fencing resulting in the area being prone to illegal dumping.This poses a threat to the water table with contamination seeping through the soil. The funding will be used to install fencing, gates and mounds to restricting vehicle access to the site. Once access has been restricted, the illegal dumping will be removed and signage will be erected to deter dumpers.
Merrimans Local Aboriginal Land Council (MLALC) $20,000 Up to forty vehicles and other mixed waste have been illegally dumped on the land resulting in contaminated soil and water sources and weed infestation. The grant funding will be used to clear the land of illegally dumped waste and erect fencing around the site to limit vehicle access. Additionally, the funding will be used to revegetate the area and to implement a land management plan.
Nowra Local Aboriginal Lands Council (NLALC) $19,871 Triplarina Nature Reserve and adjoining areas have been identified as illegal dumping hot spot locations within the NLALC. The illegally dumped material is posing an environmental threat to the native vegetation and local waterway. The grant funding will enable cable fencing, bollards and gates to be installed to prevent vehicle access to the site. After access to the site has been limited, the illegal dumping will be removed and signage will be installed to deter dumpers.
Wellington Local Aboriginal Land Council (WLALC) $11,000 Nanima Village, The Falls and The Shallows are Aboriginal reserves experiencing an increase in illegal dumping of household rubbish. WLALC, in partnership Wellington Council, have previously removed dumped material from these reserves. The funding will be used to install fencing designed to limit access to Nanima Village and cultural significant signage will be placed in illegal dumping hot spot locations.
La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council (LLALC) $10,668 Dumping of waste material has occurred on the property for the past 30 years.Due to minimal visitation to the property in recent years the risk of illegal dumping has increased. Recently, green waste and building materials have been illegally dumped at the site. The funding will be used to install boom gates and fencing around the site to prevent access to the land.

Past achievements

Since 2006, the ALCUP program has mobilised and invested resources and more than $2.1 million to support Local Aboriginal Land Councils working with a range of partners and supporters to protect their cultural and natural resources from illegal dumping through clean up, prevention and deterrence. 
It has resulted in:

  • 6108 tonnes of waste cleaned up
  • 1344 tonnes of waste safely disposed of at landfills (including 547 tonnes of asbestos)
  • 1706 tonnes of materials and 35 car bodies recycled
  • 3058 tonnes waste reused.

Key strategies supported

Make access difficult

At illegal dumping sites that were easily accessible to unauthorised vehicles, ALCUP funding saw fencing, gates, earth mounds, boulders and concrete bollards installed to restrict and control access. Tracks were also re-seeded once access was blocked.

Increase risks of getting caught

Increased surveillance activities, and installed signs in a number of illegal dumping hotspots identified by the project teams to deter unlawful activity. Some signs incorporate strong cultural messages, using local Aboriginal language and artwork.

Reduce opportunities for crime: don't give a reason to dump

Waste, weed and fire management issues are often intertwined. Following clean-up work, projects have included or allowed future activities, such as tree planting or cultural fire burns, to help property managers restore and maintain value of the land.

Remove excuses: educate and inform the community

Some projects are carried out in parallel with other waste and environmental education programs, such as school poster competitions. Projects have also used media and other publicity opportunities to raise awareness.

Contact us

Education & Programs Branch
Phone: 02 9995 5321
Email: aboriginal.programs@epa.nsw.gov.au

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