Note: This grant is suitable for large scale projects to improve environmental assets on rural properties, and not to be confused with the small core grant (now called Rural Land Management Grant).

Important Notes before Applying:

• If you have previously applied for a rural grant, please use existing log in details instead of creating a new account, this helps our team manage and monitor our grants
  
  
• Read the eligibility criteria and CoRE 23-24 Guidelines
  
  
• The grant is only eligible to apply once per annum (financial year), if you’re unsure of your application status or whether you've applied please email the rural environment team on coregrant@hume.vic.gov.au

Conserving our Rural Environment 2023-2024

The Conserving our Rural Environment (CoRE) grant aims to conserve and improve the natural environmental values on private rural property. This will be achieved through the support and funding of on-ground environmental works, capacity building and community engagement initiatives. Landowners or managers that are eligible can apply for up to $10,000 ex. GST to put towards a project that will enhance biodiversity on their property.

Eligibility

1. Must have or be applying for a Land Management or Property Plan that is less than five years old
2. Must have an environmental asset present on the property. This could include, but is not limited to:
   • native vegetation, which could include woodlands, grasslands or riparian areas
   • property bordered by a waterway
3. Property with an overall goal to enhance the biodiversity of the area

For more information please check out the CoRE guidelines for 2023-24

If you have any questions or need assistance with completing this online application, please contact Hume City Council on 9205 2200 or email coregrant@hume.vic.gov.au.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Welcome to the Hume City Council online grant application service, powered by SmartyGrants.

You may begin anywhere in this application form. Please ensure you save as you go.

For queries about the guidelines, deadlines, or questions in the form, please contact us on 9205 2200 during business hours or email coregrant@hume.vic.gov.au and quote your submission number.

If you need more help using this form, download the Help Guide for Applicants or check out Applicant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

NAVIGATING (MOVING THROUGH) THE APPLICATION FORM

On every screen (page of the form) you will find a Form Navigation contents box, this links directly to every page of the application. Click the link to jump directly to the page you want.

You can also click 'next page' or 'previous page' on the top or bottom of each page to move forward or backward through the application.

SAVING YOUR DRAFT APPLICATION

If you wish to leave a partially completed application, press 'save and close' and log out. When you log back in and click on the 'My Submissions' link at the top of the screen, you will find a list of any applications you have started or submitted. You can reopen your draft application and start where you left off.

You can also download any application, whether draft or completed, as a PDF. Click on the 'Download PDF' button located at the bottom of the last page of the application form.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

You will find a Review and Submit button at the bottom of the Navigation Panel. You need to review your application before you can submit it.

Once you have reviewed your application you can submit it by clicking on 'Submit' at the top or bottom of the screen or on the navigation panel. You will not be able to submit your application until all the compulsory questions are completed and there are no validation errors.

Once you have submitted your application, no further editing or uploading of support materials is possible.

When you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your submitted application attached. This will be sent to the email you used to register.

If you do not receive a confirmation of submission email then you should presume that your submission has NOT been submitted.

Hint: also check the email hasn't landed in your spam or junk email folder.

ATTACHMENTS AND SUPPORT DOCUMENTS

You may need to upload/submit attachments to support your application. This is very simple, but requires you to have the documents saved on your computer, or on a storage device.

You need to allow enough time for each file to upload before trying to attach another file. Files can be up to 25MB each; however, we do recommend trying to keep files to a maximum of 5MB – the larger the file, the longer the upload time.

COMPLETING AN APPLICATION IN A GROUP/TEAM

A number of people can work on an application using the same log in details as long as only one person is working at a time. Ensure you save as you go.

SPELL CHECK

Most internet browsers (including Firefox v2.0 and above; Safari; and Google Chrome) have spell checking facilities built in – you can switch this function on or off by adjusting your browser settings.