Evaluations are a requirement for Government funded programs/projects.
Local Land Services are required to evaluate the Program and provide these evaluations back to the NSW Government. They are not public documents.
The Program Team will prepare and present the findings of the evaluations and key recommendations for future programs at the State Gathering in May 2023.
This document addresses frequently asked questions relating to business case options and the process for a new program.

You can watch the recording from the Q & A session on 16th November on Gateway – please visit New Landcare Program 2023-27 information — NSW Landcare Gateway
The presentation (also available at this location) covers the high level summary of the options as outlined in the Strategic Business Case. With regards to workability of the options, this has not been mapped out to individual regions, rather we have been pursuing a total funding level, once we know what is available then regions will need to submit a proposal outlining the coordinator and support roles needed to function and to deliver a new program (see “funding application process” section later in this document).
Several key focus areas have been identified that will require key people to assist in focus groups. For example, reporting and technology and innovation.
Focus groups will be created in the new year.

Options were developed based on stakeholder feedback including annual surveys and ad-hoc discussions throughout the life of the program, and the ‘problem’ we are trying to solve i.e. Landcare coordination is essential to support Landcare volunteers and the movement. No weighting has been given to the options but as per the existing program the continuation of the coordination roles is the vital component, and it has been stressed that without this, the program would not be able to deliver on its objectives.

Please refer to the recording and presentation on Gateway - New Landcare Program 2023-27 information — NSW Landcare Gateway The funding requests are:
• $23.1M “Existing Program” • $34.8M “Augmented Program” • $58.8M “Program Plus” Further details on the components of each option are provided on slide 8 of the Q & A presentation on 16th November - Please refer to the recording and presentation on Gateway - New Landcare Program 2023-27 information — NSW Landcare Gateway

It is unclear when a decision will be made by the Minister for pre-election commitments. It is likely we may hear something in the beginning of 2023 and before the election in March.

The new program options are largely based on the current NSWLP i.e. all of the key components in the NSWLP are also in the new program options. For example, local and regional coordinator roles, Aboriginal engagement, professional development, program central support etc. The augmented and program plus programs include additional components around innovation, technology and legal/human resources support.

This cannot be answered with any real certainty. We know the Election is in March 2023. We are hoping for an election commitment prior to this time. All efforts are being made to demonstrate the benefits of the program to Government and we encourage hosts to support this via the package of information recently provided by LNSW - NSW Landcare Program - funding beyond 2023 - Landcare NSW. We must stress that participants employed by the Program should not be contacting Ministers, local MP etc as this is a clear conflict of interest – if in doubt please contact your host or the Program team.

It is likely that there will be a delay between the current program ending and a new program beginning. We encourage regions to start scenario planning for any such “dead time”.

No, the business case does not include any on ground works. Including funding for on ground works was discussed but the decision was made that this wouldn’t be via the program, but through the evaluation works it was clear that recording the on ground works is key, and we need to ensure this continues in the new program to demonstrate the programs outcomes.

The main messaging is around the need for the NSW Landcare Program to continue post June 2023 in whatever form that will take. Ideally the Government will fund Program Plus so we are using the $59 M figure. Educating local MPs and candidates about how Landcare benefits their electorates and the need for Landcare is critical. It would be great if you could have your pitch of the program ready and where possible engage with your electoral aspirants. The members portal contains resources around the current program and communications materials have been made available already to Hosts - NSW Landcare Program - funding beyond 2023 - Landcare NSW.

From Landcare NSW
The members portal contains resources around the current program and communications materials have been made available already to Hosts NSW Landcare Program - funding beyond 2023 - Landcare NSW.
Paid staff for the NSW Landcare Program (i.e. Landcare Coordinators) should be encouraged to speak to stakeholders about their role and the Program.
However, where public statements are requested, and letters/emails are sent to Members of Parliament or political candidates, it is preferable these are made by the volunteers from the Host Organisations or other Landcarers, rather than the Local Coordinators. It’s advisable that public statements should acknowledge the support we have received from the NSW Government for the current NSW Landcare Program.

Yes, it is really important that we explore how the Landcare network could contribute to improving resilience and to a safer landscape. Collectively we need to think about how we might weave landscape resilience and recovery into the design of your programs of work, and ways to work with SES and Rural Fire Service.

The members portal contains resources around the current program and communications materials have been made available already to Hosts - NSW Landcare Program - funding beyond 2023 - Landcare NSW.
Minister Saunders is aware of the Program and demonstrated support and attendance at the recent Parliamentary of Friends of Landcare event.

This is a question we cannot answer. Government is likely to have finite funding for flood and other disaster recovery.
It is a good idea to think about how groups, networks or regions can align/assist with Government priorities.

The Member's Portal on the Landcare NSW website has a suite of resources including HR and Governance checklists, templates and policies for paid member groups.
Note that the House Paddock training provided also allows for an allowance of 2 hrs per host to contact House Paddock for specialist advice – could this be useful in this instance?
Further to this, LNSW hope to provide a level of support regardless of funding, how much and what for is not clear at this stage.

The future program is based upon a 35-hour week.
Under the current program, the minimum FTE is 0.25FTE, but the mean average across all coordinators is 0.4FTE.
The business case reflects current minimum in business-as-usual option moving toward 1FTE for the Program Plus option.
The new bid includes three options - one includes full FTE for the number of existing LLCs and RLCs. The Program evaluation and stakeholder engagement has shown that managing FTE below 0.5FTE can be challenging and unrealistic for groups to manage effectively especially being volunteers. The Program is aware of several occasions where managing staff 1-2 days / week has been a concern. Should a region include coordination roles at below 0.5 FTE (3 days per week) in their proposal, then this would need to be qualified and demonstrate how these part time roles would be adequately supported and managed.
There have been many instances in the current program where host organisations found it very challenging to support coordinators who are less than 0.5FTE.
If a new program is funded, regions will need to submit a proposal outlining the best efficient way funding could be used to support that region with demonstratable justification. Guidelines will be provided as part of the submission process providing detail about the objectives of the new program, deliverables and roles that may be supported.

If a new program is funded, regions will need to submit a proposal outlining the best efficient way funding could be used to support that region with demonstratable justification. Guidelines will be provided as part of the submission process providing detail about the objectives of the new program, deliverables and roles that may be supported such as executive officers, regional and local roles.

This will be dependent on the region. Every region is different, and some are relatively new.
It is envisaged that guidelines will be provided on what roles would be funded under a new Program.
A regional role maybe a Regional Communications specific role, OR a region may choose not to have a regional role and only LLCs but consideration should be given as to how information will be effectively disseminated across the region without a regional role.
All of this will form part of the application process and we encourage you to start thinking about this and how you might want a mix of roles to best suit your region and achieve your desired outcomes.
Groups working across regional boundaries will need to raise this at regional discussions and will need to be considered as part of the application process.

The Landcare/LLS partnership is underpinned by a LLS/Landcare NSW MoU.
The current program has highlighted that governance continues to be an issue for some groups and organisations. The Government has expended $22.4m over four years and as such a large funding amount requires an independent organisation to oversee quality assurance, return on investment, conflicts of interest and transparency.
Government also needs to have confidence that grant recipients have good governance in place – this is even more important given the recently updated Grant Administration Guidelines.
LLS has facilitated and funded the evaluations in support of Landcare and the Program. Without the evaluation documents, the Government and treasury may not consider a new program.

It will depend on the Region, its needs and what it is proposing via the application process.
Whilst we have identified the need for a role review, and this may result in some tweaks to the RLC and LLC role description, the roles are unlikely to change materially.
We will be establishing a focus group to work through roles and role descriptions with the Program Team in the new year.
If a new program is funded, regions will need to submit a proposal outlining the best efficient way funding could be used to support that region with demonstratable justification. Guidelines will be provided as part of the submission process providing detail about the objectives of the new program, deliverables and roles that may be supported.

Under the existing program option, there would be no change to the core LNSW / LLS Program staff numbers at 7.2 FTE, under augmented program this would rise to 8 FTE, and under program plus there would be 9 FTE.

Effective Work, Health and Safety policies and procedures are critical to all workers.
A focus group will be developed to look specifically at policies and procedures review and gaps at a state level including WHS.

Yes, an allowance of $3,400 per coordinator is included in the “existing” and “augmented” program options with $5,000 in the “program plus” option.

Penalty rates are not currently included in the estimates. It is the responsibility of any organisation employing employees to ensure they are appropriately renumerated.
There is a potential, should a new program be funded, to revisit this in a focus group.

The Strategic Business Case includes updated salaries to better align with LLS award grades and annual CPI escalation has been included in the business case. This was not included in the current program.
Based upon the anticipated salaries from the business case, the recommended hourly rate for a local coordinator would be approximately around $40 per hr (excluding super and on costs).
As with all funding proposals, we need to balance what we are asking for with what we can prove and justifiably ask for through the economic evaluation of the Program.

It is envisaged that there will be an application process for each region to apply for the mix of roles available. Extensive stakeholder engagement and understanding the needs of each region will be critical to this process.
It is suggested that regions begin scenario planning e.g. • what can/should we do if a new program isn't funded? • What if we receive the same funding or double the funding?
If new hosts are being proposed for the next Program, you should be starting these conversations as early as possible and ensure that potential hosts meet the Governance requirements for the program and can confidently deliver what is required of them. Demonstrated good governance will be a requirement for a new program.

Yes, you will need to acquit all funding by the end of the current Program as well as provide final financial reports as per the funding deed (refer to reporting requirements in your funding deed).
The Joint Management Committee are looking into options for groups who are likely to have unspent program funds beyond 30th June 2023.
Tentative dates for the State Gathering are 16-18th May 2023 (location TBC). Please check the Program newsletter for further information on the State Gathering.

As per the current program we are proposing a 4 year program (from July 2023 to end of June 2027).