Rural Engagement Program

Hume City Council each year run a number of learning opportunities for the rural community.
We would love to hear from you on the topics you would like to see within our Rural Engagement Program in 2024.

Rural Engagement Program Survey

The aim of the Rural Land Management Grant (RLMG) is to provide landowners and land managers with the support and incentive to conduct land management activities across their property. The grant is offered at $300 per property plus $20 per hectare.

Hume City Council using an online funding application system powered by SmartyGrants to make your application process easier and more streamlined.

The2024-25 Rural Land Management Grant is open.

Apply now

Eligibility

1. Property is within Green Wedge, Green wedge A, Rural Living and farming zones
2. Property is 0.4 hectares in size or greater
3. Evidence of satisfactory land management can be demonstrated
4. Landowners who do not receive the Conserving our Rural Environment Grant or the Primary Producer Rate Rebate

Note: You must be the landowner of the property to submit an application. If you are leasing or managing on behalf of a landowner you must provide written consent with your application to be eligible for the RLMG.

What can I use the grant for?

• conducting weed control through the purchase of equipment or herbicide
• hiring a contractor to conduct land management works
• pest animal control
• purchase of indigenous seedlings for revegetation works
• erosion control works.

For more information please read the Rural Land Management Grant Guidelines(PDF, 15MB), and for land management updates subscribe to the RE-Source Newsletter.

The Agricultural Assistance Scholarship (AAS) supports Hume’s rural community by assisting with fees associated with employing specialised consultants to offer on-farm advice around sustainable agriculture and agribusiness related activities.

The scholarship should encourage landholders to explore alternative agricultural businesses that are resilient to the ongoing challenges rural landholders face within Hume’s rural landscape. The AAS will be administered via payment of up to 80 per cent of agricultural consultancy fees, up to a maximum of $1,500, GST exclusive. Applicants can apply maximum once per year per property.

Who can apply?

Landowners or managers with property that is zoned: Green Wedge, Green Wedge A, Rural Living and Farming outside the urban growth boundary, or Rural Conservation, Special Use or Rural Living zones within the urban growth boundary.

For more information please read the Agricultural Assistance Scholarship Guidelines(PDF, 10MB) or brochure(PDF, 776KB)

The 2023-24 AAS is now open for eligible applicants.

Apply Now

For more information or need assistance in completing the application please contact Council’s Senior Rural Environment Officer, Cassandra Borg on 9205 2200 or email ruralenvironment@hume.vic.gov.au 

The Conserving our Rural Environment Grant for 2024-25 is now open and will close on 10 May 2024.

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.

To express your interest in the CoRE Grant, please email coregrant@hume.vic.gov.au

Eligibility

1. Must have or be applying for a Land Management or Property Plan(PDF, 227KB) 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 about the grant please read the Conserving our Rural Environment 2024-25 Guidelines(PDF, 5MB).

Our Directory of Service Providers(PDF, 8MB) is a list of local contractors and suppliers that service the Hume Area. This includes assistance with weed control, pest control, fencing, revegetation and planting.

Are you an Agricultural business seeking to generate an income from your land?

The Primary Producer Rate Rebate (PPRR) supports investment in sustainable agriculture and land management activities by providing approved applicants with a rate rebate for a 2 year financial period. Every 2 years, properties need to re-apply for the PPRR and will be re-assessed for eligibility. The rebate is calculated as a 30 per cent discount on the general rate for approved properties, which is calculated against the Capital Improved Value of the property. Council will inform current PPRR recipients of the new grant round.

Hume City Council has launched a new online funding application system powered by SmartyGrants to make your application process easier and more streamlined.

The PPRR 2023-25 is open for eligible applicants.

Apply now

Eligibility

1. Property is two hectares or over
2. Provide evidence of agricultural business. This could include, but is not limited to:
   • income Tax Assessment showing Primary Producer
   • letter from accountant determining Primary Producer
   • ABN (Australian Business Number)
   • evidence of registered primary producer with the Australian Taxation Office
   • evidence of customer facing such as a website where customers can place product orders
   • sales receipts for product sales
   • clear visual evidence of primary production that Council Officers can sight on your property
   • other business records to Council’s satisfaction
3. Demonstrating satisfactory sustainable land management

For more information please read the Primary Producer Rate Rebate Guidelines(PDF, 10MB). 

If you have questions about the Rural Engagement Program or need application assistance, please contact Council’s Land and Biodiversity Team.

General enquiries:
Phone: 9205 2200
Email: ruralenvironment@hume.vic.gov.au

CoRE Grant related enquiries:
Email: coregrant@hume.vic.gov.au

Hume Land-Property Management Plan Template(PDF, 227KB)

Hume Land Property Management-Plan Template(DOCX, 46KB) 

RE-Source Newsletter