Trees for Farms Grants
The Trees for Farms Grants Program is Council's newest grant opportunity that provides funding to farmers and other relevant groups to support native tree planting on commercial properties, which must:
- Be used for commercial primary production farming activities
- Be located within the Farming Zone (FZ)
- Be greater than 5 hectares in size
The program aims to strengthen sustainable and efficient farm production while delivering environmental benefits such as land rehabilitation, enhanced biodiversity, improved soil and air quality, and increased carbon sequestration.
What can be funded?
- Purchase of tubestock of native shrubs and tree species as selected by the applicant.
- Purchase of guards and stakes to protect plants during establishment.
- Contracted works for labour associated with site preparation and planting.
Grant Amounts
Grants up to $3,000 maximum.
All grants require a dollar-for-dollar matching contribution which may be cash and/or in-kind.
Contact Us
Visit: 2–6 Rae Street, Colac
Email: inq@colacotway.vic.gov.au
Phone: (03) 5232 9400
Guidelines
Guidelines - Trees for Farms 2026/27
Click to view Guidelines-Trees-for-Farms-Grants-2026-2027_1.pdf(PDF, 371KB)
Why You Should Read the Grant Guidelines
1. To know if you’re eligible
Guidelines explain who can apply, what types of projects are supported, and any property or organisational requirements. This helps you avoid spending time on an application that can’t be funded.
2. To understand what funding can (and can’t) be used for
They outline eligible and ineligible expenses, funding caps, and any mandatory project components.
3. To make sure your application is strong
Guidelines detail:
- assessment criteria
- what evidence or documents you need
- how applications are scored or prioritised
Knowing this lets you tailor your application effectively.
4. To be aware of compliance requirements
This includes:
- Acquittal reporting obligations
- Payment conditions
- Landowner consent
- Permits and Approvals
- Timelines and milestones
- Responsibilities once funded
Reading them upfront reduces surprises later.
5. To avoid delays or rejection
Missing required information, forms, approvals, or deadlines often results in applications being deemed incomplete or ineligible.
6. To understand your responsibilities
If successful, you’ll need to meet certain conditions. Understanding these early ensures you can actually deliver what the grant requires.
For further information or assistance, contact the Grants Officer on inq@colacotway.vic.gov.au or (03) 5232 9400