Caring for our Country Targeted Area Grants MERI Plan (example) (For projects over $80,000 (GST excl.) The purpose of this plan is to clearly set out the project activities to be undertaken, and the intended outputs and outcomes of this project. The plan also ensures that the process for monitoring progress and achievements is defined – doing so will support accountability of achievements and an adaptive management approach. This MERI Plan will need to be reported on, reviewed and updated (where necessary) at each reporting period. Data and information reported as set out in this MERI Plan will also assist the Australian Government to report against the Caring for our Country 5 year Outcomes, and may also be used to report publicly on project and program achievements. To assist with this, your MERI Plan should be developed with reference to the Program MERI Plan. The Sustainable Environment Program MERI Plan, and the following documents are available on the program website . This MERI template is based on the principles and processes set out in: The Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement Strategy – Caring for our Country and Biodiversity Fund (the MERI Strategy); Completion of this MERI template will require that you are familiar with the concepts discussed in the MERI Strategy Developing and Using Program Logic in Natural Resource Management – user guide NRM MERI Framework, Australian Government Natural Resource Management Monitoring Evaluation Reporting and Improvement Framework Important Definitions
refuge destruction and other follow up control works. landholders of learning the techniques to assess rabbit density. Mid and end of project monitoring of rabbit population densities. Use of the Ecological Moitoring Guide over project life will indicate if vegetation condition (including threatened flora species) is improving. If this data indicates the reduced rabbit population density is not resulting in vegetation condition improvement the project will be modified to address this. Monitoring impact of methods on rabbit populations and vegetatation condition will enable the project to assess effectiveness of methods and adapt to any difficencies detected. Assumption and rationale Consultations with landholders and community will provide the project with sufficient volunteers to undertake baseline survey. A sufficient number of volunteers have already been engaged on similar projects. Consultation during project development indicated these volunteers are likely to be involved in this project. Baseline data used to aid design of control program is robust enough to result in sufficient control measures being designed. Population assessment methodology follows standard protocols and will provide the data needed to assess population densities. Risk that, if not trained sufficiently, inexperienced volunteers could bias the data. All volunteers will be required to undertake a thorough training program to be involved in field assessments. In the field groups of volunteers will work in tandem with an experienced staff member to ensure accuracy of data. Professional advice and commercial contractors will be available to assist at appropriate times. List of contractors already known and availability checked. Control measures will be effective. Through assessment of population density and dynamics, securing involvement of targeted properties and hiring of experienced contractors control measures have a high probability of success. However monitoring wil be undertaken to assess effectiveness of methods. Reduction of rabbit populations will result in improved vegetation condition, and regeneration of threatened flora
species at selected sites. Other rabbit management projects we have managed in similar environments have contributed to vegetation regeneration and recovery in average rainfall years. Furthermore, selected sites are not grazed by cattle and not subject to significant grazing pressure from macropods. Restoring and maintaining urban waterways and coastal environments Delivery Mechanism Assumption and rationale Protecting Ramsar sites and values Delivery Mechanism Assumption and rationale Protecting World Heritage sites’ outstanding universal value and integrity Delivery Mechanism Assumption and rationale Activity Schedule Project stage Project Output - for each period detail the Project Output to be delivered. Note: output figures here should add up to Total Project Outputs stated above. Key activities to be undertaken for period (include key planning/preparation, delivery, communication, monitoring and evaluation, reporting activities to be delivered each period) Annual Budget (GST excl, incl. cash only) Stage 1, Project commencement to Engagement of 10 Land Managers Activity 1: Sign 10 Land management Agreements with Landholders to undertake rabbit control works Aust Gov:
Appropriateness: What are key lessons learned that would be valuable to consider in the future, or for other projects? As above. Attach the Project Budget with detail as in the table below. All figures are GST exclusive. In-kind contributions should not be included. Where a budget item overlaps multiple investment / priority areas, insert budget details against the primary investment / priority area. This information will be used to assist Australian Government reporting of its investments. Investment/Priority Area Funding Source 2013-14 ($) 2014-15 ($) 2015-16 ($) 2016-17 ($) 2017-18 ($) Total ($) Conserving and protecting species and ecosystems (matters of national environmental significance) Aust. Govt. $60,000 $80,000 $90,000 $100,000 $120,000 $ Restoring and maintaining urban waterways and coastal environments Aust. Govt. $ $ $ $ $ $ Protecting World Heritage sites’ outstanding universal value and integrity Aust. Govt. $ $ $ $ $ $ Protecting Ramsar sites and values Aust. Govt. $ $ $ $ $ $ Building natural resource management community skills, knowledge and engagement Aust. Govt. $20,000 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $80,000 Building Indigenous people’s capacity for natural resource management Aust. Govt. $ $ $ $ $ $ Total (cash only) All $ $ $ $ $ $ Admin & MERI budget as part of the above table
assess improvement in landholder knowledge of management techniques, implementation of control programs, knowledge of materials developed by the project and, if relevant, adequacy of these materials. Professional advice and commercial contractors not available to assist at appropriate times Unlikely Minor low No management required. - Reduction of rabbit populations does not result in improved vegetation condition at selected sites. Unlikely Major medium Monitoring data gathered over the project life will indicate if vegetation condition is improving. If this data indicates the reduced rabbit population density is not resulting in vegetation condition improvement the project will be modified to address this. Residual risk low, no further management required. Management plan does not result in the reduction in rabbit density Unlikely Major medium As above Residual risk low, no further management required. Use the risk matrix below to the overall “Rating” of each risk listed in the table above based on your identified level of likelihood and consequence to produce a rating (severe, high, medium or low). For example: If you identified a risk consequence as minor and the likelihood as possible, the risk “Rating” is low. Consequence Likelihood Insignificant Minor Moderate Major Critical Almost Certain Low Medium High Severe Severe Likely Low Medium Medium High Severe Possible Low Low Medium High Severe Unlikely Low Low Low Medium High Rare Low Low Low Medium High