The Blackberry Program (Natural Resource Recovery Program)

Blackberry (Rubus spp) is a Weed of National Significance, threatening biosecurity, biodiversity, water quality and the economy throughout the Shires of Collie and Donnybrook Balingup. The two Shires are collaborating with recognised biosecurity groups, catchment councils, community groups and landowners to maximise the benefits and connections that State NRM funding provides through information sharing, capacity building and on ground works on public and private lands.

Through devolved grant funding, the Blackberry Program (Natural Resource Recovery Program) provides financial support to landowners seeking natural resource recovery through on ground works on their property. This supports the community to engage with and restore the natural landscape through activities including blackberry control, rehabilitation of endemic vegetation, fencing, community events and educational workshops.

2025-2026 Blackberry Program: GRANT APPLICATIONS OPEN

The Shires of Collie and Donnybrook Balingup are accepting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the Blackberry Program. All EOI submissions will be assessed on a first come, first served basis and will remain open until available funds are exhausted - don't wait, funding is limited

Refer to the details on this page along with the Landowner Information Sheet linked below to learn more about applying, including eligibility and Devolved Grant Guidelines, or by contacting your relevant Shire.

About the Devolved Grants

To ensure mutual commitment between the WA Government, the Shires of Donnybrook Balingup and Collie, and landowners, a 50% co-contribution arrangement will facilitate effective outcomes for the long-term benefits of the environment, economy, and the wider community in the control of blackberry and re-establishment of native vegetation. Through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, residents within the two Shires can apply to their relevant Shire for financial support to conduct on ground works to increase biodiversity and water quality through the control of Blackberry and revegetation works.

Successful landowners are responsible for ensuring adequate works are undertaken and that the invoice is paid in full in accordance with the contractor’s terms. Once evidence of an appropriate invoice and full payment have been provided to the Shire, the Shire will reimburse the landowner in line with the signed agreement.

More Information & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Purpose of the Devolved Grant Program

Blackberry (Rubus spp) is a Weed of National Significance, threatening biosecurity, biodiversity, water quality and the economy throughout the Shires of Collie and Donnybrook Balingup. As part of the Western Australian Government’s State Natural Resource Management Program, the Collie Donnybrook Balingup Natural Resource Recovery Program (NRRM) supports the community to engage with and restore the natural landscape through activities including blackberry control, rehabilitation of endemic vegetation, fencing, community events and educational workshops. The two Shires are collaborating with recognised biosecurity groups, catchment councils, community groups and landowners to maximise the benefits and connections that State Natural Resource Management funding provides through information sharing, capacity building and on ground works on public and private lands. Devolved funding provides financial support to landowners seeking natural resource recovery through on ground works on their property.

Eligible & Ineligible Activities

Activities that are eligible for devolved grant funding includes:

  • Weed control of Blackberry, a Declared Pest, and Weed of National Significance.
  • Revegetation using Endemic Native Vegetation.
  • Fencing of Livestock from remnant or newly established areas of native vegetation (priority given to wetland areas).

The following items and activities are ineligible for devolved Grant funding:

  • Activities that are a statutory or regulatory responsibility of the landholder (such as boundary fencing).
  • Activities that are directly related to income generation under another program or scheme (such as carbon credits).
  • Expenses/costs that are already funded or resourced, either through another grant or under business as usual, including:
    • Expenses/costs for retroactive projects, activities, or events, including works, planning or site assessment completed prior to the grant being awarded.
    • Purchase of equipment or materials that is ordinarily a landholder’s responsibility as part of the day-to-day management of a property.
    • Revegetation with species that are not endemic to the region.
  • Revegetation that is predominantly for feed or fodder purposes.
  • Control of species other than Blackberry.

Fencing Eligibility

Various fencing activities may be considered for funding, taking into consideration the following:

  • Funding for materials is limited to a maximum of $1000 per kilometre. To justify the fencing expense, within the application, describe what kind of fence you are intending to install and what its purpose is.
  • Fencing that serves to protect new or remnant vegetation must be stock proof.
  • Landholders must agree to exclude stock from this protected area for a minimum of 5 years.
  • Landholders must commit to providing ongoing maintenance of State NRM Program funded fencing for a minimum of 10 years.
  • Fencing that occurs along a watercourse should have a minimum 30m buffer from the high-water mark.
  • Boundary fencing is ineligible for funding. In accordance with the Dividing Fences Act 1961, it is the responsibility of landholders to fence property boundaries including those bordering crown land.
  • Funds may be used to employ a contractor to construct fences.

The State NRM Program & Community Stewardship Grants

The Community Stewardship Grants are designed to facilitate the conservation and sustainable management of the State’s natural resources by supporting local community groups to undertake stewardship of natural resources in their local area.

The Community Stewardship Grants are an initiative of the Western Australian Government managed though the State NRM Program at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) with funding available annually until 2026.

The Community Stewardship Grants provided through the State NRM Program contain six (6) priorities, all of which this project aims to achieve. These priorities are as follows:

  1. Sustainable management of land resources.
  2. Maintain and enhance water assets.
  3. Project and enhance the marine and coastal environment.
  4. Conserve and recover biodiversity.
  5. Enhance skills, capacity, and engagement.
  6. Deliver high quality planning that leads to effective action.

Learn more about the State NRM Program

Further Background Information

Funding for this program was sought by both Shires in response to the identification of blackberry as a significant pest across the landscape, and to increase the benefit of previous projects to control blackberry. In 2020, the Shires of Donnybrook Balingup, Collie and Dardanup were successful in obtaining Federal funding to carry out blackberry control across the three local government districts. This previous project proved highly successful, resulting in approximately 600km of waterways being mapped for the presence of blackberry and 1,200 hectares of blackberry controlled over a 12-month period. All landowners who registered their interest had treatment carried out using local contractors.

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