CNFS Inland Natives 2025/26

The community native fish stocking grants program provides two dollars in funds for every one dollar in funds raised by the community to stock native fish, to boost local recreational fish stocks. Stocking groups may apply to stock Golden Perch and/or Murray Cod on a two dollar for one dollar basis. Key objectives of the program are to:  

1. Support local communities in the stocking of high value native fish to enhance our valuable state-wide recreational fishing assets;
2. Boost regional and rural growth, investment and tourism;
3. Strengthen social and community participation, to enhance the cohesion and well-being of communities
4. Create aquaculture business and job opportunities

By submitting this Application form, the Applicant acknowledges that:

• submission of this application does not guarantee funding will be granted for any project, and the Department expressly reserves its right to accept or reject this application at its discretion;
• it must bear the costs of preparing and submitting this application and the Department does not accept any liability for such costs, whether or not this application is ultimately accepted or rejected;
• it has read the funding guidelines and has fully informed itself of the relevant program requirements.

In completing this application you will be prompted to provide personal information (such as your name, email, residential address and telephone number). This information must be provided by the applicant, or if provided by another individual, you must have authorisation from the applicant to provide their personal information. You must provide this information, otherwise the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development ("the Department") will be unable to issue you with advice in relation to project application. By submitting this application form, the Applicant acknowledges that:

• if this project application is successful, the relevant details of the project will be made public, including details such as the names of the individual/organisation (Applicant) and any partnering organisation (state government agency or non-government organisation), project title, project description, location, anticipated time for completion and amount awarded;
• any information contained in this application may be disclosed to other Government agencies, staff administering the program, and to external stakeholders (e.g. private hatcheries), as part of the administration of this application;
• the Department will use reasonable endeavours to ensure that any information received in or in respect of this application which is clearly marked ‘Commercial-in-confidence’ or ‘Confidential’ is treated as confidential, however, such documents will remain subject to the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) (GIPA Act);
• in some circumstances the Department may release information contained in this application form and other relevant information in relation to this application in response to a request lodged under the GIPA Act or otherwise as required or permitted by law.

By submitting this Application form, the Applicant acknowledges that:

• the Department is required to comply with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW) (the Privacy Act) and that any personal information (as defined by the Privacy Act) collected by the Department in relation to the program will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Act and its privacy policy (available at: https://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/privacy);
• the information it provides to the Department in connection with this application will be collected and stored on a database and will only be used for the purposes for which it was collected (including, where necessary, being disclosed to other Government agencies in connection with the assessment of the merits of an application) or as otherwise permitted by the Privacy Act;
• it has taken steps to ensure that any person whose personal information (as defined by the Privacy Act) is included in this application has consented to the fact that the Department and other Government agencies may be supplied with that personal information, and has been made aware of the purposes for which it has been collected and may be used.

By submitting this Application form, the Applicant acknowledges and agrees that:

• it should ensure that it holds all appropriate insurances to carry out the Fish Stocking Event (the event at which fish stock purchased from a fish hatchery accredited under the Hatchery Quality Assurance Scheme are stocked); 
• it carries out the Fish Stocking Event at its own risk and will manage any risks and liabilities arising out of this Program (community native fish stocking grants program);
• to the extent permitted by law, the Department excludes all liability which may arise in relation to this Program.

Please complete the conflict of interest declaration below. If the applicant is aware of anything relating to this grant application that may cause an actual, perceived, or potential conflict of interest, select "yes" and provide details of the identified conflict of interest.  An example might be a proposal to stock fish in waters adjacent to a public reserve located on a street where the applicant owns land. Providing information about grounds for a conflict of interest does not generally affect a project’s eligibility to receive grant funding under the program.  However, it is important to ensure that information about possible conflicts are recorded to enable appropriate management and response.

• The application will be completed in its entirety and is being submitted prior to the closing date;
• The applicant is a grassroots not-for-profit community group (e.g. a fishing club), an individual or a NSW council / Local Government Authority
• The application has been prepared by and is being submitted by an eligible applicant;
• The applicant is not submitting more than one application per funding round;
• The applicant is offering between $2,000 and $6,000 in contributory funding;
• The applicant will act under the authority of a fish stocking permit issued by the Department;
• Fish to be stocked are to be purchased from a HQAS accredited fish hatchery.

Please declare the applicant and this application is not ineligible for this program

• State or Federal Government departments, agencies or committees;
• For profit, commercial organisations / ventures / businesses that may or will realise a financial gain from the program;
• Projects which are not based in NSW waters;
• Proposals to stock fish in private waters (e.g. farm dams) or waters which are not publicly accessible;
• Applications to stock species other than Golden Perch and/or Murray Cod.