The Australian Government has announced $6 million in government grants for a second round in the planning component of the $200 million Strengthening Basin Communities Program.
The success of the first round of the Planning component has led to the decision to announce a second round of government grants. The Guidelines for this second round vary from those of the initial round. The significant differences are:
- Funding is paid on the completion of key milestones and is not reimbursed for expenses already incurred as in round 1.
- Where a local government is a member of a consortium/regional grouping, it may also submit an individual application where it can demonstrate there are local issues which will not be covered by the consortium’s application.
- Local government can use existing staff expertise to undertake the project where appropriate. This cost is not eligible for funding under the program and is considered an in-kind contribution from the applicant.
The first round of the Strengthening Basin Communities program Planning component resulted in the allocation of $14 million to 94 councils in the Basin to conduct 37 separate projects. The success of this first round has lead to the decision to announce a second round of funding to assist local governments in the Basin plan for reduced water availability and consider the water saving initiatives that may be most beneficial to them.
Who can apply?
Local government bodies whose area intersects with the catchment boundary of the Murray-Darling Basin may apply for funding. Applicants can be either an individual local government, a consortium of local governments, or an established regional organisation of councils. A local government may apply for funding either individually and/or as a member of a consortium / regional grouping.
Councils that applied for a government grant in the first round may do so again under this round provided the project for which funding is sought was not funded in round one.
What is an eligible project?
To be eligible for a government grant, an application must:
- Be submitted by a local government or group of local governments located within the Murray-Darling Basin;
- Have total costs of a maximum of $200,000 for a single council, or for consortiums pooled funds equivalent to $200,000 per council up to a maximum of $800,000 for groups/consortiums of four or more councils; and
- Be for the assessment of risks and implications associated with climate change with a focus on water availability, and then the development or review of plans to take account of these risks and implications.
Such plans include:
- Corporate management and financial plans;
- Community and economic/tourism development plans;
- Development strategies and land use plans;
- Natural resource and environmental plans;
- Infrastructure and asset plans (including water savings plans); and
- Risk assessment and management plans (including climate risk).
The updating or development of plans may identify a range of potential adaptation initiatives. Government grants can be used to prepare plans and business cases for adaptation initiatives which may be eligible for funding under future Water Saving Initiatives components of the Strengthening Basin Communities program. Projects must be completed by 30 June 2012.
How will eligible applications be prioritised?
Eligible applications will be prioritised for a government grant based on the following criteria:
Forecast impact of climate change;- Extent of water dependent industries;
- Population; and
- Quality of proposal and value for money.
Ranking will be assisted by using data from the ABS and CSIRO, including the CSIRO’s ‘Murray-Darling Basin Sustainable Yields’ project.
What costs are eligible?
Funding will be available for the costs of engaging external suppliers including for:
- Consultancies;
- Obtaining data, such as modelling and estimation of impacts;
- Surveys and investigations;
- Meetings and consultations; and
- Production of plans and reports.
Up to fifteen per cent of the funding requested is available to meet internal project management costs of the local government.
Cash contributions from applicants are encouraged but are not mandatory. In-kind contributions are expected, such as local government covering the cost of its representatives attending meetings.
The second round of this government grant closes 5pm (AEST) Friday, 11 June 2010.
If you are interested in applying for this government grant and require assistance with the application process please contact us to discuss further.
