Funding is now available for on ground works and planning projects that contribute towards the achievement of Northern Rivers catchment targets. Applications are invited from individual landholders, groups of landholders, community volunteer groups, Natural Resource Management (NRM) organisations, Local and State government agencies.

What funding is available?

There are three Incentive Program categories of which you can apply under:

i) Plan Development Program – up to the value of $5,000  to support the development of NRM plans by a qualified provider.
ii) Small Project – up to the value of $5,000
iii) Major Project - between $5,000 and $75,000  Note: Those wishing to apply under the Major Projects must have a Recognised NRM Plan.

Select which category you are applying for and download the associated Application Form, Guidelines and the Example Workplans (Small and Major Projects only) from the links below:

Plan Development Program

• Plan Development Program Application Form (enter text by type)
• Plan Development Program Application Form (enter text by handwriting)
• Plan Development Program Guidelines

Small Project

• Small Project Application Form (enter text by type) This form has been amended. If you downloaded this file prior to 12/5/11 please download again and replace.
• Small Project Application Form (enter text by handwriting) This form has been amended. If you downloaded this file prior to 12/5/11 please download again and replace.
• Small Project Guidelines
• Small Project Example Workplan

Major project

• Major Project Application Form (enter text by type) This form has been amended. If you downloaded this file prior to 12/5/11 please download again and replace.
• Major Project Application Form (enter text by handwriting) This form has been amended. If you downloaded this file prior to 12/5/11 please download again and replace.
• Major Project Guidelines
• Major Project Example Workplan – Section 1 only applications
• Major Project Example Workplan – Section 2 only applications
• Major Project Example Workplan - Section 1 and 2 applications

How much can you apply for under Major Projects?

Before deciding on the amount you want to apply for, please read the Northern Rivers CMA Agreement Guidelines to determine the type and term of the Agreement you will be required to enter into (visit http://www.northern.cma.nsw.gov.au/funding_apply.php).

Applicants can apply for either one or two year projects. Applicants can request between $5,000 and $75,000 (excluding GST) for Year One and up to 50% of the Year One amount for Year Two. The maximum amount that can be granted to a successful applicant under Major Projects is $112,500. Year Two funds will be subject to satisfactory Year One performance and the securing of additional funds by the Northern Rivers CMA.

Major Projects must demonstrate cash or in-kind contributions to both the implementation and maintenance phases of the proposal. The more the applicant and project partners contribute to the proposal, the more the proposal scores.  Partners are encouraged but not compulsory. Funding from other NRM grants cannot be used as part of the Major Projects contribution.

What can you apply for?

On-ground works that will maintain or improve the condition of natural resources and that contribute to at least one Northern Rivers CMA Priority Project Activity.  Year Two funds can be used for all types of on ground works providing the applicant can demonstrate that Year Two activities are crucial to the overall project and continue to address NRCMA Project Priority Activities.

Community capacity building activities that support the delivery of on-ground works and result in improved NRM knowledge, awareness and attitudinal change will also be funded.

If required, you may request funds to employ additional staff or to extend the hours of part-time employees in order to undertake the proposal’s tasks only.

What can you NOT apply for?

• Purchase of large capital items or assets (such as computer hardware and software, vehicle and media equipment etc)

What is the closing date for applications and how do I submit my application?

All applications must be received in the Grafton office by 4.00 pm Friday 10^th June 2011. Applications postmarked on or after the closing date are ineligible. If you submit your application by post, allow yourself enough days for the post to be received at the Grafton office by the due date. Applications can be submitted and received by one of two methods.

Eligibility and assessment criteria apply.

Applications to the Incentive Program close Friday 10^th June 2011. Applications can be hand-delivered or posted to the Grafton office, 49 Victoria Street, PO Box 618 Grafton NSW 2460 or emailed to applications-northern@cma.nsw.gov.au.

Collaborative Solutions is a program developed by the NSW Government as part of its Digital Economy Strategy.  The program is managed by Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW).

The Collaborative Solutions – Mobile Concierge (“CS-MC”) program is the first of a series of calls for industry to form collaborative consortia to develop innovative and new-to-market ICT solutions in key sectors that demonstrate the benefits of the digital economy.  This first program targets the use of mobile and wireless technologies in the tourism and retail sectors.

Objectives

The objectives of the Collaborative Solutions – Mobile Concierge program are:

• assist in the exchange of ideas between mobile application developers, technology providers, service providers, device manufacturers, research organisations and user organisations in the tourism, hospitality, and retail sectors
• accelerate the development of new-to-market and significantly innovative mobile solutions with significant potential for commercial success, job creation, and export
• drive innovation, productivity and transformation in the tourism and retail sectors through the adoption of compelling mobile solutions.

Definition of “Mobile Concierge”

TheCollaborative Solutions – Mobile Concierge program defines “Mobile Concierge” solutions as “an ICT solution developed for the tourism and retail sector and delivered via a mobile device using mobile technologies that enables a high-level of online service capability.” Specifically:

• An ICT Solution: a product or service that uses information and communication technologies to meet the needs of customers. This is specifically to preclude submissions that are a) of a consultancy nature or b) bespoke development to customer specifications without wide market appeal.
• Developed for the Tourism and Retail sectors: Provides commercial benefits for use in these sectors, which may include new revenue streams and productivity improvements. They may include business-to-consumer and business-to-business services.
• Delivered via a Mobile Device: a solution that is delivered via a mobile device such as hand phones and tablet devices. The solution may be of a native, web, or hybrid application. Submissions may include the development of or use of common API layers and shared services.
• Uses Mobile Technologies: Uses technologies found in mobile devices, such as wireless broadband, mobile computing, m-commerce, location based services, augmented reality, mobile social media, and sensor technologies.
• Enables a High-Level of Online Service Capability: allows the user to achieve a high-level of service capability with the provider beyond simple information functionality. A high-level service capability will likely include payment, reservations, personalisation, recommendations, social networking or user-generated content.

Key requirements

Collaborative Solutions – Mobile Concierge participants should note the following requirements:

• Consortia-backed submissions: Each submission must be backed by a consortium of at least three members. The Consortia Lead must be a NSW-registered business with the capability to commercialise and export the ICT solution being developed. The consortia must include at least one User Organisation to participate in the development and piloting process. The remaining consortia members will provide technologies, content or capabilities to the project. Submissions by single companies or individuals will not be considered. Refer to section 6 for more details on consortia formations.
• Developed and piloted in NSW: Solutions must be predominantly developed in NSW. Submissions with minor components (less than 20 per cent of project costs) developed outside of NSW will be considered, but those components will not be supported by the government grant if one is awarded. The solutions must be piloted in NSW.
• Development has not commenced: The development of the proposed solution must not have commenced before the date of submission. Any grant funding will be for the development and piloting of the proposed solution after the date of submission.

Industry briefing

An industry briefing will be organised to provide details of the Collaborative Solutions – Mobile Concierge program. Attendance at the industry briefing is not a prerequisite for submission, but ICT potential Consortia Leads and ICT businesses are strongly recommended to attend.

Registration for the industry briefing will be required by Friday 28 January.  You can register your attendance here.

Industry networking event

An industry networking event will be organised shortly after the industry briefing to facilitate introductions, exchange of ideas and the formation of consortia.  Businesses will have the opportunity to make brief presentations. Attendance is optional.

Registration for the industry networking event will be made available after the Industry briefing.

Registration

To be kept informed of program updates or to register your attendance at the industry briefing, click here

Timeline

• Mon 20 Dec Announcement and program website launch
• Fri 28 Jan Last day to register for industry briefing
• Wed 2 Feb Industry briefing and program call opens
• Wed 9 Feb Last day to register for industry networking event
• Fri 11 Feb Industry networking event
• Wed 23 Mar Last day for industry inquiries
• Fri 25 Mar Final proposal submission close at noon 12:00 PM
• Early April Short-listed consortia notification and presentations
• Late April Awarding of grants to winning consortia

Incentive Grant

Submissions selected by the Evaluation Panel will be notified by I&I NSW, and the terms and conditions, government grant components, and project deliverables will be negotiated prior to awarding the  consortia with an incentive grant offer.
The amount of the government grant will be determined against the Evaluation Criteria. The following  are general guidelines in determining the quantum and structure of the government grant offer – I&I NSW may  consider options outside of these guidelines with exceptional proposals:

• Only development and piloting activities conducted in NSW will be eligible for funding.
• The period supported by the government grant will not exceed 9 (nine) months, inclusive of development and pilot. The total project duration may be longer than the supported period.
• The government grant offer will be up to a maximum of 35 per cent of total direct project costs or $250,000, whichever is lower.
• The government grant will be itemised to project components, with higher support on core ICT development and piloting activities, such as software development and testing.
• Project components that develop internal ICT skills and capabilities and create ICT jobs in the Consortia Lead will be attract a higher level of support as compared to outsourced components.
• Hardware and software purchases may be supported but will be amortised over three years and two years respectively, and over the project duration.
• Non-ICT development activities, such as legal, business consulting, marketing and normal operational costs will not be supported.
• Costs between consortia members will not be covered.
• Project components already supported through another government grant, subsidy, or funding program will not be eligible for further assistance in this program.

Government grant payments will be made on a reimbursement basis after the successful completion of the  project. If the project duration is longer than 3 (three) months, a quarterly partial payment may be  offered. A complete set of terms and conditions for the government grant will be provided with the offer.

Program information

The following are supporting documentation for the Collaborative Solutions – Mobile Concierge program.

• Program brief
• application form
• detailed budget worksheet.

Contact

All questions regarding the Collaborative Solutions – Mobile Concierge program should be by email and addressed to cs-mc@business.nsw.gov.au. For further information contact the Program Manager at (02) 9338 6706.

Please note that any questions sent before the industry briefing will be responded to collectively at the industry briefing.

The Central Coast Water Savings Fund was established in May 2006 to provide financial backing to help households, businesses, industry, schools and councils save water. The aim of the Fund is to stimulate investment in innovative water conservation and recycling technologies and practices, and improve water efficiency across all sectors.

The Central Coast Water Savings Fund provides up to $2 million a year for saving water in the Central Coast region. Activities that are eligible for funding include, but are not limited to:

• water savings measures that will reduce water used in equipment, devices or processes; reduce leaks; or improve operating and maintenance practices
• measures that will reduce potable water consumption through substitution from alternative sources such as rainwater, stormwater or recycled water.

Applicants to the Central Coast Water Savings Fund are encouraged to focus on areas not covered by existing initiatives or, for related projects, state how  their proposal will complement, rather than duplicate, these programs.

Eligibility criteria

Activities that are eligible for government grants include, but are not limited to:

• water savings measures that will reduce water used in equipment, devices or processes; reduce leaks; or improve operating and maintenance practices
• measures that will reduce potable water consumption through substitution from alternative sources such as rainwater, stormwater or recycled water.

Businesses with Water Management Plans approved by Gosford City or Wyong Shire Councils are encouraged to apply for financial support to implement actions identified in their plans.

Government grants will not be provided for:

• projects which it is reasonable to expect the applicant would undertake without assistance from the Fund,
• including where there are no financial barriers to implementing the project
• projects which are research and development only
• projects directly implementing regulatory requirements such as BASIX or preparation of Water  Management Plans.

More Information

For more information or assistance, please email Water and Energy programs, DECCW ccf@environment.nsw.gov.au, DECCW, or call the Environment Line 1300 361 967.

• Download the Round 5 Guide for Applicants
• Download the Round 5 application form
• Download the technical help document
• Sample Funding Agreement

Round 5 of the Central Coast Water Savings Fund closes on Thursday 17 February 2011.

Previously Funded Projects

Australian Reptile Park – $79,022

The Australian Reptile Park will harvest rainwater from the main roof for use in the crocodile pool and other internal display tanks. The Park will also extend water pipes from the spring-fed alligator lagoon to the irrigation system in other enclosures and install a bio filter on the platypus tank to reduce the frequency of water replacement. Water efficient taps and dual flush toilets will also be installed in all washrooms. This project is estimated to save 3.4 million litres of water a year.  A communication and education plan will also be developed in order to maximise community engagement with the project.

Baptist Community Services NSW and ACT – $63,334

Baptist Community Services’ Orana Centre will install a laundry monitoring system, ozone generation system and rainwater harvesting and an irrigation system to reduce their water, energy and chemical use. Ozone technology will save energy by only using cold water for clothes washing and has the added benefits of reducing chemical input and gas consumption in the dryers.  The rainwater collection and irrigation system will reinvigorate the gardens in the Dementia Unit.

The project is expected to save 1.1 million litres of water per year.

Brisbane Water Secondary College – $63,143

Brisbane Water Secondary College, Woy Woy Senior Campus will build on its existing rainwater harvesting system to capture additional water for irrigating the school oval. The school currently irrigates with groundwater, but by using rainwater, will be saving town water supplied from the same aquifer treated by Gosford Councils’ groundwater treatment facility. The project is expected to save 700,000 litres of water a year.

North Gosford Laundrette -$19,810

North Gosford Laundrette will replace eight commercial washing machines with new water efficient models. Savings achieved with a trial machine showed an average saving of 75 litres per wash cycle, which will slash the laundry’s total water use by around 35 per cent. Energy savings will also be made through increased spin cycle speeds and reduced hot water use. This project is expected to save 1 million litres of water a year.

Department of Juvenile Justice -$89,500

The Frank Baxter Juvenile Justice Centre will be harvesting rainwater for washing and cleaning and for use in its laundry, pool, toilets, gardens, lawns and ovals. Four 2,500 litre tanks will be installed to collect water for toilets in the staff training building. A 45,000 litre tank will be installed to provide water for toilet flushing and washing vehicles in the detainee training area, and two 125,000 litre tanks will be installed to supply the laundry, water gardens and top up the pool. The project is expected to save 1.8 million litres of water a year.

Gosford RSL Club – $35,500

Gosford RSL provides facilities for 17,000 members, including a 210 seat bistro and a 120 seat café. The Club will install ozone technology in their 50 room motel laundry to reduce water and energy use, by using cold water only. Ozone technology has the added benefits of reducing chemical input and gas consumption in the dryers.

Rainwater will also be harvested for cleaning and electronic sensor taps will be installed in bathrooms to further reduce drinkable water use. The project is expected to save 2.3 million litres of water a year.

Kincumber Public School – $56,679

Kincumber Public School will use recycled water from Kincumber Sewage Treatment Works to irrigate playing fields and native vegetation at the school. The school will upgrade their irrigation system to be connected to Gosford Council’s recycled water pipeline. The project will also form part of student education on water use efficiency and sustainability. The project is expected to save 1.3 million litres of water a year.

Laundry Asset Management – $107,857

Laundry Asset Management will refit a major central coast laundry which serves the hospitality industry with ozone technology and new efficient washers to significantly reduce its water, energy and chemical use.

Ozone technology will save energy by only using cold water and has the added benefits of reducing chemical input and gas consumption in the dryers. This project is expected to save 5.8 million litres of water a year.

Lend Lease Property Management Australia -$652,000

The Erina Fair shopping centre is one of the 20 largest in Australia with over 12 million visitors annually. The first stage of Erina Fair’s Water Plan will capture rainwater from its extensive roof area of over 100,000 square metres and store it in a 1.6 ML tank. The water will be treated to a high quality standard for a range of non-potable uses throughout the shopping centre such as amenities, cooling towers, car washing and the ice rink.

Building on efficiency gains already achieved at Erina Fair, this project will slash a further 15 per cent from the shopping centre’s annual water use. The project is expected to save 16.2 million litres of water a year.

Wyong Hospital – $83,400

Wyong Hospital is a 320 bed facility providing acute care and specialty services. The hospital will replace 36 old single flush toilets with efficient dual flush cisterns. This project will improve the water efficiency of the old toilets and slash the hospital’s water usage by over 45 per cent. It is anticipated that this project will save 3.8 million litres of water a year.

Woy Woy Public School -$45,013

Woy Woy Public School will install two rainwater tanks to supply water to the school toilet block and school community garden. The school has already installed dual flush toilets and rainwater harvesting is the next step to save water. The project is expected to save 500,000 litres of water a year.

Youth Connections- $79,000

Youth Connections will integrate rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling and groundwater harvesting to save water.  The project will reuse grey and black water in toilets onto the garden through advanced treatment technology. Constructed wetlands will act as a natural filtration system to clean harvested runoff and shallow groundwater for irrigation use. It is expected that this project will save 2.4 million litres of water a year.

Aims

• Develop digital media industry capability in NSW
• Develop digital media skills
• Encourage adoption of state of the art technology and methodologies
• Support a diverse range of creative digital content projects
• Encourage innovation
• Encourage greater collaboration between traditional and digital media mproducers, and between the media sector and other sectors such as mhealth and education
• Develop investment in intellectual property by NSW digital businesses

Participant Eligibility

Digital Media Initiative applicants must be NSW registered businesses. Applicants may include:

• businesses involved in digital media production, including games studios and mobile or online content developers
• multi-disciplinary teams that involve convergence of traditional and digital media (e.g. filmmakers and games developers)
• digital content creators seeking to collaborate with sectors such as health, education and climate change

Digital Media Initiative applicant businesses or project teams must include at least one person with a significant credit in the digital media area.

Project Eligibility

The Digital Media Initiative is intended for commercially oriented digital content projects that are destined for distribution on internet, wireless, mobile, other emerging platforms or devices. Interactivity is generally required. Eligible Digital Media Initiative projects include, but are not limited to:

• games including serious games
• webisodes, mobisodes, interactive websites
• transmedia projects
• virtual worlds
• projects intended as entertainment or to inform/educate (but excluding curriculum material)
• standalone digital content
• applications, where they are an intrinsic part of a creative digital project

The Digital Media Initiative does not cover:

• advertising and marketing, corporate communications, business to business communications, e-commerce, marketing websites
• arcade games
• online services such as banking websites
• educational product for school or tertiary

Funding Categories

Categories for funding under the Digital Media Initiative include:

1. Early stage development - scoping technical requirements, potential commercial partners, creative and market potential, pitch materials. This is the riskiest stage and hence involves a larger number of projects receiving smaller amounts. Prototypes, playable demos, preproduction, development, business planning activities. Up to $50,000

2. Advanced development / production finance - prototyping of larger scale projects to attract further investment, complete a functioning prototype or take a project into production, production finance for a market ready project. Up to $250,000. Amounts above $250,000 will only be considered where an exceptional opportunity is presented, backed by a well-developed business plan and strong market interest. Projects that have received early stage financing are eligible to apply for this stage.

3. Enterprise development – Digital Media Initiative applications will be considered from ambitious businesses with a well developed business strategy and a slate of digital projects wishing to accelerate their growth to the next stage and enhance their capital base. Support could be focused on hiring specialised staff or engaging specialised expertise. Up to $100,000

4. Marketing / financing – support for digital media producers and content creators to attend approved international markets and trade fairs to seek finance/partners or to market existing projects. Up to $5,000

Assessment Criteria

The potential of the project to contribute to a more robust NSW economy.

• Contribution to immediate and long term job creation and retention including likelihood of project being further developed and completed in NSW and employing NSW personnel.
• Development of the NSW digital media industry.
• Skills retention, exploitation and development (e.g. retention of skilled graduates, exploitation of transferable skills from film, digital animation and vfx, transfer of skills from interstate or overseas).

Viability of the project

• Project viability and potential for commercial exploitation in long term. Feasibility of project in terms of budget, financing and production schedule as well as potential for critical and commercial success and revenue generation.
• Quality of business case or business development strategy and plans for use of the funding at this stage of the project.
• The degree to which the proposal would not proceed without government assistance.
• Commercial potential of project evidenced by cash or in-kind contributions from marketplace, i.e. telcos, distributors, games publishers, portal managers, private investors or letters of interest.

The project or proposal’s innovation, quality, originality and interactivity

Track record of applicant company and key creatives/key personnel

Grant Application dates: Ongoing

The full  guidelines for funding under the Digital Media Initiative, including application forms, are available for download below. For further information contact dmi@business.nsw.gov.au. or phone (02) 9338 6780.

• Download the Digital Media Initiative guidelines document
• Download the application form