EPA Victoria’s Water and Energy $avings Program supports investigations or feasibility studies that are focused on reducing the use of potable water and energy in industrial processes.  Government grants are available for projects upon EPA approval, via an application process.

The projects carried out through the Water and Energy $avings Program are tailored to industry needs to achieve the best possible savings.  Generally, projects are completed by consultants with industry specific and resource efficiency expertise and managed by the Water and Energy $avings team.

Resource efficiency means getting the most out of what you have by using resources such as water and energy more efficiently.  This can benefit your company in reducing operating costs, the amount of materials used and waste generated, as well as reducing your impact on the environment.

The business opportunities presented through our Water and Energy $avings Program projects will assist your company to achieve environmental benefits and direct cost savings in a short timeframe.

Who can apply?

The program is set up to support Industry across Victoria.  Any company that has a processing site in Victoria can apply. Companies that are in Victorian Government regulatory programs, such as EREP, WaterMap and EEO, are also eligible. However, financial assistance is not available for a project as part of compliance activity. Currently the application process is open door, so there is no closing date.

What can be funded?

Government grants are available for projects related to:

• Investigation of potential process efficiencies; and
• Feasibility and/or business case development.

What can’t be funded?

Government grants will not be available for Water and Energy $avings Program projects related to:

• Compliance activities;
• Capital works projects; and
• Retrospective activities.

How much funding is there?

The price of a Water and Energy $avings Program feasibility study that investigates process improvements can range between $15,000 and $50,000 depending on the project scope and depth of investigation.  A project generally involves tendering for an external consultant.

Generally, the successful applicant is expected to match the government grant that EPA puts towards the project.  After the completion of the project there is an expectation that the company will implement identified actions and demonstrate their benefits to industry.

Case Studies

Previous funded Water and Energy $avings Program are described below.

Project Focus	Company	Description	Download the case study document
	Bluescope Steel Western Port site	BlueScope Steel employees identify more than 100 energy saving ideas for evaluation by the Energy Team.	Energy team find significant savings at western portt plant. (PDF file, 166KB)
	Bluescope Steel Western Port site	A continuous improvement approach to waste management provides significant prescribed industrial waste reductions and savings.	Perseverance pays off (PDF file, 210KB)
	Carter Holt Harvey Myrtleford	Awareness of energy cost, rigorous procurement processes and energy monitoring have contributed to savings for Carter Holt Harvey’s plant in Myrtleford.	Continuous improvements provide savings (PDF file, 185KB)
	Ford Australia Broadmeadows	While optimising energy efficiency has been an ongoing activity for Ford across all of its Australian sites since the early 1990s, recent results from the Broadmeadows plant have been notable.	Optimising energy efficiency since the 1990s (PDF file, 196KB)
	Godfrey Hirst South Geelong	In pursuit of environmental excellence beyond their already impressive track record in water management Godfrey Hirst now tackles energy efficiency.	Rewarded by commitment and technical sophistication (PDF file, 176KB)

We are specialists in preparing and winning government grants. If you require assistance with a government grant application please contact us to discuss further.

The focus of the Beyond Waste Fund is on waste avoidance, reduction and reuse, leading to improved resource management, cost savings to business and better environmental outcomes for everyone.

Formerly named the Waste Reduction Fund, EPA Victoria has renamed this government grant the Beyond Waste Fund to better communicate the intended purpose of the program.

Who will oversee the Beyond Waste Fund?

EPA Victoria will oversee the Beyond Waste Fund, working with Sustainability Victoria. A Panel of industry and government experts will be established to inform Fund decision-making and investment priorities, and to recommend suitable projects for government grants.

Who can participate?

The Beyond Waste Fund is open to organisations that generate and dispose of Commercial and Industrial (C&I) and Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste. Sector, industry and regional groups; consultants; research bodies in these sectors may also be eligible to apply.

The Beyond Waste Fund aims to achieve a balance between large-scale businesses and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and encourages supply chain and sector innovation.

Suitable projects

There is no predetermined limit to the government grants available from the Beyond Waste Fund for individual projects.

Applications for government grants will be assessed on merit, in light of the environmental, commercial and any social benefits that will be achieved. Applicants are expected to co-fund either through direct investment or in-kind to the proposed project.

A separate $14 million Driving Investment for New Recycling Fund is being managed by to support councils and recyclers to accelerate and improve recycling methods.

Submissions relating to Prescribed Industrial Wastes (PIW) and Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW) are not eligible.

The applicants will be expected to demonstrate:

• An absolute reduction in raw material resources and contribute to the reductions of solid waste by avoiding it in the first instance and/or reusing it.
• A strong likelihood of cost-effective actions being implemented
• A financial contribution to the project
• A willingness to publicly share all project outcomes and learnings, including successes and failures
• Compliance with current EPA regulation and other relevant state legislation

Projects that seek to recycle wastes are excluded.

How to apply for funding
EPA Victoria is now calling for initial Expressions of Interest for Beyond Waste Fund government grants, to be awarded by June 2011.

• EOI guidelines (PDF 89KB)
• EOI application (547 KB)

Expression of Interest must be submitted by email to beyondwaste@epa.vic.gov.au by Monday 13th of December at 2pm.

Timing

We are specialists in preparing and winning government grants. If you require assistance with a government grant application please contact us to discuss further.