Introduction

The Community Grants Scheme (CGS) provides a government grant for waste initiatives, under the Strategic Direction and the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Account (WARRA).

Through CGS, the Account assists community groups and individuals to reduce the generation, recover the resources, and reduce the impact of waste on the environment. The Account is generated from a levy on waste disposed to landfill in the Perth Metropolitan Area.

What is the Community Grants Scheme?

The Community Grants Scheme (CGS) is managed by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) on behalf of the Waste Authority.

The government grant has been established to provide funding for smaller-scale, generally localscale community-based projects that make an active contribution to the waste management and recycling environment in Western Australia.

Under the Scheme, individual government grants from the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Account (WARRA) can be offered to any community organisation or group, which participates in practical projects that improve the management of waste in Western Australia.

The government grant is aimed particularly at small groups who lack the support or sponsorship of larger organisations and do not have the financial resources to carry out waste management projects relating to the local community.

What type of projects can receive a government grant?

To be eligible a project must:

• help protect or enhance the environmental quality of a locality by implementing the three principles;

1. Prevention – To avoid the creation of waste
2. Recovery – To efficiently re-cover, re-treat and re-use all wastes
3. Disposal – To responsibly manage waste into the environment

• be located within Western Australia;
• involve the applicant, and ideally the local community, in its implementation and use; and
• involve a financial or labour contribution from the applicant.

Applications proposing projects that focus on measurable behavioural change will be considered favourably.

Projects which are not considered acceptable include those:

• likely to be implemented without the need for grant assistance;
• normally expected as a duty of another Government agency;
• having no obvious public involvement or benefit
• originating from Schools (the Department has specific Waste Wise Schools grants  available)

Previous CGS funded projects have:

• Developed, in partnership with their local Shire, a purpose built, fully equipped community based Recycling Centre to ensure that a higher volume of waste is recycled and kept out of landfill.
• Educated the Deaf community about prevention, recovery and disposal to ensure that they are competent, resourceful and able to contribute to the wider community using up-to-date information that has been delivered in their first language Australian Sign Language (Auslan).
• Provided a storybook and CD of songs that approach the areas of waste prevention, recovery and disposal. The story and CD’s message aims to reach young children and families.

Who can apply?
Not-for-profit, incorporated community based organisations and groups based in Western Australia are eligible to apply.

Partnerships between community organisations are encouraged. In such cases, one organisation must take responsibility for project accountability and report requirements and so be the “Lead Organisation”.

If an individual or group that is not incorporated wishes to apply for a grant, the application must be made by another incorporated organisation on their behalf. This organisation will be required to enter into the grant agreement with DEC and act on the Applicant’s behalf in any financial or reporting arrangements with DEC.

Commercial enterprises and associations, government bodies and statutory authorities, are ineligible to apply.

What level of financial assistance can be expected?

The Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Account has only limited resources for this scheme and therefore individual government grants are limited to $20,000 per project per year.

The government grant will normally not exceed 50% of the total cost of the project, although this total cost can include unpaid labour contributions from volunteers (calculated at a nominal rate).

Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics earnings estimates dated November 2009 – the estimation of volunteers’ per-hour value is $24.59 an hour.

It is expected the government grant will be provided for materials and equipment, rather than professional input or design.

Round 2 for 2010 will close 10th September 2010.

The second round of Strategic Waste Initiatives Scheme (SWIS) government grants for 2010 is now open. The SWIS was established to help our State achieve the vision of “A Towards Zero Waste Environment”.

Funding will be provided for initiatives which are consistent with the Waste Authority’s ‘Priority Areas for Funding’ and the Statement of Strategic Direction for Waste Management in Western Australia.

Priority Areas for Funding

1. Commercial and Industrial Waste Recovery and Recycling (C&I)

Applications invited for innovative projects which address the C&I waste stream and align with the draft state waste strategy.

Particular focus will be given to applications that result in:

2. Construction & Demolition (C & D) Waste Recovery and Recycling

Funds to be made available for projects in the development & support of C&D waste recycling in regional areas of the state.

Applications for funding of C&D trials in the metro area will not be considered in this round as a number of trials have been funded in recent rounds.

3. E-Waste

Following the commencement of a number of e-waste collection programs, the emphasis for this waste stream is now on reprocessing.

How to apply

The Waste Authority is interested in applications that focus on the ‘Priority Areas for Funding’ and complement its previous or current work. Applicants must apply using the prescribed form and specify the amount of funding support required.

Applicants must read the ‘Guidelines for Applicants’ document and familiarise themselves with the Priority Focus Areas for Funding 2010 and the Waste Authority’s Strategic Direction 2008.

If you wish to obtain a copy of the current SWIS Application Form, please email your request to the WARRA Grants Officer – bianca.king@dec.wa.gov.au and an electronic copy will be sent to you.

The Waste Authority is interested in applications that focus on the ‘Priority Areas for Funding’ and complement its previous or current work. Applicants must apply using the prescribed form and specify the amount of funding support required.

Applicants must read the ‘Guidelines for Applicants’ document and familiarise themselves with the ‘ Priority Focus Areas for Funding 2010′ and the ‘Waste Authority’s Strategic Direction 2008′.

Applications must be received by 3rd September 2010.

Six country thoroughbred, greyhound and harness racing clubs have been awarded regional development grants for much-needed infrastructure improvements.

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls today announced details of the second round of grants under the State Government’s Royalties for Regions Regional Grants Scheme.

Racing and Gaming Minister Terry Waldron welcomed the funding for the clubs.

“This funding will see six regional clubs share in more than $830,000, enabling much-needed upgrades to facilities and infrastructure,” Mr Waldron said.

“Importantly, this clearly shows the value of racing to the regional development commissions and regional communities across the State.”

The Albany Racing Club secured a grant of $220,000 towards the replacement of the administration and changing rooms infrastructure and Mr Waldron paid tribute to the work of the committee in their efforts to secure the funding.

“This is an important outcome that has come about by the tireless work of the organising committee and I am sure it will be a major benefit to patrons and jockeys,” he said.

The Avon Valley Greyhound Racing Association will receive $176,750 to erect track floodlighting at the Northam track to enable twilight and night racing and develop a new product to service local and national markets.

Other funding includes:

• Geraldton Turf Club: $203,580 to fund an upgrade to facilities, including commercial kitchen, new toilets, landscaping and paving
• Mt Barker Turf Club: $100,000 to develop a sand training track and build stabling facilities and additional stalls
• York Harness Racing Club: $65,000 to establish harness training facilities at the York- Beverley Turf Club
• North West Jockey Club, Roebourne: $70,000 to upgrade facilities, including boundary fencing and water and power infrastructure.

“This brings the number of clubs that have been assisted by the Royalties for Regions program in the first two rounds of the funding to nine and it highlights  the value this important funding program is having not only to racing but across the community,” Mr Waldron said.

Click below to see the recipients of all Regions Regional Grants Scheme:

Gascoyne Region

Click here to view the Successful Applicants 2008-09 PDF

Click here to view the Successful Applicants (Contestable) 2009-10 PDF

Click here to view the Successful Applicants (Strategic) 2009-10 PDF

Goldfields-Esperance Region

Click here to view the Successful Applicants 2008-09 PDF

Click here to view the Successful Applicants (Contestable) 2009-10 PDF

Great Southern Region

Click here to view the Successful Applicants 2008-09 PDF

Click here to view 2008-09 project highlights brochure

Click here to view the Successful Applicants (Contestable) 2009-10 PDF

Click here to view the Successful Applicants (Strategic) 2009-10 PDF

Kimberley Region

Click here to view the Successful Applicants 2008-09 PDF

Click here to view 2008-09 project highlights brochure

Click here to view the Successful Applicants (Contestable) 2009-10 PDF

Click here to view the Successful Applicants (Strategic) 2009-10 PDF

Mid West Region

Click here to view the Successful Applicants 2008-09 PDF

Click here to view 2008-09 project highlights brochure

Click here to view the Successful Applicants (Contestable) 2009-10 PDF

Click here to view the Successful Applicants (Strategic) 2009-10 PDF

Peel Region

Click here to view the Successful Applicants 2008-09 PDF

Click here to view 2008-09 project highlights brochure

Click here to view the Successful Applicants (Contestable) 2009-10 PDF

Click here to view the Successful Applicants (Strategic) 2009-10 PDF

Pilbara Region

Click here to view the Successful Applicants 2008-09 PDF

Click here to view the Successful Applicants (Contestable) 2009-10 PDF

Click here to view the Successful Applicants (Strategic) 2009-10 PDF

South West Region

Click here to view the Successful Applicants 2008-09 PDF

Click here to view 2008-09 project highlights brochure

Click here to view the Successful Applicants (Contestable) 2009-10 PDF

Click here to view the Successful Applicants (Strategic) 2009-10 PDF

Wheatbelt Region

Click here to view the Successful Applicants 2008-09 PDF

Click here to view the Successful Applicants 2009-10 (Contestable) PDF

Click here to view the Successful Applicants (Strategic) 2009-10 PDF

The WA Innovator of the Year Awards offers business skills training, mentoring and financial support for successful entrants to launch a product or service into the marketplace. The awards fostered new talent to build on the State’s existing strengths in science and innovation such as mining, petroleum and medical research.

The WA Innovator of the Year Awards provides successful applicants with the tools to guide them through the commercialisation process. Liaising with experts in areas like intellectual property, marketing, R&D tax incentives and business development educates our innovators and fosters strong networks and partnerships.

The Business Competition aims to:

• raise awareness of innovation as a driver of economic and technological change;
• maximise the commercialisation of ideas by building links between industry and research;
• generate employment; and expand the export potential of the State.
• work collaboratively with industry, government, academia and schools to foster an environment of innovation and assist in its promotion;
• showcase Western Australia’s innovative capacity; and
• to assist in funding projects specific to the development and commercialisation of innovation in Western Australia.

Award categories

• Mitsubishi WA Innovator of the Year Award - Grand prize open to WA entrants/companies with an ABN/ACN that have developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, process or service that clearly demonstrates an economic, social or environmental benefit to Western Australia. The winner of this award will be chosen from among all the entrants. $50,000 cash and $50,000 in-kind support

• Start-Up category – Open to WA entrants/companies with an ABN/ACN which have developed their product or service from an idea, and can clearly define the problem it solves. The innovation must be in the pre-revenue phase and have some form of IP protection or a rapid route to market. Entrants must clearly demonstrate how the product, technology or service has an economic, social or environmental benefit to Western Australia. $25,000 cash and $25,000 in-kind support

• Growth category - Open to WA entrants/companies with an ABN/ACN that have developed a marketing plan, and sold, implemented or licensed a product, process or service. This category is open to companies that may already have an existing innovation that is currently generating revenue.  Entrants must clearly demonstrate how the product, technology or service has an economic, social or environmental benefit to Western Australia. $25,000 cash and $25,000 in-kind support

Submission templates

Start-Up Category

Growth Category

Enter Here.

Nominations for the WA Innovator of the Year Awards close on June 14 at 5pm.

Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls today announced the nine projects that would share $2.5million in government grants, allocated to test the feasibility of projects to make the best use of water resources in the region.

The projects were selected from proposals submitted in response to the State Government’s call for expressions of interest (EOI) for the government grants.

“It was exciting to see the innovative submissions we received through the EOI process, which started at the end of last year,” Mr Grylls said.

He said 24 submissions were received and subjected to an intense review process, by representatives from the departments of Regional Development and Lands, Water, Agriculture and Food (WA), the Pilbara Development Commission and an independent consultant.

“The successful projects include the irrigation of biofuel crops from mine dewatering and a water bottling facility using excess mine dewatering and locally manufactured biodegradable bottles,” the Minister said.

“One project will provide valuable research for future agricultural production. Led by Pastoral Management Ltd in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Food WA, the project will conduct two field trials to determine whether a biodiesel and cattle feed plant will grow in Pilbara conditions.

“The projects not only have the potential to supply the Pilbara with alternative, viable water sources but also provide employment and training opportunities for people in the area.”

The nine successful applicants for the Pilbara Water Opportunities Project are:

• Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation
• Aurox Resources Ltd
• Consolidated Minerals
• CITIC Pacific Mining-Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA)
• Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) – Worley Parsons – MWH
• Global Groundwater – DAFWA – MWH
• Leighton Contractors
• Ngarliyarndu Bindirri Aboriginal Corporation
• West Australian Top Environmental Resource (WATER).

The focus of the Low Emissions Energy Development  is on supporting technologies that could help WA lead the nation in low emissions bio-energy and renewable energy including solar, wave, tidal and geothermal.

The funding was subject to successful applicants matching every $1 invested by the State Government with $3 from elsewhere. Matching funds may be in-kind rather than cash but would need to be acceptable to the LEED Fund’s Independent Expert Advisory Group.

Funding will be for a minimum of $250,000 per project. Single grants will have an upper limit of the funding determined by the funds available in a given year.

Eligibility checklist

The LEED Fund will have a number of exclusions. The following will NOT be eligible for LEED funding:

• Projects contrary to established State Government policy.
• Projects where greenhouse gas emissions are not linked to the production of energy or reduction in its use.
• Projects seeking total funding of less than $250,000 from the LEED Fund.
• Projects where the majority of activity and expenditure occurs outside WA.
• Projects which have already commenced.
• Projects which cannot match LEED funding with three dollars of funding from other sources.

Assessment criteria

Applicants should provide a statement against each of the selection criteria in the application form. As with the
project overview, the statement for each criteria should be no longer than 750 words

• Funding sought
• Organisational ability
• Emissions reduction
• Technological innovation
• Any other advantages of the project to WA
• Risk management

Applications close at 5pm on 24 March 2010

To discuss eligibility for  Government grants or assistance with applications  please contact us via the webform of call us at 03 9606 3324.

The Community Grants Scheme (CGS) provides funding for smaller-scale, generally local-scale community-based projects that improve the management of waste in Western Australia.

Under the Community Grants Scheme grants can be offered to any community organisation or group, which participates in practical projects that improve the management of waste in Western Australia.

To be eligible a project must:

• help protect or enhance the environmental quality of a locality by implementing the three principles;

1. Prevention – To avoid the creation of waste
2. Recovery – To efficiently re-cover, re-treat and re-use all wastes
3. Disposal – To responsibly manage waste into the environment

• be located within Western Australia;
• involve the applicant, and ideally the local community, in its implementation and use; and
• involve a financial or labour contribution from the applicant.

Applications proposing projects that focus on measurable behavioural change will be considered favourably.
Projects which are not considered acceptable include those:

• likely to be implemented without the need for grant assistance
• normally expected as a duty of another Government agency
• having no obvious public involvement or benefit
• originating from Schools (the Department has specific Waste Wise Schools grants available)

To maximise your chances of success you should:

• supply all the information requested
• ensure the project has wide benefits
• provide an adequate budget or business plan
• avoid projects that have been done before
• show you have the experience or expertise to carry out the project
  
• demonstrate how you will contribute to the project

Who can apply?
Not-for-profit, incorporated community based organisations and groups based in Western Australia are eligible to apply.

Partnerships between community organisations are encouraged. In such cases, one organisation must take responsibility for project accountability and report requirements and so be the “Lead Organisation”.

If an individual or group that is not incorporated wishes to apply for a grant, the application must be made by another incorporated organisation on their behalf. This organisation will be required to enter into the grant agreement with DEC and act on the Applicant’s behalf in any financial or reporting arrangements with DEC.

Commercial enterprises and associations, government bodies and statutory authorities, are ineligible to apply. However, local government authorities in remote regional communities may submit a grant application and act on behalf of unincorporated organisation/groups in any financial or reporting arrangements with DEC.

What level of financial assistance can be expected?
The Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Account has only limited resources for this scheme nd therefore individual grants are limited to $20,000 per project per year. The grant will normally not exceed 50% of the total cost of the project, although this total cost can include unpaid labour contributions from volunteers (calculated at a nominal rate).

Applications must be received by Friday 12th March 2010

To discuss eligibility for  Government grants or assistance with applications  please contact us via the webform of call us at 03 9606 3324.

The first round of Strategic Waste Initiatives Scheme (SWIS) funding from the Western Australian Government for 2010 is now open.

The Strategic Waste Initiatives Scheme (SWIS) provides funding support for waste initiatives, under the Strategic Direction and the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Account (WARRA). The aim of the SWIS program is to support strategic waste initiatives in Western Australia.

The Waste Authority identified the following as priority areas for Strategic Waste Initiatives Scheme (SWIS) funding for Round 1 2010

1. Organics

Source-separated greenwaste

Funds to be made available for collectors to implement processes that allow for the collection of greenwaste separated at source.

Particular focus will be given to Strategic Waste Initiatives Scheme (SWIS) applications that result in:

• Wash-down facilities in non-metro areas to facilitate back-loading.
• Collection points for drop-off of greenwaste (residential and small commercial).
• Promotion of the use of compost in private landscaping and open parkland areas.
• Separate greenwaste and bulk waste from vergeside collections.
• Implementation of source-separation kerbside bin infrastructure,
• Implementation of effective ongoing education / behaviour change programs linked to the above.

2. Construction & Demolition (C & D) Waste Recovery and Recycling

Strategic Waste Initiatives Scheme (SWIS) Funds to be made available for projects in the following two project areas:

1. The development of an effective supply system that will deliver increased quantities of construction and demolition waste to recyclers.

Particular focus should be given to:

• Innovative methods through which state and local government, through non-core business activities, can assist in the supply of waste material to recyclers
• Industry education.

2. The development & support of C & D waste recycling in regional areas of the state.

It is suggested that no applications for funding of C & D trials in the metro area be considered in this round as a number of trials have been funded in recent rounds. It should also be stated in the advertisements that C & D recycling trials will not be considered in the current round.

3. Plastics

Strategic Waste Initiatives Scheme (SWIS) Funds to be made available to support the development or adoption of new and/or enabling technologies and processes that:

• demonstrably increase resource recovery, for example, optical sorting technology; or
• deliver value-added products with an emphasis on those that can replace virgin materials and can be used as an input into local markets, for example, shredding to crumbing in the case of tyres; or shredding to pelletised form for use in the local plastic injection moulding manufacture in the case of plastics; or
• contribute to improved product/process design and development.

4. Used Tyres

There is currently a relatively small used tyre recycling industry in Western Australia. While there is a strong export market at present, there is a need to prepare for the future where such a market may not exist.

Strategic Waste Initiatives Scheme (SWIS) Funds to be made available for trials of rubber products generated from used tyres in the area of civil engineering.

5. Hazardous Waste from Households

Paint – There is currently little known about uses for waste water based paints other than as paint. Funds to be made available for investigation into alternative products and markets for used water-based paints.

CFL’s – Disposal of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) is emerging as an issue in Western Australia. DEC is receiving an increasing level of enquiries on this matter following the national commitment to phase out incandescent globes. Currently, mercury content of CFLs presents a disposal dilemma. Funding might be considered for development of projects/trials based on collection and recycling of CFLs.

E-Waste -Following the commencement of a number of e-waste collection programs, the emphasis for this waste stream is now on reprocessing.

6. Research and Development

The Waste Authority will consider Strategic Waste Initiatives Scheme (SWIS) funding research project proposals submitted by academic institutions which are targeted at waste types addressed in the Waste Strategy and which are likely to have significant practical waste management outcomes.

Applications are due by 5pm Friday 5th March 2010.

If you would like assistance with this government grant then please feel free to contact us.