NSW Sustainable Communities Program Business and Industry Round

• all applications must be submitted via the SmartyGrants portal
• the Program is a single stage application process
• each application must consist of one project to be delivered in at least one eligible location
• applicants may submit more than one application. If submitting multiple applications, applicants will be prompted to rank the projects in order of their highest priority. This ranking may be considered by the Assessment Panel in determining recommendations for funding.

• please complete all required fields and attach all required information. Guidance text is included to assist you in completing the application form
• you can save your progress and revisit the application form at any time prior to submitting
• please note that saving the application form does not 'submit' the form
• incomplete applications and/or applications received after the closing date will not be considered
• applications cannot be reopened or amended after the closing date and time.

To submit your application, please first review your submission and ensure all attachments have been provided, then sign and click 'submit' in the Declarations section of your application. 

Applicants will receive a confirmation email once an application has been submitted.

Please ensure that you save your application regularly to avoid losing information -  Smartygrants has a timeout function and any information that is not saved prior to its timeout, will no longer be available. 

Each application must include the documents listed in this application form including:

• a clear project scope and description of activities
• a detailed project budget based on recent quotes
• a detailed project management plan
• information on key personnel involved in project delivery
• a detailed risk management plan.

All applications must provide evidence of:

• co-contribution, cash and in-kind (if required)
• landowner consent if the land is not owned by the Applicant (if required)
• evidence regulatory approvals have been /or can be obtained without delaying the project completion timeframe (if required)
• evidence of valid public liability insurance
• evidence of financial viability
• evidence of local need for the project
• entity specific evidence (where applicable):
  • partnership deed/agreement to confirm partners and signatories for partnership entities
  • current Trust Deed confirming signatories for trust entities
  • proof of incorporation and/or not for profit status
• NSW Government compliant Short-Form Assessment for projects with a Total Project Cost exceeding $10 million or;
• For projects with a total project cost greater than $20 million a full Business Case consistent with the NSW Government Business Case Guidelines (TPG24-29).

Templates

A project management plan template is available here: Project Management Plan Template

The Short-form Assessment Template can be downloaded directly here: Short-form Assessment Template

A copy of a project budget template can be downloaded here: Detailed Project Budget Template. You may use an existing budget template, but should ensure that it includes key information, including clearly distinguishing between grant funding and co-contributions, as required in the template.

Other sample project management templates and resources are also available here: Project Management Toolkit

Applicants can obtain support in preparing their applications. All enquiries should be sent to the program mailbox nswscp@dpird.nsw.gov.au in the first instance and include the LGA that the project is located in. Enquiries will then be referred to the relevant DPIRD Economic Development Manager (where applicable).

By submitting this application form, the Applicant acknowledges and agrees 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 for the Program and has fully informed itself of the relevant program requirements.

By submitting this application form, the Applicant acknowledges and agrees 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 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
• 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.

Applicants and any partner organisations (if relevant), and their respective officers and staff must declare any perceived, potential or real conflicts of interest in respect of the Program. Where there is a conflict of interest, applicants must put mitigation measures in place.