NSW Sustainable Communities Program Economic Development and Infrastructure Round

The $70 million NSW Sustainable Communities Program - Economic Development and Infrastructure Round (the Program) will invest in the critical infrastructure needed to unlock industrial development and to activate economic opportunities to deliver enduring benefits and support economic growth into the future.

It focuses on infrastructure that creates new economic opportunities and reduces barriers to workforce participation, enabling people to continue to live and work locally in NSW Basin communities exposed and vulnerable to the impacts of the Australian Government’s Voluntary Water Purchase Program for the 450 GL 

The objective of the program is to fund infrastructure and enabling works in exposed and vulnerable NSW southern Basin communities to support economic growth and improve workforce participation into the future. This includes opportunities that:

• invest in region-based infrastructure and assets that will support economic activity of multiple users or industries and provide broad economic benefit
• unlock land for industry and housing or create new economic opportunities for local communities
• invest in infrastructure that supports growing populations, enabling people to continue to live and work locally

Grant Amounts

Eligible organisations can apply for funding from $750,000 to $10 million (GST exclusive) for projects that create new economic opportunities and reduce barriers to workforce participation, enabling people to continue to live and work locally after water recovery.

Online Information Webinar

The department will provide an online information webinar during the application period. The webinar will provide an overview of the program, key dates, and guidance on completing the application.

Please see the website for further details: nsw.gov.au/nswscp-edi

Program Guidelines

NSW Sustainable Communities Program Economic Development and Infrastructure Round Program Guidelines

• 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.

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.

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

• a business case (and where required cost-benefit data sheet within this application) aligned to the total project cost, setting out the case for change, detailed project scope and intended benefits, including relevant design drawings (detailed design version preferred), and evidence to demonstrate the proposed project location is viable (e.g. planning advice)
• a detailed project budget based on recent quotes or detailed cost estimates. For projects over $2 million a detailed cost estimate prepared by a quantity surveyor with Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors membership is required
• a detailed project management plan and project schedule demonstrating the project will be successfully completed in the required timeframe
• information on key project delivery personnel demonstrating applicable skills and experience
• a detailed risk management plan demonstrating an understanding of the project’s risks and strategies to manage or mitigate the risks

All applications must provide evidence of

• co-contribution, cash and in-kind (refer to section 'Co-contributions' in the Program Guidelines for requirements)
• landowner consent if the land is not owned by the Applicant
• evidence regulatory approvals have been /or can be obtained without delaying the project completion timeframe, including provision of a planning pathway assessment (if required)
• evidence of valid public liability insurance
• evidence of financial viability (annual financial statements for two most recent years)
• evidence of community consultation and strong community support for the project.
• entity specific evidence (where applicable):
  • current Trust Deed confirming signatories for trust entities
  • proof of company, charity, incorporation or co-operative current registration
• 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)

Sample project management templates and resources are available here: Project Management Toolkit

The Short-form Business Case Template can also be downloaded directly here: Short-form Business Case 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.

Applicants can obtain support in preparing their applications. All enquiries should be sent to 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).

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; and
• 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); and
• 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.

• it has been prepared by and is being submitted by an eligible applicant;
• project applications are specific to an eligible project location within the 12 LGAs (Balranald, Berrigan, Carrathool, Edward River, Federation, Griffith, Hay, Leeton, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, Wentworth);
• the project can start within 6 months of the commencement date of the funding deed and be completed by 31 May 2029;
• the application will identify all necessary approvals and advise the status and provide a planning pathways assessment demonstrating that the approvals will be obtained no later than 12 months after the commencement date of the funding deed and that they have been factored into the overall project delivery timeframes;
• that the amount of funding requested is between $750,000 and $10 million (GST exclusive);
• applicants will notify the Department if grant funding is secured from another source.