Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Please view the Notional Funding Allocation Per Region
- Application opened: 1 July 2024
- Application closed: 31 August 2024, 2:00 pm
Program objective
The Scheme aims to maximise benefits to regional passengers through supporting:
- more accessible passenger transport, especially better connections between bus stops and surrounding communities;
- an increase in the use of passenger transport in regional areas through improved awareness of bus stop locations, kerbside information and improved security;
- the development of minor infrastructure to complement passenger service development.
This program is administered by Transport for NSW.
Eligibility
Who can apply
- Local governments (councils and joint regional organisations)
- Incorporated community organisations including, Aboriginal Land Councils.
Location that are eligible include Albury City, Armidale Regional, Ballina, Balranald, Bathurst Regional, Bega Valley, Bellingen, Berrigan, Bland, Blayney, Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Byron, Cabonne, Carrathool, Central Coast, Central Darling, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Cobar, Coffs Harbour, Coolamon, Coonamble, Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional, Cowra, Dubbo Regional, Dungog, Edward River, Eurobodalla, Federation, Forbes, Gilgandra, Glen Innes Severn, Goulburn Mulwaree, Greater Hume Shire, Griffith, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Hay, Hilltops, Inverell, Junee, Kempsey, Kiama, Kyogle, Lachlan, Lake Macquarie, Leeton, Lismore, Lithgow City, Liverpool Plains, Lockhart, Maitland, Mid-Coast, Mid-Western Regional, Moree Plains, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Muswellbrook, Nambucca Valley, Narrabri, Narrandera, Narromine, Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional, Richmond Valley, Shoalhaven, Singleton, Snowy Monaro Regional, Snowy Valleys, Tamworth Regional, Temora, Tenterfield, Tweed, Unincorporated Far West, Upper Hunter, Upper Lachlan Shire, Uralla, Wagga Wagga, Walcha, Walgett, Warren, Warrumbungle, Weddin, Wentworth, Wingecarribee, Yass Valley
Who the grant is targeted towards
- Local governments (councils and joint regional organisations)
- Incorporated community organisations including, Aboriginal Land Councils.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Bus Stop Infrastructure
- New Shelter and associate works or
- Upgrades
Outcomes for projects funded under this grant
The Scheme aims to maximise benefits to regional passengers through supporting:
- more accessible passenger transport, especially better connections between bus stops and surrounding communities;
- an increase in the use of passenger transport in regional areas through improved awareness of bus stop locations, kerbside information and improved security;
- the development of minor infrastructure to complement passenger service development.
What costs you can apply for
- New shelter and associate works; or
- Upgrades –
- boarding areas – especially levelling;
- basic boarding point;
- minor boarding point upgrade;
- connecting footpath;
- security/lighting;
- signage;
- standard bus stop hard stand;
- street furniture;
- tactile ground surface indicators (TGSIs).
What costs you can't apply for
Any costs outside those listed in eligible project costs
Types of projects not funded under this grant
- research or studies;
- services;
- management;
- conveyances or enhancement to conveyances for use by transport providers;
- projects that benefit conveyances or drivers only, not passengers;
- lifecycle maintenance or recurrent costs;
- sealing or delineation of roads or airstrips;
- road works;
- infrastructure enclosed on private land not accessible by the public;
- infrastructure for exclusive use by taxis services;
- infrastructure for exclusive use by airports; and
- improvements made on private property
Example projects
- New shelter and associate works; or
- Upgrades –
- boarding areas – especially levelling;
- basic boarding point;
- minor boarding point upgrade;
- connecting footpath;
- security/lighting;
- signage;
- standard bus stop hard stand;
- street furniture;
- tactile ground surface indicators (TGSIs).
What co-contributions are required
This is a subsidies to support the construction or upgrade of bus stop infrastructure generally owned and maintained by local councils across regional NSW. The subsidies represent Transport for NSW’s (TfNSW) financial contribution towards improving the accessibility and quality of kerbside passenger transport infrastructure in regional areas.
The subsidy payments made by TfNSW should not be expected to cover the full cost of projects, so it is important that applicants undertake adequate costing of the proposed works even though cost estimates are not required as part of the application. However, the subsidy amounts provided by TfNSW should represent a significant contribution and applicants are reminded that they will be required to meet the cost of any shortfall. The application automatically calculates funding requests as you populate the form.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
A list of identified bus stop locations for each LGA is an integral component of the application. This will enable applicants to easily identify each component of the application by the unique stop.
- Each location should have the before photo attachment and must use the address of the naming convention of all pictures.
- The photo must be geotagged, and date stamped
While it is not a requirement, applications that demonstrate consultation and support will be highly regarded. Applicants can demonstrate community consultation by attaching letters outlining the local consultation and support from the local bus operator and other interested parties.
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Address the assessment criteria
Projects will be appraised equally against each criterion.
- Proposals that improve safety and accessibility are a higher priority than those which enhance passenger comfort.
- Subsidies are to provide direct benefits to customers of passenger transport services contracted by TfNSW.
- Subsidy payments represent TfNSW’s financial contribution towards the provision and upgrading of infrastructure to a minimum standard. Where a higher standard is preferred, the subsidy recipient is responsible for funding the additional cost.
Start the application
Applications are to be submitted through the SmartyGrants portal on or before the due date. (see Appendix D in the guidelines for Terms and Conditions).
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure information entered in the form is accurate.
Late applications will not be assessed unless there are exceptional circumstances and prior approval for late submission has been obtained from the Program Manager.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Executive Director Community & Place
Each project will be subject to a competitive merit-based selection process based on eligibility criteria and assessment criteria to enable selection of projects which meet the program objectives.
Applications will be assessed by a panel formed within TfNSW.
The Assessment Panel will review all applications based on the principles and priorities outlined in these Guidelines.
Upon the completion of the application assessments, the panel will submit recommendations to the Executive Director, Community and Place, TfNSW for final approval.
The approved recommendations will be submitted to a Local Government NSW representative for endorsement
Support and contact
cptigs@transport.nsw.gov.au