Joint Organisation Net Zero Acceleration Grant Round 3

This grant aims to build capacity and capability within regional NSW councils to support the delivery of net zero outcomes. This grant will fund a dedicated staff member within regional Joint Organisations (JOs) to progress councils toward net zero.
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Key information

  • Status: Closed
  • Grant amount: Up to $253,200 (excl. GST) per applicant
  • Application opened: 19 May 2025
  • Application closed: 30 May 2025

Program objective

The aim of this program is to build on the capability within JOs to assist councils and regions in developing net zero outcomes and to assist JOs and their member councils to build internal capability.

This grant program will:

  • provide an opportunity for JOs to progress or establish a net zero pathway plan for their member councils;
  • increase the capacity of JOs to identify and implement projects that directly reduce emissions for councils, or progress the region’s net zero trajectory;
  • strengthen collaboration between State and local governments to improve the delivery of net zero outcomes in line with community expectations.

This round builds on the outcomes from the previous round 1 and round 2 of the Joint Organisation Net Zero Acceleration (JONZA) program.

This program is administered by The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

Eligibility

1

Who can apply

The grant is open to eligible NSW Joint Organisations (JOs) and non-metropolitan (Regional Organisations of Councils) ROCs. A representative council may apply for the grant funding on behalf of a JO or ROC.

To be eligible, the JO or ROC must:

  1. currently employ an Executive Officer or equivalent that leads the organisation;
  2. have processes in place to deliver projects (e.g. procurement, contract management); and
  3. be financially stable to host an in-house resource for 18 months to deliver outcomes.

In the interest of supporting the JO mechanism to deliver results for member councils, there may be preference given to JO applications over ROC applications during assessment process, if there is a large volume of eligible applications.

2

Types of projects funded under this grant

This grant can be used to fund a Net Zero Manager to accelerate member councils' emission reductions. This additional internal employee funded through this program must be suitably qualified to deliver outcomes for the region towards net zero goals.

The activities undertaken by this resource will vary between each JO and will be dependent on the current progress and needs of the JO and member councils. The net zero resource can be used to develop project plans, which will include communications plans and risk assessments.

All activities should align to the JO Statement of Strategic Regional Priorities, JO Board amended regional statement, regional energy and/or emissions reductions plans, and be approved by the JO board where applicable. 

3

When the project can start and end

The project should be started by 1 July 2025 and the project must be completed by 31 December 2026.

4

Types of projects not funded under this grant

The Net Zero Manager employed with this funding may not be used for activities that are considered “business as usual”, such as everyday JO or council operations and reporting.

The work undertaken under this program is for climate change mitigation activities and does not include climate change risk assessment or adaptation projects, unless otherwise approved by the department.

The grant funding cannot be used for capital expenditure or ongoing operational costs (outside of 12% component attributed to ancillary costs, as outlined in Available Funding). Funding cannot be used towards consultancy costs. The salary component must be used for the Net Zero Manager(s) salaries, and not toward support staff salaries, unless there is a part-time role-sharing agreement established. Funding can only be used for activities conducted within the period specified in the funding agreement and not for retrospective activities, nor costs associated with applying to the grant program.

5

Example projects

Some example activities undertaken by the Net Zero Manager include (but not limited to):

  • developing and implementing emissions baselining for member councils, using the provided C-Compass tool, or other comparable tool;
  • developing or progressing a regional energy plan;
  • developing or implementing emissions reduction plans, or net zero plans, both for individual councils and the region;
  • developing business cases and implementing energy efficiency projects;
  • developing business cases and implementing renewable energy projects;
  • developing or implementing a regional Electric Vehicle (EV) plan;
  • hosting council EV days for council fleet and equipment;
  • establishing Revolving Energy Funds (REFs) for local councils;
  • establishing a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) or Renewable Energy Supply Agreement (RESA) for renewable energy purchase for some or all member councils;
  • establishing processes for carbon offsetting;
  • researching and analysing emissions reductions activities;
  • exploring pathways to reduce landfill emissions from council-owned facilities
  • organising meetings, seminars, training and events relevant to net zero outcomes;
  • supporting member councils to apply for grants for related programs to progress the actions in the plans;
  • improving processes for data gathering and management to better plan and deliver net zero projects; and
  • progressing opportunities for member councils as they arise.

Most recent recipients

All recipients (9)

What your application needs to include

1

Prepare your application with this checklist

Please submit the following documents along with your application:

  1. Letter of engagement or equivalent to show a currently employed Executive Officer or equivalent that leads the JO (personal or sensitive information can be redacted).
  2. Document to demonstrate processes in place to deliver projects. This could include an example project. (Not required if previously successful under JONZA rounds 1 and 2)
  3. A current audit report, P&L or equivalent to demonstrate a financially stable position to host an in-house resource for 12 months to deliver outcomes. This could include a long-term financial plan, if available.
2

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.

3

Address the assessment criteria

Eligible submissions will be assessed against the following criteria to determine the successful applicants.

1. Demonstrated need for additional internal capacity resource to help drive net zero outcomes - 30%

2. Proposed impact of net zero initiatives for JO member councils - 40%

3. Demonstrated commitment and capability within the JO to achieve outcomes - 30%

Start the application

Applications are submitted online through the SmartyGrants portal. 

You will receive an application number when you apply online. Please quote this number in all communications with the department relating to your application. All supporting material must be received by the application deadline.

Please note the following:

  • Supporting documents must be in an acceptable file type, such as Word, Excel, PDF, or JPEG.
  • No hard copy applications will be accepted.
  • Any application that is late, incomplete or ineligible will not be considered.
  • Sustainable Councils may reach out to applicants throughout evaluation stage if clarity or more information is required.
  • Applicants must not provide false or misleading information in the grant application. Any application identified containing false or misleading statements will be ineligible for funding.

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: Emily Yip - Director, Sustainability and Circular Economy Partnerships

Applications will first be checked against the eligibility criteria by the program team. Applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria will not progress.

Each application will then be assessed against the merit criteria outline in Section 2.2, by an independent assessment panel. The recommendations from the panel will be considered by the Director Sustainability and Circular Economy Partnerships for final approval as the grant program decision maker. Applications must score minimum thresholds of 5 out of 10 for all merit criteria to be recommended.

All applicants can expect to be notified of the outcome of their applications within 2 weeks of grant closure.

Support and contact

Sustainable Councils SCC@environment.nsw.gov.au

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