Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: From $5,000
- Application opened: 19 April 2024
- Application closed: 13 May 2024, 11:00 pm
Program objective
The Australian Government, through the National Water Grid Fund, makes funding available for priority water infrastructure projects to improve the reliability and security of water for Australia’s regional and remote towns, agriculture and primary industry sectors.
The NSW Government is calling for expressions of interest for participation in the June 2024 round of National Water Grid funding applications.
This scheme includes funding for new infrastructure and invests in scientific research to drive long-term, economically sound, environmentally sustainable and culturally responsive benefits for local communities. It also includes funding crucial water security projects in regional and remote First Nations communities as part of Closing the Gap.
This program is administered by the Australian Government and NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water but funded exclusively by the Australian Government who is the final decision maker on applications.
Further information on the National Water Grid Fund application can be found on the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water webpage.
This program is administered by Water.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Projects must serve rural and regional NSW to be eligible for funding.
Who can apply:
- Local government authorities
- Water utilities
- Irrigation organisations
- First nations organisations
- Science agencies
- Private corporations (where the project has multiple beneficiaries)
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, Clarence Valley, Cobar, Coffs Harbour, Coolamon, Coonamble, Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional, Cowra, Dubbo Regional, Edward River, Eurobodalla, Federation, Forbes, Gilgandra, Glen Innes Severn, Goulburn Mulwaree, Greater Hume Shire, Griffith, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Hawkesbury, Hay, Hilltops, Inverell, Junee, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lachlan, Leeton, Lismore, Lithgow City, Liverpool Plains, Lockhart, Mid-Coast, Mid-Western Regional, Moree Plains, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Muswellbrook, Nambucca Valley, Narrabri, Narrandera, Narromine, Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Port Macquarie-Hastings, 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
Types of projects funded under this grant
Organisations that may apply for funding for water infrastructure projects:
- Recycling plants
- Groundwater storage
- Dams
- Weirs
- Pipelines
- Desalination plants
- Irrigation district modernisation or expansion
- Other projects that facilitate the movement of water.
Funding is available to:
- Conduct a feasibility study (science program only)
- Develop a preliminary business case
- Develop a detailed business case
- Undertake construction work.
Outcomes for projects funded under this grant
Open
1. The department opens stage one applications for three weeks.
Evaluation
2. The department evaluates projects for eligibility and alignment to National Water Grid Investment Framework and NSW Government considerations.
Shortlist
3. An evaluation panel shortlists projects to recommend to the Deputy Secretary Water Group and the NSW Minister for Water to proceed to stage 2 applications.
Collaborate
4. The department's Infrastructure Development team works with shortlisted projects to coach development of their stage 2 formal funding application.
Submission
5. Applications are submitted to the Australian Government for assessment and funding consideration. The funding decision is usually made within 3-4 months.
Who can’t apply
Entities that cannot apply include:
- Individuals who have projects with benefits only for private business or individuals
- Private, on-farm irrigators
What costs you can't apply for
Projects that have already commenced cannot be reimbursed. Projects must be new capital investment.
Types of projects not funded under this grant
Projects that are not eligible for funding include:
- urban water storage and distribution systems (without a benefit to primary industry or regional development)
- maintenance or refurbishment projects without a benefit element
- projects supplying water for the exclusive use of a private business or individual.
Example projects
Tamworth Advanced Water Treatment Plant
The detailed business case investigates building NSW's first regional industrial advanced water treatment plant. The plant, if built, would help protect Tamworth's long-term water security by recycling up to 12 megalitres (ML) of wastewater a day.
Managed Aquifer Recharge Project
This state-wide research project involves a detailed desktop analysis to advance possible large-scale, agricultural magnified aquifer recharge schemes in irrigation areas of NSW. This project further builds on opportunities identified in the CSIRO's rapid appraisal research.
Walcha Off-Stream Water Storage Project
This project involves the construction of a 300 ML off-stream storage dam, a river offtake pumping station and modifications to existing water supply infrastructure. The project will integrate both new and existing systems, enabling secure future water supply for Walcha.
West Wyalong Water Reliability Project
This project involves the construction of a new standpipe reservoir, a 15 km pipeline and a new transfer pump station that will improve the low-pressure issues within Wyalong and West Wyalong. In recent times reduced water pressure has presented challenges in developing or expanding water service beyond the existing service area and this project mitigates that.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
National Water Grid Fund eligibility criteria
To be eligible for National Water Grid Fund funding, projects must:
- Be a new capital investment in infrastructure that increases the security, quality and/or availability of water for regional and remote communities, and/or productive use
- Deliver a demonstrable public benefit with a national interest element and demonstrated engagement with affected stakeholders (including first nations people)
- Be brought forward with strong support by a state or territory government (including securing funding/co-funding contributions) and be dependent on a commonwealth contribution.
Projects seeking funding through the First Nations Infrastructure Program must also
- Prioritise First Nations communities that don't have access to clean and reliable drinking water.
Projects seeking funding through the Science Program must meet 1 of the following themes:
- Analyse water resources, to understand future sustainability and nature positive development options
- Identify and progress alternative/emerging opportunities that increase water security and enhance climate change resilience
- Develop new information resources to support decision making.
NSW Government considerations
Applications will be assessed against whether the project:
- Is identified as a NSW government priority or an election commitment
- Is prioritised by existing policy drivers
- Is based in a regional or remote community that has critical town water security issues
- Already has co-funding secured
Improves environmental outcomes and/or outcomes for First Nations people.
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.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: NSW and Federal Ministers for Water
Expressions of Interest will be assessed against set criteria and a shortlist recommend by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water - Water Group. After initial assessment, successful applicants will be invited to submit full applications.
An evaluation panel made up of senior staff from the NSW Government will assess the expressions of interest, identify those that best meet the weighted funding criteria and work with eligible organisations to coach development of funding proposals for consideration by the Australian Government for funding.
All unsuccessful EOI applicants will be provided with an opportunity for feedback.
The anticipated submission to the Federal Government is mid-2024. The federal funding decision can take three to four months.
Support and contact
Phone: 1300 081 047
Email: nwgf-info@dpie.nsw.gov.au