Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: From $5,000
- Application opened: 30 January 2025
- Application closed: 27 February 2025, 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 (EOI) for participation in the next round of National Water Grid funding applications, likely in June 2025. EOIs for the next funding round must be submitted no later than 11:00 pm (AEDT) on Thursday 27 February 2025.
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. Projects are funded exclusively by the Australian Government who is the final decision maker on funding 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 council / authority (including County Councils and Joint Organisations)
- water utility
- irrigation water supply corporation or trust
- First Nations organisation
- science agency
- NSW Government Department; or
- 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, 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, 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, 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
- Pre-construction activities (Detailed Design, Environmental Impact Statement, etc.)
- Undertake construction work
Outcomes for projects funded under this grant
Open
1. The department opens stage one applications for four weeks.
Evaluation
2. The department evaluates projects for eligibility and alignment to National Water Grid Investment Framework criteria and NSW Government considerations.
Shortlist
3. An evaluation panel shortlists projects to recommend to the NSW Minister for Water (or delegate) who approves funding applications to proceed to the Australian Government National Water Grid Fund.
Collaborate
4. The department's Infrastructure Development team works with shortlisted proponents to coach development of their formal funding application.
Submission
5. Applications are submitted to the Australian Government National Water Grid Fund 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
Capital funding on projects that have already been expended cannot be reimbursed.
Types of projects not funded under this grant
Projects that are not eligible for funding include:
- Urban water infrastructure for the sole benefit of residents in major cities which should be funded by utilities and rate payers
- Projects that supply water for the exclusive use of a single entity or that primarily benefit one major customer
- Waste and stormwater projects, except to the extent they include a productive economic element such as recycled water schemes
- Disaster resilience or environmental water recovery projects
- Projects for routine maintenance or refurbishment without betterment.
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 co-contributions are required
Have secured minimum 50% co-funding from non- Australian Government sources.
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 priority action in a NSW Government Strategy
- Is consistent with other NSW Government policy drivers
- Address a critical town water security issue
- Already has co-funding secured
- Improves environmental outcomes and/or outcomes for First Nations people
- Improves economic/social outcomes for regional communities.
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
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-2025. The federal funding decision can take three to four months.
Support and contact
Phone: 1300 081 047
Email: nwgf-info@dpie.nsw.gov.au