Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund

To be eligible to apply for funding the applicant must be one of the following:

• an incorporated association or community organisation
• a not-for-profit organisation with ACNC registration
• a local council
• Local Aboriginal Land Council
• a state government agency
• any other organisation or corporation that owns, manages or occupies land subject to a lease or licence within the NPCC Fund Project Area and must clearly demonstrate community benefit
• applicants must hold an Australian Business Number (ABN), Australian Company Number (ACN) or be registered with NSW Fair Trading under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 or other act. Applicants must have or be able and willing to purchase at least $20 million public liability insurance prior to entering a Funding Deed. The cost of public liability insurance can be included in the project budget as part of the administration costs.

Ineligible applicants include:

• an individual or group of individuals, including sole traders and partnerships
• any unincorporated association that is not a registered not-for-profit organisation.

To be eligible for funding from the Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund, projects must: 

• be located in the Newcastle Port defined area as detailed in the Guidelines
• foster stronger community bonds, enhance accessibility, boost visitation, increase participation in cultural and artistic life, and enhance public, environmental and business infrastructure with demonstrated public or community benefit
• demonstrate the project would not occur at all, or in the same timeframe without government investment support
• be delivered and operational within two years from executing the funding deed 
• provide proof of $20 million of public liability insurance at time of contracting
• secure approvals to meet project timeframes
• not be suitable for financial support under other Australian and/or NSW Government funding programs, or requires a NSW Government funding co-contribution to support an application to another government or industry program.

Eligible projects through the NPCC can include:

• design and planning consultancies, noting design and management fees cannot exceed 15 per cent of the total grant value
• construction, upgrade and specific project related restoration works
• remediation, pollution control and clean up works
• project management fees (internal management fees may be considered where additional internal resources are required).

Ineligible project costs include:

• expenses incurred prior to the project funding deed being signed by DRNSW
• equipment not part of a broader project
• activities already funded or budgeted through the City of Newcastle or a NSW Government agency including a previous NPCC Fund round
• projects that have exclusive private benefits
• Development Application (DA) fees
• cost over-runs more than the agreed cost allocations
• ongoing repair and maintenance costs
• organisational operating costs such as wages that are unrelated to the project and ongoing management costs.

Project types must be of one or more of the following:

• environmental (e.g: pollution control, clean up works)
• public domain (e.g. parks, pathways, cycleways, community facilities, tourism facilities)
• port related community infrastructure (e.g. boat ramps, services, access)
• heritage restoration or interpretive works (for land, buildings or equipment)
• activation (e.g. place making projects, community and tourism-based events)
• smart technology or innovation (e.g. smart public amenities or facilities)
• other high-quality projects that foster stronger community bonds, enhance accessibility, boost visitation, increase participation in cultural and artistic life, and enhance public, environmental and business infrastructure with demonstrated public or community benefit.

Applicants may only seek funding for planning, design and project management where:

• it is sought in conjunction with funding for the delivery of a project
• the amount sought for these elements is no more than 15 per cent of the total funding requested.

Previous rounds have included projects such as:

• Activating and educating in the Delprat Cottage
• ‘Art in the Yard’ arts activities for young people 
• Making Waves program expansion
• Stockton Community War Memorial Renewal
• Upgrade of main entrance to clubhouse facility at Stockton Bowling Club
• Stage 2 – construction of outside function space at Carrington Bowling Club
• Foreshore Park amenities and changing place
• Victoria Theatre façade revitalisation
• Macquarie Pier Revitalisation Project  
• Honeysuckle Smart Shelters  
• Customs House time ball/clock lighting and restoration  
• Seabin STEM Litter Prevention Workshops  
• Stockton Norm Bassan Lions Park Memorial  
• Community Sailing as part of SailFest Newcastle Regatta 2021  
• Electric Car for Mission to Seafarers Newcastle  
• Foreshore Park Livvi’s Place Inclusive Playspace  
• Fortress Newcastle Exhibition (Stage 2)  
• Throsby Creek Walkway Solar Lighting  
• Reinstall Sails to William the Fourth project 
• Cottage Creek North Naturalisation Works 
• Stories of Our Town
   

DRNSW and the Program Assessment Panel may offer part-funding to projects where appropriate, and in consultation with the applicant. If this occurs DRNSW will work with applicants to revise the project scope so it is within the funding amount awarded. Applicants should consider being able to stage their projects should full funding not be available.

Applicants can submit multiple applications for separate projects in each funding round.

The Department of Regional NSW hosted an information session on Wednesday 18 January 2023 at 1pm. A recording of the session is now available to view.

The information session provided an overview of the program and guidance on eligibility and the application process.