Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Between $750,000 and $10 million (GST exclusive)
- Application opened: 9 December 2025
- Application closed: 24 February 2026, 12:00 pm
Program objective
The objective of the program is to fund infrastructure and enabling works in exposed and vulnerable NSW southern Basin communities to support economic growth and improve workforce participation into the future. This includes opportunities that:
- invest in region-based infrastructure and assets that will support economic activity of multiple users or industries and provide broad economic benefit
- unlock land for industry and housing or create new economic opportunities for local communities
- invest in infrastructure that supports growing populations, enabling people to continue to live and work locally.
Please read the NSW Sustainable Communities Program Economic Development and Infrastructure Round Program Guidelines
An Online Webinar and Frequently Asked Questions are available for your information.
This program is administered by Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Eligible applicants are:
- NSW local councils
- NSW joint or regional organisations of councils
- Australian universities (higher education provider registered under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Cth))
- companies incorporated in Australia (under the Corporations Act 2001)
- Australian trusts with a corporate trustee
- incorporated associations (under the NSW Associations Incorporation Act 2009)
- co-operatives (under the NSW Co-operatives Act 1992)
- public or private organisations registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission
- Local Aboriginal Land Councils or the NSW Aboriginal Land Council
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations (incorporated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006)
- Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (as defined in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap).
To be eligible for grant funding, an applicant must meet all the following requirements:
- identify as one of the eligible applicant types
- must hold an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- be financially viable and able to demonstrate ongoing viability (annual financial statements for 2 most recent years)
- hold or commit to obtaining public liability insurance of not less than $20 million per occurrence or hold equivalent or better self-insurance to the satisfaction of the department, prior to executing a funding deed with the department
- be a fit and proper person/legal entity
- not be insolvent, bankrupt or subject to ongoing legal proceedings
- declare in the application form that the applicant is not aware of any issues which could cause reputational or other risks to the NSW Government
- have previous project delivery experience (or ability to access the necessary expertise and support)
- provide evidence of capacity to make the minimum co-contribution (refer Section - Co-contributions).
If an applicant’s circumstances in relation to the above eligibility criteria change, the applicant should provide updated information by contacting the department using the Enquiries/Getting Support details.
Location that are eligible include Balranald, Berrigan, Carrathool, Edward River, Federation, Griffith, Hay, Leeton, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, Wentworth
Types of projects funded under this grant
Applicant must meet all of the requirements outlined in the Program Guidelines to be eligible.
When the project can start and end
The project must be completed by 31 May 2029.
Who can’t apply
The following will be considered as ineligible applicants for funding:
- individuals
- sole traders
- partnerships under Australian taxation law
- unincorporated associations
- businesses that are insolvent
- businesses whose primary operation is in retail, localised trades, hospitality and administrative or professional services that serve only the local or regional community
- NSW Government agencies, state-owned corporations or statutory authorities.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Each application must include the documents listed in the application form including:
- a business case (and where required cost-benefit data sheet) aligned to the total project cost, setting out the case for change, detailed project scope and intended benefits, including relevant design drawings (detailed design version preferred), and evidence to demonstrate the proposed project location is viable (for example, planning advice)
- a detailed project budget based on recent quotes or detailed cost estimates. For projects over $2 million a detailed cost estimate prepared by a quantity surveyor with Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors membership is required
- a detailed project management plan and project schedule demonstrating the project will be successfully completed in the required timeframe
- information on key project delivery personnel demonstrating applicable skills and experience
- a detailed risk management plan demonstrating an understanding of the project’s risks and strategies to manage or mitigate the risks.
All applications must provide evidence of:
- co-contribution, cash and in-kind (refer to Co-contributions section of the Program Guidelines for requirements)
- landowner consent if the land is not owned by the applicant
- evidence regulatory approvals have been /or can be obtained without delaying the project completion timeframe, including provision of a planning pathway assessment (if required)
- evidence of valid public liability insurance
- evidence of financial viability (annual financial statements for 2 most recent years)
- evidence of community consultation and strong community support for the project
- entity specific evidence (where applicable):
- current Trust Deed confirming signatories for trust entities
- proof of company, charity, incorporation or co-operative current registration
- For projects with a total project cost greater than $20 million a full Business Case consistent with the NSW Government Business Case Guidelines (TPG24-29).
Project management templates and resources are available at: Project Management Toolkit
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.
Start the application
How to apply
The Program is a single stage application process.
Each application must consist of one project to be delivered in at least one eligible location.
Applicants may submit more than one application. If submitting multiple applications, applicants will be prompted to rank the projects in order of their highest priority. This ranking may be considered by the assessment panel in determining recommendations for funding.
Where to apply
Applicants must submit their application and supporting documentation through the program’s online portal on SmartyGrants.
When to apply
Applicants must submit their applications by the closing date and time outlined in the program guidelines.
The department retains discretion to extend the closing date and time, and to accept late applications in extenuating circumstances.
Applicants cannot reopen or amend applications after the closing date and time.
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: Minister for Regional NSW
Stages
Determining which applications are successful involves these stages:
- eligibility assessment
- project feasibility assessment
- merit assessment
- decision-making.
All applications will be assessed against the eligibility criteria. Applications considered eligible will then be assessed against the project feasibility criteria. Only applications that are assessed as eligible and feasible will progress to merit-based assessment.
Applicants are not guaranteed funding even if the application is of high merit. Further, successful applications may not be funded to the full amount requested.
At any stage, applicants may be referred to other, more suitable NSW Government programs. Applicants may need to update their applications to meet the criteria of the referred program.
The department may seek advice from other NSW Government agencies and other sources such as subject matter experts and/or technical advisors during the assessment process. Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the process.
The department may contact applicants seeking clarification or further information.
Eligibility assessment
The department will assess each application against the eligibility criteria identified in these guidelines.
Applications deemed ineligible will not be considered for further assessment.
Project feasibility
The department will then assess all eligible applications against the project feasibility criteria identified in these guidelines.
Other subject matter experts and/or technical advisors may be consulted to assist in the assessment of projects (if required). Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the process.
Applications that are assessed as eligible and feasible will progress to merit-based assessment.
Merit assessment
The department will undertake an initial merit-based assessment for applications that have been determined as eligible and feasible.
The department may seek additional information to assist in the merit-based assessment process. The department will notify applicants if additional information and supporting material is required and the timeframes in which it is required.
Other subject matter experts and/or technical advisors may be consulted to assist in the assessment of projects (if required). Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the process.
The department will provide the eligibility, feasibility and merit-based assessment outcomes to the assessment panel for consideration.
Assessment panel and recommendation
An assessment panel will be convened to consider and determine the assessment outcomes for each application.
The assessment panel will consider the relative merits of each application against the:
- outcomes of the eligibility assessment
- outcomes of the project feasibility assessment
- outcomes of the merit assessment.
The assessment panel will also consider any personal, businesses and/or probity issues and risks that could cause reputational or other risk to the NSW Government.
The assessment panel may request further details from applicants during this step to clarify information provided in their application. The department will notify applicants if additional information and supporting material is required and the timeframes in which it is required.
Determining project funding suitability
The assessment panel will form a list of projects that are deemed suitable/not suitable for funding. In determining funding suitability, the assessment panel may:
- recommend partial funding for projects where there is insufficient funding available for the whole project or where only a component of the project is considered eligible or suitable for funding.
Partial funding will only be granted if the project can be completed within the identified funding amount or where the project can be staged.
- recommend specific funding condition(s), where appropriate (such as engaging a third-party to manage the project delivery).
- take other factors into consideration when recommending an application for funding, including but not limited to the:
- total amount of funding available
- level of impact of the projects on the relevant local community
- importance of the project to the local economy or local community
- level of priority for applicant where multiple submissions are made
- geographical distribution of projects across the eligible LGAs
- suitability of a project for other government funding opportunities, and
- other factors that are deemed relevant and important in a whole of NSW context, including alignment with NSW water policy such as the priorities set out in the NSW Regional Water Strategies.
Advice may also be sought from other NSW Government agencies or other sources (such as probity advisors).
Recommendations
Following completion of the assessment process, the department will provide the assessment outcomes and recommendations of the assessment panel to Minister for Regional NSW (the decision maker) for final funding decisions.
Decision making
The decision maker is the Minister for Regional NSW as listed in the Key information of the Program Guidelines.
The decision maker will review the availability of grant funds, the assessment outcomes and the recommendations of the assessment panel.
The decision maker may take other factors into account including but not limited to advice from a probity advisor and issues that could cause reputational or other risks to the NSW Government.
In limited circumstances, the decision maker may waive selection criteria, for example, where not doing so would: lead to perverse or unfair outcomes; be contrary to the policy intent; or damage the reputation and integrity of the program.
If the decision maker departs from the assessment panel’s recommendations, the decision maker will arrange for the departures to be published with reasons.
Final decision
The decision maker’s decision is final in all matters, including:
- the approval to award a grant
- the amount awarded
- the terms and conditions of the grant.
Probity
An independent probity advisor will provide guidance on issues concerning integrity, fairness and accountability that may arise throughout the submission, assessment and decision processes. This will help ensure decisions are made with integrity, fairness and accountability, while delivering value for money for NSW. A probity advisor will be present at all assessment panel meetings.
Notification of application outcome
The department will send successful applicants a letter of conditional offer.
Successful applicants may be required to sign confidentiality undertakings, promising to keep the outcome of the application process confidential until the NSW Government makes a public announcement.
Successful applicants will be required to sign funding deeds with the department.
The department will notify unsuccessful applicants in writing of the outcome of their applications.
Feedback and appeal
The department will offer unsuccessful applicants a feedback information session.
There is no appeal mechanism from the decision maker’s decisions.
Announcements
The NSW Government may announce the outcome of funding applications at its discretion.
Support and contact
Applicants can obtain support in preparing their applications. All enquiries should be sent to nswscp@dpird.nsw.gov.au in the first instance and include the LGA that the project is located in. Enquiries will then be referred to the relevant department Economic Development Manager (where applicable).
Support includes:
- Online information webinar: The department has published an online information webinar. The webinar provides an overview of the program, key dates, and guidance on completing the application.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): The department will regularly update a set of FAQs to assist applicants. These will address common queries, including about eligibility, application requirements, and assessment processes
- Eligibility feedback: preliminary feedback on eligibility will be available upon request. Applicants are encouraged to contact the department early in the application period to discuss eligibility questions: nswscp@dpird.nsw.gov.au. Eligibility and the merits of projects will be subject to review and determination by the assessment panel
- Technical support and application development resources are also available including eligibility checklists and project management templates.