Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: From $500,000 to $5,000,000
- Application opened: 4 April 2024
- Application closed: 29 May 2024
Program objective
The objectives of the funding round are to:
- plan, prioritise and provide funding towards the right infrastructure at the right time to support housing and jobs growth in metropolitan and regional NSW
- undertake an open and transparent process that ensures contributions are spent on value-for-money projects in growth areas
- partner with councils and agencies to develop an expanded pipeline of infrastructure projects funded by developer contributions
- assist with demands created by development for new public infrastructure, amenities and services.
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This program is administered by Planning, Land Use, Housing and Strategy.
Eligibility
Who can apply
We are inviting councils in 6 collection areas to submit nominations.
We are also inviting Transport for NSW who operate across all the collection areas to apply.
- Central Coast Council
- Shellharbour City Council
- Wollongong City Council
- City of Newcastle
- Cessnock City Council
- Lake Macquarie City Council
- Maitland City Council
- Port Stephens City Council
- Blacktown City Council
- The Hills Shire Council
- Camden Council
- Wollondilly Shire Council
- Transport for NSW
Types of projects funded under this grant
Applicants should nominate infrastructure projects that demonstrate the ability to support new housing. An applicant may nominate more than one project. However, the applicant should prioritise nominations in its internal governance processes for committing to project delivery.
Projects must be consistent with the ‘public purpose’ test under section 7.4 of the EP&A Act which specifies what contributions collected under planning agreements can be used for, including:
- provision of public services and amenities
- provision of transport or other infrastructure relating to land
- conservation or enhancement of the natural environment.
Eligible projects must be:
- nominated by an eligible local council or state agency
- included in an agency capital investment plan (only applicable to projects involving capital expenditure by state agencies)
- within the budget envelope allocation for the respective collection area and with a funding value between $500,000 and $5 million
- able to be completed by 30 June 2028.
When the project can start and end
The project must be completed by 30 June 2028.
Who can’t apply
All other local government areas not listed under eligible applicants.
Types of projects not funded under this grant
The following projects are ineligible to receive funding:
- operational expenditure associated with the project once delivered
- infrastructure already fully funded by a local government or the Australian Government
- expenditure for community consultation
- costs associated with legal matters for the project
- any expenses not expressly identified within the scope of the funding agreement
- expenditure incurred before the announcement that the project has been funded
- payment of salaries for existing staff or staff not involved in the project
- administrative overhead items such as office equipment and vehicles
- mobile capital equipment such as earthmovers and trucks
- ancillary projects identified after funding was approved
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
All applicants are required to complete and submit a Project Nomination Form available on the SVPA Funding Program Smartygrants website
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
The success of round 4 will be evaluated on the total housing growth benefits realised from the selected projects. As part of their nomination, applicants will need to provide an estimate of the number of new homes the project will support over time, including their methodology for estimating and monitoring these benefits, and GIS mapping of project extents and service catchments.
Please visit the program webpage for more information, including a copy of the program guidelines.
You can also contact the SVPA Funding Program team at svpa.fundingprogram@dpie.nsw.gov.au.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces
We will assess the nominated projects in 4 stages. The first stage is an eligibility review to ensure projects meet the eligibility criteria.
We will then assess projects using a multi-criteria analysis to generate a shortlist.
In the shortlisting process, we will give preference to projects that have strong alignment to a location where there is more than one state voluntary planning agreement.
Shortlisted projects will then be assessed by an independent technical expert and a strategic review panel comprised of experienced staff and subject matter experts across the department.
The program team will use each of these assessments to prepare an investment recommendations report for endorsement by an executive steering committee. If endorsed, the program team will seek approval to fund the final list of projects from the Minister of Planning and Public Spaces.
Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is 11/2024
Support and contact
NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
State Voluntary Planning Agreement Funding Program
Please visit the program webpage for more information, including a copy of the program guidelines.
You can also contact the SVPA Funding Program team at svpa.fundingprogram@dpie.nsw.gov.au.