Chinatown Revitalisation Project | 

Activation Initiatives Funding Guidelines  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepared for Public Distribution Prepared by Shire of Broome REV E 1st May 2017

   

 

 

 

 

Contents  

Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 3

Scope ............................................................................................................................................... 3

Aims, Visions & Principles ................................................................................................................ 4

Grant Types ..................................................................................................................................... 5

Funding ............................................................................................................................................ 6

Eligibility ........................................................................................................................................... 6

Applications ...................................................................................................................................... 7

Assessment ...................................................................................................................................... 8

Further Information ........................................................................................................................... 8

Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 8

 

   

Revision Implemented by Date Approved by Reason

A Jeremy Macmath 23/01/2017 Shire of Broome For Internal review

B Jeremy Macmath 17/02/2017 Shire of Broome PCG Review

C Jeremy Macmath 14/03/2017 Shire of Broome PCG Review

D Jeremy Macmath 12/04/2017 Shire of Broome PCG Approval

E Jeremy Macmath 01/05/2017 SC For Public Distribution

 

 

Introduction  In 2013, the Shire of Broome adopted the Chinatown Development Strategy, one of several precursors that led to the development of the Chinatown Revitalisation Business Case. The Business Case is the body of work that attracted a State investment of $10 million for town centre upgrade. In June 2016 a Financial Assistance Agreement (FAA) was executed between the Shire of Broome and the WA State Government Department of Regional Development’s Royalties for Regions Program to deliver 10 projects for a total of $12.7 million within Broome’s Chinatown district. One of the ten projects to be delivered is the Chinatown Investment & Development Coordinator (CIDC) role. Rather than a project, this is a human resource with the key role to engage and foster Chinatown owners, Traders and Stakeholders (COTS) to initiate activation initiatives in Chinatown. The Chinatown Steering Committee recognises that small business and special interest groups such as COTS make large contributions to the vibrancy and energy of a town. In recognition of this, funding grants have been developed to stimulate and encourage activation initiatives in Chinatown by supporting local businesses and interest groups. Grants may be provided up to a maximum of $20,000 on a dollar for dollar basis. The recipient must demonstrate at least an equal financial investment for the specific business project, unless deemed exempt or shown through other means. The Activation Initiative Guidelines (AIG) document guides requirements for Activation Initiative Funding. The AIG outlines the scope of laneway development, outlines the Chinatown visions and principles and describes grant objectives and how they relate to the visions and principles underpinning the CIDC sub project. The document then outlines eligibility criteria, describes the application process and lastly outlines assessment criteria for funding selection.

 

Scope  The CIDC Activity Plan has been developed to provide a framework for staff operations, workload and implementation of events and activation initiatives throughout the two year tenure of the role. A separate Project Management Plan has also been developed to provide day to day project management planning for this role, found separately. The CIDC Activity Plan does not account for the Enhanced Laneway Strategy, a component of the CRBC and FAA also being managed by the CIDC. This will be further developed through an individual project management plans

 

Chinatown Development Area The adjacent aerial shows the Chinatown Development Boundary that acts as project extents for benefit of activation initiatives.

   

 

 

Aims, Visions & Principles  Community visions for Chinatown are important to consider through the Activity Plan as they act as benchmarks for initiatives and activities that are considered and ensure progress is appropriately developed and implemented. The vision developed through the 2013 Chinatown Development Strategy process (prepared by Hassell) as “Chinatown – the heart and soul of Broome” remains relevant to this project and has been confirmed through the Chinatown Communications Strategy. Eight key principles from the Chinatown Development Strategy that underpin the vision are as follows:

1. Be the pre-eminent commercial centre of Broome. 2. Have an active, vibrant, energetic core. 3. Reveal its cultural heritage through interpretation and conservation. 4. Reveal, interpret, and conserve the unique natural environment. 5. Be visually, physically, and culturally connected. 6. Be loved and used by locals as well as tourists. 7. Be an all-year round destination. 8. Be a sustainable and resilient community.

The eight broad principles above have been revisited and synthesised into 6 principles for activation.

1. broaden shoulders of the season and the day 2. safer, more vibrant and active for tourists (land, air, sea) and locals 3. quick wins, seeding ideas to grow into future 4. a larger share for all 5. reveal unique cultural and physical layers through interpretation and conservation 6. compromise between views & provide opportunities for tenants & short term traders

An outline to the Activity Plan process and how all components fit can be found below.  

 

 

Grant Types  Grant funding accessible to Traders can be separated into the following five categories as described below:

 

1. Infrastructure This type of initiative will focus on minor works that are portable (but will remain on site), short term or semi permanent additions/modifications to key amenity hardware within Chinatown that is directly related to COTS and located in thresholds between public and private space. Essentially, works will be privately owned and run by COTS, on private land but for public benefit. Examples such as fixed shop signage, interpretive elements, bespoke street/al fresco area furniture and ‘discovery’ public artworks may be further developed to activate the public/private interface within Chinatown.

2. Events Events are a key way to activate a place within a short amount of time and act as a testing ground for understanding how spaces are used by people and how well existing infrastructure and management systems operate and at what capacity. Of particular interest to Chinatown, events allow people to see places through a different lens and offer alternative place uses compared with the day to day. Chinatown events will aim to tie in with existing and creation of new art, design, cultural, sport, entertainment and hospitality focused events with a broad range of demographics in mind (locals, tourists, cruise ship attendants, families, youth and adult). This may include clustering a series of events to create a festival or ‘piggy backing’ on existing events or festivals, to create something uniquely Chinatown with a legacy that lasts beyond the scope of the Project. CIDC will also be operating an events calendar so potential funders have the ability to cluster with CIDC run events also.

3. Tours Tours offer a short period, but long term opportunity for activating Chinatown through the interpretation and explanation of stories, culture and history. Initiatives will garner support to develop content and tour operators in a range of guided and self guided tour products that showcase the fine grain history, rich culture and food of Chinatown, past and present.

4. Small Scale As the title suggests, quick wins or ‘pop up’ ideas require small amount of capital and planning to implement and have large ongoing benefits for the community, COTS and visitors. These initiatives will take many forms and types and may range from short term food vendors and part time ‘parklets’ to shopfront displays and ephemeral art installations.

5. Large Scale Visionary initiatives that will require a high amount of private development input and intense collaboration between many parties to achieve long term sustainable initiatives with long term public benefit. These types of initiatives are likely to include scoping and planning services for future capital works/facility upgrades and will only succeed if the community is engaged and functioning as they will require independent management and additional funding.

   

 

 

Funding 

Businesses may apply for a matched funding grant for a combination of these items, or for other items that help to meet the objectives of the program. Seed funding available totals $160,000 and will be split between the five initiative types. An initial estimate of funding dispersal can be found below. Funding figures to be used as a guide and will vary according to actual initiatives.

Annual Allocation

Initiative Type Qty* Units Rate Total Round 1 Round 2 Total

1. Infrastructure 10 item $5,000 $50,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $50,0002. Events 5 event $5,000 $25,000 $ 15,000 $ 10,000 $25,0003. Tours 5 item $2,000 $10,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $10,0004. Small Scale 10 item $5,000 $50,000 $ 25,000 $ 25,000 $50,0005. Large Scale 5 item $5,000 $25,000 $ 10,000 $ 15,000 $25,000

Total $160,000 $ 80,000 $ 80,000 $160,000

% of total 50% 50%

To ensure benefits remain available for the life of the investment for longer term projects, an agreement will be entered into between the landowner and the Shire. This will be developed on a case by case basis.

Exemptions for matched contributions may exist for community groups and small scale place making initiatives where in kind or social return on investment can be shown. This will be based upon PCG discretion and resolved during application revisions.

Eligibility  

What Businesses/Groups are eligible to apply? To be considered for a grant, it is envisioned that the applicant will: Own or operate a small business that is based within Chinatown; Operate as a registered, incorporated group Have a valid Australian Business Number (or has applied for one or is willing to fill out ATO

Statement by Supplier Form); Have the appropriate insurances and licenses for business operation; and Own or have a lease agreement for a space within the Chinatown Development Area, which

extends at least two years from the time the application is submitted or have a letter of support stating that a lease or ownership is to be extended.

Legally constituted not-for-profit community groups in the Shire of Broome LGA that aim to enhance community connectedness through participation and ownership of community run and led projects.

Businesses/Groups that will not be considered will include;  Businesses that operate outside of the Chinatown Development Area, unless partnered with a

Chinatown business; Government departments or agencies unless partnered with a Chinatown business or

community group Unincorporated associations; Online businesses or businesses operating from virtual/serviced offices;

 

 

 

 

Items not supported Grants will not be provided for business operating costs (wages, rent, and utilities), consumables and standard operational equipment. Items such as relocatable equipment will not be considered unless they contribute to a larger project that substantially meets the objectives of the matched funding grants program. Moveable infrastructure initiatives will be considered on a case by case basis to ensure that any items will remain on site for ongoing public benefit.

 

Financial Viability Applicants must be able to demonstrate the financial viability of the business and the proposed activities through submission of business plan or financial information. The financial viability of the business must not be dependent upon the approval of a grant.

Applications  

Application Forms Application forms will be available online from the Chinatown Revitalisation website https://chinatownbroome.com.au. Hard copy forms will also be available from Reception at the Shire offices at 27 Weld Street Broome and the Project HQ in Chinatown (once established).

 

Application Process 

The application process (illustrated right) requires all applicants to prepare and submit a copy of the required documentation to CIDC for consideration by the PCG. Failure to successfully complete the application process may result in the application being rejected or request for further information.

The CIDC will be available to assist with applications where possible.

   

 

 

Assessment 

The assessment of applications will be considered against the extent to which the proposed activities contribute to the over-arching vision for Chinatown as “the heart and soul of Broome” and expresses the essence of the principles for Chinatown Activation, as described above. The following criteria will be used to assess submissions.

Assessment Criteria 

1. The extent to which the project will contribute to the objectives of the broader Revitalisation Project

2. The submission of a detailed project plan and comprehensive business plan that includes business finances, demonstrating the financial viability of the business and evidence that equal financial contribution will be made by the applicant.

3. Considerations

Tenure of the land/lease Timing of the project Term of Effect (flow on benefits) Effect on Chinatown patronage Likelihood of stimulating private investment Ability to attract/stimulate public grants/funding Support for the Chinatown heritage story Support for the local Indigenous story Likelihood of stimulating long term change & growth

The PCG decision is final and not contestable

Further Information The funding will be released in two stages. The first in May 2017 and the second in January 2018. Application forms for round one will be available from 1st May 2017 until 30th June 2017. Submissions will be offered electronically or physically at Shire of Broome Administration. Applicants are advised to allow at most two months (60 days) for the assessment of their submission. Successful applicants will be required to fill out necessary payment forms prior to grant funds being transferred.

Conclusion The Activation Initiative Guidelines (AIG) document provides a funding framework for the development, selection and implementation of activation initiatives in Chinatown. The AIG has outlined the scope of activation initiatives, the aims, visions and principles for the Chinatown redevelopment and describes grant objectives and how they relate to the visions and principles. The document then provides an outline of eligibility criteria, describes the applications process and the ensuing assessment criteria for funding selection.