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LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANTS

for small scale infrastructure

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDEAims of the LGA Small-scale Infrastructure Grants ProgramThe Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is offering Local Government Authorities (LGAs) in Victoria the opportunity to apply for funding for small-scale infrastructure treatments to address pedestrian and cyclist safety under the Local Government Grants Program. This Program aims to:

• Encourage local government involvement in cyclist and pedestrian safety projects that are consistent with Victoria’s Road Safety Strategy 2013-2022 (www.roadsafety.vic.gov.au)

• Provide opportunities for LGAs to develop and implement low cost, effective infrastructure treatments targeting cyclist and pedestrian safety issues.

Funding limitThe TAC will consider applications for funding as follows:

• The TAC will fully fund issue analysis activities to a maximum cost of $25,000.• For projects entailing the implementation of infrastructure solutions, the TAC will fund

up to a total of $100,000 with contributions on a 1:1 basis with local government.

Key datesApplications usually close in the last week of August. The actual closing dates can be found online at www.tac.vic.gov.au/lgagrantsApplicants will be informed of decisions approximately six weeks after closing date.

Web location and phone contactYou can find more information and news about the Local Government Grants Program online at www.tac.vic.gov.au/lgagrantsYou can also contact the Local Government Grants officer by telephone on (03) 5225 7699 for information about the program or help with your application.

Application checklistMake sure you can tick each of these before submitting your application:

• You are a Local Government Authority.• Your application identifies a local road safety problem requiring a small-scale

infrastructure treatment to address pedestrian and/or cyclist safety.• Your application has considered other policies and programs targeting pedestrian

and cyclist safety, and infrastructure, such as opportunities presented by the new speed zone guidelines.

• You, and (if relevant) a person with authority to commit your organisation to the project, have signed the application form.

• You have responded to every question in the application form.• You have included two (2) copies (including the original) of the application form and any

supporting information.• You have forwarded an electronic version of the above

documents to: lgagrants@tac.vic.gov.au.

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Submission DetailsApplications should be received at the following address no later than 4.00pm on the closing date:

By POST:Transport Accident CommissionLocal Government Grants Program Road SafetyPO Box 742GEELONG VIC 3220

By COURIER:Transport Accident Commission Local Government Grants Program Road Safety60 Brougham Street

GEELONG VIC 3220

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CONTENTS

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE 2

Aims of the Local Government Grants Program 2Funding limit 2Key dates for 2015 2Web location and phone contact 2Application checklist 2Submission details 2

ROAD SAFETY IN VICTORIA 6

WHAT IS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANTS PROGRAM? 8

The Transport Accident Commission 8Road Safety Grants programs funded by the TAC 8The TAC Community Road Safety Grants Program 8The Safe System Road Infrastructure Program - Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety 8The Victorian Community Road Safety Partnership Program 8The TAC Local Government Grants Program 8

Safety focused programs 10

Dates 12Submitting an application form 12Funding limits and ratios 12Assessment process and feedback 12

AGREEMENT WITH THE TAC 15

SELECTION CRITERIA 16

Mandatory criteria 16Desirable criteria 16Assessment criteria 16

APPLICATION FORM 18

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WHAT PROJECTS WILL BE FUNDED? 10

HOW TO APPLY FOR FUNDING 12

ROAD SAFETY IN VICTORIA

Crashes are a major cause of death and serious injury in our community and all road users have a responsibility for making our roads safer.Key Government organisations work together on a statewide road safety strategy. These include the TAC, VicRoads, the Department of Justice, Victoria Police and the Department of Health, with support from other bodies and, in particular, Local Government, the Department of Education and Training and the RACV.Local road safety issues are often best dealt with at a local level. Local government, working closely with local communities, is well-placed to identify specific problems, especially for walking and cycling, and to devise and implement infrastructure and speed-based solutions.Community-based road safety programs that integrate with Victoria's broader strategy are important in reducing road trauma.Local Government is a key contributor to the achievement of road safety targets across the State.

Information about road safety, cycling and walking in Victoria can be found online:

TAC www.tac.vic.gov.auVictoria’s Road Safety Strategy www.roadsafety.vic.gov.au

VicRoads www.vicroads.vic.gov.auMunicipal Association of Victoria www.mav.asn.au

Bicycle Network Victoria www.bicyclenetwork.com.auAmy Gillett Foundation www.amygillett.org.au

Victoria Walks www.victoriawalks.org.auVicHealth www.vichealth.vic.gov.au

Department of Economic Development,Jobs, Transport and Resources www.economicdevelopment.vic.gov.au

Inner Melbourne Action Plan www.imap.vic.gov.au

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WHAT IS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT

GRANTS PROGRAM?

The Transport Accident CommissionThe Transport Accident Commission (TAC) manages Victoria's compulsory, no-fault insurance scheme for transport injuries. It works with road safety stakeholders and invests in road safety programs to help reduce the level of death and injury across the state.The TAC and its partners recognise the importance of Local Government in road safety and supports many local road safety programs. Programs with a community road safety focus include:

The TAC Community Road Safety Grants ProgramThis Grants Program provides up to $25,000 for one-off funding of evidence-based programs that tackle local community-based road safety issues. The issues to be tackled are consistent with those given priority within Victoria’s Road Safety Strategy. Examples of successful community-based road safety programs that have capitalised on this Grants Program include initiatives targeting drink driving, speeding and fatigue, and improving the safety of specific groups such as older road users, cyclists, pedestrians or children.The TAC Community Road Safety Grants Program does not fund road-based infrastructure projects.For more information on this Grants Program, go to www. tac.vic.gov.au/crsg.

The Safe System Road Infrastructure Program - Pedestrian and Cyclist SafetyAs part of Victoria’s strategic approach to reducing serious road trauma, the TAC funds the Safe System Road Infrastructure Program (SSRIP) to retro-fit safetytreatments to Victoria’s major road network, for the benefit of all road users. Based on Safe System principles,this program is implemented by VicRoads through a partnership with the TAC.As detailed in the Victorian Road Safety Strategy, SSRIP will aim to have a component dedicated to the reduction of trauma amongst cyclists and pedestrians.

to seek funds via the Partnership Program to address identified local community road safety problem areas. The Program does not fund material assets and infrastructure, but rather supports activities and initiatives that are evidence-based and tackle a range of issues, many witha behavioural focus, including pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

The Local Government Grants ProgramThe TAC is offering Local Government Authorities (LGAs) in Victoria the opportunity to apply for funding for small- scale infrastructure treatments to address pedestrian and cyclist safety under the Local Government Grants Program. The new program aims to:

• Encourage local government involvement in cyclist and pedestrian safety projects that are consistent with the Victoria’s Road Safety Strategy (www.roadsafety.vic.gov.au);

• Provide opportunities for LGAs to developand implement low cost, effective infrastructure treatments or the trialling of innovative measures targeting cyclist and pedestrian safety issues.

Note that the infrastructure initiatives for which funding is sought via the Local Government Grants Program may well complement or integrate with other currently funded programs within the municipality that similarly address pedestrian and cyclist safety. In addition, alternative funding sources and grants programs, a number of which are listed above, may provide an opportunity for local government to address the safety of vulnerable road users through an integrated approach that comprises behavioural as well as infrastructure measures.

The Victorian Community Road Safety Partnership Program

You can find information about the Local Government Grants Program, and program news, online atwww.tac.vic.gov.au/lgagrants

As part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to harnessing local community commitment and talent, the Victorian Community Road Safety Partnership Program was established in 2010 and is administered by VicRoads. Around 50 registered groups currently operate across Victoria. On an annual basis, they develop proposals

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WHAT PROJECTS WILL BE FUNDED?

Projects which aim to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists on local roads are the central focus of this grants program.

Safety focused programsVictoria is recognised internationally as a leader in developing and implementing successful road safety programs in areas such as impaired driving (alcohol, drugs and fatigue), speeding and vehicle safety. These issues are addressed in Victoria’s Road Safety Strategy through initiatives that integrate enforcement and public education targeted to specific groups in our community.Many LGAs contribute to road safety. This is because they have developed a municipal or community road safety strategy and are ideally placed to understand local issues and are well-connected to particular groups that are most affected.Victoria's Road Safety Strategy relies on research, sound scientific principles and detailed evaluation of new programs. Road safety programs are only funded if there are sound reasons to believe they will reduce the risk of crash involvement or injury severity.The Local Government Grants Program aims to support local government to exert a positive effect on pedestrian and cyclist road safety.

Projects can take a number of forms:• Low cost infrastructure treatments, which

address cyclist and/or pedestrian road safety issues in your local community, and are based on soundresearch and/or established road safety principles;

• The trial of innovative treatments, including evaluations of safety treatments where practicable, injury-based evaluation shouldalso be considered);

• Analysis of pedestrian and cyclist road safety issues and risk factors. Outcomes of the analysis will provide the basis for potential road safety measures and design processes..

For additional ideas and guidance, the current ‘Austroads Guide to Traffic Management Part 8: Local Area Traffic Management’ may assist grant applicants in developing proposals.

The guide can be accessed at:www.onlinepublications.austroads.com.au/items/ AGTM08-08.

Applications can be made for cyclist and pedestrian small-scale infrastructure projects that:

• Rely on evidence-based research or principles,or

• Trial innovative treatments,or

• Entail the analysis of pedestrian and cyclist road safety issues and risk factors.

In addition, they must:• Align with the Safe System

philosophy and principles• Be applicable to the specific local road

safety issue• Identify specific target groups and specific

road safety objectives• Be sustainable• Able to be adopted by communities

throughout Victoria or adapted, if necessary

• Meet DDA requirements

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HOW TO APPLY FOR FUNDING

The Application FormThe application form is included from page 14. It needs to be filled in completely, with no sections left blank.Due to the high demand for Local Government Grant funding, LGAs wishing to submit more than one application should contact the Local Government Grants officer to discuss, prior to submission of your applications.If you have any problems completing the application, please contact the Local Government Grants officer at the TAC on (03) 5225 7699 for help.

DatesThere is one funding round each financial year. Applications will not be considered outside this time.Applications usually close in the last week of August. The actual closing dates can be found online atwww.tac.vic.gov.au/lgagrantsApplicants will be informed of the decision approximately six weeks after the closing date.

Submitting an application formYour completed application form (including any supporting documentation) and one (1) additional copy of all documents, must arrive at the address below no later than 4.00pm on the closing date:

By POST:Transport Accident Commission Local Government Grants Program Road SafetyPO Box 742GEELONG VIC 3220

By COURIER:Transport Accident Commission Local Government Grants Program Road Safety60 Brougham StreetGEELONG VIC 3220

An electronic version of your documents must also be provided by 4:00pm on the closing date to the email address: lgagrants@tac.vic.gov.au

Funding limits and ratios1.The TAC will fully fund the analysis of

pedestrian and cyclist road safety issues and risk factors, to a maximum cost of $25,000.

2.For projects entailing the implementation of infrastructure solutions, the TAC will fund to a maximum of $100,000, with contributions on a 1:1 basis with local government.

Assessment process and feedbackApplications will be assessed by the TAC and representatives of road safety partner agencies, and other relevant experts, using the selection criteria outlinedin the next section. The TAC's decisions are final the TAC reserves the right to negotiate grant amounts and conditions with applicants.

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AGREEMENT WITH THE TAC

All grant recipients must sign an agreement with the TAC. The main provisions of this agreement cover:

FundingThe TAC wishes to ensure that this grants scheme increases the overall level of investment in pedestrian and cyclist safety. The municipality will be required to confirm that any grant received will lead to an increase in local government investment rather than used as a substitute for current LGA funding levels.

Payment timetable The TAC will commit to an agreed payment timetable, based on the terms of the agreement and the amount funded for the approved project. For example, a project grant could be funded as follows:

• 30% after the agreement is signed• 50% as a progress payment (the timing

of this payment will be negotiated for eachproject, based on milestones and reporting)

• 20% when the project is completed and a final report has been accepted by the TAC.

GST Grants will be exclusive of GST. You will need to include GST in your invoices, if applicable.

Audit provisions A Road Safety Audit is to be undertaken as part of any infrastructure project. The Road Safety Audit is to be conducted by accredited auditors whoare registered on the VicRoads Register of Road Safety Auditors. You must also provide detailed information about expenditure with your final report including supplier quotes and invoices. The TAC may select your project, at random, for financial and/or compliance auditing.

Excess funding Any grant funding not expended on the project will be refunded to the TAC.

Risk Your organisation will be responsible for the project and the management of all associated activities and risks. The TAC’s role will be to provide funding.

Reporting• Completion of the project You will agree to

complete the project as set out in your application. If any project changes are

required, they must be negotiated with the TAC and may require a change in the funding amount.

• Milestones You will be required to report onthe progress of your project at agreed milestones. These milestones will be linked to the payment timetable.

• Final report and evaluation You will be required to submit a final report to the TAC on your project, which should include before and after photos and GPS coordinates of the location/treatmentsite. The report must, where agreed, include an evaluation of the project.

• TAC’s use of the reports You will need to agree to the TAC using information about your project for TAC’s business purposes. For example, the TAC may want to use data, project outputs, financial information, or ‘showcase’ your project toother municipalities, or use photos as examples on the TAC website or in other support materials.

Legislation complianceYou will need to consider whether your project will be subject to any legislation. Some important issues to consider are:

• Appropriate insurances, including WorkCover insurance, for your project activities.

• Using personal information that you may collect, such as during community consultation, and implications for privacy. This includes obtaining consent to use names and images of people involved in your project.

• Any occupational, health and safety issues that may be associated with your project.

PublicitySuccessful applicants will be required to cooperate with the TAC on matters such as joint publicity.

Assurance on new fundingThe municipality must confirm that the grant received constitutes an increase in local government investment rather than substitution of current funding levels.

More informationAdditional information, including sample agreements and reporting templates, can be found online at www.tac.vic. gov.au/lgagrants

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SELECTION CRITERIA

The TAC will use a transparent selection process.Only applications that satisfy the mandatory criteria will be considered. Applications that meet these basic criteria will then be assessed using the broader assessment criteria.The selection process is competitive, and only the highest- ranked applications will be funded.

Mandatory criteriaAll applications must meet the following criteria to be considered:

• The applicant must be a Victorian Local Government Authority (LGA). It is permissiblefor the LGA to be in partnership with one or more external bodies in the conduct of the project.

• All sections of the application form must be completed.

• A project budget with projected timelines must be included (where justified, project timelines are not necessarily confined to the year of funding).

• The application must relate to cyclists and/or pedestrians.

Assessment criteriaApplications that meet the mandatory criteria will be ranked according to the following assessment criteria:

Road Safety Issue:• Clarity of information about the local road

safety problem and a demonstrated link betweenthe proposed activity and the road safety needs of the target group.

• Any demonstrated links to existing programs targeting pedestrian and/or cyclist safety.

• Evidence of community support and building partnerships.

Road Safety Objectives and Activities:• A statement of objectives, activities and

anticipated outputs/outcomes (evaluation) to address the issue.

• Where appropriate, single-location treatments are acceptable, though treatments that fit into a holistic/area-wide solutions will, in general,be favoured.

• Treatment of locations where the best

opportunities lie (e.g. around shopping strips, licensed premises, swimming pools, aged care or recreational areas, 40 km/h abutting zones, etc.).

• Innovative ways to reduce treatment costs through choice of materials, implementation processes or integration with other planned works.

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Rationale for your project:• Research evidence or 'good practice'

principlesto support the project. Applications that can refer to relevant supporting data, research, or successful existing programs in another location or related field are more likely to be funded.

• Demonstrated alignment with the Victorian Road Safety Strategy . This strategy focuses on some key issues and target groups. It is also the basis of many local government road safety strategies.

• Demonstrated alignment with Safe System principles and whether it integrates with or compliments other pedestrian or cyclist programs.This may include councils taking advantage of the new Speed Zone Guidelines which facilitate easier establishment of 40km/h speed limitswhich improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Evaluating your project’s success:• Data collection documentation and

project implementation details to allow possible evaluation.

Maintenance and sustainability:• ‘Identified maintenance requirements

and sustainability.The TAC will also consider the following when assessing applications:

• Is the proposed project already receiving a government grant or funding? What are theterms of the agreement in relation to other funding opportunities? (The TAC may need to review other agreements).

• Are there other grants or funding projects that are more relevant to the proposed project?

If your organisation's application for a Local Government Grant is successful you will need to sign an agreement with the TAC to confirm your responsibilities and those of the TAC. You will also have to agree to meet someimportant Occupational Health and Safety guidelines and ensure relevant insurances are current.

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APPLICATION FORM

You must complete every item on the application form. If there are items you don't understand, or if you want any help with the form, contact the Local Government Grants officer at the TAC on (03) 5225 6954.If you are submitting more than one application, you should contact the Local Government Grants officer to discuss prior to submission of your applications.When complete, you must send your original application form (including any supporting documentation) and one additional copy (2 hard copies in total) of all documents to the following address to arrive by 4.00pm on the closing date:

By POST: Transport Accident

Commission Local Government Grants Program Road SafetyPO Box 742GEELONG VIC 3220

By COURIER: Transport Accident

Commission Local Government Grants Program Road Safety60 Brougham StreetGEELONG VIC 3220

An electronic version of your documents must also be provided by 4:00pm on the closing date to: lgagrants@tac.vic.gov.au

Applicant detailsProvide the following information about your organisation and your role. There is also space where someone in your organisation with the authority to approve the application should sign the form.Name of LGA:

ABN: Address: Telephone:

Project summaryProject name: Start date: End date: Level of funding sought from the TAC: Level of funding to be provided by LGA:

Key Personnel*The contact person who is responsible for the project:

Name: Role or position: Telephone: Email: Signature: Date: *Should the key contact leave the project, the organisation must notify the TAC as soon as possible with the details of the new key contact.

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Authorised representativeThe person who has the legal authority to sign an agreement:Name: Position: Signature: Date:

Partner Organisation(s) details (if applicable):Organisation Name: Contact name: Position: Signature: Date:

Project DetailsThe project is directed at the safety ofa)Pedestriansb)Cyclists orc) Both

The project is directed at a solution which is:a)Area-wideb)Route-basedc)Location-specificd)Project development based

Is this project:• A proven treatment?• An innovative measure?

Please describe your road safety project in a few sentences.

Road safety issueDescribe the specific road safety issue you want to address. You should try to include information about the problem (e.g. risky behaviours, large numbers of pedestrians and/or cyclists exposed to risk, community concerns and, if available, supporting statistical data) and what you think is causing the problem.

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Road Safety Objectives and ActivitiesDescribe your project’s road safety objectives and proposed activities. The OBJECTIVES are the behaviours among road users that you are seeking to change in order to improve pedestrian and/or cyclist safety. The ACTIVITIES are the things you plan to do to achieve your objectives. You can have more than one objective, and you will almost certainly have more than one activity.

OBJECTIVES

ACTIVITIES

Rationale for your projectDescribe why you expect your project activities will help you achieve your objectives. Are there any general principles or research that supports this approach? Please describe.

Evaluating your project’s successHas this approach been used with success elsewhere? If so, please elaborate. Otherwise, if the project is innovative in nature, please describe what you plan to do to collect information and evaluate your project to help ensure it meets its objectives. It is acknowledged that for some types of projects, outcome measures may be impractical and therefore intermediate measures, such as changes in speed behaviour or the levels of interaction between pedestrians and motor vehicles, may prove more helpful.

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Project plan and timelineFor each of the activities you listed above, describe the things you need to do to conduct each activity, and provide a timeline that shows when you expect to finish each of these tasks. Try to give as much detail as practical to allow an adequate assessment.

Activity Tasks Start Date Expected Completion Date

RisksPlease identify potential or actual risks that may affect the success of your project. This is an important aspect of all projects and will help you plan to manage those risks. For each risk, please explain how you will either mitigate or eliminate the risk.

Risk/s Proposed actions to mitigate risk/s

Maintenance and SustainabilityDescribe how you think the project could continue after the TAC's funding period is complete, e.g. maintenance of new treatments, complementary programs and activities.What new sources of funding will be needed or available?In the case of applications for project development activities, will funds be available to implement the project recommendations?

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Budget and funding requestDescribe your project’s budget in detail and include, where appropriate, details of funds to be provided by local government and/or project partners.If successful, the grant will constitute an increase in local government investment rather than substitution of current funding levels.

Project costs Item GST Cost

TOTAL COST $ $

Other funding(including in-kind)

TOTAL FUNDING FROM OTHER SOURCES

$

REQUEST FUNDING REQUESTED FROM TAC $

Background intellectual propertyProvide a description of all background intellectual property required for the project, including details of any third party rights to which the background intellectual property is subject. ‘Background intellectual property’ means any intellectual property (e.g. copyright, patents, designs, trade marks) created by a party independently of the project. It may include, for example, a trade mark of a project partner. You should also provide details of any agreement regarding your use of any background intellectual property.

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InsurancesProvide information about insurance policies held by your organisation and those that you will need to obtain that are relevant to your proposed project e.g. public risk insurance, comprehensive motor vehicle insurance, workersCompensation insurance, etc. If your application is successful, you will need to demonstrate appropriate insurance cover.

Please note that should your application be successful in securing grant funding from the TAC, you will be required to enter an agreement which will entail the following obligations:

• A six monthly progress report;• A final report one month after completion of the project, including before and after photos if

appropriate;• Where applicable, an evaluation report of the innovative treatment, within 13 months of project

completion, including before and after photos if appropriate and GPS coordinates of the location/treatment site;

• Notify in writing the TAC project co-ordinator seeking approval for any variation in the proposed project, prior to the changes being implemented;

• Agreement to your project being ‘showcased’ to other LGAs where the TAC deems appropriate;• Signature of authorised representative of LGA.

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