What we will cover today

Overview& Objectives

Assessment Process

Round 2 Preparation

Questions

NSRF Overview

• $1 billion Australian Government program

• Funding over 5 years for priority infrastructure

• Promote sustainable economic development

• Addressing disadvantage to achieve growth

• Encouraging strong partnerships

NSRF Objectives

• Fund investment ready infrastructure projects which support economic growth and address disadvantage

• Desired outcomes for regions

Improved level of economic activity

Increased productivity

Employment and skilled workforce

Capacity and capability to deliver major projects

Improved partnerships

Stability and viability of communities

Application Appraisal Framework

Value

Meet eligibility

requirements

Greatest relative merit

Reasonable cost

Acceptable risk

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must comply with all of the following eligibility requirements;

Applicants must be an eligible applicant Projects must be an eligible project Grant sought is at least $20,000 and up to a

maximum of$10 million

NSRF grant is matched in cash on at least a dollar for dollar basis

Eligibility Requirements (cont..)

All partner funding is confirmed The project completed on or before 31 December 2019 Deliver an economic benefit to the region beyond the

period of construction and Submit a completed application, including the mandatory

documents.

Who is eligible?

Eligible Organisations

Local councils Not-for-profit organisations (not owned by a Local,

State or Territory Government) Other organisations can participate where they are a

member of a consortium led by an eligible applicant

What is eligible?

Eligible Projects

Construction of new infrastructure, or the upgrade, or an extension to existing infrastructure

Funding between $20,000 and $10 million Match funding in cash at least dollar-for-dollar Deliver an economic benefit to the region Project completed by 31 December 2019 Provide all mandatory documents

Who is ineligible?

Ineligible Organisations

X State and Northern Territory Governments

X State and Territory owned corporations and not-for- profits

X Universities, technical colleges, schools and

hospitals X Organisations supported by other

Commonwealthprogrammes and initiatives

X Regional Development Australia

Committees X For profit organisations

What is ineligible?

Ineligible Projects are those that:

X Do not have all partner funding confirmed

X Do not deliver sustainable economic

benefits X Eligible under the National Disaster

Relief andRecovery Arrangements (NDRRA)

X Shift costs from state, territory or local

governments X Are integral elements of hospitals

What is ineligible?

Additionally, NSRF grants cannot be used for:

X Replacement of existing infrastructure

X Expenditure incurred prior successful

announcement X Provision of services and support

activities

X Soft infrastructure

X Payment of existing

salaries X Administrative

overheads

Round One - Who Applied?

LGA$940.4m

NFP$270.6m

Funding sought by organisation type

LGA NFP

Eligible applications by organisation type

262

143

194

78

Applied Eligible

Round One Eligible Applications

67%

33%

405 APPLICATIONSEligible/Ineligible

Eligible

Ineligibl

e

72%

28%

133 INELIGIBLE APPLICATIONSReason for ineligibility

Unconfirmed partner funding

Other

Round One Applications - Observations

405 Applications received in Round One

$1.2b Total funding requested

272 Applications met eligibility criteria

133 Applications did not meet eligibility criteria

96 Applications did not have confirmed partner funding

110 Failed to satisfy one or more criteria

162 Were assessed as value for money

51 Applications approved for funding (12.8%)

What’s new?

Changes from Round One

• Two applications per Applicant per Round• The replacement of existing infrastructure will only be

eligible where there is a demonstrated significant increase in productivity

• Changed weighting of Criteria• $25 million quarantined for projects seeking less than

$1m

Your application will be assessed against 4 criteria

• The extent to which the project contributes to economic growth in the region

• The extent to which the project supports or addresses disadvantage in a region

• The extent to which the project increases investment and builds partnerships in the region

• The extent to which the project and Applicant are viable and sustainable

Assessment Overview

Assessment Criteria: Criterion 1

The extent to which the project contributes to economic growth in the region

Most important criterion and weighted by a factor of 3

Guidelines contain examples of what might constitute economic growth

Must demonstrate the link between the project and economic growth

Provide evidence to support claims Identify any social and community benefits

Assessment Criteria: Criterion 2

The extent to which the project supports or addresses disadvantage in a region

Project should support disadvantaged regions or areas of disadvantage

Demonstrate link between project and disadvantage

Provide evidence to demonstrate link and benefits

Guidelines give examples of indicators that could be used to demonstrate disadvantage

Assessment Criteria: Criterion 3

The extent to which the project increases investment and builds partnerships in the region

Consideration will be given to: Partner cash contributions in addition to the

mandatory 50 per cent matching funding Number of partners (do not have to be eligible

organisations) In-kind support for the project Extent and nature of partnerships

Assessment Criteria: Criterion 4

The extent to which the project and Applicant are viable and sustainable

The project has been scoped, costed and planned

The project ‘Investment Ready’ – i.e. ready to start construction within 12 months of signing the funding agreement

Project delivery risks and possible mitigations Applicant’s capacity to deliver the project

(financial/experience) Sustainability of the Project beyond

completion

Preparing for Round Two

• Improve your application• Seek feedback on your Round One application• Advice from Regional Development Australia

Committee• Workshop the criteria• Prepare evidence that is targeted and

specific• Make it competitive

• Clear statement of benefits• Evidence

• Understand the selection criteria• Weighting on economic benefit and

disadvantage

Preparing for Round Two

Information Advice and Support• Guidelines, Frequently Asked Questions and grants

portal guidance are available at www.infrastructure.gov.au/nsrf

• Questions can be emailed to nsrf@infrastructure.gov.au

• RDA Committees can advise on alignment with regional priorities, project development and applications www.rda.gov.au

Preparing for Round Two

Key Dates

NSRF Guidelines (revised) released 13 May 2015

NSRF Round Two Opened 15 May 2015

Round Two Applications Close 31 July 2015

Round Two Application Assessment Completed

31 October 2015

Announcements Round Two Projects to be funded

Expected December 2015

How to Apply

Online application form at http://gms.infrastructure.gov.au/UI•Supporting documents (up to 20) only accepted online• Max 15mb limit and no password protected documents• Guidelines on website www.infrastructure.gov.au/NSRF•Helpdesk for GMS portal

Other• Strongly encouraged to

participate in the Review survey

• These slides will be on the NSRF website

• Questions?

Bridges Renewal Programme &

Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme

Bridges Renewal Programme (BRP)

$300m over 5 years from 2014-15 to 2018-19

Contribute to the productivity and community access of road bridges services local communities, and facilitating increased productivity by enhancing access to allow for greater efficiency

Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme (HVSPP)

$200 million over 5 years from 2014-15 to 2018-19

Contribute to the improvement of the productivity and safety of heavy vehicle operations across Australia

• Commonalities across both programmes• Round One (BRP) and Round Four (HVSPP)

conducted in parallel• Both undertaken as part of a competitive merit based

process• State, territory and local governments are eligible• 50:50 funding

Over 250 proposals submitted

Over $300 million in Australian Government funds sought

73 successful projects

$114 million in funding approved

BRP Round One Outcomes

Over 140 proposals received

Over $200 million in Australian Government funds sought

53 successful projects

$97 million in funding approved

HVSPP Round Four Outcomes

Be strategic and provide details on ‘bigger picture’

Provide details and sound justifiable evidence on current limitations and future benefits for broader network and/or community

Address all criteria

Consult with industry and community more broadly to ensure their views and priorities are considered

Tips for Submitting Better Proposals:

Announcement expected in coming months

Similar programme parameters and eligibility expected

Assessment criteria will likely remain unchanged

Proposing to make minor changes to the Programme Criteria and Proposal Form to better assist proponents in providing more programme specific data and information

Next Rounds:

BRP and HV Hotline

(02) 6274 6758

Email

BRP – bridgesrenewal@infrastructure.gov.au

HVSPP – HVSPP@infrastructure.gov.au

Questions: