The NSW Northern Rivers region was significantly impacted by severe weather and floods (as declared in AGRN 1012) from February 2022 onwards. The complexity, intensity, and economic impact of natural disasters in NSW has increased the need for greater investment in long-term recovery, resilience (understood as betterment), prevention, preparedness and capability development.
The Northern Rivers Towns and Villages Resilient Business Activation Program (the Program) is part of a larger commitment to support the long-term recovery, betterment, and disaster resilience across the seven most impacted Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the Northern Rivers region of NSW.
These Guidelines provide an overview of the:
This is a competitive process. Applicants should read this document carefully to understand all eligibility and application requirements before completing an application.
The Program is being administered by The Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development (the Department) on behalf of NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA).
The purpose of the Program is to support the economic recovery of villages and town centres through direct assistance to small and medium sized businesses and local government-led Central Business Districts (CBD) activation and revitalisation projects. The Program has been designed to support projects that will provide a public benefit, with funding available through two targeted streams:
Stream 1 – Infrastructure support for small and medium sized businesses
Stream 2 – CBD activation and revitalisation projects delivered by Councils
The key objectives of the Northern Rivers Towns and Villages Resilient Business Activation Program are:
| Expression of Interest Applications Open | Friday 6 September 2024 |
| Expressions of Interest Applications Close | 2:00pm (AEST), 4 October 2024 |
| Detailed Applications invited | 25 October 2024 |
| Detailed Applications close | 2:00pm (AEDST), 29 November 2024 |
| Assessment process | From 2 December 2024 |
| Application outcome date | From 17 February 2025 |
| Funding Deeds executed with successful applicants: | Contracting will commence once the applicant has signed and returned their Letter of Conditional Offer with Confidentiality Undertaking. |
| Project completion: | Projects must commence within six (6) months of the commencement date of a funding deed and be completed by October 2027. |
In extenuating circumstances, applications submitted after the deadline may be accepted at the sole discretion of the NSW Government.
A total of $9.5 million is available to support the most impacted disaster declared LGAs in the Northern Rivers region of NSW that experienced Direct Damage (see Appendix A) to local infrastructure due to the February 2022 floods.
The Program will be delivered through two targeted funding streams:
| Grant amounts | ||
| Stream 1 | Infrastructure support for Small and Medium sized businesses | Minimum $250,000 Maximum $2 million |
| Stream 2 | CBD activation and revitalisation projects delivered by Councils | Minimum $50,000 Maximum $500,000 |
Applications are required to have a financial co-contribution of at least 30 per cent of the total grant amount.
Co-contributions must be cash and cannot be made in-kind, and evidence of the cash co-contributions must be provided as part of the application (for example, bank statements, shareholders financial statements).
Applicants can indicate that there are extenuating circumstances preventing them from making the required co-contribution and these factors will be considered by the Assessment Panel.
Projects that maximise the co-contribution from the applicant, or other funding sources will be preferred.
If the situation arises where a grant recipient’s project is completed and there are unspent funds remaining from the grant allocation, the NSW Government may require the grant recipient to return the unspent funds.
If the grant recipient requests to use the funds to extend the scope of the project, the NSW Government may approve the request if it aligns to the objectives of the grant program. The grant recipient may be required to provide supporting information such as revised economic or social impact data.
The NSW Government reserves the right to reject a recipient’s request for re-allocation of the existing funding.
The Northern Rivers Towns and Villages Resilient Business Activation Program will be a two-stage application process, comprising of an Expression of Interest (EOI) and Detailed Application.
EOI Applications must be submitted using the online portal available at https://rd.smartygrants.com.au/rbap.
Applications cannot be reopened or amended once the closing date has passed.
All EOI applications must include (at a minimum):
Successful EOI applicants will be notified and invited to submit a Detailed Application. A link to the Detailed Application will be provided to those applicants via email.
All Detailed Applications must include (at a minimum):
The level of information provided should be proportional to the scale and complexity of the project. Applications with insufficient evidence or detail will be disadvantaged in the assessment.
All EOI applications submitted will need to meet the program’s Eligibility Criteria.
Local Council applicants can submit multiple applications but must submit only one project per application.
The eligibility criteria include:
Eligible applicants for Stream 1 are:
Eligible applicants for Stream 2 are:
In addition, applicants from both streams must meet all of the following requirements:
Businesses may also be considered eligible if, in the determination of the New South Wales Government, exceptional circumstances apply. This may include, but is not limited to, consideration of businesses which are not registered within Northern Rivers as their main business location, however, can demonstrate they have significant operations within the Northern Rivers, and meet all other eligibility requirements.
Applicants can submit a joint application, but a lead applicant will need to be nominated. If the application is successful, the lead applicant will enter into the Funding Deed and be ultimately responsible for delivering the project.
Eligible Applicants must identify projects that are for the repair, resilience or restoration of infrastructure assets that benefit the local community and align with one or more of the Program objectives. Applicants must demonstrate local need and support, and that the project will continue to service the community into the future.
Infrastructure projects must:
Table 1 - Examples of eligible infrastructure projects:
| Project Type | Examples |
| Infrastructure |
|
Projects must be located in one of the below eligible Local Government Areas (LGAs):
Eligible project costs include those associated with the delivery of eligible infrastructure projects. This includes project management and administration costs up to 10 per cent and cost escalation and contingency costs up to 25 per cent of the requested funding amount. Please refer to Ineligible Project Costs for more detail.
Ineligible projects include those that:
Ineligible costs include:
Applicants must demonstrate consideration of accessibility and inclusion measures in their application. Projects should demonstrate the provision of fit-for-purpose, accessible and safe facilities, or increased participation opportunities by increasing accessibility and inclusion/universal design. This applies to infrastructure projects aiming to improve existing accessibility and inclusion to encourage greater participation.
All EOI applications will be assessed against the Eligibility Criteria identified in these Guidelines. Where there is uncertainty or unintended outcomes arising from the eligibility requirements, the Panel will take a discretionary approach that, in its opinion, best aligns with the purpose and objectives of the funding.
Final eligibility determinations will be made at the discretion of the Panel, based on advice and recommendations from the Department and the NSW Reconstruction Authority. Any applications assessed as ineligible will not be considered for further assessment.
The Assessment Team including the Department, the NSW Reconstruction Authority and other NSW Government agencies will assess eligible applications against the Assessment Criteria outlined in these Guidelines. Applicants may be asked to provide additional information to assist in the assessment process.
Subject matter experts and/or technical advisors (such as probity advisors) may be consulted to assist in the assessment of projects. Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the process.
Eligible applications will be assessed against the following criteria:
| Criteria Categories | Assessment criteria | Criteria Weighting |
| Local Need | The project must be of local need and have demonstrated community support. Applicants must demonstrate how the project will address a local need by providing:
Applicants will be required to provide evidence of consultation and support for their project, such as:
The amount of detail provided must be proportionate to the total grant value. | 40% |
| Alignment with program objectives | The project must demonstrate how the anticipated community benefits will directly contribute to one or more of the program objectives: Stream 1:
Stream 2:
The project must demonstrate consideration of accessibility and inclusion measures through the design and/or delivery of the project. | 30% |
| Viability | The Applicant must provide a Project Management Plan that outlines project delivery within program budget and timeframe requirements, with consideration of Development Approval if required. The Applicant must demonstrate access to the necessary capability and experience required for successful project delivery. The Applicant must provide a detailed and realistic risk assessment. The Applicant must provide a budget based on quotes or detailed estimates that represent value for money, and includes:
The Applicant has outlined the ongoing operation and/or maintenance plan for when the project is completed. | 30% |
Applications will be moderated and reviewed by an assessment panel convened by the Department (Assessment Panel) to ensure consistency in assessment. Each application will be assessed on its merit and compared to other eligible applications before a recommendation is made in writing to the decision makers.
The Assessment Panel will consider the relative merits of each application against the:
Applicants may be contacted 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.
The Assessment Panel will consist of senior representatives from the Department, NSW Reconstruction Authority and an independent representative.
The Assessment Panel may recommend a lesser amount of funding for an application or defer a recommendation pending further information. The Assessment Panel may also recommend specific funding condition(s), where appropriate.
The Assessment Panel may take other factors into consideration when recommending an application for funding including but not limited to the total amount of funding available, geographical distribution of projects across regional NSW, importance of the project to the local community, suitability of a project for other government funding opportunities and alignment with existing NSW Government policies and strategies, other factors deemed relevant or important in a regional context.
Advice may also be sought from other NSW Government agencies or other sources (such as probity advisors).
The decision making for the Grant is jointly held by the Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces.
The decision makers will review the availability of grant funds and the Assessment Panel’s recommendation before deciding which grant applications to approve. The NSW Government typically receives far more applications than it can support. Applicants are not guaranteed funding even if the application is of high merit.
Further, even if an application is successful, it may not be funded to the full amount requested.
The decision makers may take other factors into account that may result in an application being considered unsuitable for funding, including issues that could cause reputational or other risks to the NSW Government.
The decision makers’ decision is final in all matters, including:
Independent probity advisors will provide guidance to the Department on any issues concerning integrity, fairness and accountability that may arise throughout the application, assessment, and decision-making process. This will ensure decisions are made with integrity, fairness and accountability, while delivering value for money for NSW.
Successful applicants will be notified in writing via a Letter of Conditional Offer with Confidentiality.
The contracting process will commence after the signed Letter of Conditional Offer with Confidentiality is returned to the Department.
The Department is required to publish information about grants awarded on the NSW Government Grants and Funding Finder at nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding.
Successful applicants will be required to enter into a Funding Deed with the NSW Government.
To enter a Funding Deed, successful applicants will be required to confirm project information and provide a copy of all relevant and applicable insurances, project approvals (e.g. development approvals, landowner’s consent) and/or other supporting documentation relevant to the project or as requested by the Department, as part of the contracting process.
As part of the Funding Deed, infrastructure assets will need to be maintained in line with the specified Maintenance Period (refer to Definition in Appendix A).
The first grant payment will be made once all required documentation has been provided to, and approved by the NSW Government, through forms provided in the online portal and the Funding Deed has been signed by both parties.
The NSW Government makes no binding funding commitment to an applicant unless and until both parties sign a funding deed. Successful applicants must not make financial commitments for funded activities until funding deeds have been executed by both parties.
Grants will be paid via milestone payments set out in the Funding Deed. Timing and requirements will vary at the discretion of the NSW Government, depending on the scope and grant value of the project. Evidence of expenditure will be required to claim instalments and acquit eligible costs.
Successful applicants may be required to submit progress reports to the NSW Government as outlined in the Funding Deed.
Applicants must keep Funding decisions and assessment outcomes confidential until announced by the NSW Government or the Applicant is advised that announcement can proceed. Successful applicants will be required to provide a confidentiality undertaking. This means they must keep the outcome of the application process confidential until the NSW Government makes a public announcement.
Upon entering into a funding deed, details about the Funding Deed may be made publicly available (subject to information which the NSW Government deems to be commercial in confidence)
The applicant agrees not to disclose any confidential information pertaining to the grant program application or funding deed without prior written consent.
Applicants should note the following:
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application and will be offered a feedback information session.
Frequently Asked Questions and other resources to assist with applications may be updated regularly at nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding. The Grants and Funding Finder should be considered the authoritative source of all Grant information.
For program enquiries please contact programdesigndelivery@regional.nsw.gov.au.
If business and potential applicants wish to speak with us, please call 0447 071 702.
Please check with the NSW Government prior to submitting if you are unclear about any part of the application. Applicants should seek advice from their legal, business and financial advisers to determine the suitability of the funding before applying.
Any concerns about the fund or individual applications should be submitted in writing to programdesigndelivery@regional.nsw.gov.au. If you do not agree with the way the NSW Government handled the issue, you may wish to contact the NSW Ombudsman via ombo.nsw.gov.au.
Applicants should be aware that information submitted in applications and all related correspondence, attachments and other documents may be made publicly available under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW). Information that is deemed to be commercially sensitive will be withheld.
The Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) makes government information accessible to the public by:
Applicants must not participate in any anti-competitive conduct.
It is a condition of the grant program application process that no gifts, benefits or hospitality are to be made to any NSW Government employee at any time. Any inducement in contravention of this condition may result in an applicant’s proposal not being considered.
The NSW Government may, in its absolute discretion, and without limiting any other right which the NSW Government may have, do all or any of the following at any time without giving notice or reasons:
All intellectual property rights in these Guidelines remain the property of the NSW Government. Applicants are permitted to use these Guidelines for the purpose of preparing an application only, and if successful, managing grant expenditure in accordance with these Guidelines. Applicants must not use these Guidelines, or any information contained in these Guidelines for any other purpose.
Applications and information submitted in response to these Guidelines may be used by the NSW Government for promotional material if successful, unless otherwise agreed between the applicant and the Department. The applicant agrees that the NSW Government may make copies and reproduce applications for any purpose related to the grant opportunity. In addition, the NSW Government will retain (electronic and hard) copies of all applications.
These Guidelines are not an offer, recommendation or invitation by the NSW Government in respect of any contract or commitment and are subject to a funding deed being fully executed by the parties involved.
The NSW Government may, in its absolute discretion, issue an addendum to these Guidelines. In each case, an addendum becomes part of these Guidelines.
Information in this publication is provided as general information only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from a qualified professional.
The NSW Government recommends that users exercise care and use their own skill and judgment when using information from this publication and that users carefully evaluate the accuracy, currency, completeness, and relevance of such information. Users should take steps to independently verify the information in this publication and, where appropriate, seek professional advice.
These Guidelines are subject to change at any time at the sole discretion of the NSW Government.
© State of New South Wales through Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development 2024. The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing July 2024. However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that the information upon which they rely is up to date and to check the currency of the information with the appropriate officer of Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development NSW or the user’s independent adviser.
| Defined Term | Meaning |
| Direct Damage / Directly Damaged | Physical damage and/or loss of functionality as a direct result of the severe flooding events from February 2022 onwards, AGRN 1012. |
| Eligible Disaster Declaration Events | The disaster declared events listed in Appendix A of these Guidelines. Severe flooding events from February 2022 onwards, AGRN 1012. |
| Infrastructure | Projects proposing building, renovating or upgrading of fixed structures such as buildings housing small and medium sized businesses |
| Eligible Infrastructure |
|
| Eligible undertaking | a body that is one of the following: a department or other agency of a NSW State government, or established by or under State legislation for public purposes (for example, a local government), and in the operation of the asset provides services free of charge or at a rate that is 50 per cent or less of the cost to provide those services. |
| Estimated reconstruction cost | The estimated cost of reconstruction of an Asset damaged by an eligible disaster and calculated in accordance with the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). |
| Maintenance Period | A period of five years commencing on completion of the Project. |
| Public Benefit | A measurable benefit to the general community (or sufficient section of the community) that are sustained, ongoing and measurable. Public benefit may include facilities for community use, improved natural disaster resilience, sustained employment or provision of community services. |
| Reconstruction cost | The cost of reconstruction of an asset damaged by an eligible disaster and calculated in accordance with the DRFA. |
| Reconstruction works | Reconstruction works on an eligible infrastructure asset directly damaged by an eligible disaster for which an estimated reconstruction cost has been developed. Being the like-for-like or repair to restore the infrastructure to its pre-disaster condition without enhancements other than restoration to current standards. |
| Re-damaged eligible infrastructure | An asset that suffers additional damage from one eligible disaster declaration events and a subsequent eligible disaster declaration event which occurs after the development of an estimated reconstruction cost for the preceding eligible disaster. |
| Re-damaged | An asset is re-damaged if it is directly damaged by an eligible disaster and suffers further damage in the same location from a subsequent eligible disaster prior to the commencement or completion of eligible restoration or replacement activities in response to the first eligible disaster. |
| Resilience | Reducing the risk of impact to an asset over its lifecycle to better withstand natural disasters, while simultaneously improving the ability to respond, recover and adapt after asset disruption. |
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