Regional Media Fund Frequently Asked Questions

The frequently asked questions for the Regional Media Fund.

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What is the Regional Media Fund?

The $3 million Regional Media Fund has been established to improve the long-term sustainability of regional media organisations by providing support towards innovation, digitisation and technology enhancements that enable more effective creation and distribution of regional media content.

The Regional Media Fund is part of the NSW Government’s $3.3 billion Regional Growth Fund.

Can an organisation apply for more than one project?

Applicants can submit multiple applications; however, funding is capped at a maximum of three projects and each project must be designed to benefit different geographical areas of regional NSW.

Each project must be submitted as separate applications.

Is a co-contribution required under this fund?

Projects that include a financial co-contribution from the applicant and/or other project partners will be preferred, however it is not a requirement of the funding to provide a co-contribution.

Can projects be located anywhere in NSW?

No, projects must be located in one or more of the 93 regional NSW local government areas (LGAs), in the Unincorporated Far West region, or on Lord Howe Island. Projects located in the Greater Sydney metropolitan area, and the Newcastle and Wollongong LGAs are ineligible for funding.

The 93 eligible regional NSW LGAs are:

Albury City Council	Lachlan Shire Council
Armidale Regional Council	Lake Macquarie City Council
Ballina Shire Council	Leeton Shire Council
Balranald Shire Council	Lismore City Council
Bathurst Regional Council	Lithgow City Council
Bega Valley Shire Council	Liverpool Plains Shire Council
Bellingen Shire Council	Lockhart Shire Council
Berrigan Shire Council	Maitland City Council
Bland Shire Council	Mid-Coast Council
Blayney Shire Council	Mid-Western Regional Council
Bogan Shire Council	Moree Plains Shire Council
Bourke Shire Council	Murray River Council
Brewarrina Shire Council	Murrumbidgee Council
Broken Hill City Council	Muswellbrook Shire Council
Byron Shire Council	Nambucca Shire Council
Cabonne Council	Narrabri Shire Council
Carrathool Shire Council	Narrandera Shire Council
Central Coast Council	Narromine Shire Council
Central Darling Shire Council	Oberon Council
Cessnock City Council	Orange City Council
Clarence Valley Council	Parkes Shire Council
Cobar Shire Council	Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
Coffs Harbour City Council	Port Stephens Council
Coolamon Shire Council	Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council
Coonamble Shire Council	Richmond Valley Council
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council	Shellharbour City Council
Cowra Shire Council	Shoalhaven City Council
Dubbo Regional Council	Singleton Council
Dungog Shire Council	Snowy Monaro Regional Council
Edward River Council	Snowy Valleys Council
Eurobodalla Shire Council	Tamworth Regional Council
Federation Council	Temora Shire Council
Forbes Shire Council	Tenterfield Shire Council
Gilgandra Shire Council	Tweed Shire Council
Glen Innes Severn Council	Upper Hunter Shire Council
Goulburn Mulwaree Council	Upper Lachlan Shire Council
Greater Hume Shire Council	Uralla Shire Council
Griffith City Council	Wagga Wagga City Council
Gunnedah Shire Council	Walcha Council
Gwydir Shire Council	Walgett Shire Council
Hay Shire Council	Warren Shire Council
Hilltops Council	Warrumbungle Shire Council
Inverell Shire Council	Weddin Shire Council
Junee Shire Council	Wentworth Shire Council
Kempsey Shire Council	Wingecarribee Shire Council
Kiama Municipal Council	Yass Valley Council
Kyogle Council

My organisation’s primary focus is providing local news and content to communities in regional NSW; however, we don’t have a physical office space and our team works remotely. Am I eligible to apply?

To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate that they:

are a media or news gathering organisation with a primary focus of creating, producing, and distributing news and content to a readership or audience in regional NSW
have been trading for over 12 months
have resources located in regional NSW, or that a significant portion of the organisation’s business is undertaken within regional NSW through other means such as remote work.

The Fund is designed to support projects that can improve the long-term sustainability of regionally focused media and news gathering organisations. How is long-term sustainability defined?

Projects that have the potential to deliver benefits and outcomes extending beyond a period of 3 years will be assessed as contributing towards improving an organisation’s long-term sustainability.

The application form asks for letters of support from relevant stakeholders. Who should I source letters of support from?

Letters of support should be sourced from stakeholders that are relevant to the project and have an interest in the intended outcomes. This could include letters of support from your local council and/or business chamber.

My organisation produces a monthly newsletter that features news, information and upcoming events that is of interest to our members. Is my organisation eligible to apply?

Organisations that primarily provide news and content for a niche audience such as local sporting clubs, exercise groups, community groups and events, political parties, and tourism focused material will not be considered eligible.

I am an eligible entity and ready to apply, however I do not currently have $20 million in public liability insurance. Can I apply if I am willing to secure the $20 million in public liability insurance if the application is successful?

Applicants must have at least $20 million public liability insurance or be willing to secure the insurance before entering into a Funding Deed if the application is successful.

How can I demonstrate that my project is not part of our organisation’s business as usual activities?

Applicants are encouraged to clearly outline within their responses how the project aligns with one or more of the Regional Media Fund’s objectives outlined within the Program Guidelines.

Projects and costs that are considered as being business-as-usual activities will be assessed as ineligible.

Do I have to buy equipment locally?

The Regional Media Fund application assessment process will consider applicants who procure resources locally in Regional NSW. We understand some specialised equipment may not be available locally.

What type of equipment is eligible to buy as part of the project?

The Regional Media Fund promotes the purchase of equipment that specifically enables digital content creation and increased distribution through the creation and transmission of digital content.

What are some examples of eligible Projects?

The Regional Media Fund Guidelines (PDF 693.37KB) give examples of Eligible Projects and a broad list of ineligible activities. The RMF will not fund any procurement that is deemed day to day business or a recurrent business practice.

Can the purchase of equipment be covered under this Fund?

Projects can include the purchase of equipment that will increase the quality and/or quantity of printed or video content; or equipment to diversify content and distribution channels. The replacement or upgrade of equipment used in the day-to-day activities of an organisation such as computers, monitors, laptops, printers and office furniture would be considered as a business-as-usual activity and therefore assessed as an ineligible project type and cost.

Applicants are encouraged to review the list of eligible and ineligible project types within the program guidelines and to ensure that any proposed equipment purchases are part of a project that aligns with the objectives of the Regional Media Fund.

Can I apply if my organisation has recently been established and has been trading for less than 12 months, however the media and/or news gathering organisation that I have recently purchased has been trading and producing news and content for many years?

Yes, however applicants must provide evidence to demonstrate that the media and/or news gathering organisation has been producing news and content for over 12 months and must meet all other eligibility criteria as per the program guidelines.

Can an organisation submit a joint application with a project partner?

Applicants can submit a joint application with a project partner; however, the lead applicant must be an eligible entity. If the application is successful, the lead applicant will enter into the Funding Deed and will be responsible for delivering the project.