Stormwater harvesting and reuse projects - second round
As part of the Water for the Future framework, the National Urban Water and Desalination Plan will provide an investment of $1 billion for desalination, water recycling and stormwater harvesting projects to assist major towns and cities in securing their long term water supply.
In March 2009, the Government decided to enhance the scope of the National Urban Water and Desalination Plan by providing greater incentives for urban stormwater harvesting projects in order to reduce the demand on potable water supplies.
Objectives
The objective of the special call is to support stormwater harvesting and reuse projects in both large and small cities and towns that contribute to:
- Improving the security of water supplies in Australia, without adding to greenhouse gas emissions
- Reducing the demand on potable water supplies
- Helping to reduce the impact of urban runoff on water quality in receiving waters.
Funding
Subject to suitable proposals, the National Urban Water and Desalination Plan will provide a minimum of $200 million for stormwater harvesting and reuse projects.
Project funding is available for 50 per cent of eligible capital costs. The minimum project size is $4 million (eligible for funding of $2 million). While there is no maximum project size, funding is capped at $20 million (GST exclusive) per project. Funding is available for project work to be completed by 30 June 2013.
On 2 November 2009 the Minister announced the outcome of the first round of funding.
Who is eligible to apply?
State, territory and local government, public water utilities and private companies are eligible to apply.
Projects that are not eligible under this special call include:
- Stormwater management that does not include a significant reuse component (eg projects primarily for flood mitigation or water quality purposes)
- Rainwater reuse from residential buildings using domestic rainwater tanks
- Combined effluent and stormwater reuse schemes
- Harvesting stormwater from predominantly non-urban catchments (eg rural or forested)
- Irrigation schemes using aquifers, streams or river water from largely non-urban catchments; and
- Projects that are being implemented to meet local, state, territory or Australian Government requirements. For example, stormwater infrastructure required to meet development conditions such as local government development controls or BASIX (in New South Wales).
Guidelines
Prospective proponents wishing to lodge a proposal for stormwater harvesting and reuse projects should read the following documents:
- Stormwater harvesting and reuse projects: Implementation and Funding Guidelines (PDF - 680 KB) | (RTF - 425 KB)
- Fact Sheet: Stormwater harvesting and reuse projects
- Draft Standard Funding Agreement (PDF - 232 KB) | (RTF - 1,876 KB) -
Successful applicants will be required to enter into a funding agreement with the Department on behalf of the Commonwealth.- Please note that for those seeking assistance through tax offsets an agreement modified to reflect this funding model will be required.
- It is envisaged that a separate agreement, with similar objectives and obligations, will be negotiated with government bodies.
Applying for Funding
Important
In responding to the eligibility and merit criteria, applicants should ensure that all the requirements stated under the ‘explanatory notes for application preparation’ (pages 10-13 of the guideline document) are addressed.
In particular it is critical to:
- provide a comprehensive description of the project, including an explanation of how local or state/territory government requirements are exceeded.
- provide a description of the technical and engineering approaches of the proposal, including sufficient evidence that the proposal is technically viable.
- include detailed budget and financial information, including a breakdown of the key elements and stages of the project and their costs.
- demonstrate value for money for the proposal, including a description of the benefits arising from the proposal that could not be achieved without funding assistance from the government. All assumptions and calculations of levelised cost and cost-benefit determinations must be documented.
In addition, it would be appreciated if the following information could be provided upfront within the ‘summary information’ section of the application:
- amount of water available for reuse from the project.
- total project cost.
- total commonwealth funding sought (gst inclusive and exclusive amounts).
The closing date for the second round of funding has been extended and will now close 5pm EDT 10 February 2010.
Applications should be consistent with the implementation guidelines and must be lodged electronically using the Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse projects web based application form. Supporting information requested on the application form should be sent to:
Stormwater Funding
Urban Water Security Branch
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing.
Contact
To obtain further information, telephone 1800 218 478 (toll free) or email: stormwaterfunding@environment.gov.au
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