National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns Competitive Grants Element
Water for the Future – Fact sheet
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, October 2009
PDF file
The Australian Government has committed $254.8 million through the National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns to fund practical projects that save water and reduce water losses in cities and towns nationally with populations of less than 50,000.
Waste water treatment plant SA
Photo: M Mohell & DEWHA
National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns is a key component of Water for the Future, the Australian Government's ten-year, $12.9 billion plan to prepare Australia for a future with less water.
Water resources in our cities and towns are under increasing pressure from growing populations and water consumption, compounded by drought and climate change.
Governments and the private sector need to support recycling and re-using water in domestic and commercial settings, and encourage innovation in urban water supply.
The Government has already committed more than $100 million to projects identified in the 2007 election to help communities adjust and adapt to a future with less water.
Under this second stage of the Plan, competitive grants will be available to develop and carry out practical projects to improve urban water security through initiatives that reduce demand on potable water supplies in cities and towns nationwide.
Who can apply?
Urban water service providers, state, territory or local governments and authorities, and the private sector are eligible to apply. Applicants are eligible to apply either individually, as a member of a consortium or an established regional organisation of councils.
The guidelines make provision for devolved grant arrangements, which may include consolidated proposals for multiple community facilities such as installation of rainwater tanks and greywater systems.
Proposed projects must:
- be located in a city or town with a population less than 50,000 people
- have total costs of at least $500,000, with 50 per cent contribution provided or obtained by the applicant
- be part of, or support, the long-term water supply plan for the city or town, and
- be completed by 30 June 2012.
- recycling and reuse
- leakage and pressure reduction
- smart metering
- efficient urban irrigation technologies
- stormwater capture and reuse schemes
- desalination, and
- water sensitive urban design initiatives.
Eligible activities
(may include but not limited to)
Activities not eligible
Projects which are not permitted include those that increase net extraction from groundwater or surface water resources such as bores, dams or transfer pipelines, or activities that are not supported by sound water supply planning.
Aerial view of Geraldton
Photo: D Markovic
Assessment criteria
Eligible applications will be assessed on merit using the following criteria:
- Level of contribution to water security by reducing overall demand for potable water within the water supply area.
- Technically sound and able to deliver the proposed outcomes with a high degree of certainty.
- Value for money.
- Net environmental and social benefits and/or impacts.
- Likelihood of completion within the funding period (for example, projects ready to commence will have an advantage over projects in the concept and/or planning stages).
Applications for the funding under the National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns close at 5pm AEDT, Tuesday 1 December 2009.
Applicants should use the program guidelines to help prepare their application. Guidelines are available from the Department's website at: www.environment.gov.au/water/programs/index.html
More information
For more information phone 1800 218 478 (toll free) or email NWSPCT@environment.gov.au
Communities in the Murray-Darling Basin are encouraged to apply for funding under the Strengthening Basin Communities Program: Water Saving Initiative element which has similar criteria. Further information is available at: www.environment.gov.au/water/programs/basin-communities/index.html
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