3 November 2011
Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government Simon Crean has today opened Round Two of the RDAF, announcing a further $200 million in funding for regional Australia. His media release can be found at http://bit.ly/tFIc8g .
There are a range of changes to the program as a result of learnings from the Round One process earlier this year.
Key aspects of Round Two include:
- A two stage application process that will reduce costs for applicants; and
- Embedded local decision making, with an enhanced role for RDA Committees.
As part of this enhanced role, RDA committees will review Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from potential applicants to the fund and select three viable priority projects from their region to progress to full application.
In prioritising their three viable priority projects, the Minister has asked RDA committees to take into account the priorities of their Regional Plan, the capacity of the project to address needs in the region, the level of community support for the project, impact of the project on the region and neighbouring regions, and readiness to proceed.
The new process for RDAF Round Two is as follows:
- Eligible applicants are required to submit one EOI form for a single project, to their RDA committee by Thursday, 1 December 2011. The form is available from the Department’s website.
- RDA committees will review each EOI and select three viable priority projects to proceed to full application (by 21 December 2011).
- Full applications will be accepted up until 15 February 2012 and assessed by the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government against the eligibility and selection criteria, risk, and value for money.
- Applications will be considered by the RDAF Advisory Panel which will provide advice to the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Simon Crean MP. The Minister will make decisions on projects to be funded by late May 2012.
More information including the Round Two Guidelines, key dates and full details on the EOI process can be found at http://www.regional.gov.au/regional/programs/rdaf.aspx.
Applicants can ask questions relating to the application and assessment process by emailing rdaf@regional.gov.au or contact the RDA ACT Secretariat.
————————————————————————————————————————————–
7 September 2011.
The Minister for Regional Australia, Simon Crean, has announced the successful applicants for the RDA Fund, Round One. Unfortunately for the ACT, and the surrounding Southern Inland region (NSW), no projects submitted were successful for this part of regional Australia. The Minister’s media release provides an overview of the successful projects. The full listing can be found on the Department’s website.
Round Two, for a further $150m, will be open in November 2011. Watch this space.
————————————————————————————————————————————–
On March 3 2011, the Federal Minister for Regional Australia announced the implementation of the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF). Regional Development Australia Committees play a key role in the process for developing applications under this infrastructure funding program and projects seeking funding must align with the relevant RDA Strategic Regional Plan.
Further information, Frequently Asked Questions, and the electronic application form can be obtained by visiting the program page on the national RDA web site.
However, in the first instance it is highly recommended that any prospective applicants discuss their proposal with their local RDA.
Endorsement Process
Round One 2011
Round One applications are closed. Announcements of successful funding applications are expected in August 2011.
Round Two of the Program is expected to be announced and opened later in 2011. RDA Fund applications MUST be endorsed by the relevant Regional Development Australia Committees before they will be accepted by the Department of Regional Australia.
The secretariat can be contacted at any time to discuss your project.
Program Synopsis
The program aims to support localism and to leverage and better coordinate State, Commonwealth, Local Government and private (including not-for-profit) investments for the long term benefit of communities.
The first funding round is now open for applications and will look to contribute up to $100 million of Commonwealth funding to approved projects. Applications for Round 1 will be received up to COB on Friday, 13 May 2011.
Proposals that are not ready or applications which cannot be completed by 13 May 2011 can be lodged in Round 2, which is expected to take place in late 2011. Advice on when Round 2 will open and close will be provided through RDA Australia committees and on the Federal Department’s website.
Under the RDA Fund, funding of between $500,000 and $25 million per project will be available. Partner funding will be expected from sources other than the Australian Government for all project grants, except where extenuating circumstances prevent co-funding. Project grants over $5 million will be required to be matched on at least a dollar for dollar basis (excluding funding from other Australian Government sources).
Each application will be assessed on its individual merits. Applicants can apply for single or multi-year funding up to 2014-15.
The Department will assess funding applications for projects for compliance with the eligibility criteria, and to determine value for money and the risk associated with the project. The Minister will make decisions on the projects to be funded, based on the recommendations of the RDAF Advisory Panel.
The RDAF will fund priority infrastructure projects identified by local communities in regional Australia that include economic and community infrastructure projects and is available for projects which are predominantly capital in nature, such as new infrastructure and upgrades to existing infrastructure, are important to regional and local communities, align with Commonwealth priorities and meet the objectives of the program.
Examples of projects could include new bridges, community or child care centres and sporting facilities, and economic infrastructure projects that support local regional economies, including sustaining and supporting growth in local tourism and other small businesses.
Projects must be “investment ready”, that is ready to proceed within six months of signing the Funding Agreement.
Funding will not support:
- Projects that are delivered or supported through other Australian Government programs and initiatives;
- Activities designed to support or replace existing administrative costs of applicants (e.g. operational costs, wages, vehicle leasing and maintenance, upgrade of offices);
- Projects that are likely to have ongoing project operational costs where demonstration of funding to support those ongoing operational costs is not provided;
- The provision of services and ongoing support activities;
- Projects eligible to be funded under the National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) in the calendar year of lodgement of the application or are eligible under the NDRRA;
- Larger projects requiring a contribution of more than $25 million from the Australian Government.
All project applications must demonstrate a clear, direct and measurable benefit to local communities through documents such as business cases, a cost-benefit analysis, feasibility studies and project plans, and must include relevant supporting material.
To be considered for funding, projects must demonstrate that they align with the Regional Plans developed by RDA committees. These Regional Plans will play a key role in setting priorities for the RDAF program. All applications for funding must include a written endorsement from the RDA committee or committees in whose areas the project will be located or have a significant impact, and confirm how the project aligns to the Regional Plans of RDA committees.
Local government bodies and incorporated not-for-profit organisations are eligible to apply for funding under RDAF. Note: for the purposes of Commonwealth funding the Australian Capital Territory is considered to be a local governing body.
Organisations can apply in their own right or as a member of a consortium. For-profit organisations can participate in applications for funding where they are a member of a
consortium.
The following assessment criteria must be met in order to be eligible for assessment:
Criterion 1
- Extent to which the project leverages funding from a variety of sources
Criterion 2A
- Extent to which the project will contribute to and sustain regional economic growth
AND/OR
Criterion 2B
- Extent to which the project will provide community benefit
Criterion 3
- Sustainability and ongoing viability
Criterion 4
- Demonstrated capacity to implement and maintain the project
Criterion 5 (Not-for-profit organisations only)
- Extent to which the project supports services to regional communities
However, in the first instance it is highly recommended that any prospective applicants discuss their proposal with their local RDA.
Further information, Frequently Asked Questions, and the electronic application form can be obtained by contacting RDA ACT or by visiting the program page on the national RDA web site.
