Frequently Asked Questions

• The aims of the Community Building Partnership grant program is to support local jobs, stimulate growth and improve community social, recreational and environmental facilities throughout NSW.

• Organisations that are an incorporated not-for-profit organisation (eg: organisations incorporated under legislation such as the Associations Incorporations Act 1984 or the Cooperatives Act 1992 and organisations limited by guarantee under the Corporations Act 2001)
• Local Councils

• Individuals
• Organisations other than incorporated not-for-profit organisations
• State and Federal Government agencies

• No. The application process is competitive. It is anticipated that there will be multiple competing applications for the funding available within each electorate.
• Successful applications will be those which best meet the project results criteria of supporting jobs, and meeting community needs through development of local infrastructure and leveraging of additional contributions.

• There is a limit of funding available for each State electoral district area. The competitive assessment of applications for the available funds within each electoral district will consider the potential benefits to the community offered by the project against the Project Results criteria.

• An application needs to be made by a single organisation which will accept responsibility if the application is successful. However, the involvement of other supporting organisations in the project may enhance the opportunity for success. For example, the application may identify co-contributions offered by agreement with potential partners, or it may demonstrate a response to a wider community need than reflected by a single organisation. An application may benefit by inclusion of evidence that an application represents the interests of a number of partners and community groups however, it is not a requirement that other organisations are a party to the application.

• No. However, in order to receive grant payments successful applicants will require an ABN or must lodge a statement of supplier form.
• To apply for an ABN contact the Australian Tax Office on 132866 or visit www.business.gov.au.
• Statement of supplier forms and eligibility for their use is available online from the Australian Taxation Office at www.ato.gov.au

• The application form can be downloaded from the NSW Governments Community Building Partnership website. If you have difficulties with internet access your local Member of Parliament may be able to assist.

• Preferably applications should be submitted electronically to cbp_applications@communitybuildingpartnership.nsw.gov.au.
• Alternatively a hard copy, complete with the signed Declaration and a postmark dated no later than 10 August 2009 may be mailed to:
• NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership,
  GPO Box 5341,
  SYDNEY NSW 200l

• Not-for-profit organisations may submit multiple applications.
• Only one project proposal for each local council within an electoral district will be accepted. Councils whose boundaries cover more than one electoral district will be able to submit an application for funding of projects within each of those electorates. In this situation where multiple electorates are involved, local councils will be required to provide a preference ranking for projects they submit.
• Not-for-profit organisation applications that have been made with the support of local councils (owners endorsement) are treated as submitted by a not for profit organisation.

• Yes, provided that they are within the one electorate and are for the same type of works.
• Council applications will compete with all other applications for the available funding within the electoral district.

• The criteria consist of two parts. (i) First the Eligibility Criteria that must be satisfied in order for your application to be assessed. (ii) Second the Project Results Criteria against which eligible projects will be assessed and compared against each other to determine their ranking for funding priority.
• The Application Form includes sections that address the Project Results Criteria. The Project Results Criteria are listed in the Overview Document available on this Community Building Partnership website.

Unlike capital works, capital equipment must be:

• essential to delivery of the core activity of the organisation;
• have a life expectancy of 15+ years; and,
• be essential for delivery of a service that generates employment opportunities.

• Yes. Projects will compete with each other for funding from the grant funding allocation made available for each electoral district.
• If you are unsure which electoral district your project is based the Electorate Office website www.elections.nsw.gov.au or your local Member of Parliament will be able to assist you.

• If you are not the owner of the facility, the owners/managers consent to the project must be attached as a separate document. 
• If your project is being constructed on council managed lands, the application must be endorsed by council. If the project is to be constructed on lands managed by another government agency, the owners consent must be endorsed by the Director-General of that department or a delegated officer.
• Local councils must include documentary evidence of Councils resolution confirming the commitment to the project or approval under delegated authority by a senior council officer.

• Yes - at least one quotation (for applications seeking up to $30,000) and three quotations (for applications seeking more than $30,000) which is fully itemised and costed for the works to be undertaken, from a supplier who is ideally independent from the organisation/applicant. Councils will also need to abide with the conditions of the Local Government Act.

• Yes. However, your application must include a realistic estimate of the total cost of the project.
• If an application is successful, detailed quotes must be provided prior to payment of the grant.

• Local Councils will be required as a minimum to fund 50% of the total project cost. This must be in the form of cash and can be provided from council income sources or from external funding sources.
• Not-for-profit organisations are eligible to seek the entire project cost as a grant. Preference will however be given to those projects with partial funding from their own or from other sources.

• Yes. Voluntary labour and donated materials are allowed as part of the Not-for-profit organisations contribution to the project funding. Voluntary labour and donated materials are GST exempt. A list of the voluntary labour and donated materials including estimated value must be provided.

• Any new ongoing employment generating activity created through the infrastructure or capital equipment delivered as a consequence of the grant.

• You must be ready to commence or seek planning approval by 4 December 2009.
• If planning approval is required and has not been obtained, the construction certificate must be secured by 1 May 2010.
• The Project must be completed by 31 December 2010.

No. However, if your funding request is successful you must:

• Have commenced discussion with your Local Council and be ready to lodge your development approval.
• Secure the construction certificate by 1 May 2010
• Payment of the grant will be conditional upon the construction certificate being secured and the grant contract executed.
• If you have not secured the construction certificate by 1 May 2010 the grant offer will be withdrawn.

• No. The program is intended to provide an economic stimulus. Applications therefore need to be for new projects that will commence after 1 September 2009. Determination of successful grants is expected in December 2009 and works commenced prior to that date should not be based on a presumption that the grant request will be successful.

• The application form addressing all criteria.
• A copy of the Certification of Incorporation OR a copy of your organisation’s constitution.
• The most recent audited/certified financial statement OR a copy of the minutes of the last AGM together with a copy of the Treasurer’s report including an income and expenditure statement.
• Proof of Security from your bank – which is a letter from your financial institution/bank addressed to the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet advising that your organisation holds an account in its own name AND that 2 or more signatories are required to sign co-jointly to operate the account.

• Firstly, you will receive notification that your application has been received and will be assessed for its eligibility.
• If further information is required you will be asked to provide this information by Friday 2 October 2009.
• Applications will then be provided to Local MPs for comments and recommendations for the Premier
• The Premier will review recommendations and determine successful submissions and advise local MPs of the successful project applicants
• Commencing 4 December 2009 formal offers and grant documentation will be provided to successful applicants

• This program is intended to deliver a short term economic stimulus and local community infrastructure. There are no appeals for unsuccessful applications under this program, and a later round of funding is not expected.

• If you are able to include a scanned signature on your emailed application you are encouraged to do so. 
• The absence of an electronic signature on your emailed application will not make your application invalid. 
• Submit your application either by electronic means or through the mail and not by a combination of both.

• No.  Funding through the Community Building Partnership program is for projects that will generate employment through:
  1. construction of new capital works;
  2. refurbishment, repairs and maintenance to existing capital facilities; or
  3. the purchase of capital equipment that enables the delivery of a new or enhanced employment generating service.

• A letter confirming support of your project from the owner/manager on their letterhead. Or,
• If you already have development consent a copy of the documentation that demonstrated the owner/managers support for your project submitted as part of the development application or was given as part of the development consent.

• YES.  Providing:
  • the subsequent stage is a new project proposal that does not commence prior to the offer of grant proposals in December 2009; and,
  • work already undertaken on the project in no way relies upon the second stage proceeding.

• Applications close on 10 August 2009 and must have a postmark of 5pm 10 August 2009 if sent through the mail. Late applications will be considered in exceptional circumstances only. In the circumstance where a Council or not-for-profit incorporated organisation requires their application to be formally endorsed by their governing body, this should be noted on the application form. The application form must still be submitted by the closing date. Confirmation of endorsement where required, will be sought as part of the application assessment process.

• No.