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Introduction

June 2009

The NSW Community Building Partnership will stimulate employment and the economy at a local level across NSW through the delivery of improved community facilities for the people of NSW.

The NSW Government has allocated $35 million for this initiative in the NSW Budget. This initiative will provide grants to all parts of the State on an individual electoral district basis for employment generating projects.

Grant funding of up to $300,000 is available for every electoral district with an additional $100,000 for the 48 State electorates with higher unemployment rates. The list of funding per electorate is provided at Tab1.

Grants will be open to local councils and incorporated not-for-profit bodies such as charities, sporting, social and environmental groups. Projects will commence from late 2009 and be completed before the end of December 2010.

Members of Parliament will invite applications from local councils and community groups within their electoral districts. Information and application forms are available from the NSW Government website nsw.gov.au and from electorate offices. Grants to councils will require matched funding. While this is not a requirement for applications from incorporated not-for-profit bodies, applications involving co-contributions will receive favourable consideration.

Applications will need to be submitted by 10 August, either by email or post as indicated on the application form.

Applications should demonstrate how they will deliver positive results for communities, especially employment and community social, recreational or environmental outcomes. The projects 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.

Local Members will play a role in reviewing each eligible project against the assessment criteria. They will consider and comment on how each project satisfies the selection criteria and provide an assessment and ranking in accordance with the employment and community benefits expected. Their knowledge and understanding of the community and its needs places them in an ideal position to make recommendations on projects.

Local Members may choose to consult with community representatives to assist this process and/or establish an assessment committee. This can provide a mix of skills with knowledge of the needs, challenges and opportunities which could benefit local communities through community renewal and employment projects.

Local Members will submit their recommendations and priority ranking for the projects to the Premier. The Premier will review and take into account the ranking, benefits and justification for projects submitted by each electoral district.

The timing for applications, consideration and approval is shown at the end of this document.

The Local Member and the Premier or his representative will announce the successful projects for each electorate. Successful proposals will be published on the website. Grant administration will be undertaken by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

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Criteria

Project eligibility

Proposals will need to satisfy the following:

1. Submitted by an incorporated not-for-profit body or local council.
2. Projects are to be located in the electoral district from which the grant is sought.
3. All construction must be completed by December 2010.
4. If planning approval is required, it must be obtained by 1 May 2010.
5. The number and duration of construction and/or ongoing employment created by the project be clearly outlined.
6. The grant requested for project proposals from local councils will require a commitment for matching funding by the council.
7. Generally only one project proposal for each local council will be considered within the area of that council in an electorate. Councils may submit project proposals for a location in each electorate within their area.
8. Local councils will be required to provide a preference ranking for the projects they submit where multiple electorates are within the local council area.
9. Proposals from not-for-profit groups for work on property under ownership of another organisation (such as land owned by the local council, Crown reserves, government agencies) will require approval from the owner/manager. Such approvals are required together with the completed application.
10. Proposals by non-profit organisations, which have been made with the support of local councils, are not treated as submitted by a local council. Councils must submit application on behalf of their committees eg section 355 committees.
11. Applications should include:
    1. An application form addressing all criteria;
    2. Cost estimate – substantiated by written quotes submitted with the application form;
    3. Final instalment payment for capital works will be conditional on presentation of a letter from the local council or a qualified tradesman that the works are being carried out in accordance with the relevant Australian standards. Upon completion the Not-For-Profit organisation or the Council General Manager will be required to supply documentation certifying that the capital works were completed in accordance with the relevant Australian Standards;
    4. Council resolution confirming Council commitment and contribution where applicable;
    5. A list will be required of co-contribution or value-in-kind support.

Applications can be submitted electronically to: cbp_applications@communitybuildingpartnership.nsw.gov.au or submitted to: Community Building Partnership Grant Applications GPO Box 5341, Sydney NSW 2001 with a postmark date 10 August 2009 by 5:00 PM 10 August 2009.

An initial assessment will be conducted of applications by the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Incomplete applications or those not satisfying the criteria will be advised and given 10 working days to provide the outstanding information. Applications failing to satisfy this requirement will not be eligible.

If all criteria are properly addressed the application proceeds to the Local Member of the relevant electorate for comment and recommendation on ranking. The Premier will consider this advice when deciding which proposals will be funded.

Project Results

The following results are targeted:

1. Delivery of employment and local social, cultural, recreational and/or environmental benefits, particularly to disadvantaged communities, through the provision of capital infrastructure or equipment.
2. Creation of employment opportunities:
   • During construction; and/or
   • an ongoing and sustainable basis thereafter.
3. Employment opportunities for Indigenous communities or the long term unemployed
4. Leverage of additional funds that enhance the benefit for the community.

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Project Schedule Deadlines

16 June 2009	Budget announcement and provision of Information Package to all MPs
	Website goes live with information and application packs available
22 June 2009	Additional information provided on the Website
29 June 2009	Local MPs (through local community, media and internet) invite submissions
10 August 2009	Closing date for submissions to Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) (email & post)
4 September 2009	Submissions checked for eligibility by DPC
18 September 2009	Any additional information provided to DPC
5 October 2009	Project information packages provided to local MPs for assessment and ranking
26 October 2009	Local MPs to submit report identifying recommendations and ranking of projects
20 November	DPC review local MP submissions and prepare final report for Premier’s consideration
30 November 2009	Premier to review recommendations and determine successful submissions Local MPs advised of successful project applicants
4 December 2009	Formal offers and grant documentation provided to successful applicants
14 December 2009	First projects commence
1 May 2010	Final planning approval obtained by construction projects where required
31 December 2010	All Projects completed including acquittal of grant expenditure

Tab1: NSW Community Building Partnership

Funds available by Electoratal District

1. Funding up to $300,000

2. Funding up to $400,000

NSW Electoral District Albury Balmain Baulkham Hills Blue Mountains Burrinjuck Camden Castle Hill Coogee Cronulla Davidson Drummoyne East Hills Epping Goulburn Hawkesbury Heathcote Heffron Hornsby Kiama Kogarah Ku-ring-gai Lane Cove Manly Maroubra Marrickville Menai Miranda Monaro Mulgoa Murrumbidgee North Shore Oatley Penrith Pittwater Riverstone Rockdale Ryde Sydney Terrigal Toongabbie Upper Hunter Vaucluse Wakehurst Willoughby Wollondilly

NSW Electoral District Auburn Ballina Bankstown Barwon Bathurst Bega Blacktown Cabramatta Campbelltown Canterbury Cessnock Charlestown Clarence Coffs Harbour Dubbo Fairfield Gosford Granville Keira Lake Macquarie Lakemba Lismore Liverpool Londonderry Macquarie Fields Maitland Mount Druitt Murray-Darling Myall Lakes Newcastle Northern Tablelands Orange Oxley Parramatta Port Macquarie Port Stephens Shellharbour Smithfield South Coast Strathfield Swansea Tamworth The Entrance Tweed Wagga Wagga Wallsend Wollongong Wyong

The NSW Government will invest $400,000 into each of the above electoral districts under the $35 million NSW Community Building Partnership.

This table is based on data provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics to the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet.

It is derived from the 2006 Population Census based on the 2007 NSW Electorate boundaries, cross checked against the most recent statistical regional data from Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force surveys.

The unemployment rate for each of these electoral districts is equal to or higher than the median rate of unemployment in NSW.