Grants to support the development of business cases or strategies for projects that will deliver significant economic or social benefits to regional communities in NSW.
What is the Regional NSW – Business Case and Strategy Development Fund?
The Regional NSW – Business Case and Strategy Development Fund will support local councils, joint organisations of councils, not-for-profit, industry and Aboriginal community groups develop business cases or strategies for projects delivering significant economic or social benefits to regional communities, with a focus on infrastructure.
The funding will help organisations build their capacity to plan for and deliver projects and regional development initiatives and help build a pipeline of investment-ready projects for future funding opportunities.
The fund will be provided through two streams:
Stream 1 – Regional Significance
To support the development of business cases for regionally significant economic or community infrastructure projects, or strategies for significant economic or community development initiatives in regional NSW.
Stream 2 – Aboriginal Prosperity
To support Aboriginal organisations develop business cases or strategies that create opportunities for economic and community empowerment of Aboriginal people.
What is the level of support of the Business Case and Strategy Development Fund?
- There is no minimum or maximum funding amount.
- Under both streams, applicants are required to submit a quote to develop the business case or strategy, which will help determine the grant amount for successful applicants.
- A co-contribution is not required.
- Note that funding of a business case or strategy does not represent a commitment to fund any future stage of the project/activity.
What are the important dates of the Business Case and Strategy Development Fund?
- Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 24 August 2022
- Allow up to 2 months from the closing date for notification of outcomes
- Funded business cases and strategies must be completed between November 2022 and June 2023
What are the objectives and outcomes of the Business Case and Strategy Development Fund?
The objectives of the fund are to:
- encourage regional collaboration to identify projects and strategies with regional scale and impact
- increase alignment of regional projects and strategies with Regional Economic Development Strategies (REDS) and other relevant regional or NSW Government plans and policies
- build a pipeline of investment-ready economic and priority community projects in regional NSW
Stream One aims to support planning for collaborative projects and development of strategies for regional development that will benefit local economies and communities.
Stream Two aims to support Aboriginal people to drive collaborative initiatives and local solutions by supporting projects and strategies that will deliver economic or social outcomes for Aboriginal communities.
See the guidelines for full details of key objectives.
How to get Business Case and Strategy Development funding?
You should read and understand the guidelines and FAQs.
Successful applicants will clearly demonstrate their proposal aligns with the fund’s objectives and have consulted widely with local community and regional peak bodies to establish an opportunity or need to be addressed. Infrastructure project proposals will also have established a business model and the personnel with the capacity and capability to deliver the business case or study within the agreed timeline.
Check out our How to Prepare Before You Apply insight.
Most importantly, and before you start an application, you need to ensure your organisation is eligible for the funding. Organisations that do not meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined below will not be considered.
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Is my organisation eligible for Business Case and Strategy Development funding?
Stream One: Regional Significance
Applicants must be an incorporated organisation with an ABN, ACN or be registered with NSW Fair Trading under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009.
Eligible applicants include:
- local councils
- Joint Organisations of Councils
- infrastructure providers such as telecommunication, energy, or water companies
- peak bodies such as business, industry, and community associations
- cooperatives
- tertiary educational institutions
- incorporated not-for-profit organisations
Stream Two: Aboriginal Prosperity
Applicants will be a not-for-profit, incorporated Aboriginal community organisation.
Eligible applicants include:
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporations registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth)
- companies incorporated in Australia under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
- Local Aboriginal Land Councils under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW)
- Incorporated Associations (incorporated under state legislation)
- Incorporated Cooperatives (incorporated under state legislation)
Eligible organisations in each stream may submit more than one application, however, it is recommended that applicants focus on their highest-priority project.
Ineligible applicants include:
- businesses, except where specifically noted as eligible or as part of a public/private partnership*
- unincorporated organisations
- trusts
- partnerships
- pre-school, primary and secondary schools
- individuals and sole traders
- Australian or NSW Government agencies. State Owned Corporations or statutory authorities
*Public/private partnerships are eligible where the application lead is an eligible entity and the subject of the business case or strategy has a clear public benefit, or a clear benefit for multiple users, organisations or businesses.
See the guidelines for full details of eligibility requirements.
What projects and activities are eligible for support from the Business Case and Strategy Development Fund?
Under both streams, applications for development of the following material will be accepted:
- business cases, feasibility studies and other investment analysis for economic or significant community infrastructure projects
- regional industry development plans, workforce strategies and sector specific analysis
- land use planning studies, constraints analysis, technical studies and master plans.
Applications for the development of a business case or strategy must:
- relate to projects and activities located in or centred on one of the 93 regional NSW local government areas, the Unincorporated Far West or Lord Howe Island
- be for an economic or community infrastructure project, or an economic or community development strategy
- for Stream One, deliver economic or community benefits to at least two local government areas (i.e., be of regional significance)
- align with relevant NSW Government strategies:
Examples of eligible projects for Stream One include:
- a business case for a regionally significant project that will activate new or expanded industry investment and job creation
- a feasibility study for the establishment of cultural infrastructure to service a region
- a land use planning study to facilitate community activation or future investment
- master planning of transport and logistics infrastructure to support industry growth
- a regional industry development strategy that leverages existing economic assets and government investments (e.g. Special Activation Precincts)
- a business case for shared infrastructure supporting the visitor economy in a region
Examples of eligible projects for Stream Two include:
- a business case for an Aboriginal cultural tourism project or other economic development project
- a feasibility study for economic activation of native title land holdings
- a business case for a community-owned enterprise where there is a common ownership structure and local job creation
- a strategy to develop the cultural tourism sector in a region
Priority will be given for applications demonstrating:
- consultation and engagement with regional peak bodies such as Joint Organisations (Stream One) or consultation with the local community, regional peak bodies (Stream Two)
- collaboration between government, community and industry groups
- likely delivery of local procurement, job creation and skills development
Business cases or strategies are ineligible for projects that:
- are located in, or centred on, ineligible locations
- are centred on private land
- have exclusive private benefits for a single business
- relate to buying or upgrading non-fixed equipment
- relate solely to marketing, advertising or product promotion duplicate existing business cases, strategies or programs
- are to meet the cost of reports that would usually be the accountability of local government entities as part of standard operating requirements
- require ongoing funding from the NSW Government or Commonwealth Government
See the guidelines for complete project eligibility criteria.
What expenditure is eligible for support from the Business Case and Strategy Development Fund?
Grants must be used to contract a suitably qualified service provider to produce the business case or strategy.
Additional funding of up to 25 percent of the quoted cost can also be requested to cover project management, administration and contingency costs.
How do you apply for Business Case and Strategy Development funding?
Applications are submitted via the SmartyGrants portal.
Book a no obligation discovery session with GrantHelper to increase your chances of success.
What information do I need to prepare for lodging a Business Case and Strategy Development Fund application?
Applications must include:
- a clear scope for development of the business case or strategy
- for applications relating to planning for infrastructure projects, an estimated cost for development of the infrastructure
- information and evidence detailing how the application meets the program’s eligibility and assessment criteria
- a timetable for development of the business case or strategy
- a quote for development of the business case or strategy
- for applications involving the use of land, a letter of support from the landowner
- letters of support from key stakeholders in the project (if applicable)
- evidence of consultation and industry or community support for the application/subject matter (if applicable)
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
What is the assessment criteria of the Business Case and Strategy Development Fund?
| Ref | Criteria |
| 1 | Strategic alignment – Meets eligibility requirements and fund objectives Regional or state significance – Alignment with REDS and government strategies |
| 2 | Project rationale – Identified opportunity or issue/need – Economic or community impact for multiple users |
| 3 | Project viability (Infrastructure projects only) – Resources to manage delivery of the business case/study – Viability of ownership/operating model – Capacity and capability of personnel – Risk management strategy – Evidence of partner support (if applicable) |
See the guidelines for full details of assessment criteria for infrastructure projects and non-infrastructure projects.
Need help applying for Business Case and Strategy Development funding?
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