Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program

To be eligible you must:

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Organisations (ORIC) registration

and be one of the following entities:

• an Australian State/Territory Government agency or body
• an Australian local government agency or body as defined in section 14
• a Regional University which may be for-profit as defined in section 14
• an incorporated not-for-profit organisation. As a not-for-profit organisation you must demonstrate your not-for-profit status through one of the following:
  1. current Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission’s (ACNC) Registration
  2. state or territory incorporated association status
  3. constitutional documents and/or Articles of Association that demonstrate the not-for-profit character of the organisation.

You are not eligible to apply if you are:

• an organisation, or your project partner is an organisation, included on the National Redress Scheme’s website on the list of ‘Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme’
• an employer of 100 or more employees that has not complied with the Workplace Gender Equality Act (2012)
• for-profit organisations (with the exception of regional universities). However, they can form part of the partnership

See the guidelines for full details of organisations eligible for rPPP support.

The proposed project must be in a regional, rural or remote location, delineated as entirely outside the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSA).

The following are ineligible locations:

• Greater Capital City Statistical Areas – Greater Sydney
• Greater Capital City Statistical Areas – Greater Melbourne
• Greater Capital City Statistical Areas – Greater Perth
• Greater Capital City Statistical Areas – Greater Adelaide
• Greater Capital City Statistical Areas – Greater Brisbane
• Greater Capital City Statistical Areas – Greater Darwin
• Greater Capital City Statistical Areas – Greater Hobart
• All of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

See the guidelines for full details of eligible locations.

Stream 1 – Precinct Development and Planning projects will be assessed on the following criteria:

 1. Project alignment with program objectives and Australian Government priorities (35 points)

• aligns with regional plans, community priorities and other regional investment strategies and activities
• supports a place-based approach to planning
• provides economic opportunities, and enhances productivity, equity and resilience
• considers and/or measures climate and energy impacts
• contributes to the achievement of Australian Government policy priorities and program objectives

2. Project Need (35 points)

• how the proposal will address an existing public infrastructure gap
• how the precinct will deliver improvements and public benefits and/or services in the region
• evidence as to why investment in the proposal is needed
• rationale for the elements being considered for inclusion in the precinct and how these link a place with a purpose

3. Community engagement, collaboration, and partnership (20 points)

• how process intends to engage with the local community, draw upon local knowledge and information, and identify and leverage opportunities and address challenges within the region
• how the partnership will work together to achieve the project based on the values of shared design, stewardship and accountability of planned outcomes
• the proposed governance arrangements of the partnership and how they will support, enhance or achieve community engagement, and collaboration for the project
• how First Nations groups could be involved in the design and planning phase to help shape the proposal and influence a stronger outcome that incorporates First Nations experiences, culture and design.

4. Capacity, capability and resources to deliver a sound precinct proposal (10 points)

• ability to undertake or manage the development of project proposals, including a track record of managing similar projects and access to personnel with the right skills and experience
• proven ability to manage and monitor timeframes, consultation processes, budget and risk management
• a resource plan that includes how the project will be supported and the cost of that resourcing
• any contributions that would help to strengthen the delivery of the project, can be non-monetary.

Stream 2 – Precinct Delivery projects will be assessed on the following criteria:

1. Project alignment with program objectives and Australian Government priorities (25 points)

• aims to align with regional plans, community priorities and other regional investment strategies and activities
• supports a place-based approach to planning,
• provides economic opportunities, and enhances productivity, equity and resilience
• considers and/or or measures climate and energy impacts
• contributes to the achievement of Australian Government policy priorities and program objectives

2. Project need (20 points)

• how the proposal will address an existing public infrastructure gap and how the precinct, or expansion upon an existing precinct is likely to result in improvements and public benefits in the region
• evidence as to why investment in the proposal is needed
• rationale for the elements of the precinct and how these would link a place with a purpose
• identification of potential future opportunities for additional private investment in the precinct and/or surrounding region that can build upon the project and help stimulate further expansion, to ensure the longevity of the precinct.

3. Community engagement, collaboration and partnership (20 points)

• how the precinct was supported by local knowledge, evidence and information and how it has identified and leveraged opportunities to address challenges within the region
• how partnership members and links with relevant stakeholders will work together to achieve the project based on the values of shared design, stewardship and accountability of planned outcomes
• the governance arrangements of the partnership and how they will support, enhance or achieve community engagement and collaboration for the project
• how First Nations groups will be involved to help shape the project and influence a stronger outcome that incorporates First Nations experiences, culture and design.

4. Capacity, capability and resources to deliver the project (35 points)

• proven track record of success in delivering similar initiatives or other public infrastructure projects and sound project planning experience to manage and monitor the project. This should address scope, implementation methodology, timeframes, consultation, budget and risk management
• the business or governance structure and how to adhere to Commonwealth procurement requirements including the use of First Nations employment and suppliers where possible
• the total contributions the grant will leverage from all partners by providing the precinct funding strategy
• the level of continued support and capacity to extend the project outcomes beyond the term of funding
• readiness to commence the project with appropriate business case, approvals, land use rights, community support and completed engagement/consultation and all relevant legislative requirements in place.

You should read and understand the guidelines.

You need to ensure you are eligible for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be considered.

Successful applicants will demonstrate:

• the value of partnerships between governments, communities and businesses for effective planning, coordination and delivery of regional infrastructure
• ability to develop and deliver regional precincts comprised of multiple infrastructure components, which provide benefits related to productivity, equity and resilience
• contribution to the Australian Government’s current policy priorities, including but not limited to Closing the Gap, transition to a net zero economy, Australia’s emission reduction goals, social and affordable housing, and National Cultural Policy.

You must provide the following documents with your application:

• a project plan or preliminary project outline (Stream 1) or a feasible business case, precinct design or existing precinct development plan or master plan that demonstrates your proposal is ready for delivery (Stream 2)
• a project budget
• precinct funding strategy (Stream 2)
• confirmation that you have authority for use of the land or infrastructure at the proposed or nominated site
• evidence to support your intended partnership (e.g. a letter from project partner/s or other type of agreement), including details of all project partners
• a proposed governance structure for your precinct outlining the roles and responsibilities of each project partner
• evidence of support from local community and business as relevant
• evidence that the relevant State or Territory government and local government agency or body has been invited to participate (e.g. an email or letter)
• evidence that the relevant RDA committee and Traditional Owner/First Nations groups for the area have been contacted to seek their support (e.g. an email, or letter)
• evidence that the relevant Traditional Owner/First Nations groups form part of the partnership or are consulted on a regular basis, e.g. an email, letter or minutes (Stream 2)
• evidence of not-for-profit status (where applicable)
• detailed evidence that supports assessment criteria responses (where applicable)
• trust deed (where applicable).

See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.

Applications are submitted online via the business.gov.au portal.

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