Storm water capture proposal with additional grant for capital costs

The Rudd Government is calling for proposals for stormwater harvesting and re-use projects under a special new $200 million initiative (23 March 2009)

Objectives

The objective of the special call is to support stormwater harvesting and reuse projects in both large and small cities and towns that contribute to:

• Improving the security of water supplies in Australia, without adding to greenhouse gas emissions
• Reducing the demand on potable water supplies
• Helping to reduce the impact of urban runoff on water quality in receiving waters

Funding available

Subject to suitable proposals, the National Urban Water and Desalination Plan will provide a minimum of $200 million for stormwater harvesting and reuse projects.

Project funding is available for 50 per cent of eligible capital costs. The minimum project size is $4 million (eligible for funding of $2 million). While there is no maximum project size, funding is capped at $20 million (GST exclusive) per project. Funding is available for project work to be completed by 30 June 2013. The call for proposals occurred in March 2009.

Applications for Round 1 are due 30 June 2009 (5pm Canberra time) and Round 2 on 11 December 2009 (5pm Canberra time).

Who is eligible to apply?

State, territory and local government, public water utilities and private companies are eligible to apply.

Projects that are not eligible under this special call include:

• Stormwater management that does not include a significant reuse component (eg projects primarily for flood mitigation or water quality purposes)
• Rainwater reuse from residential buildings using domestic rainwater tanks
• Combined effluent and stormwater reuse schemes
• Harvesting stormwater from predominantly non-urban catchments (eg rural or forested)
• Irrigation schemes using aquifers, streams or river water from largely non-urban catchments; and
• Projects that are being implemented to meet local, state, territory or Australian Government requirements. For example, stormwater infrastructure required to meet development conditions such as local government development controls or BASIX (in New South Wales).

For more information contact www.environment.gov.au   or call us to find out how Treadstone can help with your application.  (03) 90163575