Resource Recovery Infrastructure Fund aims to support the development of infrastructure which improves the collection, sorting and processing of recycled materials. This $5million program seeks innovative or better practice projects that will increase jobs and the recovery of priority materials in the resource recovery industry.

Rural and regional councils and businesses with projects located in and servicing rural and regional Victoria can apply for between $40,000 and $500,000 in funding for infrastructure development. Infrastructure can be for collection, sorting or processing.

Deadline date:

3 pm AEST, 12 January 2018

What grants or funding is available?

Funding of between $40,000 and $500,000 is available per project. A co-contribution from the applicant is required. Your organisation must make a minimum co contribution towards the total project.

For collaborative projects, the appropriate co-contribution ratio will be applied separately to each party’s contribution amount.

What are the eligibility criteria?

To be eligible to apply for funding, applicants must:

• be rural or regional councils or businesses located in and servicing rural and regional Victoria
• have a current Australian Business Number (ABN)
• have had no Environment Protection Authority (EPA) or Victorian WorkCover Authority breaches in the past five years, or:
  • the breach was not serious
  • the breach has been satisfactorily resolved
  • the applicant has made appropriate efforts, including implementing management systems, to ensure the breach is not repeated, and
  • since the breach, the applicant has had a satisfactory level of compliance with environmental and WorkCover Authority legislation
• agree to comply with Sustainability Victoria’sTerms and Conditions
• agree to comply with Sustainability Victoria’s Terms of Participation in Grant Programs.

Collaborative applications for funding are also encouraged, for example between businesses who generate large quantities of food, plastics or for processing e-waste and those who can collect and/or reprocess the material. Collaborative applications will require a lead applicant that will be accountable for implementation of the funding agreement.

Projects must meet the following criteria:

• must align to the Statewide Waste and Resource
• must align with and support Regional Implementation Plan
• be located in and servicing rural and regional Victoria
• installation of new infrastructure or upgrades that lead to improved recovery and efficiency
• address recovery (not disposal) infrastructure – as measured by tonnes recovered and/or reduction in risk to public health/environment, prioritising priority materials such as; organics, flexible and rigid plastics and e-waste processing
• the extent to which the project can achieve measurable change by 31 March 2021
• the extent to which the project leverages investment (private or local government)
• increase in new jobs for there source recovery sector
• add significant capacity to collection, sorting or processing of materials
• address a demonstrated need or barrier
• demonstrate better practice and/or innovation
• be evidence based or strengthen the evidence base
• meet the minimum co-contribution requirement of the fund
• provide a significant and measurably improved recovery of the identified priority material
• provide a reduction of waste to landfill

Funding will not be provided for:

• projects that do not meet the eligibility criteria for the fund
• projects not located in and servicing rural and regional Victoria
• projects that do not address recovery infrastructure (e.g.disposal)
• projects that request funds to produce documents only and do not deliver infrastructure (e.g. feasibility studies, scoping documentation, business case development, designs, site plans etc.)
• projects for education or market development activities
• projects requesting less than $40,000 or more than $500,000 in SV funding
• projects that seek funding which exceeds the co-contribution ratio
• infrastructure development that has previously received matched funding from SV for the organisation’s contribution
• requests for retrospective funding, where projects are completed or have commenced prior to signing a funding agreement with SV (unless the funding is for a separate stage of the project)
• projects that are being undertaken in order to comply with regulation
• applicant organisations that have, or whose related entities have, failed to adequately address a breach of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 or Environment Protection Act 1970 or that are unable to demonstrate the financial capability to undertake the project
• projects that do not demonstrate outcomes which are based on evidence
• project outcomes that are not directly attributable to the SV grant funding
• projects where applicants have received funding or support for the same activities from other sources
• projects that do not clearly demonstrate a need for Government support
• the purchase of vehicles,vehicular attachments or modifications e.g. front end loader, fork lift etc.
• projects that require ongoing funding or support other than the initial grant
• projects that require funds to purchase land
• projects that focus on routine or cyclical maintenance works
• projects that involve the repair of facilities damaged by vandalism, fire or other natural disasters where the damage should be covered by insurance
• ongoing operational costs such as,but not limited to, salaries, electricity, water and other utilities
• organisations that have failed to satisfactorily complete any other previous projects funded by SV without sufficient reason
• projects that cannot reasonably be completed in the fund timelines (approved projects must be completed by 31 March 2021)

What is the assessment criteria?

Eligible projects will be assessed against the following merit criteria:

What – Describe the project (60%)

• Increased/additional tonnages of materials to be diverted
• Increased number of jobs created
• Source of the material being diverted and control over feedstock
• End market/s for the diverted materials
• Alignment with the Regional Implementation Plans
• Reduction in waste to landfill (tonnes)
• Benefits to the region/council/facility

Who – (10%)

• Capacity and capability of the organisation to deliver the project (project partners and stakeholders)

How (20%)

• Project will be completed by 31 March 2021
• Demonstrates innovation and/or better practice
• Addresses a need or market failure
• Monitoring and evaluation of project (how will the outputs be measured)

Project budget (10%)

• Value for money($ per job and $ per tonnes diverted)
• The project cost is relative to the project benefits
• Leverages Victorian Government funds (ratio of Victorian Government funds to funds invested by the applicant).
• Extent of co-contribution (Private or Local Government)
• Increased investment leverage in resource recovery infrastructure

Other criteria which may be considered

• Geographical spread of projects across rural and regional Victoria
• Diversity of projects

How do I apply?

Applications can be submitted through the Guidelines interactive PDF.

Want to get the best possible result?

Don’t wait till it’s too late.

Working with Treadstone means you get the maximum grant with minimum risk and effort. We provide expert advice and take care of your application, allowing you to continue to focus on your essential business operations.

Treadstone is an experienced, outcome focused team with a proven track record of success since 2008; recently securing three $1m+ grants for our clients.

To ensure you have the best chance of getting grant funding contact us or call 03 9008 5937.