Support is available for those affected by the NSW floods. Resources and information can be found at the NSW Flood Assistance and Resources page.

2022 Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Package (CLIRP) – Aboriginal Priority Needs (APN) Program  

The record-breaking flooding that occurred in parts of NSW in February-March 2022 had a significant impact on communities. Funding of $150 million was approved for a 2022 Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Package (CLIRP - the Package) jointly funded by the Commonwealth and NSW governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

The CLIRP will be delivered in two stages: The Priority Needs Program (PNP); and the Essential Community Assets Program (ECAP). The PNP will provide funding to assist with the repair, reconstruction and minor resilience building measures for Aboriginal community infrastructure. In addition, applicants may apply for funds to undertake damage assessments and planning and design work that may be necessary to participate in the second stage of the CLIRP ECAP.

Available Funding under AANSWCLIRP – APN: $6 million

 
Applications Open
Applications Close
Stream 1
Friday 14 October 2022
5pm Friday 2 December 2022
Stream 2
Friday 14 October 2022
2pm Friday 11 November 2022
Stream 3
Friday 14 October 2022
5pm Friday 9 December 2022
(or earlier if fully allocated)

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application approximately four weeks after they submit their application. Projects are to commence within six months of approval.

This is a closed grant program where eligible organisations will be formally invited to apply.

Program Timeline

Program open
Friday 14 October 2022
LALC support available
From Friday 14 October 2022
Proposals assessed
Within 2 weeks of submission
Assessment notification
Within 4 weeks of submission
Eligible activities/project commence
Within 6 months of approval
Final expenditure due
31 May 2024

Eligible Applicants (Who can apply for funding?)

  • NSW Aboriginal Land Council
  • Local Aboriginal Land Councils under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW) who are located within one of the eight targeted Local Government Areas:
Ballina
Byron
Clarence Valley
Hawkesbury
Kyogle
Lismore
Richmond Valley
Tweed

Applicants must have public liability insurance of at least $10 million per claim. All applications will be screened for eligibility. It is intended that eligible applications will then be assessed and notified within four weeks of submission. Eligible Local Aboriginal Land Councils that have not met project requirements, including acquittal and reporting requirements, for any grant funding received from Aboriginal Affairs NSW in the previous two years will be required to partner with the NSW Aboriginal Land Council in an auspice arrangement.

The program has three streams of funding:

Stream 1 – Local Aboriginal Land Councils – Asset Damage Assessment (ADA) and urgent minor infrastructure
 
Eligible Local Aboriginal Land Councils are invited to submit an application for funding up to $150,000 to:
  • undertake an ADA on LALC-owned community infrastructure (up to $75,000); and
  • undertake any minor, high-priority infrastructure/capital works projects that are urgent or have high social value, as well as planning for longer-term infrastructure works that are expected to be considered as part of the Essential Community Assets Program (up to $75,000).
Funds allocated to Stream 1: total of $2.55 million
Any unallocated funding from this stream will be made available under stream 3.
 
Applications Open: 9am, Friday 14 October 2022
Applications Close: 5pm, Friday 2 December 2022
 
Stream 2 – NSW Local Aboriginal Land Council – Sector capacity support
 
The NSWALC are invited to apply for funding up to $450,000 to provide capacity support to eligible Local Aboriginal Land Councils to:
  •  deliver projects funded under streams 1 and 3 of this program.
  •  prepare for applications being submitted under the Essential Community Asset Program

Funds allocated to Stream 2: total of $450,000
 
Applications Open:  9am, Friday 14 October 2022
Applications Close: 2pm, Friday 11 November 2022
 

Stream 3 – Local Aboriginal Land Councils – Priority Capital and Infrastructure works
 
Eligible Local Aboriginal Land Councils are invited to submit proposals for funding to address priority capital and infrastructure works identified through the Asset Damage Assessment.
 
Funds allocated to Stream 3:  total of $3 million
(Any unallocated funding from streams 1 and 2 will be made available under this stream.
 
Applications Open: 9am, Friday 14 October 2022
Applications Close: 5pm, Friday 9 December 2022

Applications will be assessed on an as received basis. If funding is fully awarded, the program may close early. 

Eligible Projects (What can be funded?)

Funding can be used for projects that meet the program outcomes of the 2022 Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Program.

Stream 1 – Local Aboriginal Land Councils – Asset Damage Assessment (ADA) and urgent minor infrastructure

Funding can be sought for
Funding cannot be sought for
  • Detailed asset and damage assessments, feasibility studies, detailed design and technical reports and planning for and preparation of business cases to support repair, reconstruction and potential minor resilience works of damaged assets
  • Urgent minor capital works costs for the repair and/or replacement of Aboriginal community infrastructure, including works to make the damaged infrastructure more resilient to future disasters without changing the asset functionality. Works must be directly related to flood damaged assets that have not been covered through other government funding and/or insurance claims
  • Minor non-fixed items that were impacted during the floods that were not otherwise insured but served a community purpose
  • The delivery of eligible projects, including administration costs and project management costs not exceeding 20 per cent of the requested funding
  • Repair and/or replacement (rebuild) works directly related to storm and flood damage that has not yet commenced
  • Salary/wages and entitlements for non-ongoing employees specifically engaged for the projects
  • Costs that have already been covered or claimed under insurance or from other Australian or NSW government programs
  • Repayment of existing debts or budget deficits
  • Financing of budget deficits or insurance
  • Administrative, overhead, operational and/or maintenance costs unrelated to the project
  • Improvements or repairs to residences or other community infrastructure not directly damaged by the flooding
  • Business as usual and/or commercial activities
  • Salary/wages and on-costs for existing, budgeted employees
  • Costs related to buying or upgrading non–fixed equipment or supplies unless it is a small component of a larger fixed project
  • Costs that require recurrent or ongoing funding from the Australian or NSW governments.

 

Stream 2 – NSW Local Aboriginal Land Council –Sector capacity support

Funding can be sought for Funding cannot be sought for
  • The delivery of eligible projects, including administration costs and project management costs not exceeding 20 per cent of the requested funding.
  • Salary/wages and entitlements for non-ongoing employees specifically engaged for the projects
  • Projects that specifically support the capacity of Local Aboriginal Land Councils to administer funds provided under stream 1 and stream 3 of this program
  • Administrative, overhead, operational and/or maintenance costs unrelated to the project
  • Business as usual and/or commercial activities
  • Salary/wages and on-costs for existing, budgeted employees

 

Stream 3 – Local Aboriginal Land Councils – Priority Capital and Infrastructure works

Funding can be sought for
Funding cannot be sought for
  • Capital works costs for the repair and/or replacement of Aboriginal community infrastructure, including works to make the damaged infrastructure more resilient to future disasters without changing the asset functionality. Works must be directly related to flood damaged assets that have not been covered through other government funding and/or insurance claims
  • Minor non-fixed items that were impacted during the floods that were not otherwise insured but served a community purpose
  • The delivery of eligible projects, including administration costs and project management costs not exceeding 20 per cent of the requested funding
  • Repair and/or replacement (rebuild) works directly related to storm and flood damage that has not yet commenced
  • Salary/wages and entitlements for non-ongoing employees specifically engaged for the projects
  • Costs that have already been covered or claimed under insurance or from other Australian or NSW government programs
  • Repayment of existing debts or budget deficits
  • Financing of budget deficits or insurance
  • Administrative, overhead, operational and/or maintenance costs not related to the project
  • Improvements or repairs to residences or other community infrastructure not directly damaged by the flooding
  • Business as usual and/or commercial activities
  • Salary/wages and on-costs for existing, budgeted employees
  • Costs related to buying or upgrading non–fixed equipment or supplies, unless it is a small component of a larger fixed project
  • Costs that require recurrent or ongoing funding from the Australian or NSW governments
  • Costs associated with damage not sustained as a result of the February – March 2022 flood and storm events

Projects will not be eligible for funding if they do not align with the program outcomes.

How to apply

Applications are to be completed online. Eligible Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs) will receive an application link directly from AANSW. If any eligible LALCs have not received a link from AANSW, please contact the Community Investments Team on 1800 019 998 or email grants@aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au

The applicant will be advised of the outcome of their project application within four weeks of submission.

Unsuccessful applicants will be offered a feedback session, if requested.

Please note, applications will not be accepted by other channels. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to allow sufficient time to submit applications using the online system, including allowing for unexpected delays.

Supporting Documents

All applicants are required to provide evidence of current public liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $10,000,000. The following is also required:

Stream 1 - Quotes and or technical reports for infrastructure component

Stream 2 - Project Plan

Stream 3 - Quotes and/or technical reports for infrastructure component.

ASSESSMENT AND APPROVAL

This is a non-competitive program, where eligible organisations are invited to apply. Eligible applications are assessed against the assessment criteria for the relevant stream, not competitively against other applications. Only applications that are assessed as sufficiently meeting the assessment criteria will be recommended for funding.

Assessment Criteria (all streams)

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • demonstrated consistency with CLIRP-APNP Program Outcomes
  • project activities directly related to directly damaged community infrastructure in the 17 LALCs across the targeted 8 LGAs
  • capacity of applicant to deliver the proposed project activities
  • ability to commence proposed project activities within 6 months of approval.

To ensure consistency with the program purpose, project activities must demonstrate how they contribute to one or more of the following:

  • basic social, cultural, and recreational amenity to local Aboriginal communities
  • help support or safeguard community cohesion
  • support the delivery of social support networks.


Assessment and Approval Process

Stream 1 applications will be assessed by a panel consisting of delegated representatives from the NSW Aboriginal Land Council and Aboriginal Affairs NSW.

Stream 2 applications will be assessed by a panel consisting of Aboriginal Affairs NSW staff.

Stream 3 applications will be assessed by a panel consisting of representatives from the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Department of Regional NSW and Aboriginal Affairs NSW.

Note that assessment panel members from the NSW Aboriginal Land Council must not be involved in the preparation of an application for funding under this program, or the delivery, monitoring or reporting against any project funded under this program, including where the NSW Aboriginal Land Council acts as an auspice for a Local Aboriginal Land Council.

All assessment recommendations will be provided in writing to the Minster for Aboriginal Affairs. The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs is the final decision maker, taking into consideration the recommendations of the assessment panel.  

Unsuccessful applicants may re-apply at any time during the program open period.

Additional Resources

Please refer to the Program Guidelines for more information about the program and application process.

View the CLIRP - APNP Frequently Asked Questions document here. (updated 23 /11/2022)

Late applications

In exceptional circumstances, applications submitted after the deadline may be accepted at the sole discretion of AANSW and only where AANSW is satisfied that the acceptance of the late application would not compromise the integrity of the process. Exceptional circumstances will be considered on their merits and in accordance with probity principles. If your organisation is affected by exceptional circumstances, contact Aboriginal Affairs NSW to advise of the circumstances as soon as possible and be able to provide detail and evidence of the exceptional circumstance.

Complaints

Any concerns about the program should be submitted in writing to grants@aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au.

If you do not agree with the way the AANSW has handled the issue, you may wish to contact the NSW Ombudsman via www.ombo.nsw.gov.au.

SUPPORT AND CONTACTS

For any questions regarding the AANSW 2022 Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Package – Aboriginal Priority Needs Program, please contact your regional office on the numbers below or Community Investments Team on email grants@aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au

Please note that while AANSW regional staff will be pleased to answer questions about the application process, they cannot provide advice or comments on the content or merits of your application.

AANSW Regional Office                                                  Contact Number

Coffs Harbour                                                                 02 9228 4852

Sydney                                                                           02 8575 1105

DISCLAIMER

AANSW does not guarantee or warrant and accepts no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency, or completeness of any material contained in this publication. Information in this publication is provided as general information only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from a qualified professional.

Funding assistance provided through the Program is subject to funds being available. AANSW reserves the right to make changes to the Program to ensure it meets the objectives outlined in these guidelines and provides equitable funding support to applicants.

The grant guidelines are subject to change at any time at the sole discretion of AANSW.




Go Back