The Sustainable Communities Program will support and strengthen NSW Basin communities through the creation of new jobs, increased innovation, productivity and diversification and the up skilling of local workers to help sustain communities into the future.

The Sustainable Communities Program includes an initial stimulus to support Basin communities to kickstart investment and mitigate the anticipated effects of water recovery towards the 450GL Murray-Darling Basin target through the Early Investment Round.

The objective of the Early Investment Round Program ("the program") is to fund immediate, investment-ready economic opportunities in exposed and vulnerable NSW Basin communities. This includes opportunities that:

• stimulate economic activity
• provide shared economic benefit
• create and support jobs
• support local businesses to grow and diversify
• deliver new or upgraded infrastructure that contributes to local economic activity and connectivity.

Total program funding: $15 million (GST exclusive)

This grant opportunity is an open and competitive funding round. The department will periodically assess batches of applications received during the application period until funding is exhausted.

Co-contribution

Grant recipients must provide co-contributions of at least:

To be eligible for grant funding, an applicant must meet all the following requirements:

1. applicants must hold an Australian Business Number (ABN), Australian Company Number (ACN) or be registered under the Associations Incorporations Act 2009.
2. be one of the following entities:
   • a company incorporated in Australia
   • a Local Government organisation (Committees under section 355 of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) must apply via the relevant council)
   • a NSW Joint Organisations of Councils and Regional Organisations of Councils
   • a Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC)
   • a Partnerships or trust
   • an incorporated association, public/private not-for-profit organisation or co-operative
   • a registered training organisation
   • a nationally accredited provider of tertiary education
   • an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation incorporated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006.
3. be financially viable and able to demonstrate ongoing viability through provision of three years* of accounting statements (Profit and Loss, Cash Flow, Balance Sheet) from financial year 2021/2022.
4. hold or commit to obtaining public liability insurance of not less than $20 million per occurrence or hold equivalent or better self-insurance to the satisfaction of the department, prior to executing a funding deed with the department
5. be a fit and proper person/legal entity
6. not be insolvent, bankrupt or subject to ongoing legal proceedings
7. declare in the application form that the applicant is not aware of any issues which could cause reputational or other risks to the NSW Government
8. have previous project delivery experience
9. provide evidence of capacity to make the minimum co-contribution if successful.

*applicant entities with less than 3 years operating experience may be considered under exceptional circumstances and must contact the department prior to submitting an application.

If an applicant's circumstances in relation to the above eligibility criteria change, the applicant should provide updated information by contacting the department using the Enquiries/Getting Support details in the Key Information.

• Email: economic.programs@dpird.nsw.gov.au