Emergency relief for securing regional water supplies

This is an Expression of Interest(EOI) form to the Emergency Relief for Regional Town Water Supplies Program. The detailed application will be issued following submission of this form which will require project information as outlined in the program details below.

• In New South Wales, Councils and Local Water Utilities, Water Supply Authorities, Joint Organisations and town water supply organisations are responsible for water supply to regional towns and villages. They must manage their water supplies and, where necessary, impose restrictions to adequately service essential demand, and avoid the need for the cartage of water.
• When regional water supplies are threatened by circumstances that could not be reasonably planned for, such as an extreme dry or wet period or extreme water quality event, the NSW Government can work with these organisations to ensure critical human water needs are met.
• The Local Water Utilities branch within the Department provides technical assistance and advice to support them through the emergency and identify opportunities for financial assistance from the government.

Emergency Financial Grant application

Where water carting is agreed as the cost-effective means of maintaining essential supplies of water, the eligible organisation should apply for an emergency financial grant. The application for funding is to be submitted through the EOI form, and then a detailed proposal.

The application should include:

• a copy of the emergency or water carting plan
• details of any consideration given to, or steps taken towards, establishing an emergency supply from another source
• the location of the source of water to be used, the method of cartage proposed, the number of loads and frequency
• the likely cost of purchase and transportation of water
• copies of all correspondence with transport contracts regarding cartage, where available.

The amount of funding assistance available for water carting or bottled water will be limited to 90% of eligible costs, unless financial hardship can be demonstrated.

The eligible organisation is responsible for town water services and is responsible for meeting all costs not covered by the grant including supporting activities or management costs.

All grant funding support will be paid in arrears once the grantee has provided sufficient evidence to the department of the actual costs incurred, e.g. invoices, receipts and remittance advices.

Emergency Infrastructure Grants

If emergency capital works are identified as the most cost-effective means of maintaining essential supplies of water, the eligible organisation should apply for an emergency infrastructure grant.

The proposal should include:

• a copy of the technical report
• a full description of the proposed works, stating their location, whether or not they are permanent, and the quantity, quality and security of supply they will provide
• an estimate of the capital cost of the works
• envisaged dates of commencement and completion
• Financial assistance will not extend to the operating costs of the works, nor to the costs of managing supplies (such as the policing of rationing and waste). These are the normal responsibilities of local water utilities or the eligible organisation.
• The amount of funding assistance available for emergency capital works will usually be limited to a percentage based on the department’s grants program subsidy band limits (or equivalent based on population serviced for town water supply authorities in unincorporated areas), unless financial hardship can be demonstrated.

The amount of funding assistance available for one standpipe will not exceed $25,000 per high-flow standpipe.

The Applicant acknowledges and agrees that:

• submission of this application does not guarantee funding will be granted for any project, and the Department expressly reserves its right to accept or reject this application at its discretion;
• it must bear the costs of preparing and submitting this application and the Department does not accept any liability for such costs, whether or not this application is ultimately accepted or rejected; and
• it has read the Funding Guidelines for the Program and has fully informed itself of the relevant program requirements.

By submitting this application form, the Applicant acknowledges and agrees that:

• if this project application is successful, the relevant details of the project will be made public, including details such as the names of the organisation (Applicant) and any partnering organisation (state government agency or non-government organisation), project title, project description, location, anticipated time for completion and amount awarded;
• the Department will use reasonable endeavours to ensure that any information received in or in respect of this application which is clearly marked ‘Commercial-in-confidence’ or ‘Confidential’ is treated as confidential, however, such documents will remain subject to the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) (GIPA Act); and
• in some circumstances the Department may release information contained in this application form and other relevant information in relation to this application in response to a request lodged under the GIPA Act or otherwise as required or permitted by law.

• Local councils and County Councils, as identified under the Local Government Act 1993 (providing water supply and/or sewerage services under Section 56).
• Water supply authorities (as identified in the Water Management Act 2000). 
• Joint organisations (as defined by the Office of Local Government). 
• Town water suppliers in unincorporated areas.

Emergency relief for securing regional water supplies Grant Guidelines