The Australian Government is calling for applications for funding to support eligible stormwater harvesting and reuse projects under the National Urban Water and Desalination Plan: stormwater harvesting and reuse grants round. Projects are sought that capture, treat and use stormwater to ease the pressure on drinking water supplies and deliver improved water quality to our urban waterways.
The objective of this grants round is to provide support for urban stormwater harvesting and reuse projects, in cities and towns that contribute to:
* improving the security of water supplies in Australia, without adding to greenhouse gas emissions
* reducing the demand for potable water supplies
* helping to reduce the impact of urban runoff on the ecological condition of receiving waters by protecting or improving water quality and the hydrological regime (e.g. protecting low flows and reducing the impact of high flows).
Project funding is capped at 50 per cent of eligible capital costs, with a minimum project size of $2 million (eligible for funding of $1 million). While there is no maximum project size, funding from the Australian Government is capped at $20 million (GST exclusive) per project.
Project work must be completed by 30 June 2016. This is a competitive grants round and meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee funding.
Applications are due by Wednesday, 7 December 2011. State, territory and local government, public water utilities and private companies are eligible to apply.
This grant round will support stormwater harvesting and reuse projects that use urban stormwater to reduce demand on potable water supplies and deliver improved water quality to our urban waterway.
Projects under this round must include stormwater harvesting and reuse; however projects that have multiple benefits will be highly regarded (such as including a component to assist in the management of localised flooding).