Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund Developing Major Capital Works Proposals 1. Context 1.1 Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund The Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund (AIJF) is the Victorian Government s commitment to farmers and agribusinesses to strengthen the performance and resilience of the agriculture sector. It is a key component of the government s strategic direction to drive economic growth, create jobs and boost exports. The $200 million statewide fund will invest in enabling economic infrastructure and agriculture supply chains to boost productivity, increase exports and reduce costs so our farmers, businesses and industries can stay competitive. The Fund will support practical projects and programs that predominantly benefit the agriculture sector. These will include transport, irrigation, ICT and energy projects, as well as skills development programs and market access campaigns that will: move agricultural produce more efficiently to market; improve water security; improve connectivity with supply chains and access to markets; give consumers greater confidence in Victorian produce as safe; increase business level innovation; enhance business capability to manage volatility and risk; and grow jobs in the agriculture sector and along the supply chain. There are two funding streams Infrastructure ($175 million) and Program ($25 million) designed to reduce costs and strengthen sector resilience by: enhancing the productivity and performance of Victoria s supply chains through investment in key enabling infrastructure (for example, transport including first/last kilometre freight access, water, ICT and energy); supporting the planning for and/or development of infrastructure proposals that benefit the agriculture sector; facilitating access to new and expanding markets; improving the traceability of Victorian food and fibre products; supporting innovation and new investment in the agriculture sector; and enhancing workforce skills and farm business capability for business development, innovation, risk management practices and network building. These activities will complement the government s significant investment in agriculture to drive productivity on-farm by focusing on projects and activities typically beyond the farm gate, often on things beyond the control and influence of farm businesses, but which directly impact on their capacity to remain competitive. The AIJF was established following the successful passage of the Delivering Victorian Infrastructure (Port of Melbourne Lease Transaction) Act 2016. The Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) will administer the Fund. More detail on the AIJF is available at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/infrastructure. 1.2 Purpose of this document This document sets out the application guidelines for the Agriculture Infrastructure Developing Major Capital Works Proposals.
2. Description and objectives of the program 2.1 Agriculture Infrastructure Developing Major Capital Works Proposals The $175 million Infrastructure Stream has two components - $150 million for Major Capital Works and $25 million for the Local Connectivity Program to develop the first/last kilometre of local freight roads. Up to five per cent of Infrastructure Stream funding has been set aside to support the development of proposals. For Developing Major Capital Works Proposals support will be provided for studies to investigate the technical and/or economic viability of a Major Capital Works proposal. This funding will be available up until 30 June 2018. Please note that there is a separate application process and related application guidelines for these other components of the Infrastructure Stream, and for stock underpasses. 2.2 Funding objectives The objective of the Developing Major Capital Works Proposals is to support studies to enable prospective applicants to investigate the technical and/or economic viability of a project, such as through a feasibility study, demand study and/or business case. The study will be required to be completed by an organisation with the prerequisite expertise. This generally will require the engagement of an independent third party. The types of studies considered must be consistent with the activities for which the Major Capital Works program can be applied. 2.3 Level of funding support Applicants are expected to make a significant financial contribution or source third-party funding to the cost of the study being undertaken. Generally, funding from the Developing Major Capital Works Proposals will be limited to no more than 50 per cent of the total study cost for projects up to $1 million. Any required funding above this amount will be the responsibility of the applicant. Applicants should maximise funding support from a range of sources, including Commonwealth and local government, industry, agriculture associations and community. While joint investment with other Victorian Government program funding is encouraged, the total Victorian Government contribution will be taken into consideration in determining the AIJF funding level. In-kind contributions are not accepted as part of the funding contribution. Applicants should note that where a funding request under the Developing Major Capital Works Proposals is successful this should not be construed as to the broader project s success under other funding programs of the AIJF. 2.4 Activities that will generally not be funded As achieving value with public money is a prime consideration in all phases of administering these grants the following activities will generally not be eligible for funding: a study to investigate how to meet planning, regulatory and/or legislative requirements; research that only intends to further academic knowledge and thinking that does not directly inform a capital works project, with economic infrastructure outcomes which benefit the agriculture sector; a study that is considered to be a pilot, trial or technology transfer; capital works projects; a study investigating commercialisation options of technology; request for retrospective funding, where the study has been completed or commenced prior to receiving funding approval; ongoing operating costs or salary subsidies; studies that have a clear alternative source of funding; studies undertaken by the private sector as a result of government contractual arrangements; or studies requiring full funding where funding is normally provided from state, Commonwealth and/ or local government sources.
2.5 Selection criteria Applications for Developing Major Capital Works Proposals will be assessed and prioritised by the following criteria: a) demonstrated need; b) alignment with one or more focus areas of the eligible activities under the Major Capital Works program; c) demonstrated capacity to deliver the study; d) alignment with state and/or industry priorities; e) financial viability; and f) maximising value to the state. 2.6 Who can apply Applications will be considered from: private sector businesses and agencies; business and industry groups; local government authorities; administrative bodies of unincorporated areas; government departments and agencies; not for profit organisations that: -- are an incorporated body, cooperative or association (including business associations); and -- have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or can provide written advice from the ATO that no withholding tax is required from the grant payment; farm businesses; and other agricultural organisations. 2.7 How do I apply? Applications will be accepted throughout the year on an on-going basis up to 30 June 2018, and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, subject to the availability of funding. The following section outlines this process in detail.
3. Application and assessment process To ensure the suitability of projects, all applicants will need to go through the following four-step process. Step 1: Prior to application Prior to submitting an application, prospective applicants are advised to: read these application guidelines to establish eligibility; contact DEDJTR to discuss the study and receive an application form (section 5); and read the conditions for the funding offered (section 4). A DEDJTR officer will assist you to determine your project s suitability before an application form is completed. Step 2: Prepare an application Prospective applicants should use the application to clearly and succinctly describe the purpose and objective of the study, and to demonstrate the level of investigation undertaken to date. GST Prospective applicants should note that all study costs included in the application must be exclusive of GST. The grant to be paid by DEDJTR will be grossed up by the amount of the GST, provided the applicant provides details of registration for the GST, or proof of exemption from being required to register. Who signs the application? Applications from councils must be signed by the Chief Executive Officer. Applications from other parties must be signed by the Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent). Addressing core selection criteria In preparing the application, prospective applicants will be asked to address each of the selection criteria (section 2.5). a) Demonstrated need Applications should clearly demonstrate the need for the study; outline and provide evidence of the investigations already undertaken by the prospective applicant; and where possible, provide evidence of the level of support for the proposed project and the intended outcomes. b) Alignment with one or more focus areas of the eligible activities under the Major Capital Works program Applications should demonstrate how the intended project outcomes, for which the study is being undertaken, will contribute to one or more focus areas of the eligible activities under the Major Capital Works program that will result in benefits to the agriculture sector such as through: more efficient movement of agricultural produce to market; improved water security; improved connectivity with supply chains and access to markets; increasing firm level innovation, and jobs growth in the agriculture sector and along the supply chain. Agriculture sector-based beneficiaries of this project will need to be identified. c) Demonstrated delivery of the study Applications should clearly: demonstrate that suitable project management expertise is available to manage the study; and outline the key issues and risks associated with the study.
d) Alignment with state and/or industry priorities Applications will need to demonstrate how the project aligns with: relevant state government policies such as the Food and Fibre sector strategy; and/or relevant industry sector priorities. e) Financial viability Prospective applicants will be asked to provide copies of annual reports and audited financial statements with their application to enable DEDJTR to assess their financial viability and their ability to manage and complete the study. State Government departments and statutory authorities, and local government authorities are exempt from this step. f) Maximising value to the state Applications should demonstrate and provide evidence of how they maximise funding support from a range of sources, including Commonwealth and local government, community, private sector and agricultural associations. Step 3: Assessment process Applications will undergo a two-staged assessment process. The first stage involves determining the proposed study s eligibility. This will be done by assessing the study s ability to meet a significant number of the selection criteria. The first stage will also consider key risks and issues associated with the study. In the second stage, the application will proceed to the Agriculture Infrastructure Development Committee (AIDC) for assessment prior to consideration by the Minister for Agriculture. The AIDC will make a recommendation to the Minister on a proposal after assessing it against the application guidelines in order to determine its suitability for funding approval, including assessing relevant risks to the Victorian Government achieving value for money and the extent to which those risks might be able to be treated or mitigated. Other considerations include the availability of funding and outcomes realised from any previous funding, if any, provided to the applicant. Where relevant, comments and advice will be sought from a range of State Government departments and agencies. Step 4: Approval process The Minister for Agriculture will consider advice from the AIDC and determine whether or not to approve the study, and if approved, will determine what conditions, if any, apply to the funding offer. Applicants will be advised of the decision relating to their application in writing. Successful applicants will receive a Letter of Offer from the Minister for Agriculture, which will outline the funding obligations and conditions.
4. Conditions of funding 4.1 Funding agreements Successful applicants will be required to enter into a funding agreement with DEDJTR detailing all funding obligations and conditions. The standard terms and conditions on which the funding is offered are available from DEDJTR. The funding agreement is a legally enforceable document that clearly defines the obligations of both parties. The funding agreement aims to protect the Victorian Government s interests and to ensure the efficient and effective use of public money. It also ensures there is appropriate recognition of Victorian Government support on project-related publications, media releases and promotional material. Funding agreements must be signed by the organisation s Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent) and will: describe the purpose for which the funding must be used; set out any requirements or conditions that must be met prior to the payment of a grant instalment; and outline agreed milestones and project outcomes that must be achieved before payment of a grant instalment. Once the funding agreement has been signed, the applicant will be required to actively manage and deliver the study, and provide progress reports to DEDJTR. Successful applicants must enter into a funding agreement and commence the study within six months from the date of offer of the funding. If a project does not commence within this timeframe, the grant will be reviewed by DEDJTR. 4.2 Evaluation and reporting Successful applicants will be required to cooperate fully with an evaluation which is undertaken either during or after completion of the study. Successful applicants will also generally be required to submit progress and completion reporting, assess progress of the study against milestones, outputs and outcomes, and provide evidence of completion. Successful applicants may be required to contribute information on outcomes, including longer-term impacts beyond completion, for use in program evaluation reviews and DEDJTR marketing materials. It is the responsibility of successful applicants to put in place adequate data collection arrangements to capture the appropriate data in relation to output and outcomes. These arrangements will assist DEDJTR to undertake a robust evaluation of the AIJF. 4.3 Competitive neutrality All successful applications to the AIJF from a government body, including local governments and government agencies, will be required to comply with the Competitive Neutrality Policy Victoria, in respect of any commercial goods or services offered by the body as a result of the grant. 4.4 Privacy Any personal information about you or a third party in your application will be collected by DEDJTR for the purpose of grant administration. This information may be provided to other Victorian Government agencies for the purposes of assessing your application. If you intend to include personal information about third parties in your application, please ensure they are aware of the contents of this privacy statement. Any personal information about you or a third party in your correspondence will be collected, held, managed, used, disclosed or transferred in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) and other applicable laws. DEDJTR is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information.
The Department s privacy policy is available from: Privacy Officer Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources GPO Box 2392 Melbourne, VIC, 3001, AUS Tel: (+ 61 3) 9665 9535 Email: privacy@ecodev.vic.gov.au Enquiries about access to information about you held by DEDJTR should be directed to: Freedom of Information Manager Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources GPO Box 2392 Melbourne, VIC, 3001, AUS Tel: (+61 3) 9208 3112 Email: foi@ecodev.vic.gov.au 4.5 Acknowledgement Successful applicants need to acknowledge the Victorian Government s support through the provision of a grant from the AIJF. Promotional guidelines form part of the funding agreement and include the requirement that all activities acknowledge Victorian Government support through logo presentation on any activity-related publications, media releases and promotional material. Successful applicants must liaise with DEDJTR to coordinate any events or announcements related to the activity. Successful applicants may be required to contribute information on activity outcomes for use in communications materials.
5. Contact details of DEDJTR offices Applicants requiring further information should contact DEDJTR on 136 186.