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 The Commonwealth government has recently released the round two (2) under the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF).
The process of the application has changed as a two stage process.
First Stage EOI
First Stage Assessment
- The RDAWEP will undertake an assessment of all the application and must priorities and lodge only three projects to Department of Regional Australia, whereby the applicants will be required to submit a full application. Assessment against the following criteria:
a. Regional Plan priorities,
b. the capacity of the project to address needs in the region,
c. the level of community support for the project,
d. impact of the project on the region and neighbouring regions,
e. readiness to proceed.
- The RDAWEP is required to provide a rationale to all unsuccessful applicants.
Summary
- Round 2 of RDAF will provide $200 million to regional projects.
- RDA committees will play a key role in considering Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for RDAF funding.
- As part of the new role, RDAs will review EOIs from potential applicants and select 3 viable priority projects that will progress to full application.
- Full applications will be assessed by the Department against eligibility and selection criteria, risk, and value for money.
- Applications will then be considered by the RDAF Advisory Panel, which will provide recommendations to the Minister on the most meritorious projects.
- The Minister will make decisions on projects to be funded.
- In prioritising the 3 viable priority projects, RDAs will take into account.
Changes to RDAF Guidelines for Round Two
A number of changes have been made to the Program Guidelines for Round Two and these include:
- A two-stage application process, including a short, paper-based Expression of Interest (EOI)
- One EOI per applicant for a single project.
- A maximum grant value of $15 million.
- Preference will be given to applications that demonstrate partnership funding on a dollar for dollar basis for grant requests of $5 million and less, and on a 1:2 basis for grant requests of more than $5 million.
- At least 50 % of partnership funding must be cash.
- Not-for-profit organisations must have a minimum annual income of $1.5 million.
Note: The changes in the minimum annual income of $1.5 million will restrict many organisations, Councils will need to consider being the applicant on behalf of any local non for profit organisation.
Documents
Round Two Timelines
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Milestone
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Anticipated Dates
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RDA Regional Plans finalised
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Monday 31 October 2011
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RDAF Round Two announced
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Thursday 3 November 2011
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RDAF Round Two Guidelines published
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Thursday 3 November 2011
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Expressions of Interest open
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Thursday 3 November 2011
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Expressions of Interest close
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Thursday 1 December 2011
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RDA committee decisions on Expressions of Interest
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Wednesday 21 December 2011
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Notification of outcomes of the Expression of Interest process by the Department
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Wednesday 11 January 2012
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Full applications for Round Two close
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Wednesday 15 February 2012
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Minister announces successful projects
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Commences mid to late May 2012
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Funding Agreements negotiated and executed
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Within 8 weeks of Minister's announcement
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Further information
Should you require any further details on the application process and criteria please contact our offices on 8682 6588 (Eyre Peninsula) or 8645 7811 (Whyalla) or go to: www.regional.gov.au/regional/programs/rdaf.aspx
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