Regional Funding Program 2011-2016

Historical Background

Between 2008 and 2010, the Waste Authority conducted a “pilot” of the Regional Funding Program (RFP Pilot), by providing funding for a limited period to implement regional Strategic Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) developed under the Zero Waste Plan Development Scheme (ZWPDS). The program was highly successful in encouraging local governments to work together and supported a wide range of initiatives including waste infrastructure projects, the acquisition of plant, waste audits and studies.

In 2009 the Waste Authority commissioned GHD Consultants to conduct an independent review of the ZWPDS and the RFP Pilot to assess the value of these programs, outline their successes and weaknesses and make recommendations arising from the findings of the review.

The review found that to be effective, the RFP needs to flexible as to when local governments can apply for and receive funds, allowing the development of projects they genuinely need, rather than hastily created projects in order to access funds. The experience of the pilot program and the findings of the independent review found that funding needed to be substantial and available over a number of years for local governments to be able to use it most effectively.

For more information on the pilot project follow this link..

New Scheme

An amount of $6,780,000 has now been allocated to the RFP for five years from 2011/12 – 2015/16, which will allow regional groups adequate time to plan and implement worthwhile strategic projects.

The program has three stages:

Stage 1 - July 2011 - June 2013 - Fixed funding stream, where regional groups are allocated a fixed amount based on the number of local governments in the group, regional needs and population
Stage 2 - July 2013 – June 2015 - Competitive bid funding stream, where regional groups will compete for funds for projects which demonstrate best value for money
Stage 3 - July 2015 – June 2016 - No funds will be allocated in the fifth and final year of the program which will be for implementation, completion and reporting of funded projects

Local governments will again be encouraged to form regional groupings and undertake projects with regionally developed priorities which are consistent with the Waste Authority’s objectives. Only groupings of local governments will be issued funding, individual local governments will not be eligible.

Further information regarding the Regional Funding Program can be obtained by contacting:

Brendan Mohr
Project Coordinator, Waste Management Branch
Department of Environment and Conservation
Phone: (08) 6467 5297 Fax: (08) 6467 5532
Mobile: 0438805292
Email: brendan.mohr@dec.wa.gov.au

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