Guidelines for Catchment Protection and Improvement Grants
Guidelines for Catchment Protection and Improvement Grants
for Community and Landholder Groups
Closing Date: 27 March 2015
Up to $8,000 for projects and/or up to $2,000 for equipment hire
Catchment Protection and Improvement Grants (CPIG) are offered to assist projects
that contribute to Water NSW objectives of:

Protecting and improving the quality or quantity of water in Water NSW’s
designated catchment areas

Improving the health or condition of the catchments.
The Water NSW Grants Committee will approve funding for projects that most closely
meet these objectives. Limited funding requires Water NSW to prioritise in this way.
A maximum of $8,000 (plus GST if applicable) will be provided for a single grant, with
up to an additional $2,000 (plus GST if applicable) provided to cover equipment hire.
Grants will be for a specific purpose or project, and for a period of no longer than 12
months, from the payment of the grant.
The project will need to benefit public land or a number of privately owned lands
rather than a single parcel of privately owned land, except where the applicant can
demonstrate benefits to the catchment that go beyond that single parcel of land.
Note: Where a project seeks to introduce flora or fauna that is not native to the
project location, the applicant will need to provide sufficient scientific research or
evidence to establish that there will be no detriment to local native flora, fauna or
ecosystems.
All relevant questions on the application form must be answered to enable Water
NSW to assess and evaluate the project.
The applicant is responsible for obtaining and providing to Water NSW documentary
evidence of any necessary approvals from relevant regulatory authorities. This
documentation is to be submitted with the application form, or if it is not yet available,
grants may be approved conditionally upon receiving the documents.
It is expected that applicants will apply other resources beyond a Water NSW grant.
This could be cash or in-kind contributions, and must be of equal or greater value to
the Water NSW grant.
Water NSW may seek further information in relation to an application either from the
applicant or any other person or body that Water NSW deems appropriate. Also,
Water NSW may defer consideration of an application, pending the receipt of further
information.
Organisations can only apply for one grant in each round. Additional grants may be
sought in future rounds. However, no community organisation or group can receive
more than three grants in a five year period.
TRIM Ref: CD2012/00028
Review Date: February 2017
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Guidelines for Catchment Protection and Improvement Grants
WHO CAN APPLY FOR A CPIG
Applications are accepted from formally constituted community organisations or
groups. Water NSW has other programs which assist landholders and government
agencies.
No community organisation or group can receive more than three grants in a five
year period.
Local Government may apply, in partnership with a group, where they take
responsibility for managing a group. In this case, the Council ABN is used and the
application must be signed by both the group’s chair/president and by an officer of
the Council. The group should also write a covering letter indicating they intend to
undertake the project, and have sighted and agree with the application presented by
the Local Government.
GOODS AND SERVICES TAX
All applicants must either quote their ABN or submit a “Statement by a Supplier” form
with the application form.
Information on obtaining an Australian Business Number (ABN) and registration for
Goods and Services Tax (GST) can be obtained from the Australian Taxation Office
on telephone 13 2861 or from the Australian Business Register website at
www.abr.business.gov.au. The “Statement by a Supplier” form is available from the
Australian Taxation Office.
CONDITIONS OF GRANTS
Payment of a grant is made after the applicant returns a signed agreement provided
by Water NSW, stating that:

The funds will be applied in accordance with the application

A Safe Work Plan covering all activities and workers for the duration of the
project must be provided to Water NSW. The recipient must also request Safe
Work Plans from any contractors used to fulfil grant related activities

If Water NSW reviews the Safe Work Plan and finds it to be deficient in
implementing controls for risks that are real and obvious to Water NSW, then
the document will need to be updated accordingly

Water NSW staff may discuss or seek to monitor the application of the Safe
Work Plan throughout the project

A milestones report is provided with the signed conditions, outlining the key
milestones and expected timeframes for these to be achieved within the grant
period

A final report, including financial report, is provided within one month of the end
of the project

Consent is given for Water NSW to publicise the project, outcomes and Water
NSW’s support.
Full details of grant conditions are contained in the document titled “Standard
Conditions of Grants and Sponsorships”.
Where a project has not been completed in twelve months, extensions of time may
be considered if lodged within 30 days of the agreed completion date.
TRIM Ref: CD2012/00028
Review Date: February 2017
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Guidelines for Catchment Protection and Improvement Grants
Water NSW may choose to audit the project and may seek documentation to support
the expenditure as detailed in the final report.
Satisfactory reporting due on any previous grants must be received by Water NSW
before payment of a grant can be made.
OTHER MATTERS
Water NSW will advertise the availability of grants within the catchment to ensure
that the availability is equally known by all potential and interested parties.
Closing dates for grant applications will be nominated in advertisements, published in
newspapers circulating within Water NSW’s areas of operations and on Water NSW’s
web site. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application(s).
Freedom of Information
Information received in applications and in respect of applications is treated as
confidential.
However, documents held by Water NSW are subject to the
Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009. This means that the information
contained in application forms and other relevant information may be released in
response to a request lodged under the Government Information (Public Access) Act
2009.
Privacy and Personal Information Act 1998
Personal information supplied within the grants application is protected by the
provisions within the Privacy and Personal Information Act 1998. The collection of
personal information related to the grants process is required to be kept for six years
plus the current year of operation. The information is used only in relation to the
grant process.
Water NSW acknowledges that the provider of personal information can view the
information by contacting the Privacy Co-ordinator of Water NSW. Water NSW will
retain this information until such time that Water NSW has been advised to delete the
information.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications can be made by completing the CPIG and Sponsorship Application
Form.
Grants will be considered by Water NSW’s Grants Committee who will meet at least
four times a year. The Committee will make recommendations to the Chief Executive
or Group General Manager Operations for approval to award grants.
Once the grant is offered, councils and agencies will be required to ensure:



Compliance with Water NSW’s “Standard Conditions of Grants and
Sponsorships” including activity and financial reporting requirements
Work is undertaken competently and diligently
Outcomes from the project are monitored, evaluated and reported back to
Water NSW.
TRIM Ref: CD2012/00028
Review Date: February 2017
Page 3 of 4
Guidelines for Catchment Protection and Improvement Grants
HOW TO MAKE AN APPEAL OR COMPLAINT
If you are not satisfied with Water NSW’s process for approving Catchment
Protection and Improvement Grants or you are dissatisfied with Water NSW’s
decision regarding your application, you can make an appeal addressed as follows:
Senior Manager Programs and Compliance
Water NSW
PO Box 323
PENRITH NSW 2751
Water NSW aims to:

Effectively respond to complaints and resolve them

Treat each complaint in a fair and equitable manner

Increase satisfaction levels from any of our functions or services provided to
our customers and members of the community

Improve our business based on the information we receive from complaints.
For more details about Water NSW’s complaints process, visit Water NSW’s website:
http://www.sca.nsw.gov.au/about-sca/complaints-and-compliments
Contact for all inquiries:
Water NSW Grants Office
Programs Team
Operations Group
Ph: 02 4724 2313
grants@sca.nsw.gov.au
Application form:
Available at www.sca.nsw.gov.au
or by emailing grants@sca.nsw.gov.au
Ph: 02 4724 2313
Applicants should keep a copy of the completed application for their reference
TRIM Ref: CD2012/00028
Review Date: February 2017
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