Taxi Rank Safety Program guidelines 2015–2016
About the program
The Taxi Rank Safety Program (TRSP) is a Taxi Services Commission (TSC) initiative that provides
grants to Victorian councils to improve the safety, quality and amenity of taxi ranks in areas of high
usage.
Funding
The TRSP provides grant-based funding to councils to install or upgrade infrastructure at taxi ranks.
Grant objective
Applications must demonstrate that the proposed TRSP project will meet the objectives stated below:

increase the safety of taxi passengers and drivers at a taxi rank

provide taxi passengers and drivers with better amenities at a taxi rank

be supported by the local community, local businesses and taxi company/ies

provide value for money.
Program timelines
It is anticipated that the program will operate as follows:
9:00 am, 30 November 2015 Applications open
5:00 pm, 16 March 2016 Applications close
Type of infrastructure funded
Infrastructure that may be funded by this program includes, but is not limited to:

closed circuit television

improved lighting

pedestrian barriers

weather shelters

signage

seats

modifications to curbing or road treatments.
Further information can be found in the What will and will not be funded section in these guidelines.
Taxi rank design
Additional information about taxi ranks can be found in the following publications:

Taxi Services Commission – Safe Taxi Rank guidelines

VicRoads – Taxi Rank Guidelines – November 2005

Australian Taxi Industry Association (ATIA) – Taxi Rank Design Specifications – April 2012.
Taxi Services Commission
Lower Ground Floor, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
GPO Box 1716, Melbourne VIC 3001 Phone: 1800 638 802 (toll-free) www.taxi.vic.gov.au
October 2015
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Taxi Rank Safety Program guidelines 2015–2016
Installation of CCTV
Additional information about installing CCTV in public spaces can be found in the following
publications:

Community Crime Protection – Guide to Developing CCTV for Public Safety in Victoria

Victoria Police – Community Crime Prevention Program – CCTV information
Eligibility criteria
The application must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible:

the application must be from a council from within the State of Victoria

the application seeks funds for the installation of infrastructure or upgrades to existing
infrastructure at taxi ranks

the project must be on council land

the project must be completed within one year of the start date or date specified in the Grant
Details agreement

the project must meet the objectives of the TRSP

the application form must be completed and submitted by the funding round closing date.
Assessment criteria
Projects that meet the program eligibility criteria will then be assessed against the assessment
criteria. These include:

the safety outcomes and benefits to be delivered from the funding

the proposed infrastructure will enhance safety at a taxi rank

demonstration of ongoing commitment to operating a Safe Taxi Rank

establishment of a need or demand at the taxi rank where the proposed infrastructure will be
installed

stakeholder and community support for the proposal, eg. support from the local taxi
company/ies, local businesses, taxi rank users and community groups

the project outcomes provide value for money suitable supporting information to allow the
assessment of the project including:
– a site plan showing existing and proposed facilities at the taxi rank
– necessary council approvals for the proposed infrastructure
– demonstration of commitment to operating, managing and maintaining the proposed
infrastructure
– cost estimates
– estimated project timelines

councils that are public transport disadvantaged.
Taxi Services Commission
Lower Ground Floor, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
GPO Box 1716, Melbourne VIC 3001 Phone: 1800 638 802 (toll-free) www.taxi.vic.gov.au
October 2015
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Taxi Rank Safety Program guidelines 2015–2016
Grant priorities
The TSC has identified priority projects to be targeted in the 2015–16 funding round.
TRSP will support these priorities by giving preference to applications from councils within these
areas:

infrastructure at Safe Taxi Ranks

infrastructure at taxi ranks that increases the safety of taxi passengers and drivers

councils where taxis are the key form of public transport in their region, such as a rural
council.
Grant assessment
Each application for grant-based funding is assessed against specific criteria, detailed in these
guidelines.
Grants are allocated for future initiatives and not for reimbursement of costs for items, activities or
works already undertaken.
Projects will be assessed to ensure that funding is given to councils that demonstrate that the
requested infrastructure will provide the greatest benefit for both taxi passengers and drivers. In line
with the Government’s commitment to increase safety on Victorian streets, priority will be given to
infrastructure projects that further enhance Safe Taxi Ranks.
It is important to note that, while your application may meet the assessment criteria, it may be
determined that other applications better meet the aims of the program.
Applicants must ensure that the application form is completed in its entirety, as all provided
information will be important in the assessment of the application.
Applications for grants for closed circuit television.
Applications for closed circuit television (CCTV) must complete Part B of the application form.
Terms and conditions of funding
Successful applications will be required to comply with the ‘General Terms and Conditions of Funding’
detailed in Appendix 1 and the Grant Details agreement which will be entered into between all grant
recipients and the TSC.
Applicants should read the terms and conditions carefully before lodgement of their application.
Taxi Services Commission
Lower Ground Floor, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
GPO Box 1716, Melbourne VIC 3001 Phone: 1800 638 802 (toll-free) www.taxi.vic.gov.au
October 2015
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Taxi Rank Safety Program guidelines 2015–2016
Grant Details agreement
Successful applicants are required to enter into a Grant Details agreement with the TSC for the
delivery of the project at the time that they are offered and accept their grant. The Grant Details
agreement must be signed by the council’s Chief Executive Officer or delegate.
The signed Grant Details agreement must be returned promptly to the TSC. Failure to do so may
result in the grant not being awarded. Applicants may request a copy of the Grant Details agreement
from the TSC at the time they apply.
Payment of grants to successful recipients
The grant will be paid on completion of the project and once the TSC has received all the
documentation requested in the acquittal/evaluation report.
Acquittal/evaluation
Councils must provide at least one written acquittal/evaluation report to the TSC as a condition of their
funding. The TSC may require a second acquittal/evaluation report within one year of the project
being complete.
Copies of valid tax invoices will be required to be submitted as part of the acquittal/evaluation report in
order for grant funding to be paid or reimbursed.
Further information about the acquittal/evaluation is provided in the Grant Details agreement.
What will and will not be funded
The program will only grant funds for specific purposes. The list below indicates which items will/will
not be funded. Applicants may wish to fund these items separately as a demonstrated commitment to
their project.
What will be funded
✓
New infrastructure at an existing taxi rank
✓
Infrastructure at a new taxi rank
✓
Improvements to an existing taxi rank
✓
Up to 10% of total project costs for project management.
What won’t be funded
✗
Security personnel at Safe Taxi Ranks
Taxi Services Commission
Lower Ground Floor, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
GPO Box 1716, Melbourne VIC 3001 Phone: 1800 638 802 (toll-free) www.taxi.vic.gov.au
October 2015
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Taxi Rank Safety Program guidelines 2015–2016
✗
Reimbursement of costs for existing infrastructure
✗
Shopping trolley holders
✗
Toilets
✗
CCTV not directed at the taxi rank
✗
Lighting not directly illuminating a taxi rank
✗
Ongoing recurring costs
✗
Ongoing insurance costs
✗
Ongoing maintenance costs
✗
Day to day operations
✗
Contingency costs and/or documentation costs
✗
Scoping plans
✗
Consultancy costs
✗
Infrastructure not directly for the sole use or benefit of taxi passengers or drivers.
Insurance
Proof of insurance is required for successful applicants, including professional indemnity and public
liability.
Taxi Services Commission
Lower Ground Floor, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
GPO Box 1716, Melbourne VIC 3001 Phone: 1800 638 802 (toll-free) www.taxi.vic.gov.au
October 2015
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Taxi Rank Safety Program guidelines 2015–2016
GST
Grants to GST-registered organisations will be grossed up by the value of the GST (10 per cent)
applicable to the taxable supply between TSC and the applicant.
Applicants must comply with the GST requirements introduced by the Federal Government.
Where the grant applicants are registered for GST purposes, final grant payments made will include
any applicable GST.
Tax invoices – the TSC requires the grant applicant to provide a valid tax invoice [within the meaning
of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999] in order to ensure that TSC is able to
claim an input tax credit.
Privacy
The information requested by the TSC in the application form is to be used for the purposes of
determining whether or not a council is eligible for funding and in the assessment/awarding of any
grants under the program.
For further information and a copy of the privacy statement, please visit www.taxi.vic.gov.au
Submission of applications
Applications must be received/emailed no later than 5:00 pm 16 March 2016 to be considered.
Late applications will not be accepted.
Incomplete applications may not be able to be assessed.
Applications can be submitted via:
Email: trsp@taxi.vic.gov.au
Post : Taxi Services Commission
Taxi Rank Safety Program
GPO Box 1716
Melbourne VIC 3001
For further information about this program, contact the Taxi Services Commission on:
Telephone: 1800 638 802
Email: trsp@taxi.vic.gov.au
Taxi Services Commission
Lower Ground Floor, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
GPO Box 1716, Melbourne VIC 3001 Phone: 1800 638 802 (toll-free) www.taxi.vic.gov.au
October 2015
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Taxi Rank Safety Program guidelines 2015–2016
Definitions
‘approved’ or ‘approval’
final approval by the Minister or any duly authorised person. Final
approval is given in writing after an initial offer of funding support is made
by the Minister or duly authorised person and agreed to by the applicant.
‘grant recipient’
the legal entity to which funding is provided by TSC under a Grant Details
agreement, referred to in a Letter of Offer.
‘Minister’
The Minister for Public Transport.
‘project’
a discrete set of activities, producing a defined range of infrastructure,
within a specified timeframe.
‘Safe Taxi Rank’
a taxi rank that is staffed by security personnel during peak times.
‘successful applicant’
a council for whom funding is approved by TSC under the Taxi Rank
Safety Program.
‘TSC’
Taxi Services Commission.
‘TRSP’
Taxi Rank Safety Program.
Taxi Services Commission
Lower Ground Floor, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
GPO Box 1716, Melbourne VIC 3001 Phone: 1800 638 802 (toll-free) www.taxi.vic.gov.au
October 2015
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Taxi Rank Safety Program guidelines 2015–2016
Appendix 1. General Terms and Conditions of Funding
Successful applicants will be required to comply with the following terms and conditions of funding:
1. Grants are paid for planned future initiatives and not for the reimbursement of costs for works
already undertaken. Works or initiatives must not commence until after the formal
announcement of the Taxi Rank Safety Program (TRSP) funding application by the Minister
for Public Transport or duly authorised person. Payment will not be made for any projects
commenced prior to this date.
2. Applicants must liaise with the Taxi Services Commission (TSC) prior to any media launch,
media release or media statement involving grants funded projects.
3. The Minister for Public Transport, or representative, must be given the opportunity to
participate in the launch of items funded through the program.
4. Grant recipients must be sensitive to the TSC, and the Minister’s profile in their
communications and dealings with the media and public.
5. Acknowledgement of the Victorian Government’s contribution towards the project/s is to be
included in the annual report of the recipient body, and in any publications or statements
(including media releases) which promote the project/s. The TSC may require that signage
acknowledging this contribution be installed during the project/s or at the completion of the
project/s.
6. All details of any funding offer must remain confidential until the Victorian Government
releases a formal media statement about the results of the TRSP. At this time representatives
of the Government may contact you to discuss and coordinate the release of a local media
statement (and possible launch) on behalf of the Victorian Government and your organisation.
7. Council must provide at least one written acquittal/evaluation report to the TSC on the
effectiveness of the infrastructure as detailed in the Grant Details agreement.
8. The grant recipient is fully responsible for delivery of the project. The recipient and any sub
contractors are to adhere to all regulatory requirements associated with the planning, design
and construction of projects in Victoria. In particular, all proposals need to obtain normal
council planning and developmental approvals. The proponent should preferably do this
before they submit an application. The following is a typical, but not exhaustive, list of
regulations and codes that must be observed:
a. Australian Standards
b. Building Codes of Australia
c.
Victorian Code of Practice for the Building and Construction Industry
d. Privacy and Data Protection Act (2014)
e. Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport
f.
Disability Discrimination Act (1992).
9. All new taxi ranks should comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act
(1992) and the Disability Standards of Accessible Public Transport.
Taxi Services Commission
Lower Ground Floor, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
GPO Box 1716, Melbourne VIC 3001 Phone: 1800 638 802 (toll-free) www.taxi.vic.gov.au
October 2015
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Taxi Rank Safety Program guidelines 2015–2016
10. Applicants applying for funding must fully disclose any relationship with a person or
organisation supplying a quotation.
11. The grant must be spent on the project described in the Grant Details agreement and the
project must be completed in the time frame specified in the Grant Details agreement.
12. A recipient of a grant may be requested to comply with guidelines issued by the Victorian
Government Purchasing Board.
13. All successful applicants will be required to complete and return the Grant Details agreement
which will be issued by the TSC. By signing this document the applicant will formally agree to
the acceptance of the funding in accordance with the terms and conditions of the program.
14. The grant is made towards the project’s works costs as described in the application. In the
event that the grant is less than the amount sought, or the cost of works exceeds the original
estimate, or the scope of the project expands, the additional expenditure to complete the
project will be the responsibility of the grant recipient, unless exceptional circumstances exist
and approval is obtained from the TSC prior to the additional expenditure being incurred.
15. Funds will be paid in accordance with the Grant Details agreement.
16. Claims for grant funds for staged or completed works must be submitted within the timeframe
as agreed to by the TSC. It is not possible to carry forward subsidy balances to the following
year unless prior arrangements have been made.
17. Recipients of any funding must return any unused funding and advise the TSC as soon as
possible if the organisation is for any reason unable to fulfil any of the conditions of the
proposed project.
18. If unforeseen difficulties arise that may considerably delay the project, written advice should
be forwarded to the TSC as soon as possible to enable the funds to be reallocated. Grant
recipients providing such advice will receive priority consideration for any future applications if
funding is still available.
19. Should works not be completed within the timeframe as agreed to in the Grant Details
agreement, unclaimed grants may be redistributed in line with approved alternative projects.
Grants to complete the work will require a further funding application to be made.
20. Any variation to the project will require the grant recipient to provide written advice to the TSC
for approval. Any changes to the agreed project scope without the prior written approval of the
TSC may result in the withdrawal of grants funding.
21. The grant recipient must immediately inform the TSC in writing of any items or funds which
will not be utilised for the purposes for which it was originally provided and intended.
22. If any funded items are no longer available at the taxi rank, that is, in the event of the closure
of the rank, the TSC may seek financial compensation for the loss of funded items.
23. Ongoing funding will not be provided for expenses such as maintenance, insurance, or for
day-to-day operations.
24. Any items purchased with grant funding must be fully insured; uninsured assets may not be
considered for a grant for replacement if lost due to theft, fire, etc.
25. Applicants acknowledge that their past performance in managing previously awarded grants
will be considered by the assessment panel in assessing their application.
26. The TSC reserves the right to appoint an independent probity auditor.
Taxi Services Commission
Lower Ground Floor, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
GPO Box 1716, Melbourne VIC 3001 Phone: 1800 638 802 (toll-free) www.taxi.vic.gov.au
October 2015
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Taxi Rank Safety Program guidelines 2015–2016
27. The TSC reserves the right to undertake an audit in respect of projects for which a grant was
awarded.
28. Where work on a project has ceased and the project not completed, the funding recipient may
be required to repay all or part of the grant received in respect to the project.
Important!
To ensure that your application can be considered, please check that you have done all of the
following:
ensured that your application meets the objectives of the Taxi Rank Safety Program
ensured that your application meets the assessment criteria
completed application form Part B if applying for CCTV infrastructure
provided evidence that the costs claimed for this project reflect value for money
provided any supporting information, that will assist in the assessment of the application,
including:
–
information listed in the assessment criteria
costs for the project inclusive of GST
– detailed designs, location map and photos.
–
ensure that you understand and will be able to meet all of the General Terms and
Conditions of Funding
note that if you are successful in your application for funding you will be required to sign
the Grant Details agreement with the TSC.
Taxi Services Commission
Lower Ground Floor, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
GPO Box 1716, Melbourne VIC 3001 Phone: 1800 638 802 (toll-free) www.taxi.vic.gov.au
October 2015
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