Government FundingAvailable fundingThe Commonwealth and State governments provide a range of incentives to encourage business to make investments that will lead to positive economic, social and environmental benefits. Make sure you check websites for current updates and/or closure of applications: http://www.environment.gov.au/rebates/index.html http://www2.communitybuilders.nsw.gov.au/funding/programs/ (for a full list of most funding and grants available) Commonwealth Government Funding & GrantsClimate Ready Program
Climate Ready is an AusIndustry product aimed at small and medium sized businesses. It provides grants from $50,000 to $5 million on a matching funding basis to support projects that address the effects of climate change.
A broad range of project applications are encouraged, including for:
• water recycling, waste recovery or small scale renewable energy technologies.
• technologies that reduce the energy used by appliances or increase the efficiency of industrial processes.
• products, processes or services to monitor emissions or power use.
• using biotechnology or nanotechnology to address the effects of climate change on people and the environment.
• information systems for businesses or consumers to compare the carbon footprints of different activities.
• green building materials that make homes more energy efficient.
For further information: AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46 or email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au or visit http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/
Retooling for Climate Change
Re-tooling for Climate Change is an AusIndustry product aimed at small and medium sized manufacturing businesses. The program provides grants between $10,000 and $500,000, to a maximum of one third of the total cost of a project. It assists Australian manufacturers reduce their environmental footprint, through projects that improve the energy and/or water efficiency of their production processes. For more information contact AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46 or email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au
Green Building Fund (office buildings only)
The Green Building Fund aims to reduce the green house gas emissions impact of the built environment, by reducing the amount of energy consumed in the operation of existing commercial office buildings located in Australia.
Stream A of the program will provide grants of between $50,000 and $500,000, up to a maximum of 50 per cent of the total cost of a project directed towards retro-fitting or retro-commissioning of an existing commercial office building, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a reduction of the base building energy consumption.
Stream B of the program will provide grants of up to $200,000, up to 50% of the total cost of a project to improve the skills and capability of those involved with the operation of commercial office buildings, to enable them to reduce carbon emissions by improving energy efficiency.
Should you wish to register your interest for this program, please contact the AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46 or email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au or visit: http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/
LPG Vehicle Scheme
The scheme encourages Australians to use LPG as a transport fuel. Two different grants are available: 1. A grant of $2,000 may be paid following the LPG conversion of a new or used petrol or diesel motor vehicle for private use. 2. A grant of $1,000 may be paid following the purchase of a new motor vehicle, for private use, with an LPG unit fitted at the time of manufacture of the vehicle. For more information contact AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46 or email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au or visit: http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/
Renewable Energy Equity Fund
This is a specialist venture capital fund for the commercialisation of renewable energy technologies. The Australian Government funding is matched by private sector capital at a 2:1 ratio. For more information contact AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46 or email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au or visit: http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/
Commercialising Emerging Technologies (COMET)
The COMET Program is a merit based assistance program with the aim of increasing the commercialisation of innovative products, processes and services, by providing individuals, early stage growth companies and spin-off companies with a tailored package of support to improve their potential for successful commercialisation. COMET offers grants from $5,000 to $120,000, for projects ranging up to two years. Applications are considered on an ongoing basis. For more information: AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46 or email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au or visit: http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/
Ethanol Distribution Program
For retail service station owners and operators. This is an entitlement program that provides grants of up to $20,000 to retail service stations that upgrade to supply 10 per cent ethanol blended fuel (E10). For more information: AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46 or email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au or visit: http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/
Ethanol Production Grants
For Ethanol producers. Ethanol grants are paid for the production of ethanol in Australia from biomass feedstock that is blended into or used as transport fuel in Australia. For more information: AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46 or email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au or visit: http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/
The cleaner fuels grants scheme encourages the manufacture or importation of fuels that have a reduced impact on the environment. If you manufacture and import cleaner fuels you may be entitled to a cleaner fuel grant.From 1 July 2011, other cleaner fuels will be eligible for the grant including compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas, ethanol, and methanol.
For more information visit: www.ato.gov.au/fuelschemes
The Low Emissions Technology and Abatement (LETA)
The LETA initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the longer term. Funds are available for industry on a sector wide basis to identify opportunities for emission reductions under Strategic Abatement - Identification of Opportunities; Geosequestration: Pilot Project to demonstrate enhanced monitoring and verification technologies for geosequestration in Australia.
Grants will generally be up to a maximum of 50 percent of eligible project costs. For more information see: www.environment.gov.au/settlements/programs/leta/index.html
Fuel Tax Credits for Business
Fuel tax credits provide you with a credit for the fuel tax (excise or customs duty) included in the price of fuel you use in business activities, machinery, plant, equipment, and heavy vehicles.
Fuels that are not eligible are: aviation fuels, alternative fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), ethanol, biodiesel and fuels you use in light vehicles travelling on a public road. For more information see www.ato.gov.au/businesses/content.asp?doc=/content/76594.htm
The Education for Sustainability Grants Program
This program aims to support projects that facilitate changes in community attitudes and behaviours in support of sustainable development in Australia. One aspect of the funding program is directed towards business and industry. Information on future rounds of the program is expected to be made available on this site later in the year. For more information: www.environment.gov.au/education/programs/index.html
The Energy Grants Credits Scheme – Alternative Fuels
The energy grants credits scheme (EGCS) provides a fuel grant for businesses using alternative fuels for road transport. For more information visit www.ato.gov.au/fuelschemes
FarmReady
$26.5 million over four years to boost training opportunities for primary producers, and to enable industry, farming groups and natural resource management groups develop strategies to adapt and respond to the impacts of climate change. Primary producer reimbursement grant - up to $1500 per financial year to attend approved training courses. Industry grant - Eligible groups up to $80 000 per financial year to undertake projects that will assist in the development of strategies to manage the impacts of climate change. For more information: www.daff.gov.au/climatechange/australias-farming-future/farmready or call 1800 638 746.
Water Smart Australia Program
The Australian Government's Water Smart Australia Program aims to accelerate the development and uptake of smart technologies and practices in water use across Australia. Follow this link to Water Smart Australia Information Email: enquiries@nwc.gov.au
Who can apply?
· community groups
What will be funded?
Projects that are eligible for funding include: those that will improve river flows, return groundwater to aquifers, irrigation water savings, farm use efficiencies, stormwater reuse and recycling, more efficient storage facilities, better sewage management and water efficient housing design.
Heritage Grant Program and Funding
Various closing dates - or always open - check entry for dates.
There are programs such as Envirofund under the $3 billion Natural Heritage Trust with $200 million over the next five years, support groups that are taking on-ground action in their own backyards. For more information visit: http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/programs/index.html
Commonwealth RebatesGreen Loans
· In May 2008, the Australian Government announced a program to provide easy access to practical household solutions to reduce energy and water use. The Green Loans Program provides detailed, quality household sustainability assessments and green renovations packs to Australian households as well as access to low interest Green Loans of up to $10,000 each to make existing homes more energy and water efficient.
The Program has two main elements:
· Homeowners looking to save energy and water will be able to access a qualified assessor to investigate their current energy and water use. The assessment will include the provision of a green renovations kit which will provide simple devices and practical information that allows the home owner to make immediate water and energy saving changes to their property. The assessors will then provide a tailored report, unique to that household on the best actions that can be undertaken. The advice will be ranked in order of a combination of environmental benefit and operational cost savings.
· The program will help households who chose to undertake actions suggested by the assessment with a low interest Green Loan of up to $10,000. The loans will be made available through partnering financial institutions. For more information go to: http://www.environment.gov.au/rebates/index.html or http://www.environment.gov.au/greenloans/index.html
Solar Hot Water Rebate Program (useful for Not for Profit stakeholders)
The Australian Government is helping Australian households install climate friendly hot water technologies. Rebates of $1000 are available in eligible circumstances to install solar and heat pump hot water systems to replace electric storage hot water systems in existing privately owned homes. The rebate is offered for systems installed on, or after 18 July 2007 until March 2012, subject to the availability of funds.
Eligibility requirements:
Systems: a hot water system must:
· replace an electric storage hot water system
· be installed by a suitably qualified person (for example an electrician or plumber).
Eligible households:
· The dwelling where the hot water system is installed must be a principal place of residence.
· The applicant's taxable family income must have been less than $100,000 in the most recent tax year as lodged with the Australian Taxation Office.
For more information visit: http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/renewable/solarhotwater/
Energy Efficiency Homes Package
The energy efficient homes package provides:
For more information about the Energy Efficient Homes Package: http://www.environment.gov.au/rebates/index.html
National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative
The National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative provides rebates of up to $500 for households to install rainwater tanks or greywater systems. For more information go to: http://www.environment.gov.au/rebates/index.html
Renewable Energy in Remote Areas
The Renewable Remote Power Generation Program provides financial support to increase the use of renewable generation in remote parts of Australia that presently rely on fossil fuel for electricity supply. For more information go to: http://www.environment.gov.au/rebates/index.html
Solar Panels
The Solar Homes and Community Plan provides cash rebates for the installation of solar photvoltaic systems on homes and community use buildings. For more information go to http://www.environment.gov.au/rebates/index.html
NSW State Government Funding & GrantsSustainability Advantage (Business and Not for Profit organisations)
Sustainability Advantage is a business support service from the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW (DECC). It is designed to help your organisation understand sustainability, successfully manage for a better environment and add business value. Sustainability Advantage helps you identify what you can do now and help you plan for the future. By taking part, you will receive support to reduce your organisation’s risk in areas such as legislative compliance and climate change. You will also identify and take advantage of opportunities to improve your business. You pay a one-off fee up to $3,000 (plus GST), depending on the size of your organisation. To find out more, contact DECC’s Business Partnerships sustainbus@environment.nsw.gov.au or 02 8837 6000.
Small Business Energy Efficiency Program
The Small Business Energy Efficiency Program provides new support for energy audits and technical assistance. Funding is available to eligible small businesses (use up to 160MWh energy per annum) for energy audits and technical assistance to save energy and reduce energy bills. To express your interest in assistance for activities to reduce energy use, please contact the Business Partnerships team on (02) 88376000 or email sustainbus@environment.nsw.gov.au
Central Coast Water Savings Fund (Central Coast only)
Applications are invited for projects that will save or recycle water in Gosford City Council or Wyong Shire Council local government areas. For more information see www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/ccwsf.htm or contact fundsmanager@environment.nsw.gov.auor call 1300 367 961.
NSW Climate Change Fund – Encompasses various funding programs as follows:NSW Green Business Program
Part of the Climate Change Fund, the NSW Green Business Program provides $30 million over five years for projects that will save water and energy in business operations in NSW.
Round 1 of the Green Business Program allocated $11.7 million to 24 water and energy projects, saving an estimated 164 million litres of drinking water and 36,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year.
Activities which are eligible for funding under the Green Business Program include, but are not limited to:
· education and technology trial activities which increase the adoption of efficient technologies and practices.
· projects which improve the efficiency of buildings, appliances and industrial processes.
· projects which reduce peak electricity demand.
· projects which reduce the demand for electricity or water supplied from electricity or water supply networks eg. cogeneration, fuel switching, water recycling, stormwater harvesting.
For more information refer to www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/ccfgbp.htm
Residential Rebate Program (could assist Not for Profit clientele)
The $100 million Residential Rebate Program is part of the NSW Government's Climate Change Fund, established to help people make their homes more water and energy efficient. It provides rebates for rainwater tanks, climate-friendly hot water systems, ceiling insulation and water-efficient washing machines. The rebates are additional to any other rebate or incentive offer currently available to NSW residents.
Hot water systems: insulation or rainwater tanks installed to comply with BASIX (the Building Sustainability Index) for new homes and major renovations are not eligible for a rebate.
Rainwater tank rebate: provides up to $1500 for rainwater tanks connected to toilets and washing machines.
Hot water system rebate: provides up to $1200 to switch from electric to solar, heat pump or gas hot water systems.
Ceiling insulation rebate: provides half the cost of installing ceiling insulation in your home, up to a maximum of $300.
Washing machine rebate: provides $150 for buying a 4.5 star or higher WELS rated washing machine from 1 August 2008
The Residential Rebate Program also supports Fridge Buyback
For further details visit: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates/index.htm
NSW rebates extended
The NSW Government has extended the Climate Change Fund hot-water system and rainwater tank rebates until 30 June 2011, complementing the recently-announced Federal rebates. The combination of State and Federal rebates provides NSW householders with up to $2,800 back on climate-friendly hot water systems and up to $2,000 for rainwater tanks. Because the new Federal insulation rebate covers the entire cost of installing ceiling insulation, the $300 NSW insulation rebate will end, as scheduled, on 30 June 2009.
Building the Country Package
The $85 million Invigorating the Country Infrastructure Fund will help retain jobs outside of Sydney, supporting people who live and work in country areas.
Funding through seven new programs will be available from 1 January 2009. Included in the program is funding for:
· Water Adjustment Innovation Fund - $9 million over 5 years to help communities affected by water reforms invest in innovative water saving technologies. Aimed at businesses that are manufacturing and developing new technologies and products and services. To be eligible, the business must be in an area designated as impacted by water reform in country NSW.
For more information email: dsrdced@business.nsw.gov.au
On-site Sewage Management Grants ( Local Government Program)
Closing dates: 11 February, 1 May, 1 August and 1 November for 2008
The Sydney Catchment Authority provides on-site sewage management grants to help local governments identify, inspect and assess all on-site systems in the drinking water catchments. You can download a copy of the On-site sewage management grants guide and application form.
Public Facilities Program (could assist Not for Profit organisations)
The Public Facilities Program is part of the NSW Government's Climate Change Fund. It provides $30 million for water and energy saving projects in facilities which are open to, and frequently accessed by, the public including schools, community buildings, sporting facilities, museums and art galleries. Two funding rounds will be held each year.
Applications are open to providers of non-profit public or educational facilities for projects which:
§ publicly demonstrate how water and/or energy savings can work
§ stimulate investment in innovative ways to save, harvest and recycle water and/or reduce overall energy consumption (and related greenhouse emissions) and/or peak electricity demand.
Activities which are eligible for funding include, but are not limited to:
§ education activities which have the potential to increase the adoption of efficient technologies and practices.
§ projects which reduce the demand for electricity or water supplied from electricity or water supply networks,e.g: cogeneration, fuel switching, water recycling, stormwater harvesting.
For more information and Guide for Applicants, visit http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/ccfpfp.htm
2009 Public Facilities Program Now Open for Community Savings
Round 2 of the NSW Climate Change Fund Public Facilities Program has opened for applications with a new Community Savers stream providing up to $40,000 for not-for-profit organisations to undertake water and energy upgrades in the facilities they use. Funding is also available under the Demonstration stream for larger water and energy projects in public or educational facilities. For more information and Guide for Applicants, visit http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/ccfpfp.htm
Renewable Energy Development Program
The Renewable Energy Development Program provides $40 million over five years for the demonstration and early commercialisation of new renewable energy technologies. It is open for applications for projects which are expected to lead to large scale greenhouse gas emissions savings in NSW by:
§ demonstrating renewable energy technologies in NSW and/or
§ supporting the early commercialisation of renewable energy technologies in NSW
For more information on the Renewable Energy Program or further funding rounds,
Energy Efficiency Initiatives Underway
Three new programs under the NSW Energy Efficiency Strategy are now underway, supported by the NSW Climate Change Fund. The $20 million Sustainability Advantage Energy Saver and $15 million Energy Efficiency for Small Business programs were launched in December.
A pilot for the $63 million Low Income Household Program has been held in Bathurst and Orange, paving the way for the program to be rolled out to 220,000 homes across NSW. For more information, visit http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/ccfpfp.htm
Urban Sustainability Program (Local Governments)
The Urban Sustainability Program provides opportunities for local councils to continue the progress and partnerships already made from communities, businesses and government working together. A total of up to $30 million is available under the Program in this round of funding. See website for information on funding rounds http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/
What will be funded?
Under the Urban Sustainability Program, councils or alliances of councils may apply to the Environmental Trust for:
§ Urban Sustainability Major Projects Grants
§ Urban Waterways Initiative.
Urban Sustainability Major Projects Grants
These grants are for urban sustainability projects that will resolve various environmental issues and will deliver sustainable environmental, social and economic outcomes.
Urban Waterways Initiative
These grants provide funding for projects addressing sustainability challenges within Urban Waterways. Priority Catchments include Cooks, Georges, Hawkesbury Nepean, Central Coast / Lower Hunter and Sydney Harbour Catchments.
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