Water Safety Black Spots Fund

2014-15 PROGRAM GUIDE

ReleasedMarch 2014

Version 1.0

The New South Wales Program Guide for the Water Safety Black Spots Fund (WSBSF) has been developed to provide you with information on how to apply for funding under this program.

If you require further assistance or advice in relation to your application please contact the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services(MPES) on or 0282475921.

Ministry for Police and Emergency Services
PO Box 6976
Silverwater NSW 2128

For Water Safety issues:

T 02 9228 4219 F 02 92283551

Copyright

Permission to use the document and related graphics is granted provided that (1) the below copyright notice appears in all copies and that both the copyright notice and this permission notice appear, and (2) use of the document and related graphics is for educational, informational and non-commercial or personal use only.

In all cases the State of New South Wales must be acknowledged as the source when reproducing or quoting any part of this publication. Examples and quotations from other sources have been attributed to the original publication whenever possible and are believed to fall within fair use provisions, but these portions retain their copyright protection and must not be used without attribution.

Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved.

Water Safety Black Spots Fund – Program Guide – March 20141

Contents

Part 1 – Background

Part 2 – Funding Availability

Part 3 – Applicant Eligibility

Part 4 – Project Eligibility

Part 5 – Application Form

Part 6 – Submitting the Application

Part 7 – Assessing the Application Form

Part 8 – Notification of Successful Applications

Part 9 – Funding Process

Water Safety Black Spots Fund – Program Guide – March 20141

Part 1 – Background

The objectiveof the Water Safety Black Spots Fund (WSBSF) is to reduce the rate of drowning deaths in NSW. To do this the WSBSF will provide additional funding for water safety initiatives that focus on known Black Spots.

Black Spots include:

  • High risk geographic location for drowning or near drowning;
  • High risk population group for drowning or near drowning (for example persons with a disability); or
  • High risk activity for drowning or near drowning (for example rock fishing).

Part 2– Funding Availability

$8 million is available over 4 years with $2 million available each financial year from 2011-12 to 2014-15.

Funding sought for the total project must be between $50,000 and $500,000 per project per annum.

Funding is for projects of up to 12 months in length.Activities that run over multiple years will need to be broken into stages and a new application submitted each year for the next stage. Each stage will be competitively assessed on its merits.

Securing funding partner(s)for the project is encouraged,however seeking additional funding partners is not a mandatory requirement.

Part 3–Applicant Eligibility

Organisations eligible to apply for funding under the WSBSFare:

  1. Not-for-profit community organisations with experience in water safety interventions, education and support
  1. Not-for-profit organisations(who lead the program)in partnership with government agenciesmay be considered for funding where this falls outside usual budget parameters.

Part 4 – Project Eligibility

Eligible projects

For High Risk Locations

Projects which may be eligible and meet the WSBSF’s objectives are those that provide for direct intervention at specifichigh risk geographical sites, through the provision of measures such as fencing, signage, safety aids and targeted education campaigns. This includesspecific beaches, dams, rivers, creeks, swimming holes and coastal rocks.

For High Risk Population Groups

Projects which may be eligible and meet the WSBSF’s objectives are those that address high risk populations, including:

  • Education for people whose first language is not English;
  • Teaching Aboriginal people to swim;
  • Training teachers of swimming and water safety from the target groups;
  • First Aid for seniors;
  • People with a disability;
  • Targeted age groups that account for a greater percentage of drowning deaths in NSW.

For High Risk Activities

Projects which may be eligible and meet the WSBSF’s objectives are those that address high risk, water safety activities, including:

  • Rock fishing;
  • Safety in the Surf;
  • Boating in small craft (less than 6m).

Strategic Approaches for Future Research

Over the first two years of the WSBSFthere was evidence of some gaps in knowledge regarding specific water safety issues, for example, identifying why older men rate highly in drowning statistics, or methods of reducing alcohol related drowning. The WSBSFis not designed for research however,due to the knowledge gaps that have been identified,projects that will improve knowledge directly relating to reducing drowning or addressing a black spotwill be considered.

Ineligible projects

Projects that include expenditure in the following areas will not generally be eligible under the WSBSF:

  • Applications submitted from Government agencies
  • Projects that develop or manufacture equipment or provide any commercial gain to any person or organisation
  • General operating or business as usual activities or ongoing financial support for existing activities
  • Costs associated with the ownership of capital items (e.g. depreciation, maintenance, property management)
  • Reimbursement for works and measures already undertaken including debt repayment or the refinancing of existing loans
  • Projects that are designed to protect or which provide a commercial advantage to new developments (this is and will remain the responsibility of the developer and should be controlled through land use planning measures)
  • Projects that primarily address risks associated with flooding or other natural disasters
  • Projects seeking recurrent funding or funding to supplement existing staff.

Part 5 – Application Form

Ensure that you complete all sections of the application form. An assessment will be made based on the application form, project plan and any relevantsupporting documents.

Section 1Applicant Details

In this section we need to know the details of the organisation applying for the grant.

The organisation name and Australian Business Number (ABN) that you provide, must be your organisation’s legal name and correct ABN as they appear on the Australian Business Register (ABR) website Your organisation must be incorporated in order to receive funding under the WSBSF. Please include your incorporation number.

The contact person for your project shouldbe familiar with the details of both your application and the project. This person will be sent all correspondence in relation to your application. You are also required to provide details of your Chief Executive Officer or equivalent.

Section2Project Summary

The project name should clearly reflect what the project is about. For example, if the project involves the construction of signs along a dam ridge, you would name your project The Dam Ridge Signage Project.

The Project Location(s)iswhere your project activities are to occur. Include all relevant local government area(s), and state and federal electorate(s).

Section 3Project Manager

Please include information on who will be running the project on a day to day basis. Include the key individual managing the project and any alternate project manager. You only need to complete this section if the person is different from that listed in Section 1.

Section 4Project Description, Outputs and Outcomes

In this section you are required to describe the project. You will need to clearly state which specific geographic location, high risk activity or population group your activities will assist and explain how the project will reduce the risk of drowning or near drowning. If applicable, advise if any other options were considered and why this particular option was chosen.

You will need to list clearproject outputs and outcomes:

  • Project outputs – are those physical items that will be produced by the project. For example,10 teaching sessions for high risk groups; a certain number of signs, angel rings or fences; an education campaign involving a certain number of items for distribution, etc. Be as specific as possible.
  • Project outcomes – are what the project aims to achieve. For example,that installing signs in designated locations provides the public with an awareness of the risk of drowning in this location, or information to educate rock fishers in south west Sydney on how to use life vests will make the experience of rock fishing safer. Be clear about what ‘success’ is and donot use generics such as “project successfully completed”or “reduce the number of drowning or risk of drowning”.

If the project is part of a larger scheme or project - provide details of the larger scale scheme/project. Give details of any complementary or other measures planned. Give details of other funding for that project and how it relates to this one.

Section 5Adverse Impacts

This section requires you to provide details and explain how any adverse impacts resulting from this project will be addressed.

  • Environment – describe any adverse environmental impacts, such as loss of habitat, reduced river flows, construction noise, etc
  • Cultural Heritage – describe any expected losses to cultural heritage, or heritage amenities in the area
  • Risk Transfer – will the project increase other risks in the area; or transfer risks to another agency or organisation
  • Administrative – such as possible delays to the project’s commencement

Section 6Maintenance

This section only applies if your project involves equipment such as signs, angel rings, life jackets, fencing, etc.

In this section you will need to indicate if the project requires maintenance subsequent to the funding term. If a Maintenance Plan is required it will be a required output of the project and should be specified in Section 4 and detail how the project will be maintained. Summarise the expected maintenance actions, the frequency of maintenance required and an estimate of the project’s annual maintenance cost. Ongoing maintenance costs are not eligible for funding under the WSBSFand must be met in full within an organisation’s annual budget.

Section 7Evaluation

All successful applicants will be required to provide quarterly reports, and a final report on completion of the project.The quarterly reports will include details of how the WSBSF objectives are being met and monitoring of progress during the funding term. The form and timing of the monitoring will be detailed in the Funding Agreement.

Evaluation is particularly important. All WSBSF activities must undertake some evaluation, or make provision for evaluation activities in future years of the project. Evaluation should go beyond simple assessment of the dissemination of information and include research into outcomes in terms of effectiveness of the information in changing attitudes, patterns of thinking, and behaviours.

Longer term data collection mechanisms may need to be put in place and monitored over time, particularly if the intent is to apply for further fundingin subsequent years. For short term projects or those involving the installation of equipment, evaluation may need to extend beyond the term of the funding. Simple success measures such as the equipment is in place, is not effective evaluation.

If your project involves conducting an advertising or education initiative you should consider such methods as determining behaviour change as a result of the initiative.

Funding will not be provided for external evaluation.

Section 8Supporting Documentation

In this section you need to detail the supporting documentation that will be provided with your application. Please do not attach whole studies or reports but rather provide extracts of relevant information.

Where the supporting document is a proactive bid or large project plan, please detail the relevant page numbers against the appropriate section in the application form.

Section 9Declaration

This section is to be signed by the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer or equivalent.

Attachment AProject Budget (GST exclusive)

In this section you are required to provide information on the income and expenditure of the project together with the level of funding sought. DO NOT includeGST.

Income

Insert the WSBSF Funding Sought in the relevant box.

If you specify any ‘Other Income’ you need to include the source and nature of that contribution.

Expenditure

Itemise the different expenditure elements in this section and provide as much detail as possible on the cost breakdown of the project. For example,learn to swim lessons for people with a disability, sign development and production, advertising, etc. DO NOT include GST.

Add or delete rows as necessary.

Attachment BProject Workplan

This section requires you to provide a workplan for the project showing major activitiesand their anticipated start and end dates.

The work plan should detail the project milestones and when they are to be achieved.

Part 6 – Submitting theApplication

Applications mustbe submitted electronically.

Electronic Submission

Please email your completed application form, in Microsoft Word format, to

You may attach a scanned copy of the signed declaration (Section 9) to the email.

Part 7 – Assessing the Application Form

To be considered for funding, the application must:

  • Commence and conduct activities during the 2014-15 financial year
  • Seek funding for the total project of between $50,000 and $500,000
  • Be no more than 12 months in length - project activities that run over multiple years will need to be broken into stages and a new application submitted each year for the next stage. Each stage will be competitively assessed on its merits.
  • Be made on the 2014-15WSBSFapplication formposted on
  • Be submitted in Microsoft Word by the due date via email to

If the application meets the criteria above it will be assessed byMinistry for Police and Emergency Services (MPES) Grants Unit, with the assistance of non applicant members of the Water Safety Advisory Council,according to the following assessment criteria. The following criteria will be used to assess the priority of projects. The response to these criteria will primarily determine the priority that the project receives.

  • Proposal consistent with the WSBSF’sobjective - to reduce drowning deaths in NSW

The project must clearly articulate how it meets the WSBSF’sobjective.

  • Evidence to demonstrate that the geographic area, population group or activity is high risk

Provide evidence to support your project. Evidence may be in the form of studies, surveys, orletters of support. Be specific about the relevancy of this evidence to the project.

  • Experience of applicant organisation to undertake the project: management expertise, specialist skills, community support and capacity for innovation

Project management of previous projects funded under the WSBSFwill also be an important consideration.

  • Sound financial arrangements and value for money

The application including the budget will be assessed on how funds will be managed and spent. Provide as much detail as possible in the budget to allow for a comprehensive assessment.

Projects seeking recurrent funding or funding to supplement existing staff will not be supported.

  • Contributions secured from other project partners (eg councils, local businesses)

Please include information on any other funding that has been or will be received in relation to the actual project or a related project.

  • Where another organisation is expected to play a role in the project, you must attach evidence that the organisation has been consulted and has agreed to that support. For example, if you propose to provide activities to school students, you should include a letter from the school principal or relevant section in the regional/head office which confirms their understanding of their intended role in the project.

Part 8 – Notification of Successful Applications

MPES will acknowledge receipt of your application by email following submission.

MPES Grants Unitwith the assistance of non-applicant members of theWater Safety Advisory Council, and in collaboration with technical experts, will assess and recommend applications for funding. The NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services approves successful projects.

Successful applicants will receive a letter from the Ministeror his delegate. An officer from MPES Grants Unit will contact the nominated contact on the application to prepare a Funding Agreement.

Following the Minister’s decision regardingsuccessful projects, unsuccessful applicants will receive a letter.

Part 9 – Funding Process

After the announcement of the successful projects, organisations will be contacted with details of the funding process. Before commencing the project,organisationsmaybe required to confirm and expand on the details provided on the project workplan and project budget submitted with the application.

A Funding Agreement will then be prepared, to be signed by the organisation’sChief Executive Officer or equivalent. Depending on the project size, type and organisation capacity, a variety of payment schedules are available. No work on the project is to commence until the Funding Agreement is signed. Once the Funding Agreement is signed project managers should consult with MPES, and its technical advisors, in the development of a tender brief and assessment of tender proposals(where relevant).

For full year funding arrangements, quarterly reports of project progress are to be submitted after the Funding Agreement is signed (even if the project has not commenced). Project managers will be required to submit evidence for each payment claim including evidence of project commencement and completion.

Water Safety Black Spots Fund – Program Guide – March 20141