Implementation

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation has received $6 million in grant funding from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) through their Efficiencies Funding Program (EFP) for the implementation of coastal hazard adaption works and actions for disaster mitigation through the QCoast2100 Program.

The EFP is designed to fund strategic risk mitigation and resilience activities that will create stronger, safer and more resilient Queensland Communities.

The program is now calling for applications for projects that meet the project selection criteria.

Program objective

The objective of the program is to address the states coastal hazard risk by assisting council to implement coastal hazard adaptation works identified in a CHAS developed under the QCoast2100 program. To optimise grant funding benefit and environmental outcomes, projects that deliver the following will be highly regarded:

  • demonstrate innovative and cost-effective solutions, including on ground works;
  • emphasise nature-based solutions or solutions with environmental benefits that enhance or preserve the natural character of the coast;
  • benefit other councils across the State through joint projects, shared learnings or actions that can inform or provide leading practice examples for other councils; and/or
  • leverage QCoast2100 funding through partnerships, joint projects, and high co-contributions.

Funding

The maximum funding available per project is nominally set at $1 million, with the final decision on project funding amounts at the discretion of the QCoast2100 Board. 

A minimum co-contribution requirement applies to all projects with higher contributions encouraged. Please contact qcoast2100@lgaq.asn.au to confirm your councils required amount.

Eligible councils 

To be eligible to apply, councils must:

  • have developed a CHAS through the QCoast2100 program, which has been endorsed by the council; or
  • be well advanced in CHAS development and works are needed to address an imminent threat to assets (roads etc); and
  • provide the minimum funding co-contribution.

Any applications that don’t meet these criteria must be discussed with the Program Manager and approval will be at the discretion of the QCoast2100 Board.

Eligible projects

Projects must:

  • deliver actions or recommendations in a CHAS or in the Implementation Plan forming part of a CHAS; or
  • be identified as a critical need in a CHAS under development, where works are required to address an imminent threat; and 
  • be reasonably expected to be able gain development approval under relevant legislation, if required, and in particular, to meet the performance outcomes in the State Development Assessment Provisions;
  • be cost effective and evidenced based;
  • be sustainable in approach;
  • be focused on continuous improvement.

This program focus is on ground works, however applications for planning or education and awareness raising will be considered.

Ineligible projects

Projects are not eligible if they:

  • are already completed or substantially commenced
  • have received funding from another source for the same purpose (i.e., ‘doubledipping’)
  • involve works on an asset or land that will not be owned or controlled by the applicant (unless demonstrably for public benefit)
  • works solely for the protection of private property, whether on private land or not
  • involve the purchase of land or buildings 
  • are commercial in nature for the agency or any partner agency

Ineligible costs

The following costs are not eligible for funding:

  • Subsidy of general ongoing administration of an organisation
  • Purchase of core business capital equipment such as motor vehicles and office equipment
  • Remuneration of executive officers
  • Remuneration of an existing employee, unless the employee is temporarily reassigned to conduct work directly related to the delivery of the program
  • Retrospective costs or costs that are incurred prior to program approval, unless prior formal agreement has been reached with QCoast2100 to incur such costs
  • Statutory fees and charges, and any costs associated with obtaining regulatory and/or development approvals (except design)
  • Costs beyond the program period, for example ongoing costs for administration, operation, maintenance or management
  • Costs not supported by the general ledger, including oncost charges
  • Profit margin of delivery agent or proposing agency
  • Costs exceeding the approved funding amount
  • Costs that are reimbursable under other funding sources, including insurance or capital budgets

Project assessment criteria

The Project Team and the QCoast2100 Board will assess applications against the following assessment criteria. Meeting multiple criteria will be of benefit in project assessment:

Mandatory

  1. Meets eligibility criteria and does not include ineligible works or costs.

Assessable

  1. Priority rating
    • High Priority Projects
      • Works for direct protection of community (public) assets from coastal hazards.
      • Nature based solutions to enhance natural coastal defences, address emerging coastal hazards or for improve resilience, e.g.  beach nourishment, dune management, mangrove restoration.
         
    • Low Priority Projects
      • Projects supporting future on-ground works including detailed investigation of the causes of erosion, management options analysis, design of works and planning tools to mitigate risk.
      • Monitoring, data collection or public engagement projects
         
  2. Progresses actions in a CHAS ‘Recommendation’ or ‘Implementation Plan’
  3. Provides a benefit of asset protection and community safety from coastal hazards
  4. Demonstrate innovative design or new concepts in adaptation
  5. Demonstrates efficiency in the application of QCoast2100 grant funding through, for example, high co-funding contribution or it is demonstrated that early adoption will lead to future cost savings
  6. Optimizes conservation of the coastal environment, including adopts ‘nature based’ solutions that maintain the natural character and processes of the coast or, for hard engineering solutions such as seawalls, provide environmental benefits.
  7. Provides a benefit to other councils in term of shared learnings, demonstration of new or novel approaches and transferrable solutions.
  8. Provide evidence of due diligence undertaken to ensure accurate project costs. 

Application Process

This is a competitive grant funding program. Councils with projects that meet the eligibility criteria are invited to apply for project funding by a date that will be announced shortly, using the application form, available here. 

Application and assessment process:

  1. Councils invited to submit an application for funding on the required template provided.
  2. Application reviewed by the Project Team against the assessment criteria and a recommendation is prepared for the QCoast2100 Board. The Project Team may include an external technical expert on the assessment panel.
  3. QCoast2100 Board provides a funding decision for each application
  4. Council advised of the Board decision

Should further funding become available, previously unsuccessful applications may be considered or a new round of applications may be open to councils.

The Project Team may seek technical assessment from the QCoast2100 expert panel at any phase of the above process.
 

Project management and reporting

Councils will be required to set milestones for their project and provide progress updates throughout the project.

Progress reports may be based on:

  • milestones included in individual applications; and/or
  • monthly activity 

Funding payments will generally be related to delivery of Milestones. Inspections of works by the Program Manager at significant milestones or on completion may be required.

A final report and acquittal will be required by the program completion date:

  • Final report will summarise outcomes of the complete project and provide evidence of completion, including before and after photographs of on-ground works .
  • Final acquittal will summarise administrative / financial details of the project. 

Project key dates

The closing date to submit an application will be 28 February 2025. 

This funding program’s completion date is currently scheduled to be 31 December 2026. All project deliverables must be completed and acquitted by this date. 

For any queries or further information, please contact our project team at qcoast2100@lgaq.asn.au

 

Funding