Economic and Community Recovery Grants (TAS)

This program seeks to support organisations for projects and initiatives that will assist the communities most affected by the Tasmanian Bushfires of December 2018 and January 2019. It is an initiative jointly funded by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018.

The key objectives of the program are to:
- Support current economic and community recovery needs.
- Revitalise the local economy.
- Build community resilience and capacity to respond to and recover from future disasters.

Grants available are:
- Up to $10,000 for projects that must be completed and expenditure incurred prior to 30 June 2020.
- Over $10,000 for projects that must be completed and expenditure incurred prior to 31 December 2020.

Extensions will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and no extensions will be granted past 30 June 2021.

Eligible applicants include:
- Local government agencies and bodies
- Incorporated, non-profit organisations
- Businesses with an Australian Business Number

Organisations may partner with community groups that do not meet the eligibility requirements.

Eligible projects/initiatives must:
- Relate to the declared natural disaster – the Tasmanian Bushfires 2019.
- Benefit affected communities in one or more of the following local government areas: West Coast, Derwent Valley, Central Highlands and Huon Valley.

Eligible projects and initiatives may include, but are not limited to those that:
- Restore community assets damaged by the bushfires.
- Invest in community infrastructure and meeting places.
- Promote visitation and local tourism.
- Support the development of, or strengthen existing, business networks.
- Facilitate the recovery and consolidation of affected businesses.
- Support community information sharing such as community radio, community newsletters and community notice boards.
- Strengthen local resourcing through the purchase of tools or equipment.
- Support community planning or management that increases community preparedness for natural disasters.
- Provide local residents with skills to support volunteer capacity in future emergency events.

The main assessment criteria include:
- The level of impact the project/initiative will have in relation to one or more of the Economic and Community Recovery Grants key objectives.
- Value for money.
- How the project addresses a demonstrated community need.
- The capacity of the applicant to successfully deliver the project/initiative within the stated timeframes.

Preference will be given to projects/initiatives that:
- Have clear and demonstrable outcomes for the community and local economy.
- Provide evidence of the extent of community support.
- Provide an economic benefit to the community.
- Involve collaboration between multiple organisations and community groups.
- Build knowledge or capabilities within the community that support community resilience for future disasters.

The following are ineligible for funding:
- Environmental initiatives.
- Revenue loss as a result of the bushfires.
- Regular day-to-day activities of the organisation or the maintenance of assets.
- Projects and initiatives that require ongoing funding.
- Projects that duplicate existing initiatives.
- Expenditure for which organisations would have been liable had the bushfires not occurred (for example, employment costs, rent and utilities).
- To replace insurance or to compensate for losses or the full extent of damage.