THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS POLICY REVIEW (Referred from Planning and Environment Committee dated 8 August 2023 - Item 5.3) · Attachment 2 Economic Development Grants Policy Amended

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS PROGRAM

The Economic Development Grant Program supports projects that benefit the local business
community and contribute to the local economic environment by providing one off, short term, project
based financial assistance.

The maximum amount per grant application will be identified in the Grant Guidelines.
The Economic Development Grant Program is a competitive grant fund and will operate on an open
grant round basis, where all applications are assessed individually against the criteria as outlined in
the Economic Development Grant Program Guidelines. Projects must be completed within 12
months of approval.

WHO CAN APPLY

This grant program is open to the following organisations providing that the project or program for
which funding is being requested benefits the residents of the Noosa Shire:


   •       Not for profit incorporated business representative groups provided that the benefit of the
           project extend beyond their membership base
   •       For profit businesses where the project is not run for the direct commercial profit of an
           individual business
   •       Consortiums – not for profit business representative groups, for profit businesses,
           governments


The applicant must:

       •    Primarily service the Noosa Shire business community
       •    Have an active ABN
       •    Complies with all governance and financial requirements of the State and Commonwealth
            as at the closing date for the grant program;
       •    Have appropriate insurances
       •    Meet Workplace Health and Safety requirements
       •    Have met acquittal conditions for previous Council grants,
       •    Have no debt to Council, or has entered into scheduled payment arrangements with
            Council that is being adhered to; and


If not eligible, the applicant may apply under an eligible auspice (administrator). The auspice
organisation will take legal and financial responsibility for the grant and the project being
delivered.


WHO CANNOT APPLY
  • Business trusts
  • Government agencies or departments of local, state and federal government
  • Community groups that are not incorporated
  • Individual residents




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ELIGIBLE PROJECT OR PROGRAMS

To be eligible to apply to the Economic Development Grant Program, applications must:
   • adhere to the terms and conditions set out in this Policy as well as the supporting Economic
       Development Grant Program Guidelines.
   • demonstrate value for money
   • demonstrate a tangible benefit to the Noosa business community.
   • Have a financial or in kind contribution to the project
   • Be consistent with the outcomes and benefits of the Economic Development Strategy

INELIGIBLE PROJECTS

Ineligible projects or programs include, but are not restricted to:

   •   Projects that do not contribute towards Council’s Corporate Plan and/or key economic
       development strategies.
   •   Projects that cannot demonstrate value or a tangible benefit to the Noosa Shire business
       community.
   •   Projects, events, or programs run for the commercial profit of an individual, private sector
       business.
   •   Projects where most of the benefit will be derived outside of Noosa Shire.
   •   Fundraising for political or charitable activities.
   •   Initiatives already funded by other Council grants.
   •   Projects that have received consecutive funding from Council for a period of 3 years.
   •   As a means to make whole or part payment of any debt.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be invited from the 1st of July in each financial year and will remain open until the
end of that financial year or until the funding is fully allocated.

Before submitting a grant, applicants must engage with an Economic Development Officer to discuss
the proposed project. Applications will be submitted online using a current Noosa Council’s
Economic Development Grant Application Form.

CONDITIONS OF FUNDING

Successful applicants will be required to enter into a funding Deed of Agreement with Council and
acquit funds within the allocated timeframes.
The timeframes and acquittal requirements are outlined in the Economic Development Grant
Program Guidelines. Contract variations will be considered if highlighted to an Economic
Development Officer before the project completion date.

Successful applicants will be required to actively and publicly acknowledge Council’s support in all
print and social media communications and in any presentations on the project.




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ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Council will endeavour to publicise the availability of its Grant Programs widely and in such a manner
as to promote public confidence in and support of the process.
In assessing the grants, Noosa Council Officers will ensure:

           •   Public monies are allocated in a fair and equitable way;
           •   Ensure best possible value for money
           •   Check each application against eligibility criteria as set out in the Grant Guidelines


Council will fund no more than 75% of the total project cost. It is anticipated by Council that applicants
will:
            • Make both a cash and in-kind contribution to the project.
            • Cash contributions can consist of either direct cash injection, ticket sales,
                sponsorship, or other grant funds (excluding other Council grant funds).

Council will determine the total allocation of funds to the Economic Development Grants Program
through its annual budgetary processes. The number and types of grants approved will depend on
the demand for funding, the available program budget, and corporate priorities which may change
from year-to-year.

Economic Development Officers are available to provide advice and assistance in the development
of grant applications. They will also assist organisations to identify additional and alternative
sources of funding relevant to their project.

Final decisions in the Economic Development Grants Programs are made by the Director –
Strategy & Environment (or delegated Manager).

NOOSA COUNCIL’S CODE OF CONDUCT

Noosa Council officers are bound by Noosa Council’s Employee Code of Conduct and are therefore
responsible for acting with impartiality and integrity and recognising and declaring any actual or
potential conflicts of interest. This includes but is not limited to, personal connections with the
applicant. Council officers are required to adhere to this policy when supporting, facilitating, or
delivering grants-related activities and it is their responsibility to ensure that grant funding provided
from public monies is:

       •   Effectively advertised and promoted to the community so that all potential applicants have
           equal opportunity to apply for funds;
       •   Assessed and administered transparently and with accountability; and
       •   Aligned with Council’s objectives, goals, and priorities;

HUMAN RIGHTS COMPATIBILITY

In developing this policy, the subject matter has been considered in accordance with the
requirements of the Queensland Human Rights Act 2019. It is considered that the subject matter
does not conflict with any human rights and supports a human rights approach to decision making
by Council.




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RELEVANT LEGISLATION

The Noosa Council Economic Development Grant Program aligns with the following Queensland
Government legislation:
   • Local Government Regulation (2012)
   • Local Government Act (2009)
   • Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act (1982).

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Noosa Council Corporate Plan 2023-2028
Noosa Shire Economic Development Strategy 2021-2030

Version control:
  Version          Reason/ Trigger                        Change (Y/N)   Endorsed/ Reviewed by   Date

  1.0              Create new policy                      N              Council                 16/11/2017

  2.0              Policy Review after new Corporate      Y              Council
                   Plan, new Economic Development
                   Strategy & 5 years since last Policy




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