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What is the fund?

The fund will implement high quality water supply and efficient domestic wastewater management services in small towns and communities across Victoria.

What will the fund do?

The fund aims to minimise existing public health and environmental issues linked to water supply and domestic wastewater management in small towns.

Local government, water corporations, community and the State government will work together to improve drinking water quality and upgrade, monitor and improve wastewater management.

This will be achieved by local government and water corporations submitting projects for financial support.

A Technical Assessment Panel will recommend projects that best meet criteria to provide water and wastewater services to small towns.

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What will not be funded?

The fund may not be used for "infill" projects where a town has been absorbed, or is likely to be absorbed into the infrastructure of a regional town or city.

Towns with in excess of 1,000 residents will normally be excluded from the project.

Projects where proponents are unable to identify the proposed additional funding sources.

Will this fund be different to the previous Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program?

Yes. The Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program focused on providing water supply and sewerage solutions to priority towns with urgent public health and environmental issues.

The Small Towns Water Quality Fund is seeking voluntary applications from water corporations and local government to implement water and wastewater solutions for small towns across Victoria.

A total of 52 water supply and sewerage projects were approves for funding under the Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program.

The Victorian Government allocated funding of $16 million for the 2007/2008 State Budget to the Small Towns Water Quality Fund with four proposed rounds of funding, beginning in 2008/2009

This fund's purpose is to help develop infrastructure in small towns; projects will be proportional to the scale of existing issues and provide sustainable solutions.

The fund is a competitive process during which water corporations and rural councils are invited to submit a Registration of Interest to DSE for proposed projects on behalf of their community.  Each RoI will be judged on its merits and a prioritised list, based on the evaluation criteria, will be developed.  Business Cases will then be invited from a short list of proponents to facilitate a final decision.

What are Domestic Wastewater Management Plans?

Plans developed by local councils under the State Environment Protection Policy 'Waters of Victoria' 2003.

The plans contain two main components:

• Strategic component – this outlines broad goals of the plan, sets out context, discusses management approaches and timelines and assesses current wastewater situations in each township.
• Action plan – this contains step-by-step actions required to meet the overall goals.

How much funding will be available?

Up to $1 million will be available on a 1:1 basis.

Proponents must be able to identify the proposed supplementary funding sources and, where appropriate, obtain supporting documentation from the funders.

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How many rounds of funding are offered?

The fund allowed for four rounds of applications.

Rounds 1, 2 and 3 are now closed. 

The following water supply and wastewater projects were funded:

Round 1	Round 2	Round 3
Walwa sewerage scheme	Millewa water quality improvement scheme	Alberton sewerage scheme
Bemm River sewerage scheme	Cavendish water quality improvement project	Pimpinio Point of Entry water quality improvement – Governance and management
Avoca desalination plant	Mallacoota water quality improvement project	Moyhu wastewater treatment system
Eskdale water supply scheme	Swifts Creek water security project	Quambatook water quality improvement scheme
Aspley wastewater improvement project	Lexton water improvement scheme	Wycheproof water quality improvement scheme
Goroke wastewater improvement project	Springhurst water improvement scheme	Community wastewater education program – Healthy Land - Baddaginnie (pilot project)
Harrow wastewater improvement project	Whitfield water improvement scheme
Snake Valley sewerage project	West Portland sewerage scheme

  

Round 4

Opened on 1 July, 2011.

What type of projects will be funded?

Eligible project categories are on a township basis for:

• water supply security improvements
• water supply quality improvements
• new water services
• septic tank upgrades
• small town wastewater solutions.

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What criteria will be considered in approving projects for funding?

• The STWQF is open to water corporations and local Government in rural areas.
• Funds are to be used for the implementation phase.
• Proponents who have submitted a successful Registration of Interest must develop a Business Case.
• The STWQF will provide 1:1 matching funding up to $1 million per project.
• Proponents must be able to identify source/s of matching funds.
• Regional council proponents must obtain sign-off from their CEO and their local water corporation must endorse the project.
• Water Corporation proponents must obtain sign-off from their MD and local Government must endorse the project.

The proposed projects should meet the following fund objectives:

1. Results in service improvement
2. Provides value for money investment
3. Provides public and environmental health protection.
 

What is the time frame for the completion of a project?

All projects must be completed within three years of signing the funding deed. Projects should commence within 6 months of signing of the Funding Agreement.

Who can apply for funding in the fourth round?

Water corporations and local government in rural areas are invited to submit a Registration of Interest for proposed projects, on behalf of their small town community members.

Will there be other rounds?

This is the fourth and final round of funding for the STWQF.

Will there be information sessions?

Yes, if requested. Please contact your Regional Manager – Catchment and Water, to register your interest:

Murray McIntyre, Manager – Catchment & Water Port Phillip: (03) 9296 4524
Ian Hastings, Manager – Catchment & Water South West: (03) 5336 6876
Daniel Mainville, Manager – Catchment & Water Gippsland: (03) 5172 2188
Robert Steel, Manager – Catchment & Water North East: (03) 5761 1542
Robert Steel, Manager – Catchment & Water North Central: (03) 5761 1542
John Cooke, Manager – Catchment & Water Sunraysia: (03) 5051 4302

OR

Viv Amenta, Senior Project Officer, Catchment and Water Services (03) 9742 0476

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Further information

For further information contact:

Vivian Amenta
Senior Project Officer
Catchment and Water Services
(03) 9742 0476
vivian.c.amenta@dse.vic.gov.au

Max Coster
Project Officer
Catchment and Water Services
(03) 9742 0452
max.coster@dse.vic.gov.au