Regional and remote burial areas grant program

The following are examples of the types of projects that would be eligible for funding approval. Please note that it is not an exhaustive list:

• Signage for cemeteries and burial grounds.
• Fencing for cemeteries and burial grounds.
• Equipment for burials and cemetery maintenance.
• Common facilities for a cemetery or burial ground (e.g. a shade structure).
• Projects that support the protection and maintenance of burial sites and burial areas, including record keeping.

The council or organisation must confirm that there are no conditions that will hinder the progress of the proposed project.

Applications with components of an ongoing nature (e.g. salaries) will not be considered.

The purchase of assets do not qualify unless it is directly related to services provided in cemeteries or burial grounds (e.g. Ground Penetrating Radar and/or excavator).

The grant program is subject to one round of funding per annum.

The 2023-24 round closes on 31 October 2023.

All applications are to be submitted online via GrantsNT. Online applications must be accompanied by at least one recent quote, excluding any GST component, and a detailed project plan and budget.

A single application can be submitted for multiple cemeteries managed by the same council or organisation.

Administration and/or project management fees are not to be included in the amount of funding being requested.

The council or organisation must confirm that the grant will not duplicate funding already provided from other sources and intended for the same purpose.

The council or organisation must arrange all relevant consents to enable the expenditure of the grant.

Incomplete applications will not be considered by the assessment panel.

Councils and organisations are encouraged to discuss potential projects with the CM&C regional contact in their region.

General questions about the grant program can be emailed to burials@nt.gov.au.

The assessment of applications will include consideration of the following:

• Local Authority or community endorsement/acceptance of the benefits of the project.
• Financial and/or in kind co-contributions to the project.
• Alignment of the project’s budget with the scope of the project.
• The project’s contribution to local employment opportunities.
• The project’s alignment to Northern Territory Government strategies and policies.

Assessment of grant applications will only be undertaken after the closing date. Applications will be assessed by a panel convened by CM&C.

The grant assessment panel will assess funding applications in line with the above considerations. When final assessments are made, recommendations will be forwarded to the Minister for Local Government for consideration.

Successful applications will be advised by the Minister. The grant application process is competitive and the Minister's grant funding approvals are final and cannot be changed. GrantsNT will also indicate the application status as "successful".

CM&C will advise councils and organisations if their applications are unsuccessful. GrantsNT will also indicate the application status as "unsuccessful". Feedback on unsuccessful applications can be provided on request. All requests are to be submitted in writing to CM&C and emailed to burials@nt.gov.au.

Once approved by the Minister, successful applicants will receive the following:

• a letter from the Minister advising that the grant has been approved;
• an acceptance form which must be signed with appropriate authorisation and returned via email to burials@nt.gov.au, or submitted online through GrantsNT; and
• a letter of offer, acceptance and acquittal forms from CM&C.

The letter of offer will detail any outstanding grant acquittals which must be submitted before any payment of the grant is made.

• Grant funding must be fully expended within two years for the purpose for which grant funding was approved. Failure to do so may result in a request for the funds to be repaid.
• Completed acquittal forms accompanied with copies of ledger entries, invoices, photos and any other relevant supporting documentation must be submitted at the end of the project.
• Financial co-contributions as advised in the original grant application must be reported as other income when acquitting the grant.
• For local government councils:
  • all approved projects must be procured in accordance with relevant provisions in the Local Government Act 2019 and Local Government (General) Regulations 2021; and
  • all acquittals must be laid before a council meeting for formal ratification and a copy of the minutes must be provided with the acquittal.
• All approved projects awarded under this grant are required to be procured in accordance with the Northern Territory Government buy local policy.
• The purpose for which grant funding is approved by the Minister cannot be changed.
• Any request for minor changes to the purpose or scope of the approved project must be made in writing and emailed to burials@nt.gov.au for consideration. Changes to the purpose or scope can only be made after written approval has been given to the council or organisation.
• If there are extenuating circumstances prohibiting an approved project to be undertaken, and a change to the entire project is proposed, a request must be made in the form of a new application detailing the reasons for the change and accompanied by quotes, a project plan, a budget and any other relevant supporting documentation.
• On completion of the approved project, unspent or surplus funds must be returned to CM&C.
• CM&C reserves the right to request the full value of the grant to be returned if the eligible entity disposes of any asset acquired within four (4) years of the payment of the grant.
• Councils and organisations must acknowledge funding by the Northern Territory Government in all media announcements and events.