Immediate priority grants program

• Support the Northern Territory Government’s strategies and policies.
• Assist in the delivery of key strategic infrastructure projects outlined in eligible entities’ annual plans or other corporate planning documents.
• Assist with the improvement of community infrastructure and assist in the delivery of animal management outcomes as outlined in corporate planning documents.
• Assist with immediate repairs and maintenance requirements on capital assets or fast track shovel-ready infrastructure projects.
• Improve the quality and safety of eligible entities’ community assets and infrastructure.

• Eligible entities must have a current business, strategic or operational plan.
• Eligible entities must have demonstrated that the grant application supports relevant Northern Territory Government strategies and policies.
• Eligible entities must confirm the grant will not duplicate funding already provided under this or other funding sources for the purpose intended.

Eligible entities should note the quantum of funding available when considering the types and values of projects to apply for. Up to 2 applications can be submitted and should be prioritised to assist in the assessment process. It is recommended the value of each application should not exceed $250,000. Applications must exclude administrative and management costs.

Co-contributions from councils/organisations and collaborative funding proposals are strongly encouraged and will be considered favourably in the grants assessment process.

For the development of applications, the following presents a guide with examples of the types of projects that would be eligible for approval, and is not an exhaustive list:

• parks, playgrounds, sporting and recreational areas establishment/upgrades.
• roadworks on council managed or controlled roads
• storm water management
• waste management sites establishment/upgrades
• plant and equipment to improve local government service delivery
• cemetery infrastructure establishment/upgrades
• community communication establishment/upgrades
• council facilities repairs/maintenance (excludes council offices)
• urgent and critical staff housing repairs/maintenance in regional and remote communities
• swimming pool repairs and maintenance
• animal management programs (such as veterinary services).

If the proposed project relies on pre-conditions (such as the acquisition of a section 19 lease under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976, then there must be conclusive evidence that the condition will not hinder the commencement or progress of the project the funding is being applied for.

Applications with components of an ongoing nature (e.g. salaries) will not be considered. The purchase of vehicles (passenger carrying/recreational vehicles - 4WDs, troop carriers, buses, quad bikes etc.) and council office repairs and maintenance will also not be considered.

The IPG program is subject to one round of funding applications per annum. An invitation email to eligible entities to apply through GrantsNT will be automatically sent with the grant round opens.

Invited eligible entities will be given at least 4 to 6 weeks to develop and submit applications. No late applications will be accepted.

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. The budget is to include the full cost of the project being delivered and the component of funding being sought under the IPG program. Administration and/or project management fees are not to be included as these are expected to be absorbed as 'in-kind' contributions by council.

Incomplete applications and applications for projects that do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be considered by the assessment panel.

• Alignment to Northern Territory Government strategies and policies.
• Alignment with applicant’s strategic priorities as outlined in annual plans.
• Local authority (if applicable)/community endorsement/acceptance of the benefits of the project.
• Financial and/or in kind co-contributions to the project.
• Applicant’s budget being aligned with the scope of the project.
• Supports local employment opportunities.
• Recognition will be given to issues of geographical and regional equity of proposed projects.
• Capacity for ongoing resourcing (where required) e.g. repairs and maintenance.
• Component of shared services and joint applications with other eligible entities.

Assessment of grant applications will only be undertaken after the closing date. Applications will be assessed by a panel convened by the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet in line with the above considerations and prioritised on a Territory-wide basis. Recommendations will then be forwarded to the Minister for Local Government who will approve the final list of projects and amounts to be funded.

Successful applications will be advised by the Minister for Local Government and unsuccessful applications will be advised by the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet.

The Minister’s approvals are final and cannot be changed.

No applications will be held over for future assessment.

The Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet will advise eligible entities in writing if their application(s) have been unsuccessful. GrantsNT will also indicate the application status as 'unsuccessful'.

Feedback on unsuccessful applications can be provided on request. Feedback requests are to be submitted in writing to the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet and emailed to lg.grants@nt.gov.au.

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

• a letter from the Minister advising that the grant has been approved
• a letter of offer, acceptance and acquittal forms from the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet.

GrantsNT will also indicate the application status as 'approved'.

The letter of offer from the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet will detail any outstanding local government grant acquittals which must be submitted before payment of the grant will be made.

Successful eligible entities must sign the acceptance form with appropriate authorisation and return it back to the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet via email to lg.grants@nt.gov.au, or submit it online through GrantsNT.

• The purpose for which grant funding was applied and approved for must be fully expended within 12 months. Failure to do so may result in the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet requesting funds to be repaid.
• Provision of the completed acquittal form accompanied with copies of ledger entries, invoices, photos and any other relevant supporting documentation must be provided to the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet by the required date stated in the funding offer.
• Financial co-contributions as advised in the original grant application must be reported as other income when acquitting the grant along with any other revenue in relation to the funded program.
• All acquittals must be laid before a council/organisation meeting for formal ratification and a copy of the minutes must be submitted with the acquittal.
• An administration fee is not to be apportioned against the grant amount.
• All approved projects awarded to local government councils and the subsidiary are required to be procured in accordance with the Local Government Act 2019 and Local Government (General) Regulations 2021. All successful councils and organisations must comply with the Northern Territory Government 'Buy Local' policy.
• The purpose for which grant funding is approved by the minister cannot be changed. However, minor changes to the scope of the approved project may be approved by the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet on application.
• Any request for minor changes to the purpose or scope of the approved project must be made in writing to the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet and emailed to lg.grants@nt.gov.au for consideration. Changes to the purpose or scope can only be made after written approval has been given to the council / organisation.
• If there are extenuating circumstances beyond control that is preventing an approved project to progress and a change to the entire project is proposed, then the request must be made in the form of a new funding application accompanied by quotes, project plan, budget and any other relevant supporting documentation. The application is to be accompanied by a written report detailing why the original project could not be progressed along with any evidence.
• On completion of the approved project, unspent or surplus funds remaining are to be returned to the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet.
• The Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet reserves the right to request the full value of the grant to be returned if the eligible entity disposes of an asset acquired within 4 years of the payment of the grant.
• Eligible entities must acknowledge funding by the Northern Territory Government in all media announcements and events.