What is ‘screwdriver ready’?

The new words never ceases to amaze us.  If you thought shovel ready was ground-breaking then think again. From The Canberra Times:
 
Coronavirus recovery: ACT commits $10 million to speed up local infrastructure projects
JUNE 11 2020 - 4:30AM
 
The government initially committed $25 million to fast-track the delivery of small, so-called "screwdriver-ready" infrastructure projects across all parts of Canberra.
 
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6788548/millions-promised-to-speed-up-local-infrastructure-projects/#gsc.tab=0

What did the Prime Minister announce this week?

On 15th June 2020 at the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) State of the Nation forum held at the Press Club in Canberra, the Prime Minister said:
 
As we come out of this COVID crisis, and as we are on this road ahead, infrastructure development will play a critical role in our JobMaker plan. And as we move into 2020-21, we are pushing to do even more. Since last November, we have worked with state, territory and local governments to bring forward or inject additional investment totalling nearly $7.8 billion:

That includes $500 million in new funding to establish a new program supporting all councils to undertake local road and community infrastructure upgrades that previously weren’t in their forward schedules. (New spending)
.
Today I am committing a further $1.5 billion to immediately start work on small priority projects identified by the states and the territories as part of our partnership. As part of this package, $1 billion will be allocated to priority projects which are shovel-ready, and being smaller projects they’re ready to go. Further announcements on specific projects will be made soon.
 
https://www.pm.gov.au/media/address-%E2%80%93-ceda%E2%80%99s-state-nation-conference

How do we get access to this funding?

We're working on it.  Details on the new spending are limited but there are ways to find out that we are pursuing.  Everyone here in Canberra is a bit busy this week with Parliament sitting but watch this space.
 What is a pipeline of future projects?
In another part of the speech the Prime Minister said:
 
To build the pipeline of future projects, we are determined to get out of the way and speed up progress by improving approvals processes.
 
Infrastructure pipelines have been around for a while, but they tend to be at a scale well beyond most local governments. The National Infrastructure Construction Schedule (NICS) is the Australian Government’s construction pipeline which brings together information on infrastructure projects from all jurisdictions and across the three tiers of government, including construction projects valued at over $50 million in larger states, and over $20 million in smaller states. The NICS also provides a list of publicly-owned assets which the Federal, state and territory governments will bring to market.
 
The NICS was developed by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development in collaboration with the states, territories and local governments, with information on the NICS provided by the government responsible for procuring each individual project.

https://infrastructurepipeline.org/about-the-national-infrastructure-construction-schedule/

Do States and Territories have Pipelines?

Yes.  For example, the NSW Infrastructure Pipeline provides a forward view of infrastructure under development by the NSW Government. It includes infrastructure projects with a minimum capital value of $50 million.  The NSW pipeline sets out the steps for pipeline projects:

• Strategic Planning – Preparation to approval of strategic business case
• Final Business Case – Preparation to approval of final business case
• Construction Procurement – Preparation, approval and release of procurement documents for main works
• Construction Commence – Preparation to commence construction of main works
• Rolling Program – Rolling program with ongoing procurement and delivery

http://www.infrastructure.nsw.gov.au/industry/construction-industry/pipeline-of-projects/

And New Zealand too? 

Yes.  Just in case you are wondering about our friends across the ditch. ‘All greenfield and brownfield projects and divestments: > NZD $100 million’.  In a twist New Zealand has begun to reduce the size of their pipeline:
 
NZ Herald Focus: 'Skypath' among 11 major projects to be fast tracked by Government'. High density housing around the country, transport infrastructure upgrades and more walkways and cycleways are among the "shovel-ready" projects that the Government wants to fast-track to kick-start the economic recovery.

What funding opportunities are available around the States and Territories?  

NSW: Sunday 31 May 2020. The NSW Government has announced a new $3 billion acceleration fund to go towards job-creating projects, increasing the government’s infrastructure pipeline to a guaranteed $100 billion. The new $3 billion Infrastructure and Job Acceleration Fund will be used for smaller, shovel-ready projects touching every corner of the state, injecting up to an extra 20 thousand jobs back into the NSW workforce.

https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/3-billion-boost-creates-100-billion-infrastructure-and-jobs-pipeline
 
WA: Tuesday 12 May 2020. Applications for round three of the Regional Economic Development Grants (RED Grants) program are now open and close on 7 July 2020. Eligible applicants can apply for round 3 of RED Grant funding for individual projects that contribute to sustainable jobs, expand or diversify industry, develop skills and capability, attract new investment or maximise recovery from COVID-19 impacts to the region.

http://www.drd.wa.gov.au/rfr/REDG/Pages/default.aspx

TAS: Monday 8 June 2020. Supporting sport and recreation while keeping Tasmanians safe and healthy. The Tasmanian Government remains committed to support the State’s sport and recreation sector through the challenges faced as a result of COVID-19. Our Government recently announced a $10 million Improving the Playing Field assistance package and this, along with our $2 million sport and recreation COVID-19 support fund, will help Tasmanian sporting organisations recover and rebuild from COVID-19 while supporting hundreds of jobs.

http://www.premier.tas.gov.au/releases/supporting_sport_and_recreation_while_keeping_tasmanians_safe_and_healthy

SA: Wednesday 10 June 2020. Regional Growth Fund 2020–21 Now Open
Strategic Business Round 2020. A special $15 million round of the Regional Growth Fund has been established to help fast track the recovery of regional economies after COVID-19. Applicants can seek grants from $50,000 up to $2 million. Applications are now open and close at 12pm on Monday 6 July 2020. The $150 million commitment over 10 years in the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is to support projects that unlock new economic activity in our regions, create jobs, grow export opportunities and strengthen regional communities. Funding will be provided for projects that deliver a tangible benefit to regional South Australia. This may include new or improved capital works, infrastructure, facilities and similar investments.

https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/regions/regional_growth_fund
 
QLD: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 $50 million stimulus funding for councils to Unite & Recover.
The Premier has announced a $50 million boost for South-East Queensland councils to build new and upgraded infrastructure which will create 750 jobs as part of Queensland’s continued economic recovery from COVID-19. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the funding today as part of the second stage of her government’s Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs plan. “As part of the $50 million Unite and Recover Community Stimulus Package, we will work with local governments and the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) to identify shovel ready projects so that we can support more jobs as quickly as possible.

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2020/6/16/50-million-stimulus-funding-for-councils-to-unite--recover
 
ACT: Thursday 11 June 2020. The ACT Government will expand the Fast Tracked suburban infrastructure program, delivering more jobs and supporting more local businesses as we recover from COVID-19. The initial $25 million program has seen headcounts on worksites exceed 1000 people, at the same time supporting hundreds of local businesses. There have been upgrades to local school facilities, improvements to footpaths and cycleways, road safety improvements, community facility upgrades and maintenance at venues including the National Arboretum Canberra, Canberra Theatre Centre and National Convention Centre.

The second phase of the Fast Track program will play an important role in Canberra’s Recovery Plan. $8 million being allocated to new projects and $2 million of the program extension will be allocated to early planning and design work. New projects will include more funding for upgrades to public buildings, maintenance works in our schools and urban renewal projects.
 
https://www.cmtedd.act.gov.au/open_government/inform/act_government_media_releases/barr/2020/more-jobs-and-local-businesses-supported-through-$10m-extension-of-fast-track-program

NT: Monday 1 July 2019 Aboriginal Workforce Grants. Agency Department of Trade Business and Innovation. Closes30 June 2023 5:30 PM (ACST). Funding is offered to employers and businesses to support activities that result in more Aboriginal Territorians entering employment and developing careers within the workplace. The grants help employers and businesses by providing funding for wrap-around services and other support needed to maximise employment outcomes.
grantsnt.nt.gov.au

 
What are this week’s 3x3?
 
3 things to do this week:
 

1. Revisit you shovel ready projects and see if they may fit into a smaller pipeline. (new)
2. Check if any of the open grant programs are suitable for your projects. (new)
3. Review all your reporting requirements across council for all State or Australian government grants as the end of the financial year is imminent.

 
 3 things to do over the next 3 weeks:
 

1. Work with planners, economic development officers and community in gaining an understanding of the potential for shovel ready projects to fit into a new smaller pipeline. (new)
2. Finalise and submit applications for grant programs which close in mid-July. (new)
3. Turn off all the noise you don’t need to hear, which will enable you to focus on the projects you need.

 
3 things to do over the next 3 months:
 

1. 6 to 12 months planning for your projects in a different funding world. It is your projects first not the funding opportunities that is your suggested focus. (new)
   
2. Formalise a process to look at new strategies that your planners, economic development officers and community may pursue in the new look and feel that your main street and CBD may have in a post COVID world. (new)
3. Revisit your community and business needs for their funding needs over the next 6 to 12 months. (new)