Workshop on applying for BBRF5

Since the announcement of a new round of Building Better Regions Fund in the Australian Government Budget on Tuesday 6th October, the Section51 team has been asked if we can run workshops to help councils prepare. We are responding to this request and this blog is about the series of webinar workshops specifically on preparing applications for Building Better Regions Fund Round 5.

Q: What did the budget announcement say about Building Better Regions Fund? 
A: An extract from the budget announcement is:
 
Mr Speaker, I was pleased to announce as part of this Budget a commitment of $200 million to Round Five of our Building Better Regions Fund. BBRF delivers regional development.
 
This is not a one-size-fits all approach. It’s everything from water recycling facilities to refreshed streetscapes. BBRF Round Four alone has delivered 163 projects across Australia. These projects make a huge difference for the regions and there’s so much more opportunity directly ahead.
 
In Round Five of BBRF we will include a specific stream for tourism-related infrastructure, worth $100 million. This recognises tourism has been hit hard during COVID-19.
 
This Round will complement other actions the Government has taken to support regional tourism through the Relief and Recovery Fund as well as the $50 million Regional Tourism Recovery initiative.

This summer Australians will use their holidays to see their own country – it's better than anywhere else in the world.

https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/mccormack/speech/ministerial-statement-rural-and-regional-budget-outcomes
 
Q: When will BBRF 5 open? 
A: We don’t know. It could be next week or next month. We just know it will be soon.
 
Q: How long will it be open for? 
A: Based on previous rounds, somewhere between 4 to 6 weeks.
 
Q: What will the focus be? 
A: While there will be a specific stream for tourism related infrastructure, the overriding focus will be on jobs, both during construction and long-term sustainable jobs post construction. To be competitive your project will need to have a substantive component of both types of jobs.
 
Q: How will round 5 be different to round 4? 
A: Very different and the reason is straightforward - it’s called 2020.
 
Just like 2020, Building Better Regions Fund Round 5 is going to be a grant program like you have not seen before. Every local government in Australia has been impacted in 2020 and every community needs funding for projects. Yet there will not be enough money to go around. To provide a context, BBRF4 was for fire and drought and thus limited to around 100 local government areas across Australia. Yet there were 374 applications and only 163 successful.  BBRF5 will be open to all 537 councils.
 
Q: How will the BBRF 5 workshop help us? 
A: The workshop provides the opportunity to streamline your preparation process and improve your chance of success in applying. If you have been successful in past rounds, we provide the opportunity to fine tune your approach specifically for BBRF5. If you are applying for the first time, we will take you through the method from start to finish.
 
Q: What topics will the workshop cover? 
A: The workshop includes sessions on:

• The purpose of an Australian Government Grant
• Details of what the Australian Government will be looking for with round 5 of BBRF
• Shovel ready, success, failure, politics, council capacity, time and project selection
• Selecting a competitive project in this context
• Preparing your project for funding under BBRF5
• Preparing your council for funding and why this is different to the application process
• What does shovel ready really mean and how to manage this conundrum
• Drafting the application
• Preparing the evidence and attachments
• Submission and process
• Risk and rewards of applying

 
Q: How will this be presented? 
A: As an online interactive Team’s webinar. 
 
Q: How long does the workshop go for? 
A: 3 hours allowing for break each hour and time for interaction and questions throughout.
 
Q: What is the cost? 
A: Cost is $200 per person. Council may choose to book a workshop for their council staff separate to the times provided.  These are available for $1500 for up to 10 staff.
 
Q: What session times are available?

October
Thursday 22nd at 10am AEDT
Tuesday 27th at 2pm AEDT
Thursday 29th at 10am AEDT
 
November
Monday 2nd at 2pm AEDT
Wednesday 4th at 10am AEDT
 
Q: How do we book a place? 
A: You can book online by clicking here.
 
Q: Who is the facilitator? 
A: Colin Steele, Managing Director of Section51. Prior to establishing Section51 Colin worked for 10 years in local government, 11 years in State Government, and 10 years in the Australia Government. Colin prepared and assessed grant programs when working for the Australian Government during the Global Financial Crisis. In the 10 years of Section51 we have experienced success, with over $400 million of projects funded from our applications for councils.  We have a realistic perspective of the grants process and like most, have experienced both failure and success.  Our advice is real.