Deadline: 6 September 2023
The Air Quality Improvement Precincts (AQIP) Grant Program supports businesses located in Metropolitan Melbourne’s Outer West and Inner West Air Quality Improvement Precinct identified as 2 of Victoria’s air pollution “hot spots”, to reduce the emission of PM2.5 and PM10, common air polluting particles.
The Air Quality Improvement Precincts Grant Program Round 1 will support Outer West Air Quality Improvement Precinct projects.
The program is being administered by Sustainability Victoria (SV) on behalf of Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).
Fund Objectives
- The Fund aims to support industry to reduce localised PM2.5 and PM10 air pollution in the Outer West Air Quality Improvement Precinct.
- PM2.5 is particulate matter of a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or smaller, and PM10 is particulate matter of a diameter of 10 micrometres (0.01 mm) or smaller.
Funding Available
- Two streams of funding are available per project:
- For an individual application:
- Stream 1: up to $50,000 (ex GST).
- Stream 2: over $50,000 and up to $100,000 (ex GST).
- For a group application (Collaborative Partnership):
- Stream 1: up to $50,000 (ex GST).
- Stream 2: over $50,000 and up to $1,000,000 (ex GST).
- For an individual application:
- In a Collaborative Partnership, the number of partners will determine the maximum amount of funding available. For example, a 4-partner application may apply for up to $400,000.
Note: eligible businesses can only apply for up to $100,000 maximum.
What will be funded
- Funding will support projects that:
- make a substantive contribution towards reducing the emission of PM2.5 and PM10, common air polluting particles
- will reduce contribution to air pollution or sources of dust
- demonstrate actions and innovation beyond compliance.
- Projects must:
- be located in the Outer West Air Quality Improvement Precinct
- meet regulatory or planning requirements
- be completed by 24 December 2024.
- All expenditure items must be directly related to the project. Examples include:
- capital purchases, such as infrastructure or equipment
- permit, licensing, approval costs.
- Project examples:
- Installation of enclosed sheds.
- Sealing private roadways.
- Hardstands or sealing work areas.
- Replacing generators and fixed plant with electric or hybrid equivalent.
- Planting of vegetation to effectively act as a physical barrier to the transmission of dust and particulate emissions.
- Misting sprays along fence boundaries.
- Air filters & bag houses for emitting facilities.
- Installation of physical barriers (fencing, walls, etc.).
- Vehicle or wheel washing facilities.
- Upgrades to mobile or fixed plant to reduce PM2.5 or PM10 emissions, including installation of new diesel particulate filters, exhaust scrubbers or other upgrades.
Who can apply?
- Eligible organisations are businesses that are located in the Outer West Precinct both at the time of application and for the duration of the project.
- Eligible businesses may apply either as a single organisation or as a Collaborative Partnership involving multiple businesses. If applying as a Collaborative Partnership, a Lead Applicant must be designated. The Lead Applicant serves as the responsible Contracting Party, accountable for both the application and project delivery, including the coordination of Collaborative Partners. Grant funding will be received solely by the Lead Applicant.
- Note: If the applicant is a Trust, the Funding Agreement must be executed by the Trustee of the Trust, for instance, XYZ Pty Ltd acting as The Trustee for the XYZ Trust. The Trust, as the trading entity, must meet all the fund’s eligibility requirements (for example, having an ABN).
- Applicants must:
- have a current Australian Business Number (ABN). If the applicant is a Trust, the Trust as the trading entity must meet this requirement
- have an appropriate legal structure such as an Australian Registered company, business cooperative or partnership and have documentary evidence of an appropriate legal structure
- be able to demonstrate financial viability to undertake the project (will meet or exceed the minimum Co-contribution requirements).
For more information, visit Sustainability Victoria.