Northern Territory Recreational Fishing Grants Scheme

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Northern Territory Recreational Fishing Grants Scheme

Guidelines 2023–24

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Contact details

To obtain further information or advice on the Northern Territory Recreational Fishing Grants Scheme (NTRFGS), please contact the NTRFGS Manager of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade at [email protected] or call 08 8999 2148.

Darwin office Fisheries Division

Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade 33 Vaughan Street

BERRIMAH NT 0828 GPO Box 3000

DARWIN NT 0801

Privacy

The personal information you must provide in an application is necessary to assess your organisation’s eligibility for a grant under the NTRFGS and related contact purposes. If you do not provide the requested details, the Fisheries Division may not be able to process your application. Applicant information is held by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade and managed in accordance with the Information Act 2002.

By signing the application form, you consent to your personal information being provided to the

Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade for the purpose of promoting and reporting the outcomes of the grant program. This may be in the form of a public announcement by the minister and includes, but may not be limited to, the name of the applicant or organisation, funded project description, funded amount and location.

You can access and update personal information you provide to the Fisheries Division. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further information or have any concerns.

Interpreter services

If you have difficulty with the English language and would like an interpreter, please contact the

Interpreting and Translating Service NT on 08 8999 8506 or 1800 676 254, or the Aboriginal Interpreter Service Darwin on 1800 334 944.

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About the NTRFGS

The NTRFGS is funded by the Northern Territory Government’s $50 million RecFishing Futures Program and administered by the Fisheries Division of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade. Recognising the social and economic value of recreational fishing, the scheme offers grant funding for community projects that grow and support recreational fishing in the Territory.

In the 2023-24 financial year, the NTRFGS will offer grant funding to eligible organisations for projects and activities that directly improve recreational fishing experiences and opportunities in the Territory.

Eligible organisations can apply for small grants of up to $15,000, or large grants up to $100,000, for finite projects and activities that align with the objectives of the NTRFGS.

Applications are sought from fishing clubs, fishing organisations, Traditional Land Owners (Aboriginal Land Trusts), incorporated bodies and businesses. It is expected that successful projects will be announced in May 2023.

These guidelines outline the grant scheme priorities, project categories, eligibility criteria, assessment process as well as reporting and acquittal obligations for successful grant applicants.

Objectives

The objectives of the NTRFGS are to:

• improve recreational fishing experiences in the Territory

• create enhanced recreational fishing opportunities

• open new opportunities for recreational fishing by developing infrastructure for fishing related visitation

• support the promotion of best practice and/or sustainable fishing and stewardship

• support a vibrant, accessible and inclusive recreational fishing community.

Eligibility

Who is eligible to apply?

To be considered for NTRFGS funding you must:

• be a legally constituted Australian entity, with the main place of business registered and operating in the Territory

• be an incorporated body, or be sponsored by an incorporated organisation

• not have an outstanding acquittal from a previous Territory recreational fishing grant fund

• be able to complete the project by 31 August 2024.

Project eligibility

To be considered for NTRFGS funding your project application must meet these requirements.

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• You must demonstrate that other financial or in-kind support, such as money, labour, promotion, expertise, materials and equipment, is available to deliver the project or activity. Grant funding cannot cover the entire cost of a project or activity.

• Projects must be not-for-profit. Commercial business ventures (that is, for-profit activities) are ineligible.

• You must provide quotes for goods and services to be purchased. You must give preference to quotes from the Territory.

• For projects on private land, secure long-term open public access agreements are required.

What can be funded?

Finite projects and activities with outcomes that align with the NTRFGS objectives and meet eligibility requirements will be assessed for funding.

Examples of projects that may be eligible for funding include:

• infrastructure to facilitate new or improved recreational fishing access opportunities, such as camps, shelters, boat ramps and amenities

• fishing platforms, shelters, boat ramps and seats or structures at land-based fishing locations

• fish-cleaning or wash-down facilities

• best practice recreational fishing education programs

• projects to improve education, awareness and participation in recreational fisheries research and management

• fish habitat restoration projects

• programs to capacity (such as fish tagging or fisher research) where a clear need can be demonstrated

• family fishing days, fishing clinics programs, Gone Fishing Day events

• projects or events to promote safe, inclusive, accessible, and sustainable recreational fishing in the Territory, such as shows, fishing guides or maps with a focus on safe fishing, accessible fishing, inclusive fishing and/or sustainable fishing.

Projects put forward by, or in partnership with, Traditional Owners are encouraged and will be prioritised.

Repeat projects or activities

The funding of projects or activities that previously received NTRFGS funding (that is, repeat projects) is discretionary. All prescribed reporting from previous grant funding must have been submitted for assessment at the time of application to the current grants round in order to assess the outcomes and benefits prior to the consideration of repeat funding.

Multiple projects or activities

If an applicant is seeking funding for more than one project or activity, a separate application is required for each project or activity.

Each application is considered on its individual merits. It is not always possible to fund all applications.

Funding is not automatic and should not be anticipated.

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What cannot be funded?

Projects that cannot be funded include:

• projects that do not substantially align with and further the objectives of the NTRFGS

• projects commenced or completed prior to the application as grants funding cannot be used for retrospective purposes

• projects requiring the entire cost of a project or activity with no cash or in-kind co-contributions

• commercial business ventures, that is, for-profit activities

• projects on private land, unless secure, long-term public access agreements can be demonstrated

• projects that do not have the landowner’s permission

• projects that require ongoing government funding or have ongoing operational costs, such as electricity, water or other utilities, unless it can be demonstrated that the applicant can meet or arrange for these future costs

• fishing competitions

• lobbying, activist activities or animal rights campaigns

• projects with management fees where the project is on council land.

Additionally, grant funding cannot be used for goods already purchased, overseas travel, or purchase of motor vehicles, boats, non-urgent repairs or maintenance.

Who cannot apply?

These entities and projects are not eligible to apply to the NTRFGS for grants funding:

• entities operating outside the Territory, such as national/peak organisations

• individuals who have not partnered with an incorporated body

• private for-profit groups

• universities

• Territory Government agencies, including government schools

• unincorporated bodies unless as a partner to a not-for-profit organisation (please refer to page 8 of these guidelines for more information)

• projects on private land with no public access.

Project categories

Projects must fit into the one of the following two categories.

Category 1: Small Grant Projects up to $15,000

• Primarily educational, capacity-building and participation activities, including fishing events, fishing classes, educational materials and equipment.

Category 2: Priority Large Grant Projects up to $100,000

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• Strategic infrastructure projects that increase or improve access to fishing locations and/or create new recreational fishing opportunities.

Projects and events that can demonstrate significant in-kind or cash contributions, address a well-

substantiated need, and/or demonstrate strong community or stakeholder collaboration and support will be considered favourably.

Eligibility criteria and application requirements are the same for both small and large grants but different reporting arrangements may apply. Please refer to page 13 of these guidelines for more information about reporting requirements.

Partnering for projects

When applying to the NTRFGS, applicants are encouraged to consider a partnership approach between like-minded not-for-profit organisations, or a not-for-profit organisation and local government council. This approach is a way of strengthening the Territory’s capacity to achieve the objectives of the NTRFGS and may assist with provision of financial and/or in-kind support to strengthen the application.

In an application involving a partnership with another not-for-profit organisation or local government council, the application must include a letter of support from the other organisation that specifies its financial and in-kind commitment to the project or activity.

An application from a local government council must be in partnership with a not-for-profit organisation related to recreational fishing.

The role of local government councils

The key function of local government is to support the social, economic, environmental, and cultural wellbeing of local communities. Within this function, most urban and regional local government councils in the Territory provide services related to recreational fishing.

Local government councils may not apply to the NTRFGS independently and must be in partnership with a not-for-profit organisation related to recreational fishing.

Assessment process

Assessment

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade will conduct due diligence at its discretion to confirm the eligibility of applicants.

Assessment of grant applications will only be undertaken after the closing date. Grant applications will be assessed against the criteria and decisions made based on the information supplied in the application and the accompanying support material.

Assessment criteria

Applications for funding that meet the eligibility requirements will be assessed by the NTRFGS committee against the following criteria.

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The project must:

• meet the objectives of the NTRFGS

• align with components of the Northern Territory Recreational Fishing Development Plan

• demonstrate an appropriate level of financial and in-kind support from the organisation, its partners or other sources

• demonstrate effective planning and use of resources to achieve clear and effective outcomes benefitting recreational fishing in the Territory

• include an accurately costed and viable budget

• provide evidence of community and/or stakeholder support or involvement

• show appropriateness in relation to the activities of the organisation

• include a plan to promote awareness of the project

• address a well-substantiated community need, providing proof in the form of letters of support or other documentation.

Other factors taken into consideration will include:

• whether your project benefits the Territory’s regional and remote areas

• whether your organisation has the capacity to deliver the project

• evidence of sound financial management

• other applications submitted in that round

• available funding in that round.

Assessment Committee

An Assessment Committee with representatives from the Fisheries Division, the Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the Northern Territory and the Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee will convene to evaluate all applications against the grant objectives and assessment criteria. Additional specialist advice from other agencies may be sought if necessary. Recommendations for approval are made to the Minister for Recreational Fishing. All decisions are final and there is no appeal process associated with this grants scheme.

Notification

You will receive a formal letter notifying you of the outcome of your application by email. If your application was not eligible, you will be advised the reasons for this decision.

Feedback

After receiving a notification letter, you can obtain feedback on your application by contacting the Fisheries Division. Please refer to page 2 of these guidelines for contact details.

Some applications may meet the published criteria but be unsuccessful as the NTRFGS may receive more applications than can be supported from available funding.

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How to apply

Visit the GrantsNT website and register to apply online. For further information, please contact the Fisheries Division on 08 8999 2148 or email [email protected].

Before you submit your application

• Check that all previous grant funding from NTRFGS (if any) has been fully acquitted.

• Read these guidelines or visit the GrantsNT website for more details.

• If you are still uncertain of your eligibility to apply, speak to the NTRFGS Manager [email protected] or call 08 8999 2148.

Completing the application

The application form should provide all necessary information to allow detailed assessment and

comparison of applications. You must fully complete the application form and are encouraged to contact the NTRFGS Manager to discuss any queries at [email protected] or call 08 8999 2148.

Budget support material

Your budget must be comprehensive and clear, and include all details of income and expenses for your project or activity.

You must demonstrate that financial or in-kind support from other sources is confirmed. Evidence may be provided through letters, emails of support or budget notes.

You must submit a quote with your application for any budget item over $5,000, or for capital works of any value.

Your application must demonstrate a clear understanding of the approvals processes required to deliver the project. This may include evidence of correspondence with relevant authorities.

You must provide organisational details, including ABN.

If you apply for a grant in Category 2 (up to $100,000), you must provide your organisation’s most recent audited annual financial statements with the application. If you apply for a grant in Category 1 (up to

$15,000), an audited annual financial statement with the application is not a requirement, but must be produced on request.

Other supporting material

If you are applying in partnership with another not-for-profit organisation or local government council, you must attach a letter of support from the other organisation to the application. Please refer to page 8 of these guidelines for more detail about project partnering.

Insurance requirements

The NTRFGS Grant Funding Agreement will set out the insurance requirements in relation to the grant awarded. As a minimum, a successful applicant can expect a requirement for comprehensive public liability insurance for the project for not less than $10 million in relation to any single event.

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A grant applicant or recipient must provide a copy of the insurance policy for any insurance required to the Territory Government upon request.

Grants and the GST

A not-for-profit organisation must be registered for GST if it has an annual turnover of $15,000 or more.

Funding under a grant agreement may be subject to GST. If your organisation is registered (or required to be registered) for GST, it may have to pay GST on the funding payment if it makes a supply in return for that funding.

The NTRFGS Agreement sets out the terms in relation to GST. Funding provided under this NTRFGS Grant Funding Agreement will be inclusive of GST, with GST calculated using the GST rate at the date of funding provided.

If the recipient ceases to be registered for GST, the recipient must immediately notify the Territory in writing, and must repay an amount equal to 1/11^th of the funding, less the actual GST incurred by the recipient.

It is the organisation’s responsibility to understand its obligations with respect to GST and to ensure that any GST component of the grant is remitted to the Australian Tax Office.

Submitting the application

Applications are due by midnight 16 April 2023.

The due date for applications in the 2023-24 grant round is 16 April 2023. Late applications will not be accepted and incomplete applications will not be assessed.

Funding administration

Successful applications

If your application is approved for grant funding, you will receive:

• letter of offer

• NTRFGS Grant Funding Agreement outlining the terms and conditions of funding

• NTRFGS Acquittal form

• request for your payment details (vendor creation form)

• Recipient Created Tax Invoice Authority.

NTRFGS Grant Funding Agreement

An NTRFGS Grant Funding Agreement must be signed by successful grant recipients and returned to the Fisheries Division before a grant will be paid. For Category 2 grants, payments may be linked to the achievement of milestones contained in the NTRFGS Grant Funding Agreement.

It is recommended that the funded project or activity does not commence until the NTRFGS Grant Funding Agreement has been signed by the grant recipient, administering body (if applicable) and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade.

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Commencement

The funded project or activity must commence within three (3) months of the date of signing the NTRFGS Grant Funding Agreement.

If the funded project cannot commence within three (3) months of the date of signing the NTRFGS Grant Funding Agreement, the grant recipient must apply for a variation in accordance with the terms of the NTRFGS Grant Funding Agreement.

Acknowledgement of funding

Recipients of grant funding through the NTRFGS must acknowledge the support of the Territory

Government in all publicity or promotional material. This requirement extends to verbal acknowledgement of the Territory Government in relevant media forums.

The Territory Government logo must be prominently featured on all promotional materials associated with grant or sponsorship arrangements, and/or the following phrase should be used:

Proudly supported by the Northern Territory Government

Grant recipients are required to contact the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade on 08 8999 2076 if they are holding public events to launch or celebrate a project or activity for which funding was secured.

There may be an opportunity for the Minister for Recreational Fishing to attend your event and, if appropriate, launch the project or activity.

Funding rules Project variation

If a grant recipient wishes to vary the purpose or term of a project or activity for which it has secured funding, the grant recipient must contact the Fisheries Division in writing, outlining in detail the reason for the variation and the proposed change. A new budget for the project variation may be required. A variation to the purpose or term of the funding is not automatic and is subject to approval by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade.

Unexpended funds

If the funding, or part of it, is not expended during the approved term of the grant project or activity, the grant recipient must apply for a variation in accordance with the terms of the NTRFGS Agreement. If no variation is sought or the variation is not approved, the grant recipient may be required to return the unexpended funds. Please refer to the Project variations section in these guidelines for more information.

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Failure to meet terms of the NTRFGS Grant Funding Agreement

If the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade determines that a grant recipient has not used the grant for the approved purposes, or the conditions of funding have not been met as set out in the NTRFGS Grant Funding Agreement, the grant recipient will be notified in writing to repay the funds in full or in part as determined by the department.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade also reserves the right to withdraw approval for funding at any time if there is a change in circumstances in the nature or financial viability of the project or

organisation.

Publication of outcomes

Grant recipients must be willing for details of the project funding to be published, for example in media or annual reports.

Buy Local

In accordance with its Buy Local policy, the Territory Government supports the choice of Territory

businesses when procuring goods and services and strongly encourages its grant recipients to do the same.

For more information, please visit the Buy Local website.

Approvals and permits

If an applicant secures funds to develop infrastructure, it is the applicant’s responsibility to source and obtain all necessary Northern Territory and other statutory approvals associated with the project.

Disposal of assets

If a grant recipient wishes to dispose of an asset purchased with grant funds and it has a value exceeding

$5,000 at that time, the grant recipient must submit a written application to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade requesting consent to the disposal. Consent may be withheld at the department’s discretion.

Grant project monitoring and reporting

For successful applicants, reporting requirements will be set out in a reporting schedule in the NTRFGS Grant Funding Agreement. The minimum requirement is a written end-of-project report that details the actual recreational fishing outcomes of the funded project or activity. This includes the extent to which the project objectives were achieved and any issues that affected the project. Reporting should include

statistics, if relevant.

Recipients of Category 2 grants (up to $100,000) will be required to submit a half-way project progress report in addition to the end-of-project report, as prescribed in the reporting schedule.

Completion

The project or activity for which grant funding was received must be completed by the approved completion date. Failure to do so without approval for a project variation may result in the department requesting repayment of the funds. Please see page 12 of these guidelines for more information about project variations.

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Grant recipients should not assume that projects or activities that previously received NTRFGS funding will be funded again in future years. Organisations should work towards securing funding from other sources.

Alternatively, organisations should devise a suitable plan to wind down activity with minimal disruption.

Acquitting the grant funding

Acquitting a grant means accurately accounting for funding. The NTRFGS Grant Funding Agreement outlines acquittal requirements. The NTRFGS Acquittal form must be used for financial reporting to certify that the grant funding has been used in accordance with the NTRFGS Grant Funding Agreement.

Acquittal timeframe

You must acquit the grant funding within 30 days of the approved completion date, or within 30 days of the end of the funding period (that is, the financial year in which the funding will be provided and spent).

The financial acquittal must be submitted with any other project reporting requirement set out in the reporting schedule.

Disclaimer

At the time of production, details contained within these guidelines were accurate. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in this document, the authors, publishers and the Department of Industry Tourism and Trade expressly disclaim any liability or responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained herein.

The information contained in this document is provided as a guide only and applicants and grant recipients are encouraged to contact the Fisheries Division for clarity on any items with these guidelines.

Northern Territory Recreational Fishing Grants Scheme