General Questions
Applying for the Greater Cities and Regional Sport Facility Fund is a simple process using the SmartyGrants platform. You are able to download a copy of the application form from the SmartyGrants website prior to commencing your application.
Eligible applicants must complete the online application form (including supporting documents) via the Office of Sport SmartyGrants page by 12pm, 8 October 2021.
The Greater Cities Sport Facility Fund provides grants between $100,000 and $1 million.
It is based on the grant amount requested.
For all other projects, a financial co-contribution will be considered favourably.
Greater Cities Sport Facility Fund Fact Sheet
Example
If the total project cost is $1.1 million, and the grant amount requested is $1 million (maximum grant amount available) the applicant would need to have a minimum financial co-contribution of $250,000.
No, the contribution must be a financial contribution.
No. Projects with a capital cost of $5 million or more must have a letter of support from the relevant State/National Sporting Organisation. Where the facility provides for a number of sports, a letter from each State/National Sporting Organisation is required. Where a letter of support has not been provided, the Office of Sport reserves the right to recommend to the Grant Assessment Panel to set the application aside from further consideration, at its absolute discretion.
However, to demonstrate project need support letters can be provided by MPs, councils, National/State and local sporting clubs and associations, schools and community groups where available.
Physical construction works are expected to commence within six months of signing the funding agreement. Projects are expected to be completed within two years of the signing of a funding agreement. Consideration will be given to projects of significant scale and complexity, to have an extension up to three years and will not be discounted.
The assessment process will consider project scale and relative size. Consideration will be given to overall impact, relative economic and sport participation benefits of a smaller project.
All successful applicants will receive detailed information about how they must acknowledge NSW Government funding for infrastructure projects. Projects funded by the Greater Cities or Regional Sport Facility Funds will typically require a statement of funding acknowledgment in the applicant’s annual reports and media releases; and a statement and the NSW Government logo included on building signage, related websites and invitations and other funding related materials. Successful applicants will receive full guidelines, logo and signage template files.
Further details about acknowledgment of NSW Government funding for infrastructure projects can be found here.
A sample template for SSO/NSO support is available on the website. An SSO/NSO Statement of Support must be included for projects with a total capital cost equal to or greater than $5 million. However, to demonstrate project need letters of support can be provided for all projects. Refer to: SSO Statement of Support Form Template.
No.
The assessment of applications under the Greater Cities Sport Facility Fund and Regional Sport Facility Fund is in accordance with the Program Guidelines and supporting documentation, which are publicly available. Grant programs are a competitive process, and it is essential that an applicant provides a thorough application that clearly addresses all the eligibility and assessment criteria.
The Fund does not require a Cost Benefit Ratio greater than one.
All applications should address the publicly available assessment criteria and will be assessed against the criteria.
A single lead applicant is required to submit the application and if successful will become the grant recipient responsible for entering into a funding agreement with the Office of Sport. The Fund encourages applications based on partnerships e.g., with a Council. If a sporting club submits an application, it is the responsibility of the club to manage project delivery or it can arrange for Council to manage the project delivery on its behalf. The application will need to demonstrate any partnership model, including asset management that would be administered to deliver the project including any joint use agreements.
Eligible applicants within the City of Newcastle local government area can submit an application under the Greater Cities Sport Facility Fund.
Eligible applicants within the Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Port Stephens local government areas can submit an application under the Regional Sport Facility Fund.
Please refer to the respective grant guidelines for a list of eligible LGAs (GCSFF guidelines and RSFF guidelines).
Eligibility Questions
Detailed project plans/business cases that are eligible and comply with the application requirements will be assessed against the Fund’s objectives, focus and aim and the assessment criteria: strategic justification, project scope and inclusive design, project affordability and project deliverability. Assessment criteria is detailed in the Greater Cities Sport Facility Fund Fact Sheet and Guidelines, and Regional Sport Facility Fund Fact Sheet and Guidelines
No. Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified at the same time. Outcomes of applications under the Fund are expected to be advised from December 2021.
No. The focus of the Fund is on facility projects that provide benefits to the community, not solely school students. Whilst educational organisations such as schools, TAFEs and universities are not eligible applicants, we encourage partnerships with these organisations to provide the community with access to sporting facilities. A project between an eligible applicant e.g. council and a public school using the Joint Use Facility Agreement developed by School Infrastructure NSW would be an eligible project. The eligible applicant e.g. council would need to be the applicant under the Greater Cities or Regional Sport Facility Fund.
Yes. Where a Development Application (DA) would be required by a council, it must be evidenced as part of the application. A DA demonstrates the shovel readiness of a project.
If a Development Application has not been provided (or evidence provided to support that the DA is not required), the Office of Sport reserves the right to recommend to the Grant Assessment Panel to set the application aside from further consideration at its absolute discretion.
It is recommended that all eligible organisations discuss the project scope with their relevant local Council to determine if the project will require a DA and obtain a letter from Council that states their advice. For further advice please contact infrastructuregrants@sport.nsw.gov.au.
Yes. A letter from the landowner must be provided as part of the application.
Where a letter providing landowner consent has not been provided, the Office of Sport reserves the right to recommend to the Grant Assessment Panel to set the application aside from further consideration at its absolute discretion.
Yes. Applications that will develop new or significantly improved walking, running or off-road cycling trails that are an integral component of the sport facility development are eligible. Fixed outdoor exercise equipment is eligible if co-located and integrated into a sport facility development.
No. The statutory functions of P & C Associations are aimed at assisting the school with which they are associated and promoting the welfare of the students of that school.
Routine or cyclical maintenance projects are not eligible projects. New and/or upgraded project elements that demonstrate sustainable solution are eligible, including:
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energy efficiencies (e.g. LED lighting upgrade);
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environmental sustainability (solar installation, water harvesting); and
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building facilities/surfaces for increased longevity and use (synthetic upgrades) are part of an eligible project scope.
Funding/ Project Questions
No. The application process is competitive. It is anticipated there will be multiple applications competing for the funding available. Successful applications will be those that best meet the objectives, focus and aim of the program and the assessment criteria.
No. The Fund aims to support the capital construction costs of a project.
Yes. However, the grant must be for a different component of the project.
No. The co-contribution must be a financial contribution.
No. The Guidelines state that the minimum grant amount is $100,000. Therefore, the project cost must be at least $100,000.
No. As councils are expected to also apply, they cannot have access to information on other applications.
Yes. Applicants can submit up to three (3) applications, with each requesting up to $1 million per round. The applicant can advise of their project priority ranking through the application form. As part of the assessment process projects will then be assessed in line with the Guidelines.
No. Packaged up projects will only be accepted if there are multiple project elements within the one project site. Providing new or upgraded lighting across multiple sites will not be eligible.
Yes, only if it is part of the same sport precinct/sports hub/master plan at the same site location.
Two applications will be required. Packaged up projects will only be accepted if there are multiple project elements within the one project site. A single application with projects across multiple sites will not be accepted.
Applications that develop new or significantly improved walking, running or off-road cycling trails that are an integral component of the sport facility development are eligible. Please refer to the respective grant guidelines for a list of eligible and ineligible project types.
Office of Sport Definitions / Questions
The sporting organisation recognised by the Office of Sport and Sport Australia as the pre-eminent body for the development of their sport in NSW and Australia.
Inclusive design keeps the diversity and uniqueness of each individual in mind and allows maximum use, by the widest range of people, without the need to adapt or add accessories. It includes the incorporation of universal design principles and providing safe, dignified and equitable access through functional space. Designs should be beyond Building Code of Australia or Access standards to ensure facilities are accessible to more people.
For further information:
Incorporation of universal design principles and providing safe, dignified and equitable access through functional space. Designs should be beyond Building Code of Australia or Access standards to ensure facilities are accessible to more people. Refer to https://www.and.org.au/data/Design_ for_Dignity/Design_for_Dignity_Guidelines_ Aug_2016.pdf
Projects need to be able to proceed to procurement stage within the required timeframes and to ensure physical construction works can commence within six months of funding being announced.
Yes. Detailed designs can be considered as part of the project and budget, however the project needs to be able to ensure it can progress to physical project works within six months of funding being announced.
An example would be new and upgraded provision of disability access and universally designed amenities that are beyond compliant and provide dignified inclusion in sport participation. Refer to eligible projects in the Program Guidelines.
The Fund’s focus is on universally designed and functional facilities for women and girls that have been co-designed with women and girls, are safe, accessible and fit-for-purpose. Where possible and appropriate, projects should lead to additional participation and program content/scheduling for women and girls and/or improved inclusiveness. For further information refer to the Office of Sport’s Women in Sport Strategy, Her Sport Her Way.
For further information on the Fund’s Guidelines and Fact Sheets, go to: