Round Two Guidelines
OCTOBER 2012
Page ii
Written and published by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.
© Commonwealth of Australia 2012
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IMPORTANT NOTICE – PLEASE READ
This document is produced for general information only and does not represent a statement of the policy of the
Commonwealth of Australia. The Commonwealth of Australia and all persons acting for the Commonwealth preparing
this report accept no liability for the accuracy of or inferences from the material contained in this publication, or for any
action as a result of any person’s or group’s interpretations, deductions, conclusions or actions in relying on this material.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 1
CONTENTS
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM GUIDELINES
2
KEY DATES
2
1.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
3
1.1 Introduction
3
1.2 Objectives and benefits of the program 4
1.3 How the program will be managed
5
1.4 Funding 7
1.5 How applications will be assessed
9
2.
3.
4.
5.
1.6 Selection of successful applications
11
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
11
2.1 Eligibility criteria
11
2.2 Viability criteria
15
2.3 Merit criteria
16
2.4 low socio‑economic benefit criterion
19
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
20
3.1 Funding agreement
20
3.2 Roles and responsibilities 21
3.3 Compliance
23
3.4 Privacy and confidentiality
23
3.5 How will industry participate?
24
HOW TO LODGE APPLICATIONS 24
4.1 Developing applications
24
4.2 Application process
25
4.3 Closing date and lodgement
26
4.4 Late applications
27
4.5 Contacts and complaints
27
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
28
APPENDIX A – ELIGIBLE EXPENDITURE – GUIDANCE 33
APPENDIX B – E
NERGY USAGE AND EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT
REQUIREMENTS
39
APPENDIX C – LOCAL INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT
42
APPENDIX D – REGIONAL AND RURAL COUNCILS
44
APPENDIX E – LOW SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS
45
APPENDIX F – CONCESSIONS APPLICABLE TO APPLICANT CATEGORIES
49
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 2
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY ENERGY
EFFICIENCY PROGRAM GUIDELINES
The Community Energy Efficiency Program Guidelines provide information relevant to
potential grant applicants regarding the preparation of project proposals.
These Guidelines are the key element of the application package. The application package
also includes the CEEP Round Two Application Form, draft funding agreement and the
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Application Guidance document.
The Community Energy Efficiency Program is a competitive merit‑based
grant program – meeting the assessment criteria does not guarantee funding.
Applications need to demonstrate a high level of merit against the criteria and
be competitive against other applications.
Applicants should not rely on grant funding for a proposed project prior to the
Funding Agreement being signed by both parties.
These Guidelines are divided into five sections:
Section 1 overview of the Program
Section 2 overview of the assessment criteria for the Program
Section 3 additional information relating to the Program
Section 4 information on lodging applications
Section 5 glossary of terms
KEY DATES
Round Two Applications open
30 October 2012
Round Two Applications close
7 February 2013
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 3
1. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The Commonwealth Government has a comprehensive plan to move to a clean energy
future. This includes:
• introducing a carbon price
• promoting innovation and investment in renewable energy
• encouraging energy efficiency
• creating opportunities in the land sector to cut pollution.
Improving the efficiency of our energy use is one of the fastest and most cost effective
ways to reduce emissions. The Commonwealth Government has implemented a raft of
energy efficiency measures which will help improve the productivity of our economy and
move Australia towards a prosperous low‑carbon future.
A key to improving energy efficiency is local action. The Commonwealth Government,
recognising its leadership role in supporting local communities in their efforts to improve
their energy efficiency, has established the Community Energy Efficiency Program to assist
local governments and non‑profit community organisations improve their energy efficiency.
The Community Energy Efficiency Program is a competitive merit‑based grant program
that will provide co‑funding to local governing bodies and non‑profit community
organisations to implement projects that deliver a range of energy efficiency measures to
adjust to the introduction of the carbon price. As the Community Energy Efficiency Program
is focussed on energy efficiency, grant funding cannot be used to fund the purchase and/or
installation of renewable energy generation systems.
The Program is administered by the Department of Climate Change and Energy
Efficiency (the Department) as part of the Low Carbon Communities initiative under the
Commonwealth Government’s climate change plan – Securing a Clean Energy Future.
Grants amounting to a total of $42 million were awarded to 63 successful recipients from
Round One of the Program in June 2012.
The Low Carbon Communities suite of programs also includes a number of related
programs, as outlined below.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
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1.1.1 Other programs under Low Carbon Communities
Low Income Energy Efficiency Program
The Low Income Energy Efficiency Program supports consortia of local councils,
community welfare organisations, state and territory governments, research institutions
and energy companies to trial and evaluate approaches to improve the energy efficiency
of low income households. Information on the program is available on the Department’s
website at www.climatechange.gov.au.
Home Energy Saver Scheme
The Home Energy Saver Scheme is administered by the Department of Families,
Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) and will deliver services
to 100,000 low income households. Services include access to energy efficiency and
financial management information; advice, advocacy and support; and help to access no
or low interest loans to purchase energy efficient appliances. Information regarding the
scheme is available on the FaHCSIA website at www.fahcsia.gov.au.
Charities Maritime and Aviation Support Program
The Charities Maritime and Aviation Support Program offers a payment for the carbon
price impact on essential maritime and aviation fuels used by organisations such as air and
sea rescue services. Information regarding this program is available on the Department’s
website at www.climatechange.gov.au.
Local Government Energy Efficiency Program
The Local Government Energy Efficiency Program is a non-competitive grant program that
will provide grant funding to local governing authorities to install solar or heat pump hot
water systems. Information regarding this program is available on the Department’s website
at www.climatechange.gov.au.
1.2 OBJECTIVES AND BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM
The objectives of the Community Energy Efficiency Program (the Program) are to:
1. support a range of local councils and community organisations to increase the energy
efficiency of different types of non‑residential council and community‑use buildings,
facilities and lighting; particularly where this would benefit low socio‑economic and other
disadvantaged communities or support energy efficiency in regional and rural councils.
2. demonstrate and encourage the adoption of improved energy management practices
within councils, organisations and the broader community.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 5
In addition to the objectives above, the Program is expected to provide the following
benefits:
• better services and improved amenity of buildings and community facilities
• minimising energy consumption and costs to manage the impacts of the carbon price
• building the knowledge and capacity of the energy services and construction industry,
and supporting competitive Australian energy efficiency technology and equipment
manufacturers
• contributing to the national effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
1.3 HOW THE PROGRAM WILL BE MANAGED
The Community Energy Efficiency Program is a competitive merit‑based grant program
with defined funding limits. Funding under the Program will be provided in multiple grant
rounds. Only the strongest proposals that most successfully meet the assessment criteria
will be funded. Applicants should ensure their proposals meet the basic application
requirements outlined in Section 2 of these Guidelines. While preparing applications,
applicants are encouraged to consult the guidance material available to assist potential
applicants. Applicants should contact the Department where they are uncertain about any
element of the Guidelines or application criteria.
An independent Program Advisory Committee will be responsible for assessing eligible
project proposals against the merit criteria. The Department will not be able to provide
detailed guidance on application development or indicate the likely merit judgments of the
Program Advisory Committee or the viability assessment process.
The Department will have overall responsibility for managing the assessment process
and for making recommendations to the Minister. The Minister will make final decisions
regarding which applications receive grant funding under the Program, based on the
recommendations provided by the Department.
Figure 1 – Application assessment and project implementation process
APPLICATION
ASSESSMENT
ANNOUNCEMENT
IMPLEMENT
PROJECT
Department
Applicant
Program Advisory
Committee
Application Form
Minister
Grant Recipient
Funding Agreement
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 6
1.3.1 Additional consideration for low socio‑economic communities
The Commonwealth Government has identified the need to support low socio‑economic
and other disadvantaged communities by prioritising funding. Those local governing
authorities ranked in the lowest 50 per cent of the Local Government Area (LGA)
Index of Relative Socio‑economic Disadvantage, 20061 will be regarded as having
low socio‑economic status under this Program. The Australian Bureau of Statistics
Socio‑Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) use a broad definition of relative
socio‑economic disadvantage in terms of access to material and social resources, and
ability to participate in society. A list of the councils regarded as having low socio‑economic
status is provided in Appendix E.
For group applications where both low socio‑economic status and other council applicants
are involved, the low socio‑economic status for the group will be determined by whether
over 50 per cent of the total resident population of the group’s component councils would
come from the councils listed in Appendix E.
A merit criterion to assess the extent to which a project targets low socio‑economic and
other disadvantaged communities is included as part of the merit criteria (see Section 2.3).
In addition, the Department will assess applications against the low socio‑economic benefit
criterion, outlined in Section 2.4. Applications qualifying for additional consideration will
receive an increased grant funding ratio of up to two thirds of the total project cost.
Additional consideration will be given to the following applicants:
• Councils regarded as having low socio‑economic status (listed in Appendix E),
regardless of project type
• Councils not regarded as having low socio‑economic status but proposing projects
predominantly focussed on benefitting low socio‑economic and other disadvantaged
communities
• Non‑profit community organisations proposing projects predominantly focussed on
benefitting low socio‑economic and other disadvantaged communities.
1.3.2 C
oncessions for regional and rural councils and non‑profit
community organisations
Concessions will be made for some regional and rural councils and non‑profit community
organisations to ensure they are not disadvantaged during the application and assessment
processes. These concessions will apply regardless of the low socio‑economic status
(outlined in Section 1.3.1) of these applicants. Different concessions will be available for
two categories of councils: small regional and rural councils and medium‑sized regional
councils. Definitions of these two categories are provided in Appendix D.
1 Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2033.0.55.001 – Socio-economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA),
Data Cube only, 2006. ABS, 2008
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 7
The concessions for small regional and rural councils are:
• The following eligibility rules will apply for small regional and rural councils, including:
–– a reduction in the lower funding limit for individual grants
–– inclusion of Low Carbon Australia Ltd finance as part of the applicant contribution to
a project
–– modified rules relating to some eligible expenditure (see Section 1.4 and Appendices
A and F).
• applications from small regional and rural councils will be assessed separately from
other applications.
The concessions for medium‑sized regional councils are:
• a reduction in the lower funding limit for individual grants (see Appendix F)
• inclusion of Low Carbon Australia Ltd finance as part of the applicant contribution to
a project.
The concession for non‑profit community organisations are:
• a reduction in the lower funding limit for individual grants (see Appendix F)
• modified rules relating to some eligible expenditure (see Section 1.4 and Appendices A
and F).
• applications from non‑profit organisations will be assessed separately from other
applications.
1.4 FUNDING
All successful projects must be completed by June 2016.
Eligible applicants may submit multiple applications for funding in each round, but only one
application per project will be considered. Unsuccessful applicants from Round One may
resubmit eligible applications in this and subsequent funding rounds. However, applicants
should note the particular objectives of this Program Round to benefit low socio‑economic
and other disadvantaged communities and regional and rural councils.
1.4.1 Maximum Program funding per project
Single applicants may apply for funding of up to $2 million (excluding GST) for eligible
project costs.
Group applications may apply for funding of up to $5 million (excluding GST) for eligible
project costs. Exemptions may apply in relation to the upper funding limit for iconic street
lighting projects proposed by groupings of local councils or for regional street lighting
projects.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 8
1.4.2 Lower Program funding limit per project
Different lower funding limits for applications from various categories of applicants
and for projects predominantly focussed on benefitting low socio‑economic and other
disadvantaged communities apply. These lower funding limits are outlined in Table 1.
1.4.3 Applicant contribution
Applicant contribution must be from sources other than the Commonwealth Government.
Applicant contributions for projects proposed by various categories of applicants will differ
and are outlined in Table 1. Applicants will need to provide documentary evidence of their
ability to fund the remaining costs of the project not met by Commonwealth Government
funding and demonstrate certainty of such funding at the time of application (e.g. existing
budgets or loan pre‑approval).
Applicants must provide, as part of their application documentation, written evidence
confirming contributions from project partners. Supporting contributions can be from any
appropriate source such as local businesses, a non‑government organisation, industry or a
local government body.
Funding derived as loans from financial institutions will be admissible as co‑funding;
however, Commonwealth Government funding under this Program cannot be used as
equity or to improve the equity of the organisation in relation to such loans.
The applicant contribution2 cannot include in‑kind contributions.
In the case of small regional and rural councils and medium‑sized regional councils,
financing arrangements entered into with Low Carbon Australia Ltd will be eligible for
inclusion as part of the applicant contribution for projects. This financial arrangement is not
available for non‑profit organisations.
Applicants may make arrangements with other organisations to implement group projects
(see Section 2.1.1 for more information on group applications). These groups must have a
lead applicant with which the Department will enter into a funding agreement.
1.4.4 Projects involving multiple buildings, facilities or sites
A project may involve upgrades or retrofits to multiple buildings, facilities or sites. Where
proposals involve project activity in multiple buildings, facilities or sites, the project costs for
each individual building, facility or site should be provided as part of the application.
2 Applicant contribution may include the value of funding to be received from the sale of energy
efficiency certificates, energy savings certificates or Small-scale Technology Certificates
(STCs, formerly known as renewable energy certificates). As solar and heat pump hot water
systems are eligible under CEEP, this rule will also extend to STCs created for installations of
those systems.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 9
Applications which are predominantly focussed on benefitting low socio‑economic and
other disadvantaged communities and involve multiple buildings, facilities or sites will be
regarded as having low socio‑economic status under this Program where the majority of
cost of works on these buildings, facilities or sites benefit the target low socio‑economic or
other disadvantaged communities.
Successful applicants implementing projects involving multiple buildings, facilities or sites
will be required to report separately on the progress of the project component in each
building, facility or site.
Table 1. Funding Model for CEEP Round Two
Applicant
Category
Non‑profit
Lower Funding Limit
Minimum Applicant Contribution
•Projects
from
applicants
not having
LSE status
and without
LSE focus
•Projects from
applicants not
having LSE
status and
without LSE
focus
•Projects from
councils with
LSE status
or
•Projects from
non‑LSE status
applicants
proposing
projects with
LSE focus
$10,000
$10,000
community
•Projects from
councils with
LSE status
or
•Projects from
non‑LSE status
applicants
proposing
projects with
LSE focus
One‑half of total
One‑third of total
project cost
project cost
One‑half of total
One‑third of total
project cost
project cost
Two‑thirds of total
One‑third of total
project cost
project cost
Two‑thirds of total
One‑third of total
project cost
project cost
organisations
Small regional
$10,000
$10,000
and rural councils
Medium‑sized
$35,000
$20,000
regional councils
Metropolitan and
$50,000
$30,000
large regional
councils
1.5 HOW APPLICATIONS WILL BE ASSESSED
Applications from the different applicant categories will be assessed in three separate
streams:
• non‑profit community organisations
• small regional and rural councils
• all other councils (medium, metropolitan and large).
Applications in each stream will be assessed through a four‑part assessment process
involving eligibility, viability, merit and low socio‑economic benefit.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
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Eligibility assessment
At the close of applications the Department will verify the eligibility of all applications
against the eligibility criteria (outlined in Section 2.1). During this stage, the Department
may contact applicants to request verification of any information contained in their
application. Applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be further assessed.
Viability assessment
The Department will work with independent experts to assess the viability of applications.
Viability will be considered from four perspectives:
• capacity of the applicant to deliver the proposal
• financial viability of the proposal
• technical feasibility of the proposal
• risks relating to the proposal.
Independent experts will be chosen by the Department who have professional expertise
or qualifications in fields including financial viability, auditing, energy efficiency, project
management and risk assessment. More information on viability assessment can be found
in Section 2.2.
Merit assessment
The independent Program Advisory Committee will assess eligible applications in each
stream against the merit criteria (outlined in Section 2.3) and will provide a merit score for
each application, based on the weightings for the merit criteria. This merit score will add up
to an effective 100 per cent or one point score per 10 per cent.
The submission of an eligible application does not guarantee the provision of funding.
Applications need to demonstrate a high level of merit against the criteria and be
competitive against other applications.
Low socio‑economic benefit assessment
The Department will assess all eligible applications to identify those submitted by
applicants from local government areas regarded as having low socio‑economic
status and those applications for projects predominantly focussed on benefitting low
socio‑economic and other disadvantaged communities.
Applications that do not predominantly focus on benefitting a low socio‑economic and other
disadvantaged communities may still be otherwise eligible.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
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1.6 SELECTION OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS
The Minister, having considered the recommendations of the Department, will make the
final decision on which applications receive funding under the Program. In making its
recommendations, the Department will consider the outcomes of the merit and viability
assessments, the spread of projects across the three assessment streams and the
different types of projects in the context of the overall availability of funds for the program.
The amount of grant funding offered for any successful project may be less than the
amount requested by the applicant, for example, funding may be offered only for stage one
of a multi‑stage project or part of a large multi‑building project.
1.6.1 Notification of outcomes
Successful applicants will be made an offer of grant funding in writing. Successful projects
will be publicly announced and the announcements may include the:
• name of the successful applicant organisation and of any project partners
• title and description of the project and its intended outcomes
• project value and the amount of Commonwealth funding awarded.
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing by the Department at the time of the
announcement. Unsuccessful applicants may contact the Department to receive feedback
on their application and will be able to resubmit eligible applications in subsequent funding
rounds.
2. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
2.1 ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applications under the Community Energy Efficiency Program will be assessed against
the following eligibility criteria. An application will not be accepted for further assessment
unless it satisfies all of the eligibility criteria.
2.1.1 The Applicant
Applications can be made by either a single applicant or multiple applicants submitting a
group application with one organisation being the lead organisation. In both cases, the
application may be for single or multiple buildings, facilities or sites. The eligibility criteria for
these different applicant types are outlined below.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 12
Single applicant
In the case of single applicants, to be eligible for a grant the applicant will need to be:
a. either:
–– a local governing body as constituted under relevant state or territory legislation
or be a body declared as a ‘local governing body’ under the Local Government
(Financial Assistance) Act 1995, or
–– a non‑profit organisation3 constituted as a legal entity for at least 12 months and with
public liability insurance to the value of $20 million, whose primary objective is to
assist or service the community
b. the owner of the building, facility or site that is the subject of the project proposal (this
may mean that the applicant could be the part owner), or the operator or lessee, with
written permission from the owner(s) to implement the project
c. able to demonstrate an ability to co‑fund the proposed project.
(This funding may be from other sources, such as state/territory government programs or
other funding partners).
Group applications
Eligible organisations such as small local councils or non‑profit community organisations
may consider submitting a group application in order to minimise project application
and management costs. In this case, the group of applicants must nominate a lead
organisation.
Group applications involving members from areas that are not identified as having low
socio‑economic status (see Appendix E) will be regarded as having low socio‑economic
status if more than 50 per cent of the composite population of the group members are from
areas identified as having low socio‑economic status.
The lead organisation will be the ‘applicant’ for the grant under the program and, if
successful, will be required to enter into a funding agreement with the Commonwealth
Government. The lead organisation will be the recipient of the grant funding, will be
responsible for ensuring compliance with the funding agreement and will be the primary
contact for the project.
A lead organisation must, subject to the following, meet the eligibility criteria and may be a
non‑profit organisation (such as a regional organisation of councils or regional development
organisation) submitting the application on behalf of the group. For group applications,
where the lead organisation is not the owner or lessee of the relevant buildings, facilities or
sites, the lead organisation must have the agreement of all members of the group to submit
the application and manage the project on behalf of the other members of the group.
3 See Section 4.6 Glossary of Terms for definition of a ‘non-profit organisation’.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 13
The other members of the group involved in a group application must, however, be the
owners, part owners, operators or lessees of the buildings, facilities or sites that are part of
the proposed project. Part owners, operators and lessees should have written permission
from the owner(s) to implement the project. All individual group members should
demonstrate their commitment to the project and are required to provide a written letter of
support outlining their involvement and contribution to the project.
A group application will be assessed and ranked, based on its combined strengths and
weaknesses, against each of the proposed criteria, as if it was a single application. In
the case of a group application involving two or more councils, the application will be
considered as an application from the assessment category to which the largest council in
the group belongs (whether or not they are the lead organisation). In the case of a group
application involving non‑profit community organisations and local councils, the application
will be considered as an application from the lead organisation.
Ineligible organisations
The following organisations will not be eligible to apply for grants or directly benefit from a
grant under the Community Energy Efficiency Program:
• state or territory government agencies and their funded entities such as public hospitals
• for‑profit corporations, associations or trusts
• primary or secondary schools (government and non‑government)
• aged care facilities4
• universities and other tertiary education institutions
• individuals
• informal or unincorporated groups.
These organisations, while not eligible to apply for or directly benefit from a grant,
may participate in projects by providing additional financial or non‑financial support to
applicants.
The Department will not be able to provide advice on the eligibility status of a particular
organisation prior to applications being assessed; applicants will need to seek independent
advice on their eligibility under these Guidelines.
4 Aged care facilities are not eligible for grants under the Community Energy Efficiency Program,
as they will receive support to adjust to the impact of the carbon price through other measures
under the Clean Energy Future package. However, upgrades to non-residential buildings owned
by a non-profit aged care organisation will be eligible. These buildings may include facilities
such as day respite centres.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
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2.1.2 The Project
An eligible project will be one that:
a. is located in Australia
b. will result in an energy efficiency upgrade or retrofit to a non‑residential council or
community‑use building, facility or site5, where the majority use is for council or
community purpose
c. will achieve clear, measurable gains in energy efficiency or reduction in energy use (or
in the case of buildings that are currently unoccupied, such as heritage buildings that
are being retrofitted, will achieve clear estimable energy efficiency gains certified by an
appropriately qualified independent energy efficiency expert)
d. in the event of the applicant not being a local governing body, has the support of
the local governing body (e.g. a letter of support from the authorised delegate, or a
council resolution).
In addition to the above eligibility criteria, proposed project expenditure must conform to the
following conditions:
• energy audits: the cost of one energy audit or energy efficiency assessment per
building, facility or site conducted prior to the signing of the funding agreement, but
within the previous 12 months, capped at $3,000 per assessment.
• educational activities and raising community awareness: costs not exceeding
30 per cent of the total project costs.
• administration costs: administration costs, up to a limit of $100,000, and must not
exceed:
–– in the case of small regional and rural councils and non‑profit community
organisations, 20 per cent of the total project costs
–– in the case of medium‑sized regional and rural councils and metropolitan and large
regional councils, 10 per cent of the total project costs.
An eligible project must not:
• be a project to purchase and/or install renewable energy generation systems, including
solar photovoltaic systems
• be a new build or ‘greenfield’ project, a post‑demolition rebuild project or part of an
extension to an existing building
• be a devolved grant, that is, a grant requested by the applicant with the purpose of
distributing grants to other parties
• be receiving any other Commonwealth Government financial support for the proposed
project (small regional and rural councils and medium‑sized regional councils may
access financing from Low Carbon Australia Ltd as part of their applicant contribution
for eligible projects).
5 ‘Site’ includes a series of street lights.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 15
2.2VIABILITY CRITERIA
The Department will engage and work with independent experts to assess the viability of
eligible applications that have passed the merit assessment stage. Viability of applications
will be considered from four perspectives:
• capacity of the applicant to deliver the project, including resources, past record in
delivering projects of a similar nature, experience in project management and ability to
complete the project within the agreed timeframe
• financial viability of the proposal, including budget, project costings and co‑funding
arrangements
• technical feasibility of the proposal, including estimated energy efficiency improvements/
energy savings
• risks relating to the proposed project and risk management and mitigation strategies
identified by the applicant.
Applicants will be expected to provide sufficient documentation and information about
themselves and, in the case of group applications, members of the group. This will enable
a comprehensive review of their corporate governance, key financial ratios, project budget,
energy efficiency gains/savings and project risk strategies.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 16
2.3MERIT CRITERIA
The Program Advisory Committee will assess eligible applications against the following
merit criteria and provide a merit score for each application.
Energy
efficiency
improvement
potential
20%
Targeting low
socio-economic
and other
disadvantaged
communities
20%
Potential to
encourage
improved
energy
management
practices
20%
Project design,
funding &
management
20%
Value for money
20%
1. Energy efficiency improvement potential
(Criterion weighting = 20%)
Applicants should indicate merit by demonstrating the potential of the project to achieve
improved energy efficiency or a reduction in energy use.
As part of their application, applicants must provide:
• a baseline measure of the energy usage and efficiency of the building, facility or site
proposed for upgrade or retrofit based on:
–– if the building is occupied, energy usage data for the most recent 12 month period
prior to the planned commencement of the proposed project, or
–– if the building is unoccupied, an estimate of the likely energy usage in an average
occupied status over a 12 month period made by an appropriately qualified energy
efficiency expert
• an estimate of the projected energy efficiency, cost savings (for example, energy,
maintenance costs) and improvement to be achieved by the proposed upgrade or
retrofit
• an outline of the methods or tools used to derive the energy use and energy efficiency
improvement estimates.
Applicants are encouraged to use methods and tools that are appropriately recognised or
are industry standards. For example, the Building Code of Australia.
Measurements should be carried out by independent third party assessors who ideally
have training in a relevant measuring methodology. ‘Independent’ means that the
assessor should be free of any conflicts of interest that might impair their ability to be
objective and impartial.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 17
Where an existing methodology is used to measure baseline performance, the assessment
should be performed by an accredited or trained professional and in accordance with the
relevant assessment method or tool.
Successful applicants must update the estimate of energy efficiency improvement at the
end of the project and may be requested to provide further data following the completion of
the project.
Applicants should also provide information on the factors that affect the determination of
energy efficiency information including units of measurement (e.g. square metres). Further
information regarding this requirement is available at Appendix B.
2. Targeting low socio‑economic and other disadvantaged communities
(Criterion weighting = 20%)
Applicants should indicate merit by addressing the extent to which the project would benefit
low socio‑economic and other disadvantaged communities, or support energy efficiency in
councils servicing low socio‑economic communities.
• Applicants should address how the project will benefit low socio‑economic and other
disadvantaged communities through improved energy efficiency and improved amenity
of facilities
• Applicants may also refer to one or more of the characteristics of low socio‑economic
status identified in the Australian Bureau of Statistics Socio‑Economic Indexes for Areas
(SEIFA) when addressing this criterion.
3. Potential to encourage improved energy management practices
(Criterion weighting = 20%)
Applicants should indicate merit by addressing the extent to which the project can deliver
each of the following:
• how the project outcomes and lessons, such as the greenhouse gas emission
reductions, cost savings, and/or productivity gains, will be shared with the community
and other councils or organisations
• how the energy efficiency lessons from the project will be sustained within the
organisation and in the community after the project period
• the ability of the project to educate and build community capacity about climate change
and energy efficiency
• the extent to which cost‑effective, innovative approaches will be applied that could be
more widely adopted by other building or facility owners
• support for the proposed project from a broad cross‑section of the community (this
support could be in the form of cash contributions, volunteer support for the project,
letters of support from persons with delegated authority, or evidence of endorsement
through consultation).
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
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4. Project design, funding and management
(Criterion weighting = 20%)
Applicants should indicate merit by demonstrating:
• that they have a project plan which clearly sets out the project objectives and achievable
outcomes; a realistic, fully justified and itemised budget for each building, facility or site;
detailed risk assessment and project management processes (including appropriate
processes for commissioning any contract work).
• that they have the capacity to undertake the project within reasonable timelines and
within the allocated budget, including access to appropriately skilled staff and/or
appropriately qualified or accredited contractors
• how they intend to manage subcontractors and ensure compliance with state and
territory laws, including relevant workplace health and safety regulations
• that the physical works relating to the project will commence soon after signing the
funding agreement (e.g. within two to three months)
• that the project is planned to be completed within a reasonable period of time
considering the type of project and the region in which it is being undertaken
• that the project has in place all appropriate planning and building approvals under
relevant local, state or territory and Commonwealth legislation, or will have such
approvals in place by the time of signing the funding agreement.
Applicants will also need to indicate their acceptance or otherwise of the requirements
detailed in the draft funding agreement as part of this criterion.
5. Value for money
(Criterion weighting = 20%)
Value for money, a key principle underpinning Commonwealth Government grant
administration, requires a comparative analysis of all relevant costs and benefits of each
proposal throughout the whole procurement cycle (whole‑of‑life costing).
Applicants should indicate merit by demonstrating:
• the level and type of co‑funding available for the project and the ability for the proposal
to leverage a significant proportion of the total project funding
• how the project is additional to business as usual, that is a new project, an additional
stage to a current project or a project which adds energy efficiency activities to a current
project
• the need for Program funding in order for the project to proceed
• any ongoing measurable benefits (other than energy efficiency) to the local community
or local economy from the project that may go beyond the funding period.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
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Applicants requesting project funding greater than $1 million must also address the
following in their application:
• how the proposal will provide reasonable opportunity for engaging local industry in all
stages of the project
• how the proposal will increase collaboration between the applicant organisation and
local industry.
Further information regarding this requirement is available at Appendix C.
2.4LOW SOCIO‑ECONOMIC BENEFIT CRITERION
The Department will give additional consideration, in terms of potential funding ratios,
to council applicants from areas regarded as having low socio‑economic status (see
Appendix E) and to projects predominantly focussed on benefitting low socio‑economic
and other disadvantaged communities.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
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3. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This section provides additional information relating to the Program that potential applicants
should be aware of prior to submitting an application.
3.1 FUNDING AGREEMENT
Successful applicants will be required to enter into a funding agreement with the
Commonwealth Government before they receive grant funding under the Program. In the
case of group applications, the lead organisation will be required to enter into a funding
agreement with the Commonwealth Government. The draft funding agreement will be
provided to all applicants as part of the application package.
The funding agreement is a performance‑based, legally enforceable agreement between
the Commonwealth Government and the successful applicant. It sets out the terms and
conditions governing the funding provided.
To ensure applicants are aware of the legal requirements contained in the funding
agreement, applicants will be required to indicate in their application their acceptance or
otherwise of the requirements of the draft funding agreement as part of their response to
merit criterion 4 (refer section 2.3).
All successful applicants will receive a written offer of grant funding and a draft funding
agreement. Successful applicants will have sixty (60) days from the date the offer is made
to execute the funding agreement with the Commonwealth Government or will need to
show cause for the delay in execution. Failure to execute the funding agreement within this
timeframe may result in the funding offer being withdrawn. An exemption may apply if the
Department requests that a project be re‑scoped.
The date of execution of the funding agreement will be the project commencement date.
The Department reserves the right to terminate the funding agreement or adjust the scope
of the project at its discretion.
In the event of the applicant proposing changes to the project, the Department will be
open to renegotiating the funding agreement as long as the proposed changes do not
substantially alter the nature and agreed objectives of the project.
Funding agreements for significant projects (those seeking more than $1 million in grant
funding) will also include requirements relating to how the applicant intends to provide
opportunities for local industry to participate in all stages of the project. Further guidance
regarding this requirement is provided in Appendix C.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
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3.2ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The draft funding agreement will specify clearly the roles and responsibilities of the parties.
Set out below is a brief summary of some of the provisions in the funding agreement.
Applicants should carefully review the funding agreement to ensure they fully understand
their responsibilities and obligations.
The grant recipient will be required to maintain public liability insurance at the levels
specified in the funding agreement. The grant recipient will also be required to provide
an indemnity to the Commonwealth Government against any claims associated with the
delivery of the project.
3.2.1 Milestones and reporting
Grant recipients must collect and report to the Department relevant information and data,
as agreed in the funding agreement and as otherwise requested by the Department,
relating to the energy savings gained through the project and other related costs and
benefits. Further guidance on reporting requirements relating to energy efficiency gains are
at Appendix B.
In addition, grant recipients who have received a grant in excess of $1 million will be
required to include in their milestone reports how the project has provided reasonable
opportunities for engaging local industry.
3.2.2 Payments and auditing
The funding agreement will include a budget and a schedule of reporting and payments
linked to agreed milestones, outcomes and timeframes.
An initial payment (not exceeding 40 per cent of the maximum grant amount, excluding
GST) may be made on execution of the funding agreement (depending on the particular
circumstances of the project and applicant).
Payments against milestones will be made based on reporting on eligible expenditure
incurred, with each payment subject to satisfactory completion of milestones. Prior to
receiving milestone payments, grant recipients must:
• demonstrate implementation of milestone activities by submitting milestone reports as
agreed in the funding agreement and providing any further reports as requested by the
Department.
• substantiate expenditure incurred during the reporting period (e.g. by providing receipts)
• comply with all other aspects of the funding agreement.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
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Grant recipients will be required to provide independent audit reports of project expenditure
at the end of each financial year and at the completion of the project. This final report must
be prepared by an independent auditor and in accordance with the Australian Accounting
Standards as set out in the funding agreement (see Appendix A regarding conditions for
eligibility of audit costs). The Department may also request an independent audit report of
project expenditure at any time during the project.
Goods and Services Tax (GST) may apply to grant payments and certain grant payments
may be subject to income tax in the hands of certain recipients. Grant recipients should
seek independent legal, taxation or financial advice regarding the tax implications of
accepting a grant.
3.2.3 Intellectual property
Where applicable, grant recipients must demonstrate that they are able to manage any
intellectual property employed in, or arising from, their project. This includes, where
relevant, identifying and managing:
• any intellectual property expected to be created as a result of the project
• ownership of the intellectual property
• the measures to be put in place to protect the intellectual property created as a result of
the project
• any intellectual property to be used in the project, and measures that will be put in place
to protect it.
Grant recipients will need to provide documentation that describes how intellectual property
rights related to the project will be managed by the recipient and the arrangements for
agreed use by the Department in promoting outcomes of the Program.
3.2.4 Risk management
At the time of making an application all applicants will be required to have a comprehensive
risk management plan in place for the proposed project or be able to demonstrate that
the risks relating to the proposed project will be managed as part of a broader risk
management strategy of their organisation. A grant recipient will be required to implement
the plan as part of their obligations under the funding agreement.
3.2.5 Branding and communication
The grant recipient will be required to acknowledge the source of funding for the project
and to follow the Department’s requirements, as set out in the funding agreement, relating
to government branding in all communications relating to the project.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 23
Applicants will be required to indicate in their application how they will share lessons from the
project with other councils/organisations and the broader community.
Grant recipients will be required to obtain the Department’s prior written approval for any
proposed major public activities, public announcements or publications relating to the project,
such as the launch of the project.
3.2.6 Document retention
It will be a condition of receiving a grant under the Program that grant recipients retain all
documents and records in relation to the application and the funding agreement for a period
of seven years after the termination or expiry of the agreement. While such records do
not need to be submitted with reports, the Department may require such records to verify
any or all eligible expenditure. Failure to provide such records when required may result in
an expenditure item being disallowed, or in certain circumstances, the repayment of grant
funding to the Department.
3.3COMPLIANCE
It is a condition of funding under the Program that projects comply with all relevant
Commonwealth, State, Territory and Local legislation, building regulations, standards and
codes, including the National Construction Code (comprising Building Code of Australia
Volumes 1 and 2 and the Plumbing Code of Australia).
It is also a condition that organisations or subcontractors carrying out activities as part of
the project have not been precluded by inappropriate or criminal activities from applying for
Commonwealth Government funded work. A failure to meet the requirements of the National
Construction Code will be considered a breach of the requirements of the funding agreement.
3.4PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY
The use and disclosure of information provided by applicants for the Program is regulated
by the relevant provisions and penalties of the Public Service Act 1999, the Privacy Act
1988, the Freedom of Information Act 1982, the Crimes Act 1914 and the general laws of the
Commonwealth of Australia.
The information contained in applications will be regarded as private and confidential and
will be treated as such by the Department. This is subject to the operational need to provide
applications to assessors, and any statutory or legal requirements to provide information
to the Commonwealth Parliament and other organisations, for audit, law enforcement,
investigative or other purpose.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
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As part of the assessment of an application, the Department may need to consult with,
and provide material from the application to other government agencies and other relevant
organisations or individuals, in order to substantiate any claims or statements made in the
application form, or to otherwise assist in the assessment of the application. If this occurs,
the Department will endeavour to ensure that the consulted parties observe appropriate
confidentiality provisions.
Following approval of an application, the broad details of an application will be disclosed by
the Department for purposes such as promoting the Program and reporting on its operation
and policy development. This information may also be used in answering questions in the
Commonwealth Parliament and its committees. In addition, the selected project information
may be made publicly available. Public announcements may include the:
• name of the successful applicant organisation and of any project partners
• title and description of the project and its intended outcomes
• value of the project and the amount of Commonwealth funding awarded.
3.5HOW WILL INDUSTRY PARTICIPATE?
The Community Energy Efficiency Program will provide opportunities for the energy
services sector to assist local governing bodies and community organisations to reduce
their energy costs through improved energy management practices. Energy service
companies can participate in the Program by becoming partners in projects, providing
expert advice during project design and providing services at the implementation and
monitoring and verification phases of projects. The Program will also provide opportunities
to increase the knowledge and capacity of the construction industry and allied trades
as well as opportunities for local manufacturers of energy efficient technologies and
equipment.
4. HOW TO LODGE APPLICATIONS
4.1 DEVELOPING APPLICATIONS
In developing an application for a grant, the applicant should take into consideration
the guidance and rules provided in these Program Guidelines, the Community Energy
Efficiency Program Round Two Application Guidance document, and the draft funding
agreement. Further guidance and clarification may be sought from the Department.
Applicants intending to request funding for more than one project must submit a separate
application for each project.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 25
The Department will be able to provide guidance in relation to the basic requirements of the
application. To access this support, applicants should contact the Department by email to
[email protected].
4.2APPLICATION PROCESS
Potential applicants intending to submit a proposal should register their interest with
the Department by following the link on the Department’s website. Registered parties
will receive an email from the Department with an application package, including the
application form and instructions on how to lodge the Application electronically. Potential
applicants who may have online access issues should contact the Department to arrange
alternate processes for submitting an application.
Applications must:
• be submitted using the official application form before the closing date and time
announced by the Department
• be complete and contain all the information that is relevant to and necessary for
assessment
• detail the main activities that will be delivered as part of the project
• address the eligibility and merit criteria
• provide a key contact person and be signed by an appropriately authorised officer
representing the applicant
• have all mandatory documentation attached, including
–– detailed project plan with timelines and full itemised budget on a per building, facility
or site basis
–– financial statements and related financial documents
–– relevant energy efficiency information or reports per building, facility or site
• provide current and accurate information
• not contain information that is false or misleading. Applications considered to contain
false or misleading information may be excluded from assessment. Providing false or
misleading information may also constitute an offence under the Crimes Act 1914.
In the case of group applications, a single application should be submitted by the lead
organisation on behalf of a grouping of councils or non‑profit community organisations. A
group application must identify the members of the group.
The Program is expected to be highly competitive with a diverse range of applicants. The
checklist at the end of the application form will help applicants ensure that all required
information is included in the application.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
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4.3CLOSING DATE AND LODGEMENT
Round Two Applications close at 5pm (AEDT) on 7 February 2013
(the closing date)
Applications must be submitted before the advertised closing date and time.
Completed forms must be emailed to [email protected] and identified
as ‘Application for Community Energy Efficiency Program’ with applicant’s name in the
subject line.
Upon completion of the application, applicants will be required to print a declaration
page (included in the application form), have it signed by an appropriately authorised
representative of the applicant and submit this document to the Department in hard copy
or as scanned copy (in PDF format only) within 5 business days of the closing date.
Applications cannot be processed further until the signature page has been submitted.
If prior arrangements have been made with the Department to submit a hard copy
application, three copies of the application (one copy marked ‘original’) must be
postmarked by the advertised closing date. The envelope containing the application must
be clearly labelled as ‘Application for Community Energy Efficiency Program’ and be
addressed to:
Grants Team
Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
GPO Box 854
Canberra ACT 2601
The Department will acknowledge receipt of the application by email after the closing date.
If an application is incomplete or the applicant ineligible, the Department will discuss this
with the primary contact person responsible for lodging the application.
Applicants will not be permitted to amend their applications or submit additional information
relating to their application after the closing date. In the event of the applicant having
made an unintentional error or omission, the Department will decide whether to accept an
amendment or additional information.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
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4.4LATE APPLICATIONS
Applications lodged after the advertised closing date may be accepted for assessment in
cases where the delay is due to exceptional circumstances. The decision to accept late
applications will be at the discretion of the Department.
4.5CONTACTS AND COMPLAINTS
Further information regarding the Community Energy Efficiency Program is available on the
Department’s website at www.climatechange.gov.au/ceep.
Or you may contact the Department as outlined below:
Website:
www.climatechange.gov.au/ceep
Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
1800 830 922
Mail:
Community Energy Efficiency Program
Energy Branch
Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
GPO Box 854
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Any complaints regarding the Program should be lodged using the contact details outlined
above. Complaints will be handled in accordance with the Department’s complaint handling
mechanisms.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 28
5. GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Applicant
A local governing body, a non‑profit community organisation
or a non‑profit organisation (such as a Regional Organisation
of Councils) submitting an application on behalf of an eligible
organisation that has submitted an application for a grant.
Applicant contribution
Cash contributions made towards the project by the applicant,
whether from their own resources or from a party other than the
Commonwealth. The applicant’s contribution must be at least
equal to the minimum applicant contribution listed in Table 1
(see Section 1.4).
Applicant contribution may include the value of funding to be
received from the sale of energy efficiency certificates, energy
savings certificates or Small‑scale Technology Certificates
(STCs, formerly known as Renewable Energy Certificates or
RECs). As solar and heat pump hot water systems are eligible
under the Program, this rule will also extend to STCs created
for installations of those systems.
Baseline measure of
For the purposes of this Program, the baseline energy usage
the energy usage and
of the building, facility or site proposed for upgrade or retrofit
efficiency
should be based on:
a. the energy usage data for the most recent 12 month period
prior to the planned commencement of the Activity, where
the building is occupied, or
b. an estimate of the likely energy usage over a 12 month
period, where the building is unoccupied, based on an
average occupied status of the building, made by an
appropriately qualified energy efficiency expert.
Baseline energy efficiency must be provided in terms of
megajoules (MJ) per annum with details of the factors affecting
energy consumption as identified in Appendix B.
Commonwealth funds
The funds provided for an approved project by the
Commonwealth of Australia.
Concessions
Concessions applicable to small and medium‑sized regional
and rural councils and non‑profit community organisations to
ensure they are not disadvantaged through the application and
assessment process. Details of concessions are in Appendix F
of these Guidelines.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 29
Department
The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency or
such other agency of the Commonwealth as may from time to
time be responsible for the administration of the Program, and
includes any other Commonwealth agency that the Department
engages to assist in the delivery of the Program.
Eligible expenditure
Eligible contract expenditure will be the cost of any agreed
project activities performed by the grant recipient, by another
organisation or an individual engaged under separate contract.
Eligible expenditure is listed at Appendix A of these Guidelines.
Energy efficiency
Using less energy to achieve the same level of outcomes
improvement
or performance, or improving the level of outcomes or
performance from the same amount of energy.
Funding Agreement
The legally binding agreement under which the funds are
provided by the Commonwealth to the grant recipient for the
purpose of the Program.
Grant recipient
The organisation(s) selected by the Commonwealth to conduct
a project under the Program.
Independent experts
Individuals (e.g. energy and financial auditors) who have
expertise relevant to the technical and/or financial aspects
of the Program and will be engaged by the Department
to verify the technical and/or financial viability of project
proposals. While these experts may be internal or external to
the Department, they will be independent of the assessment
process.
Lead organisation
An organisation which acts as the applicant for a grant under
the Program and enters into a funding agreement with the
Commonwealth for a successful project. The lead organisation
will be the recipient of the grant funding and will be the primary
contact for the project.
Local governing body
As constituted under relevant state or territory legislation or be
a body declared as a ‘local governing body’ under the Local
Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995.
Local industry
A local industry is any legal business, registered in Australia
that employs one or more staff in Australia.
Low Carbon Australia
Also known as Low Carbon Australia Ltd. More information is
available at www.lowcarbonaustralia.com.au.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 30
Low socio‑economic
Low socio‑economic status is the measure of the economic
status
and social position of individuals and groups relative to others.
This is largely indicated by income in the lowest 50 per cent
of the Australian population coupled with other elements of
disadvantage. For the purposes of the Program, those local
governing authorities ranked in the lowest 50 per cent of Local
Government Area (LGA) Index of Relative Socio‑economic
Disadvantage, 20066 will be regarded as having low
socio‑economic status. A list of the councils regarded as having
low socio‑economic status is provided in Appendix E
Medium‑sized
For the purposes of the Program, medium‑sized regional
regional council
councils are those councils that are classified as Urban
Regional Medium (URM) and Urban Fringe Medium
(UFM) councils in the Australian Classification of Local
Governments, Appendix F, Local Government National Report
2007/08 (Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional
Development and Local Government, 2010).
Metropolitan and
For the purposes of the Program, metropolitan and large
large regional
regional and rural councils are those councils that are classified
councils
as Urban Capital City (UCC), Urban Developed (UDS, UDM,
UDL, UDV), Urban Regional Large, Urban Regional Very Large
(URL, URV) and Urban Fringe Large and Urban Fringe Very
Large (UFL, UFV) councils in the Australian Classification of
Local Governments, Appendix F, Local Government National
Report 2007/08 (Department of Infrastructure, Transport,
Regional Development and Local Government, 2010).
Non‑profit
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) defines a non‑profit
organisation
organisation as one which is not operating for the profit or gain
of its individual members, whether these gains would have
been direct or indirect. This applies both while the organisation
is operating and when it winds up. The ATO accepts an
organisation as non‑profit where its constituent or governing
documents prevent it from distributing profits or assets for
the benefit of particular people, both while it is operating and
when it winds up. These documents should contain acceptable
clauses showing the organisation’s non‑profit character. The
organisation’s actions must be consistent with this requirement.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 31
Program
The Australian Government’s Community Energy Efficiency
Program. The Program is administered by the Department
of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency as part of the Low
Carbon Communities initiative under the Commonwealth
Government’s climate change plan – Securing a Clean
Energy Future.
Program Advisory
Also known as the PAC or the Committee. The PAC will be
Committee
appointed by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Efficiency and will be responsible for assessing eligible project
proposals against merit criteria.
Project
A project to be conducted by a grant recipient, managed by a
funding agreement under the Program.
Renewable energy
For the purposes of the Program, renewable energy generation
generation systems
means the generation of electricity from a renewable energy
source, as listed in Section 17 of the Renewable Energy
(Electricity) Act 2000, whether the generated electricity is fed
into an electricity grid, fed into an off‑grid electricity system (for
example homes, communities or businesses remote from an
electricity grid), or stored. Exceptions apply for solar and heat
pump water systems as they do not generate electricity.
Examples of activities eligible for CEEP funding include:
• upgrades or retrofits that use geothermal energy for heating
• upgrading street lights with stand‑alone solar street lights.
Examples of activities not eligible for CEEP funding include;
• geothermal systems that generate electricity
• co‑generation systems fuelled by biogas
• solar photovoltaic systems
• micro‑hydro
• wind turbine
• biomass
Retrofit
The term retrofit refers to the installation or refit of a device or
system for use in or on an existing structure.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 32
Series of street lights
For the purposed of CEEP, a series of street lights refers
to a network of outdoor lights, street lights or traffic lights
that are within a reasonable geographical distance of each
other. This may include lights located in a series of parks or
reserves within a council’s jurisdictional area or street lights
located in a set of adjacent streets.
Small regional and rural
For the purposes of the Program, small regional and rural
council
councils are those councils that are classified as Rural
Remote, Rural Agricultural, Rural Significant Growth (RTX,
RTS, RTM, RTL, RAS, RAM, RAL, RAV RSG), Urban
Regional Small (URS) and Urban Fringe Small (UFS) in the
Australian Classification of Local Governments, Appendix F,
Local Government National Report 2007/08 (Department of
Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local
Government, 2010).
Subcontractor
An organisation or individual which contracts to provide
goods or services to a grant recipient for the purpose of
performing its obligations under the funding agreement.
Upgrades
The term upgrade refers to the replacement of a product with
a newer version of the same product.
6
6 Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2033.0.55.001 - Socio-economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA),
Data Cube only, 2006. ABS, 2008
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 33
APPENDIX A – ELIGIBLE EXPENDITURE –
GUIDANCE
INTRODUCTION
The following section provides guidance on the eligibility of project expenditure and what
expenditure can be counted as part of the grant recipient’s matched funding.
Expenditure must be directly attributable to the project and, with the few exceptions
outlined below, only expenditure incurred on agreed project activities within the agreed
project period (set out in the funding agreement) will be eligible expenditure.
For determining the grant amount, the cost of some activities conducted as part of an
agreed project may not be eligible expenditure.
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES, ITEMS AND CONDITIONS
The following table outlines the activities and items that can be included in the project
budget, and any relevant conditions. Activities or items that are not listed in the table cannot
be included in the project budget. Further information about specific activities or items that
cannot be included in the project budget is provided in the section, ‘Specific activities and
items that cannot be included in the project budget’. These activities cannot be funded by
the grant recipient or the Commonwealth Government.
Eligible contract expenditure will be the cost of any agreed project activities performed
by the grant recipient or for the grant recipient by another organisation or an individual
engaged under separate contract.
In some cases, the CEEP project may be part of a bigger project being implemented by
the applicant (i.e. a large building upgrade with an energy efficiency component). In this
case, applicants may choose to provide the full budget for the entire project in their CEEP
application. Where applicants provide the budget information for the full project in their
CEEP application they should clearly delineate between the parts of the project for which
they are requesting funding and the rest of the project.
All contractor project work will need to be the subject of a prior written contract – for
example, a formal agreement, letter or purchase order – which specifies the nature of the
work to be performed for the grant recipient and the applicable fees, charges and other
costs payable.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 34
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES, ITEMS AND CONDITIONS
Eligible activities
Eligible items
(applicants must
specify in project
budget)
Conditions
Energy audits or assessments
• Consultant costs
Cost of one energy audit or energy
efficiency assessment per building,
• Assessment at (or in some cases prior to)
facility or site conducted prior to the
the beginning of project to set a baseline
signing of the funding agreement (but
for energy use and estimated efficiency
within the previous 12 months) can
improvement
be included in the project budget,
• Assessment at completion of project to
capped at $3,000 per assessment.7
determine energy efficiency improvement
Cost of one energy audit or energy
efficiency assessment per building,
facility or site conducted during the
project period can also be included.
Upgrades or retrofits to buildings and
facilities
• Upgrades to the roof, walls and floor to resist
heat transfer
• Improved glazing to resist heat flow and solar
radiation
• Sealing of the building (draught proofing) and
thermal improvements
• Materials
• Equipment hire
• Labour
(contractors)
• Some capital
Funds cannot be used to purchase
major capital items except for specific
energy efficient equipment, for
example, a new heating, ventilation or
air‑conditioning system or a motor for
a swimming pool pump.
expenditure
Project activities must meet all
• Expert advice
relevant public safety standards
(consultants)
• Upgrades to allow air movement for free
cooling, in terms of openings and breeze paths
• Upgrades to heating, ventilation,
air‑conditioning systems and hot water supply
• Upgrades to lighting and electric power saving
features
• Other energy efficiency upgrades such as
pool blankets, new motors for swimming pool
pumps
• Upgrades to building energy management
systems or services, including hardware and
software
• Installation of co‑generation or tri‑generation
systems (not including renewable energy
sources)
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
and planning requirements and
application must explain how
requirements will be met and the
asset will be maintained.
Funds cannot be used to lease
or acquire equipment; however,
short‑term equipment hire will be
considered for funding.
Page 35
Eligible activities
Eligible items
(applicants must
specify in project
budget)
Conditions
Upgrades to outdoor lighting such as street
Materials
Project activities must meet all
lights and traffic lights
Equipment hire
Labour (contractors)
relevant public safety standards
and planning requirements and
the application must explain how
requirements will be met and the
asset will be maintained.
Basic energy efficiency items
• Materials
• Efficient light bulbs, low‑flow shower heads,
• Equipment hire
shower timers, draught‑proofing material,
fridge and freezer thermometers and energy
saving power boards
• Labour
(contractors)
• Some capital
• Installation of smart/energy meters
expenditure
• Installation of efficient hot water systems to
replace inefficient electric systems
• Expert advice
(consultants)
Funds cannot be used to purchase
major capital items except for specific
energy efficient equipment, such as
items included in energy efficient kits
and hot water systems.
Project activities must meet all
relevant public safety standards
and planning requirements and
the application must explain how
requirements will be met and the
asset will be maintained.
Funds cannot be used to lease
or acquire equipment; however,
short‑term equipment hire will be
considered for funding.
Upgrades or retrofits to large or industrial scale
appliances
• Equipment hire
Commercial kitchen equipment, refrigeration
units, and washing/drying equipment
• Materials
• Labour
(contractors)
Funds cannot be used to upgrade
smaller equipment such as office
computers or other small appliances
relating to office accommodation
(refrigerators).
• Some capital
expenditure
Monitoring and reporting
• Materials
Installation of metering equipment
• Labour
Purchase of energy monitoring systems
(contractors)
• Expert advice
(consultants)
Project activities must meet all
relevant public safety standards
and planning requirements and
the application must explain how
requirements will be met and the
asset will be maintained.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 36
Eligible activities
Educational activities and raising
community awareness
• Website development, demonstrations of
techniques, community monitoring, surveys
and other awareness‑raising activities to assist
groups to adopt new ideas or build skills in
energy efficiency (e.g. workshops), installation
of signage to raise awareness of and/or
spread the lessons learned from a project.
Eligible items
(applicants must
specify in project
budget)
• Materials
(e.g. development
of information
manuals,
information packs,
signage)
• Advertising costs
• Venue hire and
associated costs
(if required)
Conditions
Funds cannot be used for travel
associated with attending education
or community awareness activities
(e.g. travelling to a workshop or field
day).
Funding for educational activities and
raising community awareness cannot
exceed 30% of the total project costs.
• Labour
(contractors)
• Expert advice
(consultants)
Administration support
• Salaries – project
coordination and
management
Administration funding is to be
included only where it is for the
purpose of supporting the operations
and activities of the applicant
organisation to undertake and deliver
the project.
In the case of medium‑sized regional
and rural councils and metropolitan
and large regional councils, funding
for this component must not exceed
10 per cent the total project costs up
to a limit of $100,000.
In the case of small regional
and rural councils and non‑profit
community organisations, funding for
this component should not exceed
20 per cent of the total project cost up
to a limit of $100,000.
Financial audit/accounting costs
• Grant recipients are required to provide an
independent audit report verifying project
expenditure after completion of the project.
• Final certification
and audit costs
The cost of obtaining this
independent audit report may only
be eligible if it is incurred and paid
for within three months of the project
completion date, up to a maximum of
1% of the total project cost.
7
7 Applicants should note, however, that the Community Energy Efficiency Program is a merit-based competitive
grant program – meeting the assessment criteria does not guarantee funding. Applicants should not rely on
grant funding for a proposed project prior to the funding agreement being signed by both parties.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 37
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES AND ITEMS THAT CANNOT BE INCLUDED
IN THE PROJECT BUDGET
The following items of expenditure cannot be included in the project budget:
• Activities undertaken before the project commencement date other than those outlined
in the table above (e.g. energy audits). This means that expenditure associated with
retrofitting activities, such as design and documentation, undertaken prior to the
commencement of works cannot be included.
• Cost of preparing the original grant application, preparing any project variation requests,
and preparing any project reports required under the funding agreement (with the
exception of the costs of an independent audit report).
• Cost of obtaining resources, contractors or permits for the project, including building
permits, tendering costs, interest on loans, job advertising and recruiting, and contract
negotiations. Exemptions may apply for small regional and rural council applicants in
relation to the cost of obtaining contractors.
• Activities more appropriately funded by other bodies (e.g. private landholders,
government agencies). This includes activities that can reasonably be expected to be
undertaken by other bodies. The Community Energy Efficiency Program may provide
supplementary funding to support the inclusion of innovative and additional measures,
but will not provide funding that substitutes for existing resources.
• Day‑to‑day operating costs of the organisation, including insurance, domestic
whitegoods and appliances, office accommodation, telephone and internet costs,
general communications, accommodation, office computing facilities, printing and
stationery, postage, legal and accounting fees, bank charges and overheads (that is,
expenses that are incurred whether or not the applicant undertakes the project).
• Travel expenditure. For projects implemented by small regional and rural councils, travel
expenditure directly related to the project, such as the travel cost of a consultant, may
be eligible up to a reasonable level.
• Installation of renewable energy generation systems, such as solar photovoltaic,
micro‑hydro, wind turbines and biomass generation systems8. Specifically, both the
applicant contribution and the Commonwealth grant funding cannot fund the purchase
or installation of renewable energy generation systems (e.g. solar photovoltaic systems).
• Purchase of equipment or materials that are normally part of a landholder’s property
management responsibilities.
• Purchase, lease or acquisition of land.
• Subsidies for non‑commercial activities that will compete with commercial operations.
• Activities that are inconsistent with key national, state or territory strategies and
frameworks.
8 Note that solar and heat pump hot water systems are eligible as they are not classified as
renewable energy generation systems
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 38
• Purchase, lease or acquisition of motor vehicles, watercraft, aircraft or fuel, unless the
grant recipient can demonstrate that this is essential to the success of the project, for
example, if the project location is in a remote area.
• In the case of street lighting projects, expenditure not directly related to energy
efficiency improvements of the proposed project (e.g. structural costs such as written
down value and avoided costs).
• General maintenance of buildings, facilities or sites.
This list is not exhaustive. Other activities or specific expenditure may be ineligible because
the Program Advisory Committee or the Department decides it does not directly support
the achievement of the planned outcomes of the project or they are contrary to the
objectives of the Program.
The following items may not be counted as part of the applicant’s supporting contribution:
• grants and rebates from any other Commonwealth Government programs or agencies,
except for the following:
–– Funds from Commonwealth‑funded Indigenous programs, the Indigenous Land
Corporation or the Community Development Employment Program may be included
as part of the supporting contribution, provided Indigenous groups and communities
also identify other contributions they can bring to a project
–– Funding from Low Carbon Australia Ltd can be included as part of the applicant
contribution by small regional and rural councils and medium‑sized regional
councils.
• activities paid for by non‑cash considerations (sometimes referred to as in‑kind
contributions). Non‑cash considerations are contributions to a project that have the
following common characteristics:
–– no impact on entity cash flow
–– no record in the entity’s statement of financial performance.
Examples include:
–– the use of resources – whether internally or externally sourced – for no cost to the
project or applicant, or
–– issuing shares in payment for services rendered.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 39
APPENDIX B – ENERGY USAGE AND EFFICIENCY
IMPROVEMENT REQUIREMENTS
INTRODUCTION
The measure of the success of the Community Energy Efficiency Program is reliant on all the
funded projects achieving energy efficiency improvement and reporting these achievements to
the Department. The Funding Agreements that successful grant recipients will enter into with the
Department will require reporting obligations on project performance.
The measurement of project performance will be established by the estimated energy efficiency
improvement before the project is undertaken and an update of the improvement after it is complete.
To ensure compliance with the Program Objectives and to enable a useful comparison of energy
information across all funded projects, the energy information that the grant recipient must provide to
the Department and the format in which the information must be presented are outlined below.
A.When will the energy usage and efficiency information need to be
submitted?
Project energy information must be submitted to the Department in accordance with the
requirements set out in the funding agreement as follows:
a. at the beginning of the project to determine:
i. the baseline energy usage
ii. the baseline energy efficiency
iii. the projected energy efficiency improvement and
iv. the estimated cost savings
b. during the project period as required by the funding agreement, or during the project period
if there has been a change in the usage of the building, facility or site which affects energy
consumption and
c. at the completion of the project.
B.Units of measurement for reporting energy information
a. Units of measurement for energy consumption must be megajoules (MJ).
b. Units of measurement for energy efficiency would vary depending on the type of
building, facility or site. Examples of units of measurement include megajoules per
square metre, megajoules per megalitre per annum, megajoules per user per day.
c. All units of measurement must be submitted to the Department using guidance provided in
this Appendix.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 40
C.Requirements for determining the baseline energy usage of the
building, facility or site proposed for upgrade or retrofit at the
beginning of the project
a. Applicants must provide baseline energy efficiency for each building, facility or site
proposed to be upgraded or retrofitted.
b. Determining the baseline energy usage of a building, facility or site proposed for
upgrade or retrofit should be based on its occupancy status:
i. If the building is occupied, energy usage data for the most recent 12 month
period prior to the planned commencement of the project, or
ii. If the building is unoccupied, an estimate of the likely energy usage in its
occupied state over a 12 month period, based on an average occupied status of
the building, made by an appropriately qualified energy efficiency expert.
D.Requirements for determining the baseline energy efficiency of
the building, facility or site proposed for upgrade or retrofit at the
beginning of the project
a. Applicants must provide baseline energy efficiency for each building, facility or site
proposed to be upgraded or retrofitted.
b. The baseline energy efficiency of each building, facility or site should be based on its
occupancy status as in Section D above.
c. Baseline energy efficiency must be provided in terms of megajoules (MJ) per annum
with details of the factors affecting energy consumption.
E.Methodology and tools used to determine baseline energy
efficiency
a. The applicant must provide an outline of the methods or tools used to derive
baseline energy efficiency and energy efficiency improvement estimates.
b. Applicants are encouraged to use methods and tools that are appropriately
recognised or are industry standards; e.g. the methodologies in the Building Code of
Australia, where these are applicable.
c. Measurements must be carried out by independent third party assessors who
have accreditation by a recognised professional body or a minimum of two years
professional experience in the methods or tools used to derive the estimates.
d. Where either the National Australian Built Environment Rating System for energy
efficiency (NABERS Energy) or the International Performance Measurement and
Verification Protocol is the method used, the assessment must be performed by an
accredited professional and in accordance with the relevant assessment method or
tool. In the case of NABERS‑eligible buildings, an accredited NABERS assessor
must carry out the assessment.
e. The applicant must use the same methods and tools for the duration of the project
unless it is agreed to vary the methods or tools in writing by the Department.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 41
F.Projected energy efficiency improvement
a. All applicants must provide a calculation of the projected energy efficiency
improvement to be achieved by the projects at the beginning of the projects. This
estimation is required for each individual building, facility or site proposed to be
upgraded or retrofitted under the project.
b. Projected energy efficiency improvement estimation is required for each building,
facility or site proposed to be upgraded or retrofitted under the project.
c. If the project involves a follow‑up energy audit or testing of installed technologies
during or at the end of the project, this information should also be taken into
consideration when calculating the final energy efficiency improvement estimate.
G. Estimated cost saving
a. The applicant must include details of cost savings from minimising energy
consumption, reduced maintenance costs and any other factors that contribute to
cost savings as a result of the project. This figure must be expressed in terms of
Australian Dollars per annum.
H.Changes to the building, facility or site usage which affects energy
consumption during the project
a. An updated estimation of baseline energy usage and baseline energy efficiency
must be submitted to the Department if there are any changes to the project which
will affect energy consumption and alter the baseline energy efficiency, during the
project period. These changes could include permanent changes in the opening
hours of a building, facility or site, or the level of occupancy. Changes in factors of
this kind must be taken into consideration when reporting to the Department during
and at the completion of the project.
b. In order that energy efficiency improvement information is presented in a
meaningful way, the updated estimate must be expressed in the identical terms
as the baseline energy usage and baseline energy efficiency provided at the
beginning of the project.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 42
APPENDIX C – LOCAL INDUSTRY
ENGAGEMENT
Applicants seeking funding greater than $1 million under the Community Energy Efficiency
Program will be required to meet certain requirements in relation to how they engage with
local industry during their grant project. A local industry is any legal business, registered in
Australia that employs one or more staff in Australia.
The objective of this requirement is:
• for the applicant to demonstrate how they will provide full, fair and reasonable
opportunity to local industry to supply goods and services for the proposed project
• to endeavour to maximise opportunities for Australian energy efficiency equipment and
technology manufacturers to participate in all aspects of the proposed project.
The response should outline the actions the applicant intends to take to provide local
industry with full, fair and reasonable opportunity to participate in all stages of the project
and how these actions will be implemented.
The response should describe specific planned activities throughout the life of the
proposed project including procurement processes. The identified actions can be part of
strategies already in place or strategies newly created specifically for the purpose of the
proposed project. Applicants should take into consideration the criteria described below in
developing their response.
Where the applicant considers that any elements of the criteria are not relevant to their
application, they should include a brief explanation as to why this is the case.
LOCAL INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT CRITERIA
Criterion 1 – Communication Strategy
Describe how the communication strategy for the proposed project will provide for the
early identification of opportunities for Australian companies and the effective transfer of
information on opportunities for Australian companies through all tiers of supply.
Criterion 2 – Opportunities through all tiers of supply and in all
stages of the project
Describe strategies to incorporate Australian companies through all tiers of supply and
in all stages of the proposed project (i.e. through design, procurement, construction,
operation and whole‑of‑life support).
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 43
Criterion 3 – Key equipment and products
Describe how the applicant will identify and provide opportunities for Australian companies
to supply key equipment and product components of the project.
Criterion 4 – Procedures and resources
Describe the procedures and resources to implement strategies to provide full, fair and
reasonable opportunity for Australian companies.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 44
APPENDIX D – REGIONAL AND RURAL
COUNCILS
DEFINITION OF REGIONAL AND RURAL COUNCILS
For the purposes of the Community Energy Efficiency Program local councils will be
separated into three groups: small regional and rural councils, medium‑sized regional
councils and metropolitan and large regional councils. This grouping of councils will be
based on the categories listed in the Australian Classification of Local Governments,
Appendix F, Local Government National Report 2007/08 (Department of Infrastructure,
Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, 2010).
The ACLG categories of councils belonging to each group will be as follows:
Small regional and rural councils
All Rural councils (RTX, RTS, RTM, RTL, RAS, RAM, RAL, RAV RSG), small Urban
Regional Towns (URS) and small Urban Fringe (UFS) councils.
Medium‑sized regional councils
Medium urban regional town (URM) and medium urban fringe (UFM) councils.
Metropolitan and large regional councils
All capital city (UCC) and metropolitan councils (UDS, UDM, UDL, UDV) as well as large
and very large urban regional town (URL, URV) and unban fringe (UFL, UFV) councils.
For councils that are not listed in the Australian Classification of Local Governments,
Appendix F, Local Government National Report 2007/08, or if the status of a council has
changed since the publication of this report, applicants should contact the Department for
clarification.
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 45
APPENDIX E – LOW SOCIO-ECONOMIC
STATUS
The Commonwealth Government has identified the need to support low socio‑economic
and other disadvantaged communities by prioritising funding. Those local governing
authorities ranked in the lowest 50 per cent of Local Government Area9 (LGA) Index
of Relative Socio‑economic Disadvantage, 200610 will be regarded as having low
socio‑economic status under this Program. SEIFA uses a broad definition of relative
socio‑economic disadvantage in terms of access to material and social resources, and
ability to participate in society.
List of local governing authorities ranked in the lowest 50 per cent
of the SEIFA 2006 Local Government Area (LGA) Index of Relative
Socio‑economic Disadvantage
The following abbreviations of LGAs are used in the table below: (A) NSW Local
Government Area (excluding cities), (B) Borough, (C) City, (CGC) Community Government
Council, (DC) District Council, (M) Municipality/Municipal Council, (S) Shire, (RC) Rural
City, (T) Town
Ararat (RC)
Auburn (C)
Aurukun (S)
Balonne (S)
Balranald (A)
Bankstown (C)
Barcaldine (R)
Barcoo (S)
Barkly (S)
Barunga West (DC)
Bass Coast (S)
Bellingen (A)
Belmont (C)
Belyuen (S)
Benalla (RC)
Berri and Barmera (DC)
Beverley (S)
Blackall Tambo (R)
Blacktown (C)
Blayney (A)
Bogan (A)
Bombala (A)
Botany Bay (C)
Boulia (S)
Bourke (A)
Break O’Day (M)
Brewarrina (A)
Brighton (M)
Brimbank (C)
Broken Hill (C)
Brookton (S)
Broome (S)
Bruce Rock (S)
Bulloo (S)
Buloke (S)
Bundaberg (R)
Burdekin (S)
Burke (S)
Burnie (C)
Campaspe (S)
Campbelltown (C)
Canterbury (C)
9 L
ocal Government Area (LGA) is a geographical area under the responsibility of an
incorporated local government council, or an incorporated Indigenous government council.
10 A
ustralian Bureau of Statistics, 2033.0.55.001 - Socio-economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA),
Data Cube only, 2006. ABS, 2008
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 46
Carnarvon (S)
Carpentaria (S)
Carrathool (A)
Cassowary Coast (R)
Ceduna (DC)
Central Coast (M)
Central Darling (A)
Central Desert (S)
Central Goldfields (S)
Central Highlands (M)
Cessnock (C)
Chapman Valley (S)
Charles Sturt (C)
Charters Towers (R)
Cherbourg (S)
Circular Head (M)
Clarence Valley (A)
Cloncurry (S)
Cobar (A)
Coffs Harbour (C)
Colac‑Otway (S)
Collie (S)
Coober Pedy (DC)
Cook (S)
Coolgardie (S)
Coomalie (S)
Cooma‑Monaro (A)
Coonamble (A)
Cootamundra (A)
Copper Coast (DC)
Corowa Shire (A)
Cowra (A)
Croydon (S)
Cuballing (S)
Cue (S)
Darebin (C)
Deniliquin (A)
Derby‑West Kimberley (S)
Derwent Valley (M)
Devonport (C)
Diamantina (S)
Dorset (M)
Dumbleyung (S)
Dundas (S)
East Arnhem (S)
East Gippsland (S)
East Pilbara (S)
Eurobodalla (A)
Fairfield (C)
Flinders (M)
Flinders (S)
Flinders Ranges (DC)
Forbes (A)
Fraser Coast (R)
Gannawarra (S)
Gawler (T)
George Town (M)
Gilgandra (A)
Glamorgan/Spring Bay (M)
Glen Innes Severn (A)
Glenelg (S)
Glenorchy (C)
Gloucester (A)
Goomalling (S)
Goulburn Mulwaree (A)
Goyder (DC)
Great Lakes (A)
Greater Dandenong (C)
Greater Geraldton (C)
Greater Hume Shire (A)
Greater Shepparton (C)
Greater Taree (C)
Gundagai (A)
Gunnedah (A)
Guyra (A)
Gwydir (A)
Gympie (R)
Halls Creek (S)
Harden (A)
Hay (A)
Hepburn (S)
Hinchinbrook (S)
Hindmarsh (S)
Holroyd (C)
Hope Vale (S)
Hume (C)
Huon Valley (M)
Indigo (S)
Inverell (A)
Ipswich (C)
Junee (A)
Katanning (S)
Katherine (T)
Kellerberrin (S)
Kempsey (A)
Kentish (M)
Kingston (DC)
Koorda (S)
Kowanyama (S)
Kwinana (T)
Kyogle (A)
Lachlan (A)
Lake Grace (S)
Latrobe (C)
Latrobe (M)
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 47
Launceston (C)
Laverton (S)
Leeton (A)
Lismore (C)
Lithgow (C)
Liverpool (C)
Liverpool Plains (A)
Lockhart River (S)
Lockyer Valley (R)
Loddon (S)
Loxton Waikerie (DC)
MacDonnell (S)
Manjimup (S)
Mapoon (S)
Maranoa (R)
Maribyrnong (C)
McKinlay (S)
Meekatharra (S)
Menzies (S)
Mid Murray (DC)
Mid‑Western Regional (A)
Mildura (RC)
Moira (S)
Morawa (S)
Moree Plains (A)
Mornington (S)
Mount Gambier (C)
Mount Magnet (S)
Murchison (S)
Murray Bridge (RC)
Murrumbidgee (A)
Murweh (S)
Muswellbrook (A)
Nambucca (A)
Nannup (S)
Napranum (S)
Narrabri (A)
Narrandera (A)
Narrogin (S)
Narrogin (T)
Narromine (A)
Ngaanyatjarraku (S)
North Burnett (R)
Northam (S)
Northampton (S)
Northern Areas (DC)
Northern Grampians (S)
Northern Midlands (M)
Northern Peninsula Area (R)
Nungarin (S)
Palm Island (S)
Parkes (A)
Paroo (S)
Peterborough (DC)
Pingelly (S)
Playford (C)
Pormpuraaw (S)
Port Adelaide Enfield (C)
Port Augusta (C)
Port Lincoln (C)
Port Pirie City and Dists (M)
Pyrenees (S)
Quairading (S)
Quilpie (S)
Renmark Paringa (DC)
Richmond Valley (A)
Rockhampton (R)
Roper Gulf (S)
Salisbury (C)
Sandstone (S)
Scenic Rim (R)
Shark Bay (S)
Shoalhaven (C)
Somerset (R)
Sorell (M)
South Burnett (R)
Southern Downs (R)
Southern Midlands (M)
Strathbogie (S)
Swan Hill (RC)
Tablelands (R)
Tammin (S)
Tamworth Regional (A)
Tasman (M)
Temora (A)
Tenterfield (A)
The Coorong (DC)
Tiwi Islands (S)
Torres (S)
Torres Strait Island (R)
Trayning (S)
Tumbarumba (A)
Tumut Shire (A)
Tweed (A)
Upper Gascoyne (S)
Upper Hunter Shire (A)
Upper Lachlan Shire (A)
Urana (A)
Victoria‑Daly (S)
Wagin (S)
Wakefield (DC)
Walgett (A)
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 48
Wangaratta (RC)
Waratah/Wynyard (M)
Waroona (S)
Warren (A)
Warrumbungle Shire (A)
Wattle Range (DC)
Weddin (A)
Wellington (A)
Wentworth (A)
West Arnhem (S)
West Coast (M)
West Wimmera (S)
Western Downs (R)
Whyalla (C)
Wickepin (S)
Wiluna (S)
Winton (S)
Woorabinda (S)
Wujal Wujal (S)
Wyalkatchem (S)
Wyndham‑East Kimberley (S)
Wyong (A)
Yalgoo (S)
Yankalilla (DC)
Yarrabah (S)
Yarriambiack (S)
Yorke Peninsula (DC)
Young (A)
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 49
APPENDIX F – CONCESSIONS APPLICABLE
TO APPLICANT CATEGORIES
A summary of the concessions that are available for councils and non‑profit community
organisations is outlined below:
Concession/rule
amendment
Non‑profit
community
organisations
Small regional
and rural
councils
Medium‑sized
regional
councils
Metropolitan
and large
regional
councils
Assessment of
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
$10,000
$10,000
$35,000
$50,000
$10,000
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
Minimum applicant
One‑half of total
One‑half of total
Two‑thirds of
Two‑thirds of
contribution for
project cost
project cost
total project
total project
cost
cost
applications in separate
assessment stream
Financing from Low
Carbon Australia Ltd can
be used as the applicant’s
co‑contribution
Lower funding limit of
individual grants for
projects without low
socio‑economic focus
Lower funding limit of
individual grants:
• councils with low
socio‑economic status
or
• projects with low
socio‑economic focus
projects without low
socio‑economic focus
Minimum applicant
One‑third of
One‑third of
One‑third of
One‑third of
contribution:
total project
total project
total project
total project
cost
cost
cost
cost
• councils with low
socio‑economic status
or
• projects with low
socio‑economic focus
Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
Page 50
Concession/rule
amendment
Non‑profit
community
organisations
Small regional
and rural
councils
Medium‑sized
regional
councils
Metropolitan
and large
regional
councils
Eligible expenditure –
Eligible
Eligible
Not eligible
Not eligible
Eligible expenditure
Not exceeding
Not exceeding
Not exceeding
Not exceeding
– administration support
20% of the total
20% of the total
10% of the total
10% of the
(project coordination and
project cost
project cost
project cost
total project
management)
up to a limit of
up to a limit of
up to a limit of
cost up to
$100,000
$100,000
$100,000
a limit of
project related travel
$100,000
Community Energy Efficiency Program Guidelines Round Two – October 2012
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Community Energy Efficiency Program Round Two Guidelines – October 2012
www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au