Fixing Country Roads
Round Two
Foreword
The NSW Government has opened the $50 million
Round Two of Rebuilding NSW Fixing Country Roads
program and is encouraging councils to submit their
funding applications.
Round One has been a huge success with $43 million
in funding provided to 77 local road projects across
60 local council areas, the majority of which are due
to be completed this year.
Fixing Country Roads provides targeted funding for
infrastructure projects on council owned roads to
eliminate freight connectivity constraints and reduce
the cost to market for local businesses.
The aim of the program is to better connect local
and regional roads to state highways and key freight
hubs such as silos, saleyards, rail heads, supermarket
distribution centres, industrial parks and depots to
make it easier to move regional freight from paddock
to port.
The $50 million Round Two instalment is part of a
$500 million commitment for Fixing Country Roads
in the Rebuilding NSW State Infrastructure Strategy
2014. Rebuilding NSW recognises the importance
of regional transport and has reserved $4.1 billion
to upgrade regional freight corridors, build new
infrastructure in growth areas, enhance and expand
existing road and bridge programs and improve
regional rail.
We want regional councils and joint organisations
to work closely with local industry and transport
operators to identify and prioritise projects for Fixing
Country Roads funding that will reduce transport
costs in their local area. The program guideline
outlines how councils can apply and provides detailed
information on the application criteria. Applications
will be assessed by the Regional Independent
Assessment Panel chaired by Infrastructure NSW.
The assessment panel members are comprised of
representatives from both government and industry
(including NSW Farmers and Livestock and Bulk
Carriers Association) as well as a probity auditor.
Councils are also encouraged to apply for matching
funding under Federal Government initiatives such
as the Bridges Renewal Programme, Heavy Vehicle
Safety and Productivity Programme and National
Stronger Regions Fund. The NSW Government
partnered with local councils and the Federal
Government for Round One and turned $43 million
into $73 million worth of infrastructure investment
across NSW.
Transport for NSW will hold briefings and grant
writing workshops across the State to support
councils in preparing their Fixing Country Roads
applications and applications submitted to the
Federal Government.
Fixing Country Roads is complementary to and
aligned with its sister program Fixing Country Rail in
developing the best network for moving goods in and
out of Regional NSW. Fixing Country Rail will receive a
further $400 million boost under Rebuilding NSW.
I am immensely proud to open Round Two and further
help regional councils fix key freight pinch points on
their roads.
Duncan Gay
Fixing
Country Roads
Supporting
freight
$
500
m
Reservation for Fixing Country
Roads Program, Rebuilding
NSW State Infrastructure
Strategy 2014.
REBUILDING NSW
Rebuilding
Regional NSW
FIXING
COUNTRY ROADS
FIRST ROUND
77
Projects
$
73
m
The first round of Fixing
Country Roads in 2014–15
awarded $42 million in
Restart funding for 77
projects.
ELIGIBLE COUNCILS
107
Councils
Eligible for Fixing Country
Roads Round Two.
Economic growth
and productivity
ECONOMIC IMPACT
$
80
bn
Regional freight supports
production worth more
than $80 billion to the
NSW economy.
FREIGHT TASK
400
m
tonnes
The NSW freight network
transports more than
Fixing Country Roads
Round Two
Program Guidelines
INVITATION
The NSW Government is inviting Expressions of Interest for eligible Fixing Country Road projects. The guidelines outline the objectives and desired outcomes of the program, eligibility, the application and
assessment process and roles and responsibilities.
Fixing Country Roads is the NSW Government’s key program for unlocking the economic potential of Regional NSW. By providing targeted funding for regional road projects, the program aims to eliminate
connectivity constraints on local roads in NSW and reduce the cost to market for local businesses.
Investment in roads for freight productivity benefits primary
producers, processing, manufacturing and mining industries. Projects can include repairs to roads and bridges, or pavement works to increase road capacity, improve safety, improve or access for high productivity vehicles.
RESTART NSW
The Restart NSW Fund was set up to improve economic growth and productivity. The Fixing Country Roads program will make the
movement of freight more productive. Such benefits can include time and cost savings, reduced congestion, noise, increased safety, ability to use high productivity vehicles, and improved access to intermodal facilities.
The NSW Government has committed up to $500 million in Restart NSW funding for the Fixing Country Roads program over ten years in the Rebuilding NSW State Infrastructure Strategy 2014.
Up to $50million is expected to be available for Fixing Country Roads Round Two.
Fixing Country Roads is a competitive program, with decisions on projects to be funded based on information and supporting documents provided in the application.
ELIGIBILTY
Who may apply?
Expressions of Interest are invited from 107 eligible local councils listed at the end of this document.
The NSW Government encourages councils to work together to achieve improvement on strategic freight routes, which traverse Local Government Area (LGA) boundaries. Joint Organisation (JOC) applications are encouraged and may be
submitted for their member councils (if authorised to do so). Although Regional Organisation of Councils (ROCs) and Regional Development Australia (RDA) are not eligible to submit applications, they may assist councils prepare joint applications. However, actual grants will be provided directly to asset owners. Applicants may also be submitted by consortia that include industry and other government organisations, but the lead applicant or applicants must be eligible councils.
Councils are encouraged to work through their respective JOC, ROC, and RDA committees to identify projects that involve more than one LGA and have been identified as regional priorities.
Applicants are also encouraged to work with individual firms and industry organisations to identify potential projects.
Councils and regional organisations are also welcome to contact Transport for NSW (TfNSW) Freight Industry Branch via [email protected]. au to discuss potential projects and for advice on preparing applications.
What projects are eligible
for funding?
Restart NSW funding will be provided for road projects which provide economic and productivity benefits to the state. Fixing Country Roads provides funding for bridge and road projects on and related to local and regional roads, i.e. where council is or would be the asset owner. Projects can be new or existing routes. A regional approach, so that the Restart investment addresses freight constraints at the network level is encouraged. Regional road investment priorities and freight studies have been prepared by Regional Organisations of Councils and Regional Development
Authorities and the projects proposed for Fixing Country Roads are expected to include the priority works identified in those plans.
Two types of projects are eligible for funding under Fixing Country Roads: 1. Capital projects on
local roads and bridges • sealing of an unsealed road • road pavement repair and
strengthening to allow higher mass limits
• road widening to allow longer and heavier vehicle combinations • replacement of a timber bridge
with a new structure
• strengthening and widening of an existing bridge
• road and floodway reconstruction to improve access during flood events • construction of a new road to
shorten distances
• new access roads to industrial areas • culvert replacement
• intersection realignment and upgrades
• construction of a Heavy Vehicle Rest Area and Inspection Bay
• planning work to progress projects.
2. Bridge and route load assessments • level 3 bridge and culvert
inspections
• structural assessment of pavement to determine suitability for Higher Mass Limits (HML).
Please contact [email protected]. gov.au for clarification of whether a project would be eligible for funding under Fixing Country Roads.
What projects are not
eligible for funding?
Fixing Country Roads will not provide grant funding for projects that: • are not related to the movement of
freight
• do not delivery sustainable growth and economic benefits
• have a Benefit to Cost Ratio (BCR) less than 1.0
• should ordinarily be funded under other programs.
Projects on intersections to the state or federal road network, as well as on private roads are not eligible for funding under Fixing Country Roads, unless these would become council assets following the upgrade. Local and regional road interfaces to the state and federal road network are also not eligible for funding.
Is there a limit to the
amount of funding?
There is no set minimum or maximum amount that can be provided in grant funding under Fixing Country Roads. Funding may be sought up to 100 per cent of the value of the project, but applicants are encouraged to include co-contribution from council, industry and other federal and state government sources.
IMPORTANT
MILESTONES
The application procedure will be a two-step process:
1. Expressions of Interest
2. shortlisted projects will be invited to submit full applications.
Note that full applications must include a cost benefit analysis using a template provided by TfNSW.
The two-part application process is designed to reduce the burden for councils. The Expression of Interest phase involves a much shorter application form and is designed to allow the government to compile a shortlist of projects for full application. Decisions on the timing of further rounds will be determined subject to the outcomes of the first two rounds. All key dates will be published on the TfNSW website.
Expressions of Interest open 2 November 2015 Fixing Country Roads information sessions
for councils For more information please refer to the TfNSW website at
http://freight.transport.nsw. gov.au/
Expressions of Interest close 11 December 2015 Announcement of shortlisted projects End of January
Full Applications Close Please refer to the website for this information
HOW WILL PROJECTS
BE ASSESSED?
The Fixing Country Roads program process is administered by TfNSW Freight Industry Branch. Projects will be recommended to the NSW Government by Infrastructure NSW, following review by the Regional Independent Assessment panel. Infrastructure NSW and the Panel will be assisted by NSW Treasury and a Technical Panel chaired by TfNSW. All proposals will need to demonstrate how they meet the statutory purpose of the Restart NSW Fund which is to improve the economic growth and productivity of the State.
Fixing Country Roads will only fund projects that deliver value for money, and projects will be prioritised to maximise the value for money delivered by the program as a whole. Value for money is a result of:
• the benefits generated by the project relative to the costs; and • the level of co-contribution from the
applicant, industry or other sources. Expressions of Interest that comply with the application requirements will be assessed against the eligibility and four program criteria:
1. Access and Productivity Benefits 2. Growth and Economic Benefits 3. Strategic Alignment
4. Deliverability and Affordability
Criteria 1: Access and
Productivity Benefits
Applicants will need to demonstrate how the project will achieve
productivity and access benefits for freight in the region, particularly with regard to removing constraints in the movement of freight from origin to destination, or access to key freight networks.
The questions that an applicant should consider and address include whether and how the project:
• facilitates integration with key freight networks
• increases access for higher mass and productivity vehicles
• where applicable, facilitate improvements to last or first mile freight logistics, or access to key freight precincts
• leads to improvements in the “whole of journey” for freight in the overall supply chain
• improves the safety of heavy vehicle operations and/or any other modes such as rail, pedestrians, or other non-freight road users
• whether the project is related to or dependent on any other projects inside or outside the applicant’s local Government area.
Criteria 2: Growth and
Economic Benefits
Applications must demonstrate how a project would have a positive impact on productivity and economic growth. Applicants must make a strong case backed up by appropriate letters of support and other evidence.
The questions that an applicant should consider and address include whether and how the project:
• benefits certain commodity supply chains
• results in, or trigger any freight movements
• decreases transport operating costs • reduces distances travelled
• impacts on traffic volumes, including any changes in the use of heavy and higher productivity vehicles such as road trains or B-doubles
• improves safety
• reduces maintenance costs. All applications for construction projects must include a completed Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) Model provided by TfNSW which calculates a Benefit to Cost Ratio for the project. Model inputs include:
• project costs
• maintenance profile of relevant routes before and after the project • traffic, commodity movements as well as freight vehicle profile before and after the project
• data on safety before and after the project.
TfNSW will provide applicants training and advice in the use of the BCA tool. In exceptional cases where the use of the provided tool may not be appropriate, TfNSW Freight Industry Branch development will assist applicants in developing alternative calculations.
The use of the BCA tool is not required for projects seeking funds for bridge load assessments or planning.
Criteria 3: Strategic Alignment
Applicants should show how the project aligns with NSW State and Local Government, regional and industry priorities.
The questions that an applicant should consider and address include whether and how the project:
1. aligns with industry priorities (e.g. does the project support the efficiency and expansion of businesses within the region as evidenced by appropriate letters of support and industry financial contribution
2. aligns with council priorities (e.g. does the project feature as a high priority item as part of a council plan) 3. aligns with regional priorities
(e.g. is upgrading the route a regional priority as evidenced by a regional transport plan?) 4. aligns with State priorities 5. aligns with national priorities. While the first round of Fixing Country Roads focused on small to mid-sized projects that were limited to single local government areas, the expectation is that future rounds of the program will fund more projects that span multiple LGAs and are submitted as joint applications.
Applicants are encouraged to provide letters of support from industry and other stakeholders. Support letters should articulate why the project is important and the specific benefits that the project would provide. Generic support letters are not useful. Applicants should demonstrate that they have considered the degree of co-contribution to the project from industry, council, the federal government, or other state government sources. In-kind contribution is also viewed as co-contribution under the program. Projects with co-contribution from various sources are viewed favourably as they provide compelling evidence of stakeholder alignment.
The applicant will need to indicate whether the contribution is confirmed or unconfirmed and provide appropriate evidence. If the applicant has not received written confirmation of co-contribution at time of application, then the Technical and Assessment Panel will only be able to recommend qualified funding that is contingent on council receiving confirmation of said funds. The same applies to cases where council has applied or expresses the intention to apply for funding under other programs, such as the Federal Bridges Renewal Programme, Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme, or National Stronger Regions Fund, among others.
Criteria 4: Deliverability
and Affordability
Applications should demonstrate capacity of the proponent to deliver the project through robust strategies for procurement, project management and risk management.
Applicants should provide sufficient evidence to show:
• the amount of planning that has already been undertaken
• which approvals are required for the project, and what steps have been taken to obtain and manage these approvals
• the risks and impediments which may impact on project commencement and completion and how these have been addressed • a detailed breakdown of expected
costs, level of confidence and factors that could materially impact cost estimates.
Projects where costings are uncertain and where proposed timeframe are uncertain or not sufficiently developed, should not seek funding for construction in the first instance. However, applicants may seek funding to bring projects to shovel readiness or to the point where council could launch a design and construct tender. Applicants need to indicate that the project is affordable, taking into account net life-cycle cost impacts and allowing for on-going operating, maintenance and replacement requirements.
HOW TO APPLY
Transport for NSW Freight Industry Branch administers the applications process.
The Fixing Country Roads
applications must be submitted via the online application form, which is accessed via the website at http://freight.transport.nsw.gov.au. Please ensure you read the
information on lodging an application can be found in the Guide to Lodging an Online Application Form.
Applications must provide all of the information required in the form, including the mandatory documents listed in the respective application form for each type of project. This includes a completed Cost Benefit Analysis using a template provided by TfNSW. Applicants are encouraged to provide additional documents in support the case against the assessment criteria.
Supporting documents are uploaded with the application. However each supporting document may not exceed 5 MB and 45 characters in length for the file name. Separate arrangement for lodgement may be made in exceptional circumstances by contacting [email protected]. gov.au.
Applications can be submitted any time between the opening and closing dates for each round. Applications must be received by 5.00pm local time on the closing day. Late submissions will not be accepted, unless TfNSW considers exceptional circumstances beyond the applicant’s control.
Only completed applications submitted by an authorised member of the organisation will be accepted and appraised. Incomplete submissions will be deemed as ineligible. Regional organisations or third parties may submit applications on behalf of one or a number of councils if they are authorized by the councils to do so.
Applicants are encouraged to read these guidelines in conjunction with the Frequently Asked Questions and Guide to Lodging an Online Application Form.
Applicants may withdraw an application at any time, with written advice of the withdrawal to be provided to TfNSW via email to [email protected].
Information Sessions
TfNSW will host a number of regional information sessions on commencement of the Expression of Interest and subsequent phases. Dates and locations of information sessions will be published on the program website.
Freight Network Map
Applicants are encouraged to make use of the NSW Freight Network Map to help visualise how their project fits into the overall freight network. The map can be accessed via http://freight.transport.nsw.gov. au/map/index.html and contains information on heavy vehicle routes, rail network and shows key intermodal terminals, grain receival sites,
saleyards and mines.
Cost Benefit Analysis
Template
All Fixing Country Roads full applications must be accompanied by a completed cost benefit analysis using a template provided by TfNSW. If you require assistance in the use of the TfNSW template for preparing a cost benefit analysis or require advice in developing the economic arguments for particular projects, please contact [email protected]. gov.au to arrange a suitable time for consultation. Depending on demand, TfNSW may also organise cost benefit analysis workshops.
WHAT IS THE
ASSESSMENT AND
DECISION PROCESS?
Expression of Interest Phase
Applications submitted during the Expressions of Interest phase will initially be assessed against the eligibility and assessment criteria by a technical panel chaired by TfNSW. The assessment will be based on the information provided in the form, supporting documentation as well as advice from other parties. The technical panel or Transport for NSW on its behalf may request clarification or additional information from any applicant during the Expression of Interest application process. The technical panel prepares information for consideration by the Regional Independent Assessment Panel.
Following advice from the Regional Independent Assessment Panel, Infrastructure NSW will make final recommendations for a shortlist to the NSW Government.
Final shortlisting decisions are made by the NSW Government. Shortlisted applicants are then contacted and invited to submit a more detailed full application for their projects.
Full Application Phase
The assessment of full applications follows a similar process to the EOI phase. Applications submitted this phase appraised against the assessment criteria by a technical panel.
The appraisal will be based on the information provided in the form, supporting documentation as well as advice from other parties. The panel may contact the applicant for further clarification or information from the applicant.
The Regional Independent Assessment Panel reviews all applications and makes recommendations for qualified and unqualified funding. Projects recommended for qualified funding have conditions attached to funding. For example a project that relies on unconfirmed funding from federal grant programs could receive a qualified recommendation subject to the availability of matching funds.
Technical and Assessment
Panel Composition
The Technical Panel
The technical panel consists of experts from:
• TfNSW
• Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) • Office of Local Government (OLG) • Department of Industry
• Institute of Public Works and Engineers Australia (IPWEA). The technical panel may be supported by external contractors in assessing and prioritizing applications.
The technical panel develops a shortlist of projects for consideration and endorsement by an Independent Assessment Panel (see next section). The Regional Independent
Assessment Panel
Following the technical panel review, all applications are appraised by The Regional Independent Assessment Panel chaired by Infrastructure NSW. The assessment panel members include representatives from both government and industry, as well as a probity auditor.
Consultation with
external parties
Transport for NSW will consult with relevant stakeholder groups which may include other NSW and Federal Government agencies, local council bodies, Members of Parliament, Regional Development Australia, independent experts and other external parties. Advice may be requested on, but not limited to, the history of the applicant in delivering projects, viability of the project, relation to other projects, the extent to which the project aligns with or delivers priorities in state and territory plans, confirmation of funding
contributions and impact of the project on the region.
HOW WILL
SUCCESSFUL
PROJECTS BE
FUNDED?
Applicants that have been selected to receive grant funding will enter into a Restart NSW Funding Deed. Grant administration, reporting and payment are managed by Infrastructure
NSW. Successful applications will be contacted with details and provided with a draft deed and attachments for completion. A copy of the Funding Deed is available on the Infrastructure NSW website. More information about Funding Deeds will be provided to successful applicants and in the Frequently Asked Questions. Projects successfully awarded funding will be required to provide supporting evidence of the benefits realised post completion. This may include vehicle profile and traffic counts, as well as letter from major users outlining the benefits achieved. The NSW Government may select individual projects to conduct a detailed assessment of benefits post completion.
CONFIDENTIALITY
AND DISCLOSURE
Applicants are advised that any information contained in the Expression of Interest which is considered confidential must be notified to Infrastructure NSW with an explanation.
All information submitted by the applicant may be provided to other organisations for the purposes of eligibility and project proposal appraisal.
Summary information about the project application will be posted on Transport for NSW’s website unless you advise that you do not agree to its publication. Applicants should identify any information submitted which they wish to be considered as confidential, supported by reasons for the request. Except as disclosed, Infrastructure NSW will keep all information confidential and secure. Any request made under the
Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 for access to an
application, including information marked ‘confidential’ will be determined in accordance with that Act.
CONTACT DETAILS
Questions about Fixing Country Roads, including eligibility and the application process can be emailed to [email protected]. Questions should be clear and concise. Questions that are directly relevant to the Fixing Country Roads Program will be added to a Frequently Asked Questions document and made available on the TfNSW Freight and Regional Development website. Any enquiries relating funding decisions or complaints should be directed to:
Executive Director Freight Industry
Freight Strategy and Planning Transport for NSW
PO Box K659
Haymarket NSW 1240
PROBITY
The NSW State Government is committed to ensuring that the process for providing funding under Fixing Country Roads is transparent and in accordance with published guidelines. The NSW Government intends to provide information
sessions to councils intending to apply for Fixing Country Road funding. All information provided at the information sessions, questions and answers and any change or clarification of the guidelines will be published on the TfNSW Freight Industry Branch website at
