Bushfire Recovery Victoria – Local Economic Recovery (LER) Program: Regional Economic Stimulus & Resilience Grants

This program seeks to support regional economic recovery by stimulating economic growth and building economic resilience in bushfire affected regions.

It forms part of the $68.6 million Local Economic Recovery (LER) program which is jointly funded by the Australian & Victorian Governments and will fund local projects vital for community recovery, support economic stimulus projects, and boost industry and jobs across bushfire-affected regions.

The objectives of the program are to:
- Increase economic and social benefits through investment in enabling infrastructure.
- Increase employment opportunities and decrease skills shortages in key sectors, including the promotion of Aboriginal participation.
- Increase the capacity of the business community by enhancing employment, business and economic opportunities with a focus on tourism and primary industries, including small business or other sectors, consistent with the objectives of local and State government.
- Increase business capability, including Aboriginal businesses, and continuity by providing increased opportunities to collaborate, innovate and drive change.
- Increase longer term economic and community resilience for future emergency events.
- Increase and restore visitor confidence in the region.
- Protect and enhance Aboriginal culture, and support participation and ownership.
- Addresses a need of the communities that has arisen due to the impact of the 2019-20 bushfires.

Grants of up to $5 million are available.

A total funding pool of $34 million is available.

Prior to submitting an application, applicants must discuss their project idea with the relevant RDV representative and provide evidence of that discussion with their application.

Eligible applicants include:
- Local Government Authority
- Resort Management Board
- Industry organisation
- Private sector businesses, including Aboriginal organisations, sole traders, micro and small businesses
- Business and industry groups, including:
a) Chambers of commerce and business associations
b) Industry peak bodies
c) Business and industry clusters and networks
- Utility and services providers and water corporations
- TAFE institution and university
- Public/private partnership, through an incorporated entity
- Not-for-profit organisation, including community groups that are an incorporated body, cooperative, association or social enterprise
- Other organisation agreed between the National Bushfire Recovery Agency and the Victorian Government

Eligible applicants must:
- Be an incorporated legal entity, with the exception of sole traders, micro and small businesses which may only require an ABN.
- Have a current Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Have no outstanding reports or other reports required for any previous Victorian Government grant programs.

Traditional owner/custodian groups and Aboriginal businesses are encouraged to apply.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete eligibility requirements and eligible LGAs and Alpine Resort Areas.

Eligible projects must produce an economic benefit to a fire affected region (East Gippsland and/or North East Victoria) and align with one or more of the following LER Program categories:
- Enabling infrastructure
a) Economic infrastructure and new infrastructure focused on functionality improvements, enhancements or upgrades including betterment.
b) Support for projects focused on micro-grids, local energy grids, that helps deliver resilience and economic value for communities.
- Industry and business development, including small business and microenterprises/sole traders’ development
a) Initiatives supporting entrepreneurship and innovation.
b) Development of regional specialisations and economic diversification.
c) Business retention, new business development and business expansion and attraction.
d) New technologies, plant and equipment and systems to improve productivity, competitiveness, and business and jobs growth. Capacity building, workforce participation, skills development, and local and regional industry networks.

The main assessment criteria include:
- Regional economic benefit (40%)
- Local participation, support and delivery (20%)
- Alignment with relevant economic recovery plans (20%)
- Enduring socio-economic outcomes (20%)
- Project feasibility and delivery

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of the assessment criteria.

The following are ineligible for funding:
- State and Commonwealth Government departments and agencies.
- Unincorporated organisations or joint ventures (unless under an auspice arrangement).
- Trusts.
- Pre-schools, primary and secondary schools.
- Individuals.
- Projects that, in the State’s opinion, may have a negative impact on existing businesses/services.
- Projects that require ongoing or recurrent funding to succeed or deliver benefits, unless there is demonstrated agreement from the relevant entity, including Commonwealth, State or Local government, to provide that funding.
- Projects where, in the State’s opinion, funding is normally provided, or has otherwise been provided, by other state, Commonwealth and/or local government sources.
- Early stage planning, feasibility studies, strategic and growth plans and township planning (business cases and design and construct projects are not considered ineligible).
- Business-as-usual operational costs and expenditure, including overhead costs.
- Costs of works completed prior to approval of funding for the project (retrospective funding).

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of restrictions.