Enabling Infrastructure Program

Key dates

Stage 2 applications will close at 12 noon on 7 February 2024.

Project details

The Enabling Infrastructure Program consists of medium to large grants for infrastructure projects that strengthen and build strong regional communities through:

• value-added investment in priority community infrastructure that improves quality of life or attracts and retains people in our regions
• enabling infrastructure to attract and retain business (goods and services) in regions and support a strong regional economy
• collaboration with other projects, programs or initiatives
• having broad regional community benefit
• having considered latent and future demand.

Project timelines

The grants will support projects that can start within 6 months and can be completed within 2 years from execution of funding agreement.

Co-contributions and in-kind support

Applicants are expected to contribute to the minimum percentage of co-contribution in cash (in-kind contributions will not be counted). This contribution is to be exclusive of any other grant funding sources.

While in-kind contributions cannot be counted towards the co-contribution, it will be considered as part of the project’s overall benefit.

Applicants are encouraged to secure contributions from other sources including Australian, state or local government grants. This can be in the form of cash or in-kind. This cannot be used as part of your cash contribution.

Managing project costs

You will need to pay for project costs and seek reimbursement for those costs. Therefore, you must demonstrate capacity to manage project costs until agreed upon key milestones are met. There is the possibility of milestone payments throughout the term of the grant to assist with cashflows if needed.

You will need to make a strong case for why upfront public investment is required.

Amounts

You can apply for a grant in the amount from $50,000 to $1 million.

Grants up to a $2 million maximum could be considered where there are exceptionally broad benefits.

Total funding available for all grants is $5 million in 2023–2024.

Guidelines

Download the Enabling Infrastructure Program Guidelines (PDF 243.6 KB).

Eligibility

To be eligible for this program you must:

• be a legal entity
• be the key driver of the project
• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be registered for GST.

Eligible entities include companies, partnerships, sole traders, co-operatives, statutory authorities, local governments, incorporated associations, registered charities, companies limited by guarantee.

RDA associations and state government agencies are not eligible to apply.

How we assess your application

Applicants will submit an expression of interest (EOI) in the stage 1 process before the advertised closing date including your details and specific project information.

EOI’s will be assessed by an internal government panel and informed following consultation with the relevant RDA association on project alignment with regional plans.

EOI’s will be shortlisted and progressed by us to the Minister for consideration.

Following consideration, the Minister may invite certain applicants to submit a detailed application (stage 2), to be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of the Minister’s formal notification.

All applicants will be informed of the outcome of the EOI stage once assessment has been completed.

When assessing, we will consider the information provided by you:

• final project designs and demonstrated costs
• the land or infrastructure owner has given approval to undertake the project at the nominated site(s)
• funding contributions from all sources and can provide formal documentation to verify those contributions with your application
• project can commence within six months of approval
• identified and prepared submissions for all required regulatory or development approvals, or have already submitted or obtained those approvals
• demonstrate the capacity to manage the costs of the project until key milestones are completed to the Ministers satisfaction and paid
• demonstrate the benefit of the project to the region
• you have adequate insurance.

RDA regional plans

• Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island Strategic Regional Plan 2022–2025 (PDF)
• Adelaide Metropolitan Regional Development South Australia Regional Blueprint (PDF)
• Barossa, Gawler, Light and Adelaide Plains Regional Strategic Plan 2022–2025
• Eyre Peninsula Strategic Regional Plan 2023–2026 (PDF)
• Far North Economic Growth and Investment Strategy
• Limestone Coast Regional Growth Strategy (PDF)
• Murraylands and Riverlands Plan
• Yorke and Mid North Strategic Plan 2021–2026 (PDF)

Activities and projects that will not be funded

To provide the greatest value to South Australians we will not fund these projects and activities:

• plans, including feasibility studies, business cases, reports and development plans
• costs associated with the preparation of the application
• costs for works undertaken or goods supplied by the applicant, its employees or related entities
• operation expenditure, including overheads, wages, utilities, repairs, and maintenance, or statutory obligations
• retrospective funding, where projects have been completed or commenced prior to the application being approved by the Minister
• purchase of land or a business
• projects that require ongoing recurrent state government funding
• projects undertaken on behalf of third parties
• projects that have already received assistance from PIRSA or other relevant state or Australian government grant funds to achieve the same project outcomes
• projects that are more appropriately funded through other funding sources such as state or Australian government programs. For example, there may be funding programs already in place to support sporting facilities or tourism venture projects.

How to apply

1. Read the information on this webpage.
2. Read the Enabling Infrastructure Program Guidelines (PDF 243.6 KB)
3. Download the online form guide (PDF 182.4 KB) to help you complete your application.
4. Apply online.
   • Once you start your application, you have 28 days to submit it. If you think it will take longer, you can print out what you’ve done from the Review tab as a backup, but you will have to restart the application.