What is the Collie Futures Industry Development Fund?
The Collie Futures Industry Development Fund (CFIDF) is a grant opportunity to support businesses to develop and expand industries and create job opportunities.
Background
The Government of Western Australia has established the Collie Futures Fund, a $20 million initiative over five years to support the growth of jobs and a ‘Just Transition’ for the Collie region through development and diversification of the local economy. The fund aims to create long term employment security for the people of Collie by supporting economic development opportunities identified by industry and the local community and in the Economic Development Plan for the Collie and Bunbury Regions. The Collie Futures Fund will provide support through the Collie Futures Industry Development Fund (CFIDF) and the Collie Futures Small Grants Program (CFSGP).
The Collie Futures Industry Development Fund will provide support for significant industry-led proposals that will contribute to economic development and diversification of the regional economy. Industry-led proposals provide a mechanism for government to leverage private sector expertise and initiatives to support development of new industries.
The fund will focus on the following sectors where the Collie region has strengths and growth prospects, as identified in existing regional plans and industry strategies:
- Aged and health care;
- Agribusiness;
- Coal-related industries;
- Energy;
- Forest products;
- Manufacturing and professional services;
- Mineral processing; and/or
- Tourism
However, consideration will also be given to new and emerging industries if the applicant is able to demonstrate the Collie region is a prospective location for the industry.
Objectives
The Collie Futures Industry Development Fund will focus on developing new industries and expanding existing industries in the Collie region. The anticipated outcomes of the program are a significant increase in the:
- number and diversity of job opportunities;
- productivity of business and industries; and
- scale and diversity of the economic base.
Funding
The State Government is opening doors for industry by offering up to $2 million in matched funding in support of industry-led projects setting up or expanding in Collie.
Eligible Projects
Project proposals that will be considered for funding include activities that aim to:
- develop and commercialise new industries and business opportunities, including demonstration or pilot plants
- integrate new technology to improve productivity of existing businesses or enables the development of new businesses
- improve the infrastructure, plant or equipment that supports the development of new businesses or improves innovation and productivity of existing businesses
- develop common-user infrastructure that addresses local infrastructure challenges that impact industry productivity or expansion, for example water, energy or transport infrastructure
Eligible Applicants
To be eligible for consideration, an application must be made online using the SmartyGrants Portal established for the Collie Futures Industry Development Fund and:
- clearly demonstrate alignment of the proposal outcomes with the above objectives of the Collie Futures Fund;
- clearly demonstrate impact on the regional economy within a journey-to-work zone of up to 50 kilometres from the Collie townsite;
- include a summary project plan, including high-level project outcomes and deliverables, a timeline, details of the project budget, resources, risks, statutory approval requirements, stakeholder engagement and evaluation (note funded activities must be completed within 2 years of the funding agreement being signed);
- be seeking up to a maximum of $2 million Collie Futures Fund funding and include a funding contribution from the applicant (all Collie Futures Fund funding must be matched by a minimum, secured cash co-contribution of $1 for every $1 funded); and
- be made by a valid legal entity that can enter into a funding agreement with the Western Australian Government.
Applications will be primarily considered from private sector businesses, including small to medium sized businesses. However, applications will also be considered from local government authorities, business and industry groups (such as industry peak bodies and business associations), not-for-profit organisations and community groups with a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Company Number (ACN).
Timing
Applications open on an ongoing basis.
More Information
Latest News
4 April 2022 – Sunshot Energy gets a $1M grant for green energy hub
The Western Australian government has announced that Sunshot Energy will be awarded “up to $1 million” through the Collie Futures Industry Development Fund. The consultancy chaired by economist Ross Garnaut will undertake the first stage of a study into a proposed Collie Battery and Hydrogen Industrial Hub Project.
According to a statement from the WA government on Friday, this would look into the case for a renewable-powered hydrogen electrolyser and a “600 to 800-megawatt hour battery… around four times the size of Tesla’s big battery” in Hornsdale, South Australia to help deliver renewable energy to industrial users in the region.
