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What is the Distillery Support – Infrastructure and Boosting Visitor Economy?
The Distillery Support – Infrastructure and Boosting Visitor Economy is a program that aims to support and enhance Victoria’s distillery industry.
Background
The $10 million Distillery Door Program will focus on developing skills, increasing tourism opportunities, expanding businesses through infrastructure investment and develop and grow exports, supporting employment and economic opportunities across Victoria. The Distillery Support – Infrastructure and Boosting Visitor Economy grants are part of the Distillery Door Program.
Objectives
The Infrastructure and Boosting Visitor Economy grants will provide direct funding to businesses under the Program.
Grants aim to:
- Support individual businesses to increase business capability and efficiency through investment and improvements in on-site infrastructure
- Support individual businesses to establish or enhance distillery doors, or promote visitor flow, showcasing Victoria’s tourism offerings
- Ensure Victoria continues to be a premium producer of distilled alcoholic beverages and remains globally competitive
- Enable Victoria to become a leader in Australian distilled alcoholic beverage production.
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Funding
2 Streams of funding for projects are available under the Program:
- Stream 1: grants of up to $20,000 (GST exclusive) are available to increase business capability and efficiency through investment and improvements in on-site infrastructure.
- Stream 2: grants of up to $70,000 (GST exclusive) are available to establish, enhance, or promote a distillery door, increasing visitation.
Grant recipients will be required to make a cash co-contribution of a minimum of 30 or 50 per cent of the total eligible expenditure on the project.
Co-contribution will be:
- 30% cash co-contribution if no more than 10,000 litres of alcohol produced in the 2021/22 financial year.
- 50% cash co-contribution if greater than 10,000 litres of alcohol produced in the 2021/22 financial year.
Co-contributions must be cash. In-kind contributions such as labour are not included. Any additional or ineligible costs associated with the overall project must be met by the grant recipient.
Applicants can apply for a grant for a maximum of two different projects, up to the total eligible stream value. For example, an applicant can apply twice for $10,000 under Stream 1 for 2 different projects.
Eligible Projects
Grant funding may be used for the following types of projects:
Stream 1
Projects that support distillery infrastructure development that will increase business efficiency or capacity, the adoption of new technology, improves safety or sustainability. These projects will allow distillers to enhance or expand their offerings as a premium Victorian producer.
- New equipment or small-scale infrastructure for the distillery (including signage)
- Technology adoption (excluding training and on-going maintenance and service support costs)
- Product diversification
- Items that support business efficiency and/or safety
Stream 1 projects must be completed and fully acquitted within 5 months of the execution of the Grant Agreement.
Stream 2
Projects that support distillery door establishment or enhancement to increase physical visitation to the distillery door. These projects will directly support Victoria’s tourism offerings and reputation as a premium producer of spirits.
- Establishment of a distillery door through a new build or building enhancements
- New equipment or large-scale infrastructure for the distillery (including signage) that will increase visitation
- Marketing costs – initial establishment costs for digital marketing, advertising, promotional collateral that will increase visitor flow (capped at $20,000 GST exclusive)
Other eligible expenditure may be accepted on a per case basis.
Stream 2 projects must be completed and fully acquitted by 31 March 2024.
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Call 1300 658 508
Eligible Applicants
In order to apply, applicants must:
- Have a current Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Be registered as a business in Victoria
- Be a legal entity
- Own at least one still with a capacity of fifty (50) litres or more
- Hold a valid ATO manufacturer licence to produce distilled alcoholic beverages
- Hold a current general or producer’s liquor licence issued by Liquor Control Victoria
- Be able to meet the agreed (minimum 30-50%) cash co-contribution requirement
Timing
Applications close 7 April 2023.
