DROUGHT COMMUNITIES PROGRAMME – EXTENSION
Funding for councils for drought relief projects
Last Updated: 25 March 2020
The Drought Communities Programme - Extension provides councils with up to either $1 million or $500,000 per announcement for drought relief projects. Funding is available for eligible councils in areas impacted by drought.
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Drought Communities Programme – Extension
The Drought Communities Programme - Extension provides councils with up to either $1 million or $500,000 per announcement for drought relief projects. Funding is available for eligible councils in areas impacted by drought.
The maximum available funding for eligible councils announced in January 2020 is in two tiers:
- Tier one - maximum funding available up to $1 million
- Tier two - maximum funding available up to $500,000
Applications close:
- 1 June 2020 for councils announced during the 2019 election campaign
- 1 June 2020 for councils announced in September 2019
- 1 December 2020 for councils announced in November 2019
- 1 June 2021 for councils announced in January 2020.
Applications are now closed for councils announced in 2018 and March 2019.
What do you get?
Up to $1 million or $500,000 (depending on the funding announcement) for local community infrastructure and other drought relief projects.
Who is this for?
Eligible councils listed below and invited by the Minister to apply.
Overview
The extension of the Drought Communities Programme provides funding of $301 million to eligible councils for drought-affected regions of Australia. The program supports local community infrastructure and other drought relief projects for communities impacted by drought.
Funding targets projects that:
- provide work for people whose employment has been impacted by drought
- stimulate local community spending
- use local resources, businesses and suppliers
- provide a long-lasting benefit to communities and the agricultural industries they depend on
Eligibility
What are the eligibility criteria?
To be eligible, you must:
- have an Australian business number (ABN) and
- be an eligible council listed on this page (and on GrantConnect) or
- be invited to apply by the Minister
Eligible projects
To be eligible, your project must:
- be in an eligible council area
- meet project requirements
- include eligible activities and expenditure
- have at least $25,000 per application in eligible expenditure
You must complete your project by:
- 30 June 2019 for eligible councils announced in 2018
- 31 December 2019 for eligible councils announced in March 2019
- 30 June 2020 for eligible councils announced during the 2019 election campaign
- 30 June 2020 for the eligible councils approved for funding in September 2019
- 31 December 2020 for the eligible councils approved for funding in November 2019
- 30 June 2021 for eligible councils approved for funding in January 2020
For more information on eligibility and project requirements, check the grant opportunity guidelines.
Eligible councils
The following councils are eligible based on need and the economic impact of drought in the region.
We assess this using:
- rainfall deficiency data from the Bureau of Meteorology
- population and industry data – particularly reliance on agriculture
The Government monitors drought conditions across the country and may add more councils depending on conditions.
New South Wales
| Armidale Regional | Federation | Murrumbidgee |
| Balranald | Forbes | Musellbrook |
| Bathurst Regional | Gilgandra | Narrabri |
| Bega Valley | Glen Innes Severn Shire | Narrandera |
| Berrigan | Greater Hume | Narromine |
| Bland | Gunnedah | Oberon |
| Blayney | Gwydir | Parkes |
| Bogan | Hay | Richmond Valley |
| Bourke | Hilltops | Snowy Monaro |
| Brewarrina | Inverell | Tamworth Regional |
| Broken Hill | Junee | Temora |
| Cabonne | Kempsey | Tenterfield |
| Carrathool | Kyogle | Unincorporated Far West |
| Central Darling | Lachlan | Upper Hunter |
| Clarence Valley | Leeton | Upper Lachlan |
| Cobar | Lismore | Uralla |
| Coolamon | Lithgow | Walcha |
| Coonamble | Lockhart | Walgett |
| Cootamundra-Gundagai | Liverpool Plains | Warren |
| Cowra | Mid-Western Regional | Warrumbungle |
| Dubbo Regional | Moree Plains | Weddin |
| Edward River | Murray River | Wentworth |
Northern Territory
| Barkly | Central Desert |
Queensland
| Balonne | Flinders | Quilpie |
| Banana | Goondiwindi | Richmond |
| Barcaldine | Lockyer Valley | Scenic Rim |
| Barcoo | Longreach | Somerset |
| Blackall Tambo | Maranoa | South Burnett |
| Boulia | McKinlay | Southern Downs |
| Bulloo | Murweh | Toowoomba |
| Bundaberg | North Burnett | Western Downs |
| Diamantina | Paroo | Winton |
South Australia
| Adelaide Plains | Kangaroo Island | Port Pirie City and District |
| Alexandrina | Karoonda East Murray | Renmark Paringa |
| Barossa | Kimba | Scenic Rim |
| Barunga West | Light* | Southern Mallee |
| Berri Barmera | Loxton Waikerie | Streaky Bay |
| Ceduna | Mid Murray | Tatiara |
| Clare and Gilbert Valleys | Mount Remarkable | The Coorong |
| Cleve | Murray Bridge | Unincorporated Far North SA |
| Copper Coast | Northern Areas | Wakefield |
| Flinders Ranges | Orroroo/Carrieton | Wudinna |
| Franklin Harbour | Peterborough | Yorke Peninsula |
| Goyder | ||
Tasmania
| Break O Day | Devonport | Glamorgan Spring Bay |
Victoria
| Benalla | Glamorgan Spring Bay | Strathbogie |
| Break O Day | Greater Shepparton | Swan Hill |
| Buloke | Latrobe | Wangaratta |
| Devonport | Mildura | Wellington |
| East Gippsland | Moira | Yarriambiack |
| Gannawarra | Pyrenees |
Western Australia
| Albany | Denmark | Lake Grace |
| Beverley | Donnybrook-Balingup | Mingenew* |
| Bridgetown-Greenbushes | Dumbleyung* | Moora |
| Brookton* | Esperance | Nannup |
| Broomhill-Tambellup | Gnowangerup | Narembeen* |
| Bruce Rock* | Irwin | Pingelly |
| Busselton | Jerramungup | Plantagenet |
| Carnamah* | Katanning | Quairading |
| Coorow | Kellerberrin | Ravensthorpe |
| Corrigin | Kent* | Three Springs* |
| Cranbrook | Kojonup | Wickepin* |
| Dandaragan | Kulin* |
*Indicates an LGA with a population of less than 1,000 and funding of up to $500,000. Funding for all other LGAs is up to $1 million.
Applying
How do you apply?
You will receive an invitation to apply with a link to our online portal. The portal allows you to apply for and manage a grant in a secure online environment. You’ll need to set up a user account to get access.
You should read the grant opportunity guidelines and sample grant agreement before you apply.
To apply, you must:
- complete the online portal application form
- provide all necessary information and attachments
- address all eligibility criteria
Your chief executive officer (or another officer authorised to sign grant agreements) must submit your application.
