Grants Network Victoria

Inaugural Event

8 October 2010

Facilitated Session

Advocacy

There is no point engaging with Members of Parliament if the State/Federal MP is on the wrong side
An expression of interest process would reduce the amount of work at the back end – i.e. leading up to short application times – Government departments taking EOI’s any time for feedback prior to the closing dates
There are so many differences in the reporting/acquittal requirements for grants which makes it confusing
What is the point of reporting on activities 12 months after a grant if there is no follow up from the Department to see whether or not what you are reporting on is correct

Better matching funding ratios for rural and regional Councils
Look at abolishing competitive grants and give Local Government a bucket of money so that they can apply this money across any projects they like
Resourcing is often an issue for rural/regional Councils – having the people to be able to manage grants
DPCD wants too much information for grant applications

It’s hard to justify projects to Council that may not get funding for anyway. Staggered program funding would be useful, with funding available for scoping.

Grants for projects 12 months out – it’s difficult for accurate quotes at the time for 12 months time (if not longer), if costs blow out then Council’s have to provide any cost overruns which can often be challenging, especially for rural/regional Councils.
Putting out too many grants at the one time – impacts on the ability of Local Government to be able to deliver projects
It would be good to get a strong commitment on when funding announcements will be made – often contributions from Council Capital Works are reallocated to other projects in the meantime
Is there potential to tie in with an LG Pro Special Interest Group
Contacting Government departments to let them know we are around and that we want to speak to them about issues
Update on website when grants information is uploaded/updated
Issues about getting notified of grant but not being allowed to release the details until authorised by Government

Development

Unless you facilitate feedback you won’t get any – not too many people ask for feedback
Educate Councillors on what good grants programs are like
Facilitate professional development training for those who have just started

Networking

Partnerships

Leveraging Government funding from Government departments is often difficult as there are different reporting dates/closing dates etc

Sharing