Sustainability Special Purpose Funding
The Sustainability Special Purpose Funding Round is available to support schools working toward their environmentally sustainable goals using a structured and outcome-focused approach. This funding is for sustainability projects associated with existing facilities and site infrastructure only. It does not apply to new applications being made under the 2025 Capital Round.
About the Sustainability Grant
The intent of funding directed towards Energy & Carbon projects is to:
- Lower the need for electrical energy from the electricity grid.
- Lower the need for electricity consumption on the school site.
- Reduce carbon produced by the School
Examples of eligible project infrastructure would include but are not limited to, LED lighting, solar systems, building management systems or battery storage on site. Charging stations for electric vehicles, for example, would be ineligible as they do not meet the intent of the funding criteria outcomes outlined above.
The intent of funding directed towards Total Water Cycle projects is to:
- Lower the need to source water from an external water provider.
- Increase capacity to harvest onsite water.
- Efficiently move water harvested on-site to locations of need (i.e., toilets, ovals, etc.).
- Recycle grey water for reuse.
Examples of eligible project infrastructure would include, but are not limited to, efficient water fittings, water tanks, water recycling plants or filtration systems and piping networks to link stored water to locations where supply is needed. An eligible project can be an Energy and Carbon, Total Water Cycle, or a Combined Energy and Water project.
Available Funding and School Eligibility
For a School to be eligible to apply for a grant under the Sustainability Special Purpose Round, they must:
- Exist on a site that is owned or leased for more than 20 years from the date the project is completed.
- Have appropriate insurance in place for the site.
- Be proposing an eligible sustainability project. Refer to 'The Pathway to an Eligible Project' section for further information on requirements for an eligible project.
The following table outlines the level of funding available to Schools based on their capacity to contribute (CTC). Schools with a CTC above 110 are not eligible for this Special Purpose Funding Round.
|
Sustainability Project Type |
Minimum Project Cost (ex GST) |
Level of Funding |
|
|
CTC < 97 |
CTC 97-110 |
||
|
Energy & Carbon |
$100,000 |
75% of project cost, capped to $300,000 per School |
50% of project cost, capped to $200,000 per School |
|
Total Water Cycle |
$100,000 |
||
|
Combined Energy & Water |
$100,000 |
||
The Pathway to an Eligible Project
The following flow chart outlines the minimum procedural steps schools must take to satisfy criteria and eligibility considerations for the QIS BGA Sustainability Special Purpose Funding Round.
Each phase will result in specific outputs forming the basis of eligibility and assessment for applications submitted under this Special Purpose Funding Round. Schools are encouraged to undertake the activities outlined in each phase as early as practical so they can be best placed to submit applications when the round opens.
The Planning and Eligibility Notes provide further detail and include a recommended checklist of key activities to support Schools in submitting an application.
- Planning and Eligibility Notes
- Application Help Notes (coming soon)
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Audit Tool - Energy & Carbon
- Audit Tool - Total Water Cycle
- Sustainability Model Code
Making an Application
The anticipated timeframe for the Sustainability Special Purpose Round will see applications opening in early March with a minimum of 8 weeks to complete. When available, applications for the Sustainability Special Purpose Funding Round can be made through the applicant school's client portal in the online grant management system. If you cannot access the grant management system, please email the QIS BGA Office for support. While exact dates remain subject to confirmation, we strongly encourage applicant schools to commence their preparations now. Start by reading the Planning & Eligibility Notes to understand the pathway to an eligible sustainability project.
Contact Us
Mrs Kristy-Lee Cristea, Project Officer
Phone: (07) 3228 1583
Email: kcristea@bga.qld.edu.au