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Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme

Who may apply? Funding Project eligibility Project assessment Design guides
Approved round 17 applications List of approved round 17 applications (pdf 15KB) The Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme (RBFS) is a State Government grants program administered by the Department of Transport (DoT). The RBFS provides grants to eligible authorities for the planning and construction of public boating infrastructure in WA which benefits recreational boat users. Since 1998, the RBFS has significantly benefited recreational boating with more than $20 million granted to 282 projects, located from Wyndham to Esperance. The RBFS is funded from boat registration fees and, for Rounds 16-19, eligible authorities located in regional WA can apply for larger grants, funded by Royalties for Regions. Through Royalties for Regions, the equivalent of 25 per cent of the State's mining and onshore petroleum royalties is being returned to regional areas each year as an additional investment in projects, infrastructure and community services. The first of four annual $5 million funding allocations from Royalties for Regions saw an unprecedented amount of funding allocated to RBFS regional projects in Round 16.
Round 17 applications closed on 7 February 2012 RBFS links Successful projects Frequently asked questions Apply for a grant Who may apply? Grants are available to: local governments State Government departments and statutory authorities responsible for recreational boating facilities.		Round 17 brochure (pdf 1.2MB)
Community groups or individuals interested in applying for a grant must liaise with one of these eligible authorities to prepare and submit an application. Volunteer marine rescue organisations may apply for boating facility infrastructure if it is to be licensed to an eligible authority and available to the recreational boating public. Eligible authorities are encouraged to consult with their local community to develop ideas for RBFS grant proposals. Applications from anyone other than eligible authorities will not be assessed

Funding

RBFS grants are for: planning new public recreational boating facilities constructing new public recreational boating facilities and upgrading existing public recreational boating facilities. Grants are available for up to 75% of the estimated cost of a project, but are limited to: $750,000 (excluding GST) in the Perth metropolitan area $2,250,000 (excluding GST) in regional Western Australia.

The remaining project cost is funded by the applicant and can include Government funding or in-kind contributions. These funding arrangements must be outlined in the initial application.

Grants are paid in arrears. However, up to half of the grant may be paid up front if a project is estimated to cost more than $120,000. Grants will be reduced if any project component specified in the application is not delivered.

Eligible authorities may apply for one or more grants in either of the two categories:

• Planning - for the preparation of feasibility studies, strategic plans, detailed cost estimates, community consultation reports, site investigations, environmental impact assessment, detailed engineering drawings or similar.
• Works - for the construction of infrastructure.

Project eligibility

Eligible projects include the construction of, or planning for:

• Maritime facilities such as boat launching ramps, finger jetties, moorings, and channels and breakwaters directly related to a public boating facility.
• Land-based items located at a public boating facility, such as parking areas for boat trailers, toilets, waste facilities, fish cleaning tables and relevant signage regarding marine safety, fishing and other information.
• Infrastructure which enhances access to boating, such as universal access paths.
  

Ineligible projects   Applications for the following types of projects will not be assessed: general maintenance or maintenance dredging; private facilities or those associated with private clubs; facilities not used mainly by recreational boat users such as fishing platforms, toilets in parks without a boat ramp or jetty; facilities purely for commercial vessels; and facilities which are not available for use by the recreational boating public.

For more infomation, please refer to the RBFS Grant Guidelines (pdf 49kb)

Please note:

• Applicants are encouraged to undertake planning to gain engineering drawings and cost estimates before applying for a Works grant for a major project.
• A successful Planning application does not guarantee that the works project itself will be funded in future rounds.
• To be eligible for a grant, applicants must not have commenced a project at the time of advice of approval.
• Land-based facilities will only be funded if the associated maritime infrastructure is maintained at an appropriate standard and has a current Jetty Licence.
• Applications for combined recreational and commercial facilities may be considered if recreational use is greater than 25% of total use and an eligible authority will own the asset.
• Grants for combined recreational and commercial facilities, or for land-based facilities, may be calculated pro-rata on the percentage of use by recreational boaters.
• Demolition of existing boating facilities may be funded if associated with the provision of new or upgraded ones.
• Some eligible projects may be only part funded, or not funded at all, if there are applications for more funds than are available. The amount of funding applied for may be an important factor in this assessment, hence applicants may wish to consider applying for components of major projects in stages.

Project assessment

Applications are evaluated based on the benefits the projects will provide the recreational boating public

Initially, applications are reviewed by the Regional Assessment Panel convened by DoT's Regional Manager in each region.

These panels provide evaluations to the RBFS Panel which has representatives from:

• DoT's Coastal Infrastructure Unit
• Recfishwest
• Jet Sport West
• Boating WA
• Department of Regional Development and Lands
• Western Australian Local Government Association
• Swan River Trust
• Fire and Emergency Services Authority.

The RBFS Panel makes a final assessment and forwards its recommendations to the Minister for Transport for endorsement.

• Apply for a Round 17 RBFS grant

Design guides

DoT has developed guidelines to assist in the design of boat launching facilities. You can also download drawing examples to guide your designs.

• Design guidelines (pdf 160kb)
• Typical layout of a boating facility (pdf 195kb)
• Typical ramp and jetty drawings (pdf 15kb)

Email the RBFS Officer or phone 9216 8917 if you would like advice in relation to your project.

New facilities must comply with the appropriate Australian Standards, such as maritime structures (AS 4997), marinas (AS 3962) and universal access design (AS 1428). Visit the Australian Standards website if you wish to purchase these documents.

Parking areas for boat trailers must be of the appropriate dimensions to allow for a typical boat and trailer arrangement. Visit the Austroads website if you wish to purchase Design Vehicle and Turning Path templates to assist with your design process.