Nedlands CSRFF Grant application fails

From the Nedlands Website


Important Building Update
09-03-2010
Hi Members

I am extremely disappointed to tell you that we have not received our CSRFF grant from the government announced last week.

After discussion with Clayton White (coordinator of the programme) from the Dept Sport & Rec his feedback as to why we missed out was as follows.

1. $17.5 million was handed out after $44 million in applications. Two very large projects from councils received over $5 million of the funding available.
2. In their opinion we did not have sufficient cash in the bank (or financial support from Nedlands council) to ensure our project could be completed without further fundraising and jeopardising the clubs financial viability.
3. The proposed areas of “social activity” and paved “viewing area” are seen as low priority for these funds – their emphasis is the toilets, change rooms, storage areas etc
4. We are not a truly “multi use” facility even though our plans are aimed at being able to be used as such. A possible permanent summer tenant other than tee ball would assist our application.

WHERE TO FROM HERE

We have different options available to us which will be discussed by the building committee and put to the club management committee in coming months.

There are options to use some or all of our cash put aside for the project and do partial work such as toilets and storage area. This would most likely eliminate the chance of getting a future CSRFF grant and could incur extra costs.

We can modify and reduce our approved plans and reduce the costs – proceed without govt funding possibly with small borrowing by the club.

Find a cash benefactor or raise at least $180k specifically for the project and proceed without govt funding.

Re apply in next years round putting the project back till Sept 2011 at best if we receive a grant. This option allows more time to fund raise however building costs continue to increase.

We will keep you informed

Regards

Garry Ash

Chairperson.

Building Committee

For those that does not know what a CSRFF grant is here is some info : http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au/164