Addendum 2 – Issued 26 April 2023
Answer to Questions on base deeds non-compliance initial proposals – Regional Connectivity Program Round 3 (with Mobile Black Spot (Round 7) opportunities)
The Commonwealth Government has issued Addendum No. 2 for its Round 3 of the Regional Connectivity Program (including Mobile Blackspot (Round 7). Please refer to additional/updated document:
- Commonwealth's Addendum 2 – Answer to Questions on base deeds non-compliance initial proposals.
Please refer to the Commonwealth’s GrantConnect website (Reference Number GO6185) for further information including updates.
Addendum 1 – Issued 20 April 2023
Extension of the WA Government’s Application Period – Regional Connectivity Program – Round 3
The application period for WA-based co-contribution funding grants under the RCP Round 3 has been extended by four weeks from 28 April 2023 to 26 May 2023 at 5pm (AWST).
Please refer to additional/updated documents:
- DPIRD - RCP Round 3 - Notice of Extension - WA Application Period - 26 May 2023
- Commonwealth's Addendum 1 – Notice of Extension
- Commonwealth's Regional Connectivity Program Round 3 with Mobile Black Spot Round 7 Opportunities Grant Opportunity Guidelines V1.1
Before applying, please read and understand the Commonwealth’s Round 3 RCP information including updated Guidelines, Applications Packs and Documents.
Round 3
Applications are now OPEN for State Government Grant Funding to assist applicants with WA-based digital infrastructure solutions.
State funding is available from the $48.6 million Western Australian Regional Digital Connectivity Program to support Western Australian applications under the Commonwealth’s $150 million Regional Connectivity Program Round 3 (RCP Round 3).
RCP Round 3 presents another opportunity for the Western Australian Government to further leverage substantial co-contributions towards telecommunications infrastructure responding to local priorities, maximise economic opportunities, social benefits and improve mobile coverage in underserviced regions.
This is a combined grant opportunity bringing together the RCP Round 3 and Mobile Black Spot Program Round 7 in two streams, to improve mobile and broadband connectivity in regional, rural and First Nations communities across Regional WA. The two streams are:
- Regional Connectivity (Round 3) stream for place-based solutions that deliver new or upgraded broadband services or upgraded mobile services in eligible locations across Western Australia; and
- Mobile Black Spot (Round 7) stream that delivers new handheld mobile coverage to rural, regional, and remote locations across Regional Western Australia.
How to apply for WA Government Grant Funding for RCP Round 3?
Before applying, please make sure you read and understand the Commonwealth’s Round 3 RCP information including Guidelines, Application Packs and Documents. The Commonwealth Government strongly recommends that interested/potential applicants register through its GrantConnect website for any updates including addendums. The Commonwealth’s RCP Round 3 reference number is GO6185.
The Commonwealth's selection criteria for each of the two streams will be used to assess the WA-based projects* for potential WA Government Grant Funding towards RCP Round 3.
Applications may include a combination of Regional Connectivity Solutions and Mobile Black Spot Solutions or propose only Regional Connectivity Solutions or only Mobile Black Spot Solutions. Both streams will include dedicated funding for Proposed Solutions that improve telecommunications infrastructure in First Nations communities.
1.Regional Connectivity (Round 3) stream.
If you are applying for a WA Government Funding Grant under the RCP Round 3 to deliver WA-based infrastructure towards New or Upgraded broadband services and/or upgraded mobile services in regional and remote WA, you must apply under the Regional Connectivity (Round 3) funding stream.
Applicants will be required to provide documents in support of any claims against the merit criteria.
Please submit your completed Commonwealth RCP Round 3 Regional Connectivity (Round 3) funding stream Application to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) at rcp@dpird.wa.gov.au.
Please ensure you attach the completed documents listed below and any other supporting documentation including predictive mapping data, where applicable, for the proposed solution.
- Appendix A - Regional Connectivity Round 3 Stream Application Pack.
- Attachment A.3 - Regional Connectivity Round 3 Stream Proposed Solution Assessment Tool (PSAT).
2. Mobile Black Spot (Round 7) Stream.
If you are applying for a WA Government Funding Grant under the RCP Round 3 to deliver WA-based infrastructure targeting New Handheld Mobile Coverage to regional, rural and First Nations in Western Australia, you must apply under the Mobile Black Spot (Round 7) Stream.
Please submit your completed Commonwealth RCP Round 3 Mobile Black Spot (Round 7) Stream Application to the DPIRD at rcp@dpird.wa.gov.au.
- Appendix B – Mobile Black Spot Round 7 Stream Application Pack
- Attachment B.1 – Mobile Black Spot Round 7 Stream Application Pack - Pre-Application Lodgement including existing 4G handheld coverage maps, incorporating the coverage from other State or Commonwealth funded programs (where relevant).
- Attachment B.2 – Mobile Black Spot Round 7 Stream Application Pack Initial Proposals.
- Attachment B.3 – Mobile Black Spot Round 7 Stream Proposed Solutions Assessment Tool PSAT.
Successful applicants will be advised of any in-principle State co-contribution prior to the Commonwealth’s RCP Round 3 closing date on 31 May 2023 - 5:00pm (ACT Local Time).
The State Government’s deadline for applications is NO LATER than Friday 26 May 2023 (5.00pm AWDT) and must be submitted to DPIRD at rcp@dpird.wa.gov.au.
*WA based projects must be located in a regional area of Western Australia as defined in the Regional Development Commissions Act 1993 (WA) Schedule 1 (Act). In addition to the Commonwealth Government’s map indicating ineligible areas, the WA State Government will not fund projects proposed for Rottnest Island, as it is not covered under the Act. Please see WA_RDC_LGA Map.
**You’ll receive an error message if you attempt to attach files larger than the maximum size limit of 10MB. There are a few ways to work around this size limit, including using a file sharing service or compressing the file. You can upload your large files/documents to a cloud service such as SharePoint or OneDrive and include a link to the document/s in your email message to rcp@dpird.wa.gov.au.
For any further information, please email: rcp@dpird.wa.gov.au.
Rounds 1 and 2
Under Round 1, the Commonwealth awarded an initial 12 projects in WA, co-funded by the State and industry. A further 22 projects were awarded, delivering a total of 34 projects in WA with a total State investment of $8.25 million. Several projects have been completed while the remaining projects are in progress.
Under Round 2, the Commonwealth awarded 18 projects in WA. The State co-funded 14 of these projects with a total State investment of $10.94 million under the WA Regional Digital Connectivity Program. Projects are currently progressing.