What is the HazWaste Fund?

The HazWaste Fund (the Fund) is designed to support industry to accelerate reductions in the volume and hazard of hazardous waste (or prescribed industrial waste) generated in Victoria, and to increase remediation of contaminated soils.

An estimated $30 million is available over 4 years. The Fund is due to end June 2012.

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What are the objectives of the Fund?

• reduce hazardous waste to landfill
• reduce the hazard category of hazardous waste disposed to landfill
• increase remediation of contaminated soil.

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How do I apply to the Fund?

The Fund features a two-part application process.

Stage 1 of the application process involves completing a brief application form outlining the key details of the project.  Click here to download the Stage 1 Application Form.

We encourage you to contact us for discussion and feedback on your application prior to submission.

Submission dates for Stage 1 and Stage 2 Applications, November 2011 - June 2012

Note, all application submissions open at 9am on the first day and close at 2pm on the last day EST.

• 19 Mar 12 - 23 Mar 12
• 16 Apr 12 - 20 Apr 12
• 21 May 12 - 25 May 12
• 25 Jun 12 - 29 Jun 12

Stage 1 applications must be emailed to business.programs@epa.vic.gov.au. These applications will not be accepted in any other form.

Stage 2 applications - please refer to the guidance document for further details and lodgment of applications in hardcopy to EPA.

All applications are treated as confidential .

If the Stage 1 application is recommended to be explored in further detail, organisations will receive written notification and be requested to complete and submit a Stage 2 application within 6 months from the date of the letter.

Stage 2 of the application process involves preparing a more detailed submission to the Fund.  This may, depending on the type of application, require a detailed business case such as:

• market research and analysis
• a marketing plan
• operational and financial plans
• an action plan with targets
• a monitoring framework including KPIs.

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How are funding applications assessed?

Once applications are submitted they are reviewed by the HazWaste Fund Panel (The Panel).  The Panel provides advice to EPA on the proposal’s ability to meet the fund objectives. Specifically, advice regards the commercial, innovation, technical, and risk identification and mitigation aspects of applications.

In addition, EPA will assess the compliance performance of the applicant and any beneficial companies.

The process for funding decisions is as follows:

1. EPA collates all applications for Fund support
2. Applications are submitted to the Panel for review
3. The Panel reviews applications and provides advice to the CEO of EPA
4. The CEO of EPA recommends funding decisions to the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, who makes the final funding decision

Panel members are comprised from a cross section of industry and government sectors. Competencies of the Panel ensure relevant knowledge and experience in areas pertaining to hazardous waste.

A list of the Panel and their relevant biographies
Mr. Tim Piper	Overview Tim Piper is the Victorian Director of the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group).  Ai Group represents manufacturing, IT, telecommunications, construction and utility companies across the country, with almost 4,000 members in Victoria. Mr Piper has also practised as a barrister and solicitor in Australia and the UK and worked as a journalist in television, radio and newspapers.   Current positions Victorian Director – Australia Industry Group Director – Microsurgery Foundation Advisory Committee Member – Victorian WorkCover Advisory Committee Chair – Industry Capability Network Member – Mt Hotham Resort Board of Management
Mr. Ian Rae	Overview Ian Rae is an experienced chemist who has been involved in the formulation of policy relating to hazardous wastes, air pollution, Australia's National Pollutant Inventory, and control of ozone depleting substances. His advisory role has extended to state and federal government, Australia's national council of environment ministers, Australia's Industrial Chemical Scheme (NICNAS) and the United Nations Environment Programme. Professor Rae has extensive university experience, as dean of science at Monash and deputy vice-chancellor at Victoria University.  His research experience has led to approximately 200 refereed publications in chemistry and history of science.   Current positions Honorary Professorial Fellow - Faculty of Arts, University of Melbourne
Ms. Tina McMeckan	Overview Tina McMeckan has over 20 years experience as a company director with specific industry skills in the energy sector and commercialisation of science and technology,  Her key competencies include enterprise development, risk capital and industry reform. During Ms McMeckan’s career, she has held a number of senior investment management positions focusing on capital raisings for innovation-based ventures.   Current positions Chairman – Centre for Eye Research Australia Ltd Director – Circadian Technologies Limited, CRC for Spatial Information, SP Ausnet Group, Metlink Victoria Pty Ltd, Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute
Mr. Warren Hodgson	Overview Warren Hodgson has been involved in policy development at the highest level of the Victorian public sector as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Treasury and Finance and Secretary for the Department of Innovation Industry and Regional Development.  He has a background in the manufacturing industry in New Zealand and in the provision of contract services to public and private sectors throughout the Asia-Pacific region.  He has extensive experience managing a variety of businesses and projects.  He holds qualifications in science and engineering. Current positions Chairman - VicForests Board member – Melbourne Water Director – Cube Management Solutions Chairman – Cenitex Director – AssetCo SSSR Pty Ltd
Mr. Frank Tait	Overview Frank Tait’s career spans government, rail transport and defence industries.  Mr Tait is the Director, Infrastructure Projects within the Department of Transport.  Mr Tait also is the chair of the V/Line Passenger board and runs a consultancy business advising boards, executive management and entrepreneurs on business strategy, organisational development and recruitment strategies Current positions Director - Infrastructure Projects, Transport Projects Division – Department of Transport Chair - V/Line Passenger board

The HazWaste Fund is one of a number of initiatives being driven by EPA to assist companies to both reduce their prescribed industrial waste to landfill whilst simultaneously reducing business costs.   The HazWaste Fund offers financial assistance for companies to implement hazardous waste avoidance and reduction opportunities

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Who is eligible to apply?

The Fund is open to a wide range of incorporated, or otherwise legally constituted applicants.  Primary targets for the fund include organisations that undertake the following operations;

• generate and dispose solid hazardous waste to landfill
• generate and dispose solid or liquid hazardous waste to a treatment company
• treat, recycle, remediate or reuse hazardous wastes
• own or develop land that is partially or fully contaminated

Other organisations that may be eligible for HazWaste Fund support include:

• consultants
• research organisations
• other funding agencies
• hazardous waste landfill owners and operators.

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What sorts of projects are eligible for support?

Support is available for projects targeted at reducing the volume or hazard of hazardous waste disposed to landfill, and increase remediation of contaminated soil.  Eligible wastes include hazardous wastes from manufacturing processes and contaminated soil.

• infrastructure and implementation projects
• research and development, and demonstration (RD&D) projects
• knowledge and capacity-building projects.

For further information on project definitions, refer to the Characteristics of Project Funding (PDF 868KB).

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What level of funding is available?

There is no predetermined limit to the amount of financial support available from the Fund for individual projects.  However, the level of funding sought should reflect the extent to which the proposal meets the objectives of the fund.

• Funding assessments are based on the financial needs of the project in light of the environmental benefits that will be achieved, and the level of support available from other funding sources.  Projects that have part funding from the applicant and/or partners will be viewed favourably.

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Who do funding recipients sign a contract with?

If a project application is successful, a Funding Agreement will be prepared between the applicant and EPA.  The Funding Agreement will cover details such as project milestones and payment, intellectual property management and reporting requirements.

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How can I keep updated about the Fund?

EPA regularly updates interested parties about the latest HazWaste Fund developments.  This includes information about projects supported by the Fund, announcements about the awarding of new funding, events and publications.  Email business.programs@epa.vic.gov.au to be added to the distribution list. 

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How can I find more information?

The HazWaste Fund Framework (PDF) contains further information about the management and governance of the Fund. 

Further information about the HazWaste Fund can also be obtained by emailing business.programs@epa.vic.gov.au or by calling the  Sustainable Solutions Unit on (03) 9695 2722.

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