Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group Meeting 14

26 MARCH 2012 - LOCATION: DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES, 78 HENNA STREET, WARRNAMBOOL, VIC.

Independent Chair's Summary

This was the 14th meeting of the Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group.

Key items discussed included:

  • RFGWG Terms of Reference
  • FRDC Presentation – potential co-funding opportunities in the future
  • Progress on projects previously approved to receive RFL Trust Account funding
  • Assessment of 2011/12 Recreational Fishing Grants Program Commissioning Grant Applications
  • Assessment of 2011/12 Recreational Fishing Grants Program Large Grant Applications
  • Evaluation of SmartyGrants to assess grant applications

RFGWG Terms of Reference – March 2012

The RFGWG was established in September 2009, comprising recreational anglers and a non-voting independent Chair, primarily to provide advice to the Minister on the expenditure of all Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) revenue.

A number of minor amendments were made to the Terms of Reference which have been referred to and endorsed by the Minister for Agriculture and Food Security.

The Working Group adopted the Terms of Reference – March 2012.

FRDC Presentation – potential co-funding opportunities in the future

Mr John Wilson, Business Development Manager, FRDC, provided a presentation regarding potential co-funding opportunities that may exist in the future between the RFL Trust Account and FRDC.

The Working Group noted the desire of FRDC to attract additional funding for recreational research, development and education projects.

The Working Group reaffirmed its position that preference will be given to projects that leverage off other projects, and/or to which some financial co-funding or in-kind contribution can be made by the project proponent(s) to the funds being sought.

The Working Group noted that DPI will actively advise any future grant applicants within the research, development and education categories of the annual grants program that potential co-funding opportunities with FRDC may exist.

Progress on projects previously approved to receive RFL Trust Account funding

Since the commencement of the Recreational Fishing Grants Program in 2001/02, RFL revenue has funded over 410 projects worth more than $17.7 million.

Currently there are 63 projects in progress, including 27 small grants, 7 Commissioning Grants and 29 Large.

The Working Group noted the status of 63 projects that are currently in progress and the expected completion dates.

Assessment of 2011/12 Recreational Fishing Grants Program Commissioning Grant Applications

The primary role of the Working Group is to provide advice to the Minister for Agriculture and Food Security on expenditure of all Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) revenue.

The Working Group provided their qualified support for one project through the 2011/12 Commissioning Grants Program for referral to the Minister for consideration.

Assessment of 2011/12 Recreational Fishing Grants Program Large Grant Applications

The primary role of the Working Group is to provide advice to the Minister for Agriculture and Food Security on expenditure of all Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) revenue.

The Working Group discussed the 2011/12 Large Grant applications received and the grant assessment criteria. Eligible grant applications were assessed, scored and ranked.

The Working Group provided their qualified support for a number of projects for referral to the Minister for consideration.

Evaluation of SmartyGrants to assess grant applications

The Working Group noted that the benefits of introducing an electronic grants management system to DPI (grant-maker) included improved efficiencies, no design/printing/postage costs associated with the Small and Large Grants Programs for grant applicants, enforced compliance (application not accepted without minimum number of quotes, therefore increasing the number of eligible grant applications); pre-assessment can be conducted by the Working Group on-line prior to the assessment meeting, and instant reminders (DPI can advise grant applicants of ways to improve their application prior to final submission, again increasing the number of eligible grant applications).

The Working Group provided their support for DPI to continue to use SmartyGrants to manage the Recreational Fishing Grants Program.

Next meeting: 7 May 2012.

John Diplock
Independent Chair
Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group