Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program (uPPP)

Purpose and Program Overview

The Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program (UPPP) is an Australian Government initiative that supports investment in urban precincts across Australia. Its core objective is to deliver transformative outcomes in urban communities, focusing on liveability, sustainability, productivity, equity, and resilience.

The program works by fostering partnerships between governments, businesses, and communities. These collaborations aim to plan and deliver multi-purpose urban precincts tailored to local needs, positioned around a shared vision or theme, and enhancing urban areas while connecting people to services and opportunities.

The UPPP has a total funding allocation of A$150 million over three years, from 2024-25 to 2026-27.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount or funding range:
  • Stream One (Precinct development and planning): A500,000toA5 million.
  • Stream Two (Precinct delivery): A5milliontoA50 million.
• Application open and close dates: Applications are open until funding is fully allocated. Applications are batched and assessed periodically.
• Eligible industries or business types: Australian local, state, and territory government agencies or bodies, incorporated not-for-profit organisations, and universities.
• Required co-contributions: Co-contributions are necessary and can be made in cash, in-kind (e.g., land or resources), or a combination of both. Funding can cover up to 100% of eligible expenditure.
• Location/state/territory applicability: Projects must be located in urban areas within a Greater Capital City Statistical Area.

Priority Sectors

The program does not list specific industries as priority sectors. Instead, it focuses on projects that develop multi-purpose urban precincts across various functions. Examples of precinct types include:

• Technology, innovation, and commercial precincts.
• Multi-purpose community centres.
• Eco-industrial precincts.

Projects should deliver benefits related to productivity, liveability, equity, sustainability, and resilience for urban Australia.

Funding Scope

• Minimum and maximum amounts per stream:
  • Stream One: Minimum $500,000, maximum $5 million.
  • Stream Two: Minimum $5 5million, maximum $50 million.
• Categories or streams of funding: The program has two streams:
  • Stream One (Precinct Development and Planning): Supports master planning, consultation, design, business cases, and partnership establishment.
  • Stream Two (Precinct Delivery): Funds the delivery of specific projects or elements within a precinct, such as enabling public infrastructure, open spaces, or catalytic buildings.
• Project timeline or eligible funding duration: The program operates over three years (2024-25 to 2026-27). The project completion date is 31 March 2027, with funding commitments set to expire on 30 June 2027.

Eligibility Criteria

• Business structure or size: Eligible applicants include:
  • Australian state or territory government agencies or bodies.
  • Australian local government agencies or bodies.
  • Universities (which may be for-profit).
  • Incorporated not-for-profit organisations. Not-for-profits must demonstrate their status (e.g., ACNC registration).
• Registered business location: Projects must be in urban areas within a Greater Capital City Statistical Area.
• ABN/GST status: Applicants must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or registration with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Organisations (ORIC).
• Other requirements:
  • Cannot be an organisation or have a project partner on the National Redress Scheme’s list of Institutions that have not joined or signed their intent to join the Scheme.
  • Cannot be an employer of 100 or more employees that has not complied with the Workplace Gender Equality Act (2012).
  • A partnership with relevant government entities, community organisations, and businesses is mandatory.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The grant supports activities related to planning and delivering urban precincts. Eligible activities include:

• Scoping, planning, design, and consultation for proposed precincts.
• Developing and formalising partnership relationships and responsibilities.
• Conducting business cases and feasibility studies.
• Construction of new infrastructure or upgrades/extensions to existing infrastructure that form part of a precinct.
• Procurement of suitable equipment and infrastructure to activate a precinct.
• Direct labour costs of employees working on core project elements.
• Costs associated with the establishment and management of the partnership (limited to 10% of total funding).

Ineligible costs include financing costs, capital expenditures for general assets (e.g., office furniture, vehicles), non-project-related staff training, and expenses incurred before the execution of the funding agreement.

Assessment Process

The Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program is a competitive program. Applications are assessed against specific criteria by an Independent Expert Panel.

• Key evaluation criteria for both streams typically cover:
  • Project alignment with program objectives and Australian Government priorities.
  • Project needs and benefits (e.g., productivity, liveability, equity, sustainability, resilience).
  • Community engagement, collaboration, and partnership strengthen.
  • Organisational capability and capacity to deliver the project.
  • Return on investment (for Stream Two).
  • Projects must score at least 75% against each assessment criterion to be considered meritorious.

Recent Program Updates

The Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program was announced as part of the 2023-24 Budget and launched in the 2024-25 financial year. The program is an always-open funding process, meaning applications can be submitted at any time until funding is exhausted. Announced project lists are periodically updated.

Application Tips

Consider these points for your application:

• Double-check all eligibility criteria for your organisation and project.
• Prepare detailed project plans, budgets, and evidence of established partnerships.
• Align your proposal with the program’s objectives to improve urban liveability, sustainability, and productivity.
• Demonstrate strong community engagement and how the project serves local needs.
• For Stream Two, ensure your project is construction-ready with a completed business case and design.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting with a professional grant specialist, such as Pattens Group. We offer initial assessments to review your business’s eligibility and evaluate how well your project aligns with the grant’s objectives. You can also visit relevant government websites for application templates and further guidance.