Mount Thorley Warkworth VPA Community Committee

The MTW VPA Funding Program has been developed for organisations and individuals to apply for funding to deliver projects for the betterment of the Bulga and Milbrodale community.  

The opportunity to apply for funding is available year-round however the MTW VPA Committee will assess project applications twice annually. Please note that funding availability is determined by current fund allocation for that year and contribution amount of the years to date. The amount you can apply for will be limited by the funds available during that year, additionally if your application is for ongoing funds.

Contributions and timings are available in the Funding Guidelines available in the Documents for Application section of this page.

If you have any questions about the MTW VPA Funding Program or require support to complete an application, please contact the VPA Project Officer at Singleton Council:

T: 02 6578 7290
E: council@singleton.nsw.gov.au 

The opportunity to apply for funding is available year-round, however the MTW VPA Committee will assess project applications twice annually.

The Funding Program will be promoted by Singleton Council, outlining the availability of application forms and guidelines, and the closing dates.

2025 Round 1

• Advertising period commences: 3 February 2025
• Community Drop In for applicants: 3pm – 5pm, 19 March 2025, Bulga Community Centre
• Funding Program closes: 13 April 2025 (extended from 28 March 2025)
• Applicants notified of outcome: June 2025

2025 Round 2

• Advertising period commences: 15 August 2025
• Community Drop In for applicants: 3pm – 5pm, 1 October 2025, Bulga Community Centre
• Funding Program Closes: 10 October 2025
• Applicants notified of outcome: December 2025

2026 Round 1

• Advertising period commences: 2 February 2026
• Community Drop In for applicants: 3pm – 5pm, 18 March 2026, Bulga Community Centre
• Funding Program Closes: 27 March 2026
• Applicants notified of outcome: June 2026

2026 Round 2

• Advertising period commences: 14 August 2026
• Community Drop In for applicants: 3pm – 5pm, 30 September 2026, Bulga Community Centre
• Funding Program Closes: 9 October 2026
• Applicants notified of outcome: December 2026

Principles for the prioritisation of projects

The principles for the prioritisation of projects have been established to ensure robust processes and consistency with the allocations of funds from the MTW VPA and to ensure that projects meet the purpose of the VPA and public purpose under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

Applicants will see reference to the principles throughout the Application Form and detailed explanation of the principles are within the Funding Guidelines. See both of these documents under the Documents for Application section on this page.

The principles are used by the MTW VPA Committee when assessing project applications. 

Eligible Projects

Eligible projects must meet the public purpose under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

Who is eligible to apply for funding?

Funding could be provided to:

• Individuals (or individuals in conjunction with an organisation as a joint application)
• Organisations that have an ABN, or an auspicing body with an ABN

Projects must:

• Be based in Bulga or Milbrodale or be delivering the project in Bulga or Milbrodale
• Meet the public purpose under the EPA ACT
• Address the MTW VPA Committee Principles

Who is not eligible to apply for funding?

Funding will not be provided to:

• Project/s outside of the Bulga and Milbrodale 
• Applications that do not meet the public purpose under the EPA ACT
• Applications that do not address the MTW VPA Committee Principles 

Community Drop-In Sessions are a new initiative in the application process, driven by the MTW VPA Community Committee, which will provide an opportunity for the community to hear about proposed projects and for applicants the opportunity to gain that valuable feedback and gather evidence of community support which they can include in their application.

Each applicant will have allocated space with a table to display their project idea.

Community members will come and go throughout the two-hour period, chatting with applicants about their proposal and provide feedback that the applicant may wish to incorporate into their proposal before submitting their final application. 

It is not compulsory for applicants to participate in the drop-in session but encouraged. 

Documents for application 

Please download the following documents to complete your application:

• MTW VPA Funding Guidelines - Must read
• Application Form
• Expenditure Table - template 1 - An essential requirement of your application
• Stakeholder Consultation Table - template 2

Example documentation

• Expenditure Table - template 1 - EXAMPLE
• Stakeholder Consultation Table - template 2 - EXAMPLE

The opportunity to apply for funding is available year-round, however the MTW VPA Committee will assess project applications twice annually. Timing is noted in the Key Dates for Applications section on this page.

All forms and documents for the application are available in the Documents for Application section on this page.

Application Form

The Application Form refers to the principles for the prioritisation of projects. These principles are used by the MTW VPA Committee when assessing project applications and will be helpful for applicants to understand when completing their application. An explanation of the principles is within the Funding Guidelines document in the Documents for Application section on this page.

The Application Form includes a checklist for supporting documents, including proof of landowners consent/Permit to Undertake Work, evidence of community support, expenditure table. Templates for some of these are available under the Documents for Application section on this page.

Community Drop In Session for Applicants

Community support is one of the principles used for the prioritisation of projects and a requirement for all project submissions. To support applicants to engage with the Bulga and Milbrodale community and gather evidence of community support or feedback, the Community Drop In Session for VPA funding applicants has been introduced. It is not compulsory to participate in this as part of your application.

The Drop In Session will be held at Bulga Community Centre over a two-hour period in an informal setting. Each applicant will have allocated space with a table to display their project idea. Community members will come and go throughout the two-hour period, chatting with applicants about their proposal and providing feedback that the applicant may wish to incorporate into their proposal before submitting their application. 

Application documents (including the Application Form, expenditure table and any other supporting documents) will be considered by the MTW VPA Committee based on the eligibility criteria within the EPA ACT and assessment against the principles for the prioritisation of projects.

All applications will be categorised as:

• Recommended yes – the Committee supports the project and will recommend to Council that the project be endorsed.
• Recommended with changes – the Committee supports some of the project but requests some changes to be made. When/if the applicant makes the changes, the Committee will reconsider the application.
• Refused – The Committee does not support the project and recommend to Council that it be refused.

Seven applications were received during round one of the 2025 Mount Thorley Warkworth Voluntary Planning Agreement (MTW VPA) Funding Program, including: 

• Tennis and Soccer Practice Wall
• Bulga War Memorial Gates Refurbishment
• Bulga Tennis Court Refurbishment
• Resurfacing of Cricket Pitch
• Equipping Bulga Evacuation Centre for Emergencies
• Bulga and Milbrodale Community Event Fund
• Enhanced Community Yoga & Connection Program 

Proposed projects will now go to the MTW VPA Community Committee for assessment.

The Committee meets up to four times per year. Minutes and agendas of the meetings are available below for community information.