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 2

• Applicant information session: Tuesday 26 August 2025 | 2 – 4pm | Bulga Community Centre
• Community drop-in for applicants: Wednesday 10 September 2025 | 3 – 5pm | Bulga Recreation Ground Clubhouse
• Funding program closes: Sunday 28 September 2025
• Applicants notified of outcome: December 2025

2026 Round 1

• Advertising period commences: February 2026
• Community drop-in for applicants: March 2026
• Funding program closes: March 2026
• Applicants notified of outcome: June 2026

2026 Round 2

• Advertising period commences: August 2026
• Community drop-in for applicants: September 2026
• Funding program closes: 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 

The applicant information session is a new initiative in the funding program process which will allow potential applicants to come along to discuss project ideas, better understand the application process, what is involved and receive some practical tips on applying for funding.

This session will provide you with the information you need before presenting your project idea at the community drop-in session for community feedback and support.

The community drop-in session for applicants provides an opportunity for the community to hear about the proposed projects and for applicants to gain valuable feedback and evidence of 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 drop-in session, 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 community session but it is encouraged as community engagement and support is an important component of the application.

It is recommended that funding applications are not submitted until after the community drop-in session.

To register to attend the applicant information session or community drop-in session, contact VPA staff via email E vpacommunitycommittees@singleton.nsw.gov.au or phone T 02 6578 7290.

Documents for application 

Please download the following documents to complete your application:

MTW VPA Funding Guidelines Must read

Application Form

Expenditure Table An essential requirement of your application

Example documentation

Expenditure Table

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.

Applicant Information Session

A new addition to the program this year is an information session for applicants. Come along to discuss your project ideas, understand the application process, and receive practical tips on applying for funding before presenting your project idea at the community drop-in session for community feedback and support. 

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 applicants has been introduced. It is not compulsory to participate in this as part of your application but it is encouraged.

The drop-in session will be held 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.

When the funding program has closed, application documents (with personal details retracted) will be displayed on this page for the community to review and provide feedback.  

The MTW VPA Committee will consider community feedback when assessing applications. 

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