Review of Technical Committees Assessing Grants Applications

The Environmental Trust and the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) both administer grant funding programs to build community and government capacity to deliver on shared environmental priorities. The grant funding currently involves approximately 1,200 active grants valued at over $650 million across 26 programs (21 administered by the Trust and 5 coastal, estuary and floodplain management (CEF) funding programs administered by the Department).

Under the Environmental Trust Act, the Trust is required to establish technical review committees (TRCs) to make recommendations about applications for the grants it administers. While not required by legislation, DPIE also has created TRCs for the five CEF funding programs. These committees do not have the authority to award grants, but rather provide independent oversight for grants applications and have a role in ensuring good governance, supporting quality project outcomes, and confirming the feasibility of project deliverables. There are currently 14 active TRCs for the Trust funded programs, and an additional two committees to assess applications under DPIE’s five CEF programs.

Nexus was engaged to review the role and function of the TRCs and to provide recommendations for improving their operation, considering their role and remit, the number of committees, their composition, the appointment processes, guidance material and their relationship with the Trust.

The review included a desktop analysis of existing TRC arrangements, a review of best practice in grants administration, a review of arrangements in other jurisdictions and agencies and a series of consultations with key stakeholders, including TRC members and DPIE staff. The review report set out a broad strategy for implementing approved recommendations.

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