Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme
The Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme (RBFS) is a State Government grants program which provides improved boating infrastructure through joint funding to Local Government authorities, State Government departments and statutory authorities.
Successful round 14 applications.
The latest round of RBFS grants allocated grants over $1.7 million to 14 recipients around the state. These grants will assist local government and statutory authorities to provide boating facilities for the growing number of recreational boaters.
Aims of the RBFS
The RBFS aims to:
- provide project funding to improve recreational boating access to navigable waters;
- enhance the safety of recreational boating infrastructure;
- ensure that the environmental impact of recreational boating facilities is minimal;
- provide a catalyst for new and upgraded recreational boating infrastructure; and
- ensure consultation with recreational boating organisations.
Since its inception in 1998, the RBFS has enabled significant improvements to recreational boating facilities and convenience.
More than $7.5 million has been allocated to 189 projects from Wyndham in the north to Esperance in the south.
What funding assistance is available?
The RBFS is funded from boat registration fees, and can provide up to 50 per cent funding assistance for major works projects and up to 75 per cent funding assistance for minor works and planning studies which benefit recreational boat users. Because the number of boat registrations varies from year to year, so does the total amount available for grants.
There is usually one funding round each year. The maximum grant allowance is $500,000 and grants are paid in arrears upon completion of projects.
Project eligibility
Grants are available for the development of new recreational boating facilities or the upgrading of existing facilities, including:
- Maritime facilities such as boat launching ramps, jetties, navigation aids, channels and groynes directly related to a boating facility, moorings and maritime lighting;
- Land-based facilities such as trailer parking, lighting, ablution blocks, and waste, boat washing and fish cleaning facilities if located at a boating facility;
- Signage - marine safety and other appropriate signage; and
- Other worthwhile projects that meet the RBFS guidelines.
Land-based facilities will only be funded when the associated maritime infrastructure is maintained at an appropriate standard. Grants for land-based facilities may be calculated pro rata on the percentage of use by recreational boaters.
Local Government authorities are encouraged to undertake planning studies for recreational boating facilities in their area, and RBFS grants are also available for this. It is also recommended that authorities consult with their local community to develop ideas for proposals for RBFS grants.
Grants are NOT available for the following types of projects:
- Private facilities or facilities associated with private clubs;
- Facilities which are not used primarily by recreational boat users, such as fishing platforms;
- Maritime facilities which are substantially commercial rather than recreational;
- Ablution blocks serving non-boating facilities, such as recreational parks; and
- General maintenance and maintenance dredging.
To be eligible for a grant, applicants must not have commenced construction of works projects at the time of advice of approval. 'Commenced' is not intended to include preliminary design work, cost estimations or community consultation.
Applications for combined recreational and commercial facilities may be considered if recreational use is greater than 25 per cent of total use and an eligible authority owns the proposed or existing asset. Grants for combined recreational and commercial facilities may be calculated pro rata on the percentage use by recreational boaters.
Eligible authorities are encouraged to provide ancillary amenities to enhance the recreational boating facilities funded by the RBFS. These amenities could include landscaping, picnic tables, barbeques, public telephones or information stands, for instance.
Typical drawings
Samples of typical plans and drawings will be available on this website shortly. Contact the RBFS Officer if you would like to know what types of consultants are available to help with your design, survey, project management and construction.
Further reading
Please use the following link to learn more about Australian standards.
How to apply
