Key information
Council Capacity Building Funding Round is currently open for applications.
Applications are assessed as they are received. Timelines for assessment are outlined in the guidelines. Applications will close on 22 March 2027.
Grant snapshot
$3,000,000 (ex GST)
$80,000 (ex GST)
$20,000 (ex GST)
37 councils in NSW are eligible to apply for this grant. View the list of eligible councils here.
Yes, provided that the combined total grant funding requested does not exceed the $80,000 (ex GST) allocation per eligible council.
Yes, provided that each eligible council:
- does not exceed its total allocation of $80,000 (ex GST) for the funding round
- is only the lead applicant on a maximum of one active Individual application and one active Collaborative application at any given point.
120 business days (from execution of approved funding agreement)
Key resources for applicants
- Council Capacity Building Funding Round Guidelines
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Council Capacity Building Funding Round application portal
- Templates for Letters of Commitment
Council capacity building for the EV transition
Local councils can face a range of challenges as they play a vital role in facilitating the rollout of public EV charging infrastructure. The NSW Government has listened to feedback from councils and designed this grant funding round to help councils overcome these internal capacity and resourcing challenges.
Councils can apply for funding relating to receiving expert advice, developing policies, engaging their community, or building capability in other ways related to public EV charging. The grant is non-competitive, with eligible councils able to apply individually or as part of a collaborative application.
Benefits of kerbside charging
- residents will be satisfied knowing they have access to essential charging options
- supports our progress towards achieving your net zero and sustainability goals
- community adoption of EVs will increase
- you'll secure your reputation as a leading local government.
- access to convenient public charging options
- gain newer, more efficient transportation options
- reduce transport costs
- attract EV drivers to spend time and money at local businesses
- improve local air quality.
About the grant
What is on offer?
The NSW Government has made $3 million in funding available under this funding round to support council capacity building.
Each eligible council can apply for up to $80,000 (ex GST) for capacity building projects to support the EV transition must focus on one of the following funding categories:
- Expert advice – this may include projects such as site mapping, legal advice, or data tools.
- Policy development – this may include projects such as EV strategies or planning integration.
- Community engagement – this may include projects such as education campaigns or consultation tools.
- Capability building – this may include projects such as staff training or consultant support.
Councils can combine their allocated funding with other councils to deliver Collaborative projects. This grant does not fund EV charging hardware, installation costs or council staff salaries. Projects that funding cannot be used for include (but are not limited to):
- any portion of a council staff member’s salary or any internal council costs
- EV charging hardware or installation costs
- EV charging software or energy costs
- council fleet vehicles (learn more about our incentives for EV fleets)
- projects where any portion of the project costs are being covered by other grant funding including other NSW or Federal Government grants.
- projects started or completed prior to the launch date of this funding round.
A full list of what the grants won’t fund can be found on page 16 in the Council Capacity Building Funding Round Guidelines.
Who can apply?
There are 37 local councils who can apply directly for this grant. Other local councils may partner with an eligible council on an application.
Bayside Council Blacktown City Council Blue Mountains City Council Burwood Council Camden Council Campbelltown City Council City of Canada Bay City of Canterbury Bankstown City of Newcastle City of Parramatta City of Ryde City of Sydney City of Wollongong Cumberland City Council Fairfield City Council Georges River Council Hawkesbury City Council Hornsby Shire Council Hunter’s Hill Council | Inner West Council Ku-ring-gai Council Lane Cove Council Liverpool City Council Mosman Council North Sydney Council Northern Beaches Council Penrith City Council Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Randwick City Council Shellharbour City Council Strathfield Council Sutherland Shire Council The Hills Shire Council Waverley Council Willoughby City Council Wollondilly Shire Council Woollahra Municipal Council
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How to apply
To apply for the funding, follow the steps below:
- Read the eligibility and assessment criteria in the Council Capacity Building Funding Round Guidelines
- Read the Frequently Asked Questions
- Submit your application through the Council Capacity Building Funding Round application portal.
Funding agreement
Successful applicants must sign a funding agreement with the NSW Government within 15 business days. The execution of the funding agreement marks the beginning of the projects’ 120 business day delivery window.
Read how these councils are leading the way with public EV charging infrastructure
Contact us
For further information about the Council Capacity Building Funding Round you can email the Department at [email protected]
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