Mount Isa Transition Fund

Frequently asked questions

• What is the fund?

  The Mount Isa Transition Fund (MITF) is part of the Queensland Government’s investment package to support workers affected by the closure of Glencore’s Mount Isa copper mine and copper concentrator and the Lady Loretta Zinc Mine. Glencore’s remaining regional assets will remain open.

• Why is the Queensland Government supporting this new program?

  Mount Isa is at the heart of one of the richest minerals provinces in the world, with new critical industry minerals worth a potential $500 billion ready to be mined. With Glencore’s operations closure, we want to protect jobs and retain skilled workers in the region. This includes a focus on strengthening the Mount Isa economy, small business, liveability and community resilience for the future.

• What kind of projects are eligible for MITF funding?

  The fund is focused on attracting initiatives that will deliver direct benefits in the short to medium term to local businesses, community and workforce in Mount Isa and keeping existing local businesses. The Queensland Government is seeking proposals that align with one of the two identified streams for investment.

  • An economic and employment stream
  • A liveability and community resilience stream.

  Projects may include, but are not limited to: infrastructure delivery, business development, training and education, new or expanded services.

• What kind of projects won’t be eligible for funding?

  The following projects are not eligible for funding:

  • projects that have already commenced or have decisions made to commence regardless of the financial support from the government.
  • projects that have already received Queensland Government funding for the same project costs.
  • projects that could be funded in a suitable timeframe through other programs of the Queensland Government.
  • projects that would otherwise be covered by Glencore’s obligations under their enterprise agreement.
  • projects that combine multiple, discrete projects that are not interdependent and could reasonably be delivered separately.
  • projects that have not secured sufficient funding from other sources to cover any Ineligible Project Costs.
  • projects that require ongoing funding from the Queensland Government.

• Who can apply?

  To be eligible for funding under the MITF, the applicant must:

  • be a legal entity with an active Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Registered Body Number (ARBN), have a bank account in the name of the legal entity and be registered for the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
  • demonstrate internal approval to make the application.

• Will companies who’ve been unsuccessful in securing other Government grants be able to apply for MITF?

  Yes, if they meet the eligibility criteria for the MITF.

• Will projects from interstate applicants or projects outside of Mount Isa or Queensland be eligible?

  Yes, but proposed projects will need to demonstrate they are able to deliver direct benefits in the short to medium term to local businesses, community or workforce in Mount Isa.

• Will applications from consortiums be eligible for funding?

  Yes. Where a joint application is submitted by a consortium, a lead organisation must be nominated for the application.

  If the application is successful, the lead organisation for the project will be party to the funding agreement, receive the funding and assume legal responsibility for performing the activities and meeting the outcomes under the funding agreement.

• Can a project proponent submit more than one application under the fund?

  Yes. Applicants with more than one discrete project that can be delivered separately should complete a separate application for each project. Applicants with more than one project should identify their most meritorious projects in order as applications are expected to be highly competitive.

  If a joint application is made by a consortium of partners, a lead organisation must be nominated for the application.

• I forgot to include and/or attach information when I submitted my application. What do I do?

  Please email mountisaresponse@dsdilgp.qld.gov.au and advise that you need to attach more information to your application. Please include your application reference number.

  You will receive an email from SmartyGrants inviting you to include the information. Please do not include/attach the information to your requesting email.

• Will MITF funding be provided for projects that have already started?

  No. Projects that have already commenced or have decisions made to commence, regardless of whether they have secured government or non-government financial support, are not eligible for funding. Projects that expand upon or deliver additional benefits would still be considered.

• What is the application and assessment process for this program? / How does the funding work?

  Application and assessment for the MITF will involve the following process:

  Step one – Expression of interest: you may choose to submit an online expression of interest form, to facilitate discussion of your proposal with the department. This step is encouraged but optional.

  Step two – Queensland online detailed application: you submit an online detailed application. This step is mandatory for all applications.

  Step three – Queensland Government assessment and approval: Detailed applications will be assessed and reviewed by a Moderation Panel who will shortlist projects to progress. At this step, you may be requested to provide further details in relation to your application. The Moderation Panel will assess the detailed application against the assessment criteria, undertake due diligence investigations and make a recommendation on the project. Consultation may be undertaken with appropriate Queensland Government agencies and external specialists as required, including the Mount Isa and Regions Futures Advisory Committee, where appropriate. An Interdepartmental Panel will determine the projects to be put forward to the financial delegate for approval of funding.

  Step four – Notification and funding agreement: The Queensland Government will notify project proponents of the outcome of their project proposal. If successful, a conditional letter of offer will be issued with information about the terms on which funding will be made available.

• If a project meets the assessment criteria, does this mean the applicant will be guaranteed to receive a grant?

  No. Funding will be offered to the most meritorious applications.

• How long will it take before I know if my application has been successful?

  The program team will maintain ongoing contact with applicants throughout the assessment process. Announcements about successful projects will start being made as successful projects are contracted.

• When can I start my project?

  Successful projects can start when a funding agreement has been signed and executed.

• Is there a minimum or maximum of funding available for an individual project?

  The total minimum funding request is $100,000 (excluding GST). The total maximum funding request is $2 million (excluding GST).

  The amount of funding allocated to successful projects will be at the discretion of the Queensland Government, with applications considered on their merit and alignment with program guidelines.

• What percentage of the project budget do I need to contribute?

  There is no obligation for applicants to contribute towards the total project cost, although the extent of financial contribution by the applicant or other parties will be considered in assessing the merit of projects.

• When do applications open and close?

  The MITF opened for expressions of interest/pre-lodgement discussions on 16 February 2024.

  You are encouraged to participate in pre-lodgement discussions (optional) with the fund opening for detailed applications for Round 1 funding on 8 March 2024.

  The closing date for completed detailed applications for Round 1 to be submitted by applicants to Queensland Government is 3 May 2024.

• If an EOI or application is not successful in Round 1, can an applicant apply again in Round 2?

  Unsuccessful applicants from Round 1 may be eligible to apply for funding under Round 2. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Mount Isa Response Team for feedback.

• My application contains confidential and commercial-in-confidence material. How will this information be managed?

  The online lodgement process is hosted via a secure site and application documentation will remain confidential (subject to provisions of the Right to Information Act 2009). Project details may be discussed with other Queensland Government agencies and MIRFAC members.

• Why is this fund focused on just Mount Isa?

  The Queensland Government has been supporting the economic diversification of the North West Minerals Province over several years with significant investment and planning undertaken. The most recent announcement on closures by Glencore will have a significant impact on the Mount Isa community and economy in the short to medium term which this fund seeks to address. On this basis eligibility for local governments to apply to the fund has been limited to just Mount Isa City Council, however other applicants are encouraged to apply with a focus sought on delivering benefits to Mount Isa.

• How do I obtain help or further information to prepare my proposal?

  Please refer to the Applicant Guidelines available on this website

  For further questions, please email mountisaresponse@dsdilgp.qld.gov.au or telephone (07) 3452 7416.