Boating Infrastructure and Dredging Scheme
Project overview
The scheme re-invests boating licence, registration and other fees into improving infrastructure making NSW waterways more accessible for all boaters.
Transport for NSW Maritime will invest $44 million into improving waterway accessibility and safety under its new Boating Infrastructure and Dredging Scheme (BID Scheme).
The scheme will allocate $28 million towards public boating amenities until 2028 and $16 million for dredging at key locations along the NSW coast until 2027.
The scheme consists of five sub-programs:
- Boating Infrastructure for Communities Grants Program – providing funding for maritime infrastructure and facilities across NSW that improve safe, accessible and enjoyable recreational and commercial boating. This replaces the Boating Now Program.
- Boating Infrastructure Maintenance Grants Program – providing funding to asset owners across NSW to undertake minor repair and maintenance works on public boating infrastructure.
- Boating Infrastructure Emergency Repair Pool – funding support for owners of public boating infrastructure to repair or replace assets impacted by natural disasters and severe weather events.
- Priority Dredging Program – We're planning and preparing future dredging projects across NSW. This includes monitoring waterways, investigating needs, and securing approvals for key locations.
- Committed Dredging Projects – Are the current dredging projects that have committed funding allocated to deliver dredging work
The new funding framework follows an independent review of the Boating Now Program, completed in September 2023.
Project information
About the Boating Infrastructure for Communities Grants Program
The new $23 million Boating Infrastructure for Communities Grants Program provides grant funding to local councils, government agencies, community groups and the private sector for maritime infrastructure and facilities across NSW that improve safe, accessible and enjoyable recreational and commercial boating.
For more information on this program and to see the list of successful projects, go to Boating Infrastructure for Communities Grants Program page.
About the Boating Infrastructure Emergency Repair Pool
The $2 million Boating Infrastructure Emergency Repair Pool (BIERP) Grants Program provides funding to help organisations quickly repair or replace public boating infrastructure damaged by natural disasters or severe weather events. This program is available to local councils, government agencies, community groups, and private sector organisations that own, manage, or operate public boating facilities.
Applications are submitted through Transport's online SmartyGrants portal. Eligible projects must request between $5,000 and $300,000 for repairs, betterment, or both. Applicants must provide evidence of damage from a natural disaster or severe weather event, maintenance history, detailed work plans, and cost justification.
The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis until 30 June 2028, or until funding is exhausted.
For more information and to submit your application, visit the Boating Infrastructure Emergency Repair Pool Grants page.
About the Boating Infrastructure Maintenance Grants Program
The $3 million NSW Boating Infrastructure Maintenance Grants Program provides funding to local councils, government agencies, community groups and the private sector organisations to maintain public boating infrastructure across NSW. This program focuses on returning existing boating assets to their optimal operating condition through targeted maintenance and repair works on boat ramps, jetties, pontoons, pump-out facilities, slipways, and boat trailer parking areas.
Round 1 offers $2 million in funding with individual grants of up to $50,000 per asset (maximum $100,000 per applicant). Applicants must contribute at least 25% of the total project cost.
Applications close at 20:00 AEST on Friday, 26 September 2025 via Transport's SmartyGrants portal, with all projects to be completed by 31 December 2026.
Round 2 will offer $1 million in funding and open for applications in 2026.
For more information and to submit your application, go to Boating Infrastructure Maintenance Grants page.
About the Priority Dredging Program and Committed Dredging Projects
These two dredging sub programs has been allocated $16 million for dredging projects across NSW through to 2027.
Dredging is an important management activity necessary to maintain the safety of navigational channels and provide access to maritime infrastructure that can otherwise be restricted by natural shoaling.
Local councils, government agencies, community groups and the private sector organisations can apply for dredging funding under the Boating Infrastructure for Communities Grants Program (now closed).
For more information about the dredging projects that we are currently delivering under these two programs go to Dredging Projects page.
Project documents
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Funding guidelines
- Boating Infrastructure for Communities Grants Program Guidelines (PDF, 1.04 MB)
- Boating Infrastructure for Communities Grants Program Frequently asked questions (PDF, 282.78 KB)
- Boating Infrastructure emergency Repair Pool “BIERP ” Program Guidelines (PDF, 913.33 KB)
- Boating Infrastructure emergency Repair Pool “BIERP ” Frequently asked questions (PDF, 340.94 KB)
- Boating Infrastructure Maintenance Grants Program Guidelines (PDF, 1.9 MB)
- Boating Infrastructure Maintenance Grants Program Frequently asked questions (PDF, 185.48 KB)