1. At what planning stage of the project is future project accreditation appropriate / achievable?

2. Does it cost more to be accredited as a future project?

3. If I haven’t implemented this type of project before, can I still apply?

4. How detailed does the project management plan need to be?

5. If I receive future project accreditation, how long is it before I can start creating abatement certificates?

1. At what planning stage of the project is future project accreditation appropriate / achievable?

The future project accreditation has been introduced to assist organisations in finalising project planning arrangements such as financial assurance. The application form requires a level of detail on the proposed project that demonstrates that the project’s viability has been assessed and a schedule for implementation has been prepared. Such requirements render it unlikely that a project that is still in a “conceptual” phase would be appropriate. The appropriate planning stage is somewhat dependant on the nature of the project – a marketing sales campaign would be different to a significant infrastructure development. It is anticipated that the project planning should be beyond design phase and a schedule for the implementation has been developed when seeking accreditation as a future project.

It is recommended that project proponents contact the Scheme Administrator if there is any uncertainty regarding the project’s planning stage and application timing for future project accreditation.

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2. Does it cost more to be accredited as a future project?

There are no additional application fees when applying for future project accreditation. In reasonable circumstances, if an audit of the project is required by the Scheme Administrator, it is unlikely that such an audit would cost any more than if the project was applying for accreditation as an ‘existing’ project.

When a project is granted future project accreditation, there are usually reporting requirements included in the conditions of accreditation. Typically, reporting on the achievement of significant milestones leading up to the project’s implementation will be required as a condition of future project accreditation. As such, there may be some additional administrative cost to the accredited party, in preparing and sending notifications to the Scheme Administrator.

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3. If I haven’t implemented this type of project before, can I still apply?

It is important that all relevant credentials of the applying entity are provided in the application. Previous experience is preferable, but does not necessarily have to be directly linked to the specific future project. For example, the entity may never have built and operated a landfill gas generator before, but have a breadth of experience in other construction operations. Such information is important to include in the application. It is recommended that the applicant provide details of the organisation’s management capabilities to implement the project.

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4. How detailed does the project management plan need to be?

The project management plan is the applicant’s opportunity to demonstrate its capacity to implement the proposed project. It is recommended that the detail of the plan reflect the complexity of the project and display the preparedness for undertaking the project. As a minimum, the project management plan should provide a sequence of tasks and milestones, set against a realistic timeline, provide details of responsible personnel and quality assurance procedures.

The Future Projects – Guide to Applying provides further details on the requirements of the project management plan.

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5. If I receive future project accreditation, how long is it before I can start creating abatement certificates?

Accreditation as a future project does not guarantee that the project will create abatement certificates. The accreditation indicates that if the project is implemented as specified in the application form, it will then be eligible to create abatement certificates. As such, if a project is accredited as a future project, the time between future project accreditation and creation of abatement certificates depends on two matters:

• how long it takes for the project to be implemented; and
• the Scheme Administrator reviewing the future project accreditation to ensure the implemented project is still eligible. If the project is still eligible, the accreditation will be amended to allow the project to create abatement certificates.

If the project is found to still be eligible, the timing of abatement certificate creation is based on the date the Scheme Administrator received notice from the accredited party that the project has now been implemented. It is recommended that the notice of implementation be submitted to the Scheme Administrator as close to implementation date as possible, to ensure abatement certificates can be created from all abatement activity deriving from the project.

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