More than 60 community centres across South Australia will share in record State Government funding of $43 million over the next nine years.
In an important commitment to the sector, the State Government has increased community centres' funding and ensured an equitable spread across the state.
The funding pool has almost doubled and will be reach up to $6 million a year, compared to the previous amount of $3.6 million annually.
For the first time, 23 never before funded centres are being supported through the revamped Community and Neighbourhood Development Program.
In addition to a spread of metropolitan locations, 18 regional community centres are on the list including Tailem Bend, Millicent, Goolwa, Port Lincoln and the Southern Yorke Peninsula.
The State Government's record injection of funds into community centres aims to combat social isolation, promote a stronger sense of belonging among disadvantaged people, and foster inclusive, equitable, and resilient local communities.
Today's announcement follows a competitive tender process and will provide long-term security and stability for the community sector.
The new program incorporates comprehensive research and service development improvements to ensure that community centre funding and services in South Australia are evidence-based, better aligned with the particular needs of each community and are more transparent and equitable across the sector.
The community centres being funded all showed a strong connection to their local communities as well as capacity to deliver appropriate and quality services.
Apart from where centres have agreed to share the funding across multiple sites, each centre will receive a minimum of $99,000 each year – a substantial increase compared to the previous average funding of approximately $70,000 per centre. There is additional loading for rural and remote centres and annual indexation over the nine-year period.
As put by Nat Cook
Community centres hold immense value for South Australians. Whether it's through supporting social and economic engagement, or the act of volunteering and helping others, the impact of these centres cannot be overstated.
This funding boost for community centres is a forward-thinking investment in the long-term wellbeing and resilience of South Australians. Community centres help break down isolation and create meaningful connections for people taking part in programs or volunteering.
We took great care to ensure that the funding is fairly distributed across the state so that it goes to where it is needed and will make the difference to people's lives that it should.
As put by Community Centres SA Board chair Cristina Blumberg
The government's increased funding for our sector is a significant and positive step that recognises and supports the value of our community centres.
The increase in funding brings us closer to other states in terms of overall sector funding and it provides for more funding across centres and the entire state - recognising that all centres provide enormous economic efficiencies and much needed support for their local communities.
Every day centres deliver on our state's strategic goals around wellbeing, health, employment, education, and early intervention. They often do so backed by hard-working and dedicated volunteers.
This funding will go a long way to assist centres with baseline infrastructure and resourcing costs and will help ensure the sustainability of the sector for years to come. A sector that makes a massive impact in people's lives - by providing safe and nurturing spaces for connection and addressing systemic disadvantage at a local community level.
Community and Neighbourhood Development Program funding recipients:
Please note: In addition to below list, contracts are currently being finalised with some additional community centres as part of this rejuvenated Community and Neighbourhood Development Program. There will be some additional centres in the CBD, northern and western Adelaide, and some regional centres, to be announced in coming months.
