The Australian and South Australian Governments today announced almost $29 million in funding for 12 new projects to boost local economies across South Australia's bushfire- affected communities.
Local Economic Recovery (LER) support under the National Bushfire Recovery Fund, announced last May by the Australian Government, is assisting communities to lead recovery in their area. It is supported by additional co-funding contributions from states.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said the mix of programs delivered under the National Bushfire Recovery Fund aims to meet the short-term needs of individuals and businesses, while at the same time building sustainable and resilient communities for the longer term.
"These projects focus on bringing employment and economic benefits to these communities that have been so hard hit by the 2019-20 bushfires, and now COVID-19," Minister Littleproud said.
"Regionally-driven economic projects create jobs, attract visitors and help our regional South Australian towns thrive into the future - a great step forward in bushfire recovery."
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said funding for these 12 new projects was in addition to the $19.8 million committed to Kangaroo Island's new desalination plant, and the $150,000 in funding to help restore the Lobethal Bushland Park.
"Following consultation with local councils, recovery committees, communities and other stakeholders in bushfire-affected areas across the state, we've selected a further dozen projects that will bring employment and other benefits to impacted regions," Premier Marshall said.
"These projects will support jobs creation, attract visitors and help key local industries in those areas hardest hit by last summer's devastating bushfires."
The 12 LER funded projects are:
- $3 million to develop the former Onkaparinga Woollen Mills at Lobethal to create a hub supporting creative industries, increasing tourism, creating jobs and providing opportunities for learning and social
- $900,000 to establish a small scale fibre mill enabling processing of raw fibre to quality yarn and finished garments on Kangaroo
- $395,000 to grow wellness tourism in South Australia by supporting operators who provide nature-based and agri-tourism experiences or other wellness tourism experiences or
- $315,000 towards a collaborative industry rebuilding and resilience project on Kangaroo
- $2.5 million to rebuild existing trails and enhance facilities and infrastructure of the Fox Creek Bike Park at Cudlee
- More than $8.9 million towards a collaborative package of projects that will support rural landholders recover and build back better agriculture on Kangaroo Island and across Adelaide Hills and Mt
- Nearly $954,000 to compliment an existing project providing accommodation for supervisors and management personnel working on recovery efforts on Kangaroo Island.
- $680,000 to support the South Australian Apiary Industry through pollinator species revegetation information, honey variety and value awareness, and eco-tourism initiatives.
- More than $5.9 million towards vineyard and horticulture rebuilding and resilience, including cherries and olives, across Adelaide Hills, Cudlee Creek and Kangaroo Island.
- More than $2.6 million to provide open-access telecommunication infrastructure, increasing internet coverage and capacity on Kangaroo
- $800,000 to establish accommodation, suitable for tradespeople and seasonal workers at Parndana on Kangaroo Island.
- $1.8 million to construct an Early Childhood Education and Care Centre in Parndana to support families in the central and western part of Kangaroo Island, particularly those directly affected by the Black Summer
Further details are available https://www.bushfirerecovery.gov.au/local-recovery-projects
