The Australian and South Australian Governments have 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.
Funding for these 12 new projects is 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.
The 12 LER funded projects:
- $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 connection.
- $900,000 to establish a small-scale fibre mill enabling processing of raw fibre to quality yarn and finished garments on Kangaroo Island.
- $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 products.
- $315,000 towards a collaborative industry rebuilding and resilience project on Kangaroo Island.
- $2.5 million to rebuild existing trails and enhance facilities and infrastructure of the Fox Creek Bike Park at Cudlee Creek.
- 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 Barker.
- 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 Island.
- $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 Bushfires.