Drought projects advancing

Most minor projects are completed and among the first councils to receive funding were the District Council of Franklin Harbour and the District Council of Cleve, to remove soil drift from local roads.

District Council of Franklin Harbour chief executive officer Chris Smith said soil drift removal would be ongoing.

"But we are halfway through updating amenities at Cowell, Lucky Bay and Port Gibbon," he said.

"We have completed a six-kilometre water line to Lucky Bay because the old pipe was above-ground and failing constantly - we were paying massive costs to fix water leaks."

A men's shed at Cowell and five aged care cottages will also receive a facelift.

District Council of Cleve CEO Peter Arnold said soil drift had been removed from most roads but recent dust storms had halted the project until rain arrived.

"The roads will need to be cleared by June 30 to stay within the funding rules so we need rain to arrive or we will be back where we started," he said.

Minor projects such as upgrades to Cleve's golf course and sporting equipment have been completed, while a new storage shed and gym facility have also begun construction.

The Mid North region received a visit from the Australian Army this month to help complete its minor projects and the Regional Council of Goyder deputy Mayor John Neal said the army's visit was "uplifting".

The main project funded was the construction of the Eudunda Sporting Complex.

"The demolition of the old building has happened and the new complex will provide facilities for all of the sports," Mr Neal said.

"The Robertstown courts were upgraded with improved lighting and a wide enough space for umpires to move safely between courts," he said.

Mid North livestock producers also received a helping hand, with funding approved to install two standpipes at Burra and Bower to cart water to properties.

Mr Neal said the Australian Army's tour of the region also helped the region's school students feel optimistic about the future and "lifted the community's spirit".

"We asked the army to visit each school in the Goyder district because we were concerned that children were upset about the drought - they were hearing about it around the kitchen table at home and at school too," he said.

Northern Areas Council CEO Colin Byles had seven projects funded.

"We separated projects into infrastructure and public amenities," he said.

Improved street lighting and upgraded bridges and female changerooms at Laura and Gladstone were funded.

"We concentrated on projects that were shovel ready - so once we got the approval from the federal government we were ready to go," Mr Byles said.

A stormwater reuse project at Gladstone also received major funding and is halfway to completion.

"The region already operates a community waste-water management scheme to irrigate the town's oval but it does not provide enough water to sustain the school oval too," Mr Byles said.

"The upgraded system will utilise stormwater and recycle that into the existing scheme."

Childcare services and community connectedness will be improved at Karoonda, with the district building a new early childhood centre and community hub.

District Council of Karoonda East Murray CEO Matthew Morgan said the project was 90 per cent complete.

"The centre is being built in a factory as we speak and the site is under construction in preparation for its arrival in the first week of May. It will be handed over officially on June 25," he said.

"It will provide a space for the community to connect."

The Karoonda Township Activation project to help stimulate local economic activity was also funded.

The project includes silo artwork and events, Colour Up Run Karoonda and a street market day to launch the silo artwork on June 16.

All projects must be completed by June 30 to remain eligible for funding.