Rural and regional communities across SA have received nearly $1.5-million in funding nationwide for locally-led initiatives that will help build their region's resilience to drought.
Funded by the federal government's Future Drought Fund and a range of other donor partners, the Networks to Build Drought Resilience program, the grants, which range from $10,000 to $139,000 were awarded to local groups to support community groups which bring people together, increase skills, improve infrastructure and enable networking.
Six SA towns and initiatives were awarded funding - of 33 nationwide - including:
- Orroroo: $20,000 to Upper North Farming Systems to deliver a "Tools, Tech and Transformation" workshop for farmers and agribusinesses, follow by nine hub events, to provide an opporuntiy for participants to network, build knowledge, and share information.
- Rudall: $29,625 to Women Together Learning to deliver five workshops focussing on future drought, climate projections and the impact on agricultural practices and rural communities, for WoTL ambassadors.
- Jabuk: $31,000 to Coorong District Council to to deliver four workshops across the Coorong and Tatiara Distrits to build farmers' understanding of the risks posed by drought and climate change, through the sharing of specialist knowledge in the areas of climate trends, soil carbon, and livestock methane.
- Padthaway: $70,817 to Limestone Coast Women in Ag Network to deliver four workshops for women in agriculture in the Limestone Coast region, to assist preparing for future drought.
- Wudinna: $77,163 to Southern Cross University to produce a new 'network mapping' tool will be used to provide a detailed understanding of the Eyre Peninsula young landholders knowledge network.
- Quorn: $139,000 to The Flinders Ranges Council to bring expert speakers for the two-day Quorn Quandong Festival to present on the impacts of drought and climate change on the region to highlight the importance of forward planning and preparation.
In addition to this funding, eight rural towns across SA are set to share in more than $35,000 in funding as part of the first round of the Community Grants Program, which is run by Nutrien Ag Soltuions in partnership with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.
Nationwide, 57 small grants for projects have been awarded, with funding directed towards projects which will will create long-term positive outcomes that benefit and strengthen local communities.
Nutrien Ag Solutions corporate affairs director Carissa Buckland said the company was proud to support communities that play such a central role in achievements of the agriculture industry.
RELATED READING: FRRR drought grants available to help preparations
"With the ongoing impacts of disasters, including fires, floods and drought, and of course the restrictions of COVID, local fundraising has been a challenge, so we are delighted to be able to fund these important community projects, and help relieve the pressure that many groups are under," Ms Buckland said.
"We know this seed funding will also allow community groups to leverage the grant and attract the additional funding or in-kind contributions they may need," Ms Buckland said.
FRRR chief executive officer Natalie Egleton said that the program was one of the most popular run by the organisation in recent years, due to its wide scope and the strong connections that local Nutrien staff have in their communities.
"Like FRRR, Nutrien recognises the critical role that community-led groups play in ensuring access to vital services and creating dynamic and vibrant places to live and work," she said.
Most of the requests were for infrastructure and equipment, such as mowers and generators, or to upgrade community spaces, and to improve access to services and activities. These things can often be hard to fund, especially in really small communities.
"Thanks to Nutrien's support, we've been able to give some really important community projects the boost they need to address local needs and take advantage of opportunities that will encourage engagement and foster community wellbeing."
Most of the applications for the program came from outer-regional, remote or very remote areas (75 per cent), with about one third of the communities that applied have a population fewer than 500 people.
The average funding requested was just less than $4700 and the smallest request was for just under $1000.
The SA towns which received funding include:
- Rendelsham: $4337 to the South East Youth Development Project T/as Noorla Yo-Long Blue Light SA to replacement climbing safety equipment for Noorla Yo-Long Blue Light Adventure.
- Coomandook: $2685 to the Coomandook Amalgamated Pastime Club to installing reverse cycle air conditioning at the community-operated Coomandook Postal Agency.
- Jervois: $3490 to the Jervois Football Club to install reverse cycle air conditioning.
- Keith: $4991 to the Keith and Tintanara District Show Society to improve facilities for safety and access at the Community Hub Building at the showgrounds.
- Kyancutta: $5000 to the Kyancutta Ramblers Golf Club for the purchase of a mower.
- Lameroo: $5000 to Lameroo Forward to enable access to develop a culturally vibrant community through funding for culture program including a disability choir.
- Penneshaw: $5000 to the Penneshaw CWA Penneshaw Progress Association to improve access to health services by upgrading disabled toilet facilities and installing a split system air conditioner at the community health centre.
- Tintinara: $5000 for the Lions club of Tintinara for to purchase a trailer mounted generator, giving the club the ability to give a reliable power supply at community events.
Start the day with all the big news in agriculture. Sign up here to receive our daily Stock Journal newsletter.
