Grant opportunity to support economic diversification, infrastructure, and community development initiatives helping South Australian Murray-Darling Basin regional communities strengthen resilience and transition from water-dependent industries.
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What is the Sustainable Communities Program (SCP)?
The Sustainable Communities Program – Round 1 is a South Australian Government initiative funded by the Australian Government to support economic diversification and resilience in communities located within the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin region.
The program forms part of the Restoring Our Rivers Framework, which supports the recovery of 450GL of additional environmental water under the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Act 2023 (Cth). This water recovery process may impact regional communities that rely heavily on water-intensive industries.
The program aims to help these communities adapt, diversify and strengthen their economies through investment in new industries, infrastructure and workforce capability.
Round 1 includes two funding streams:
- Stream 1 – Investment Feasibility: Supports feasibility work and project preparation.
- Stream 2 – Investment Ready: Supports projects ready to proceed that deliver economic and community benefits.
Sustainable Communities Program level of support
Funding Available
The Australian Government has provided $20 million to the South Australian Government for the Sustainable Communities Program.
For Round 1, up to $14 million is available across two funding streams.
Stream 1 – Investment Feasibility
Funding supports preparation work required to progress projects towards implementation.
- Minimum grant amount: $50,000
- Maximum grant amount: $275,000
- Total funding available: Up to $1 million
Stream 2 – Investment Ready
Funding supports projects that are ready to proceed and deliver measurable economic outcomes.
- Minimum grant amount: $50,000
- Maximum grant amount: No application can receive more than 35% of the total funding available in the stream
- Total funding available: Up to $13 million
Co-Contribution Requirements
Cash co-contributions are mandatory and depend on the applicant type.
Public and private companies, trusts and co-operatives
- Minimum 50% cash co-contribution
Local governments and incorporated associations
- Minimum 30% cash co-contribution
For Investment Feasibility projects, the total project cost (grant + co-contribution) must not exceed 10% of the estimated value of the future project being investigated.
Example:
- A feasibility study costing $100,000 should relate to an estimated project valued at $1 million or more.
Sustainable Communities Program important dates
Applications close: 31 March 2026 – 5:00 pm ACDT
Project completion deadlines:
- Investment Feasibility projects: by 30 October 2026
- Investment Ready projects: by 31 January 2028
A second round of the Investment Ready stream is expected in 2026–27, subject to funding availability.
Register your interest with GrantHelper.
Sustainable Communities Program objectives
The Sustainable Communities Program aims to support economic transition and community resilience in South Australian River Murray communities impacted by water recovery activities.
Program objectives include funding projects that:
- Retain and create new employment opportunities in local economies.
- Support the development of new and emerging industries.
- Enable existing businesses and industries to diversify, expand or value-add.
- Invest in community infrastructure that improves liveability, social wellbeing and economic growth.
- Build local workforce skills and capability to manage economic transition.
- Align with regional, local or state development priorities, including First Nations priorities and Regional Drought Resilience Plans.
- Encourage economic diversification away from highly water-dependent activities.
- Support long-term economic sustainability and resilience for affected communities.
Projects and expenditure eligible for Sustainable Communities Program support
Stream 1 – Investment Feasibility
Funding may support activities that help progress project concepts to an implementation stage, including:
- Feasibility studies
- Needs assessments
- Stakeholder engagement activities
- Business case development
- Concept or detailed project design
- Technical investigations
- Implementation planning
These projects must demonstrate a clear pathway towards future project implementation.
Stream 2 – Investment Ready
Funding supports projects that are ready to commence implementation, including:
- Construction of new infrastructure
- Infrastructure upgrades or expansions
- Purchase of plant and equipment
- Industry development initiatives
- Community infrastructure development
- Workforce development initiatives
- Training or program delivery
- Economic diversification projects
Projects should clearly demonstrate economic diversification and community resilience outcomes.
Ineligible Expenditures
While the guidelines focus primarily on eligible activities, funding generally cannot be used for costs that are not directly related to the approved project, including activities undertaken prior to grant approval.
Applicants should ensure that proposed costs are clearly justified, necessary for project delivery, and aligned with the program objectives.
Other Sustainable Communities Program important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Sustainable Communities Program support
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a legal entity, such as:
-
- Companies
- Trusts
- Co-operatives
- Local governments
- Incorporated organisations
- Deliver projects within eligible South Australian River Murray communities.
Eligible locations include:
- Renmark Paringa Council
- Berri Barmera Council
- District Council of Loxton Waikerie
- District Council of Karoonda East Murray
- Mid Murray Council
- Rural City of Murray Bridge
- Alexandrina Council
- Coorong District Council
- Gerard Community Council
- Riverland Unincorporated Area
Projects must demonstrate alignment with program objectives and investment themes.
Local Government Areas identified as having a community vulnerability index of 0.6 or higher under the ABARES Baseline Community Vulnerability Report may receive stronger consideration.
Sustainable Communities Program assessment criteria
1. Strategic Alignment
- The extent to which the project aligns with the objectives and investment themes of the Sustainable Communities Program, and supports regional economic transition.
2. Economic and Community Impact
- The degree to which the project will create jobs, diversify the local economy, and deliver measurable long-term benefits for River Murray communities.
3. Project Feasibility and Deliverability
- Evidence that the project is well planned, technically feasible, and can be delivered within the proposed timeframe and budget.
4. Value for Money
- Demonstration that the funding request represents good value, with clear outcomes, justified costs, and strong co-investment from the applicant or partners.
How do I get the Sustainable Communities Program support?
To improve their chances of securing funding, applicants should demonstrate:
- Clear alignment with the Sustainable Communities Program objectives.
- Strong contribution to economic diversification and regional resilience.
- Evidence the project will create or retain jobs within the local economy.
- A well-developed project plan showing technical feasibility and readiness.
- Strong co-investment and financial commitment from the applicant or partners.
- Measurable economic, social or community benefits.
- Evidence of community consultation and stakeholder support.
- Alignment with regional development strategies and local priorities.
- A realistic budget and timeline demonstrating value for money.
- The capacity and capability to successfully deliver the project.
Projects that help communities transition away from water-dependent industries and build new economic opportunities will likely be highly competitive.
Information to prepare for the Sustainable Communities Program support
To prepare a strong application, applicants should be ready to provide:
1. Project Description
- A clear explanation of the project, its objectives, activities, and how it supports economic diversification in River Murray communities.
2. Project Budget and Funding Sources
- A detailed project budget outlining grant funding requested and required co-contributions.
3. Evidence of Project Readiness
- Documentation demonstrating feasibility, planning work completed, or readiness to commence implementation.
4. Economic and Community Benefits
- Evidence of expected outcomes such as job creation, industry diversification, or community benefits.
5. Project Delivery Plan
- A timeline outlining key milestones, delivery approach, and project management arrangements.
6. Supporting Documentation
- Any relevant feasibility studies, business cases, designs, stakeholder support letters, or strategic planning documents.
Applying for the Sustainable Communities Program support
Applicants must lodge their application via the South Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) website.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Sustainable Communities Program resources
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