In this section:

Archived Media Releases

Fund helps regional communities

2 July 2010

South Australian regional communities will receive almost $650,000 from the State Government for 11 initiatives to create jobs and promote economic growth.

Regional Development Minister Michael O'Brien says the Regional Project Fund grants had been allocated to initiatives ranging from the extension of broadband access in the Mid North to the creation of an indigenous tourism trail on Eyre Peninsula.

Mr O'Brien says the grants were expected to generate around $2.3 million of project investment across the State.

"The projects reflect the diversity of the state's regions and the industry sectors that contribute to their prosperity and growth," he says.

Applications were invited from Regional Development Australia (RDA) associations.

RDA is a joint initiative of the Commonwealth, South Australian and local governments.

"The 2009-10 Regional Project Fund grants support a variety of State Government and community activities that clearly work toward our aims of building sustainable communities in our regions," Mr O'Brien says.

"Each funded project is aligned with the development of the region in which it is located and with the State Government's targets for growth as outlined in South Australia's Strategic Plan."

The initiatives include:

  • Building an indigenous tourism trail (RDA Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula): $110,240 to create an Aboriginal cultural heritage trail stretching from Port Lincoln to the Head of the Bight.
  • Mid North broadband project (RDA Yorke and Mid North): $100,000 towards $1.176 million broadband infrastructure for the Mid North.
  • Kangaroo Island smart energy pilot (RDA Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island): $75,000 for a project to assess alternative approaches to energy supply that has potential to boost the Island's electricity supply.