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New fund invests in future of rural communities

Media Release | 4 December 2007

The South Australia Government will establish a $400,000 Regional Communities Drought Fund to help country communities that are experiencing significant structural change because of drought.

Premier Mike Rann and Minister for Regional Development Karlene Maywald announced the new fund on the shores of Lake Bonney today in the Riverland, following several visits to local irrigators' properties and meetings with community leaders.

The Berri Barmera Council is the first to secure money from the fund of $100,000 toward Stage One of the Lake Bonney Foreshore Redevelopment Project.

"This initiative is supported by the High Level Drought Task Force," Mr Rann says.

"It will assist regional communities to help withstand the tough times by helping develop their economic and social infrastructure, by educating and training people in other skills and by protecting and improving local environmental assets.

"The State Government is well aware that this is a time when many of our rural towns are experiencing the hardship of drought and the uncertainty it brings to the future of our communities.

Minister Maywald says future applications will be accepted from councils. Community and business groups will be encouraged to work with local government in developing projects and applications.

More information will be available shortly on future funding application rounds for the fund. Submissions will be assessed through the Premier's High Level Drought Task Force.