Applications open for coastal grants
More than $1 million in coastal protection grants will be made available to councils and community groups committed to restoring and preserving vulnerable sections of the state’s coastline.
Applications are open for the Coast Protection Board’s two annual grant programs, the 2024-25 Coast Protection Grants - where more than $1 million will be available - and the Community Participation Grants, which provides another $40,000.
The Coast Protection Grants provide funds to coastal councils for work that helps restore, protect and manage the state’s valuable coastal assets and addresses climate change risks.
High priorities include projects that address erosion or flood risks, including foreshore protection and beach replenishment works.
The Community Participation Grants Program enables not-for-profit organisations and volunteer groups to partner with councils and undertake small-scale coastal management projects or education initiatives.
Coast Protection Board Presiding Member Jeff Tate said the local government grants are extremely important as councils are on the frontline of managing coastal issues.
"We are also incredibly lucky to have such passionate people and community groups involved in environmental work, so the Coast Protection Board highly encourages them to apply for this funding to help meet their goals," Mr Tate said.
“South Australia’s coastline stretches more than 5000km and it is vital that we continue to manage and protect it for future generations and these funds support important work to do just that.”
Eight coastal councils from around the state received grants in January this year to undertake sand replenishment works, sea wall repairs and model the potential impacts of climate change on their coastal areas.
Recent projects to benefit from the grants program include:
- Protection of the North Shields dunes with a $113,000 grant to the District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula.
- Groyne repairs at Beachport within the Wattle Range Council supported by a $240,000 grant.
- A $68,000 contribution to the Whyalla Foreshore Sand Replenishment Program.
- Modelling the potential long-term environment changes at Black Point, south of Ardrossan, with a $43,000 grant.
Further to these funds, community group Victor Harbor Coastcare received $2018 to help fund the replacement of a 6.5 metre beach-monitoring pole, enabling the group to collect data about changes to beach conditions.
Applications close 25 October 2024 with successful applicants to be announced early next year. Potential applicants can email DEWCoasts@sa.gov.au, call 8124 4928 or visit Department for Environment and Water - Coast Protection Grants.
