Funding for coastal protection efforts across SA

Nearly $5 million in funding is available for councils, researchers, business, and community groups over the next four years for practical on-ground coastal projects which will deliver environmental and economic benefits.

The State Government, with the Coast Protection Board, is providing funding and calling on further applications for projects to restore and protect the state’s coastline. 

Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said South Australia’s coastlines are at risk of erosion, flooding and sand dune drift, which are being exacerbated by rising sea levels.

“The State Government with the Coast Protection Board are providing practical support through funding to councils, researchers, and community groups so we can work together to restore and protect the state’s pristine coastline,” said Minister Speirs.

“South Australia’s coastline is the first defence against a changing climate and beaches are often at the heart of our regional communities’ economies. This funding will help deliver improved environmental outcomes and boost jobs in our regions.”

The nearly $5 million in coastal funding forms part of these three funds:

• Regional Coast Protection Fund is providing $4 million over four years for regional coastal councils.
• Research and Development Fund is providing $650,000 over two years for research institutions, councils, business, community groups and non-government organisations.
• Coastal Community Participation grant program is providing $40,000 in 2019-20 for coastal community and volunteer groups.

“Fifteen coastal councils will share in more than $1 million in round one of the Regional Coast Protection Fund to help repair, restore and sustain South Australia’s 5000 km of regional coastline,” said Minister Speirs.

“The coastal councils will deliver twenty projects such as design and construction of protection works, beach replenishment, and coastal hazard risk and adaptation planning. Also five councils will share in $190,000 worth of research and development funding towards South Australia’s long-term coastal management and protection.

“We are now calling on more applications for research and development funding, with a total of $650,000 available for research institutions, councils, business, community groups and non-government organisations.

“In addition, applications are now open to volunteer and community groups to partner with coastal councils and share in $40,000 of Coastal Community Participation Grants in 2019-20 to undertake small-scale, on-ground coastal initiatives. These volunteer grants aim to involve local communities in coastal management and encourage environmental protection with activities like dune revegetation, community education and monitoring programs.”

Applications for the research and development funding close on 31 January. The 2019-20 Coastal Community Participation Grants will be available until all funding is allocated.  

Regional coast protection fund

Grant recipients for 2019

• $255,700 to District Council of Ceduna to repair the foreshore seawall that was damaged in storms.
• $211,500 to Yorke Peninsula Council for a coastal risk study and action plan for vulnerable settlements, and coastal flooding protection works at Port Clinton.
• $132,500 to Kingston District Council to extend geotextile bag works to protect dunes adjacent to the Wyomi Beach seawall and undertake a coastal adaptation strategy for Kingston SE.
• $105,000 to Wattle Range Council for repair to the Beachport seawall, a coastal adaptation strategy for Beachport, and design and construction of beach access works at Southend.
• $76,000 to Alexandrina Council for a coastal adaptation study of Alexandrina Council and protection works at Ratalang Basham Beach.
• $58,000 to District Council of Mt Remarkable for a seawall at Port Germein.
• $55,000 to Kangaroo Island Council for protection works to address coastal flood risk at American River.
• $52,296 to Copper Coast Council to manage sand drift at North Beach, including fencing and dune planting to build a natural buffer.
• $49,500 to Port Augusta City Council for the extension of an existing levee bank.
• $38,000 to Barunga West Council for the design of protection works at Port Broughton.
• $32,500 to District Council of Streaky Bay for the design of protection works at Baird Bay.
• $22,500 to District Council of Robe for beach replenishment at Main beach, Fox beach and Hooper’s beach.
• $22,500 to City of Whyalla for beach replenishment on the Whyalla foreshore.
• $13,000 to City of Holdfast Bay for a coastal management strategy.
• $6,500 to District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula for a vulnerability assessment of low-lying settlements at Tulka, North Shields and Farm Beach.

Research and development fund

Grant recipients for 2019

• $71,050 to Wattle Range Council for a modelling study of Rivoli Bay, and an innovative project to produce a series of web-based coastal process animations for community education.
• $40,750 to City of Marion for a coastal monitoring program, including a citizen science component, between Hallett Cove and Marino.
• $30,000 to City of Salisbury to undertake a baseline scoping study of the St Kilda mangroves and boardwalk area to inform future decision-making.
• $26,000 to City of Onkaparinga for the development of a novel approach to community engagement and coastal climate change adaptation decision-making.
• $23,500 to District Council of Robe to conduct a multi-method mapping and vulnerability study of Robe.