Environmental focus for new community grants

The Environmental Management and Sustainability Grants Program is now open and is for groups and organisations with projects that aim to have a positive environmental impact and benefit to the local community.

Berri Barmera Council Mayor Ella Winnall said the expansion of council’s community grants program looks to enable the community to undertake activities that align with the council’s Environmental Management and Sustainability Strategy.

“This is about working together with the community for our future,” she said.

“The new grant funding stream is a great way for council to support the activities of local community organisations, improve environmental outcomes, while also delivering council’s Environmental and Sustainability Strategy more affordably.

“Enjoying our natural environment is one of the best parts of living in the Riverland, and we know the community is eager to support better environmental outcomes that support our beautiful landscapes and waterways or enable use of our resources more efficiently.”

Projects with a focus on sustainable water supply and management, biodiversity, greening towns, energy security, waste and environmental tourism will be considered as part of the application process.

Successful projects are eligible for up to $5000, with the program open to community groups and organisations where the project has positive environmental impacts and outcomes for the broader Berri Barmera community.

“We know that when we work together with the community, we can achieve so much more for everyone than when we try to do it alone,” Mayor Winnall said.

“A small contribution for a community group can enable outcomes that far exceed the financial value and we know that this grant stream will allow locals to get involved, learn new skills and work towards a more sustainable environment.

“This is a great opportunity for locals to have a positive impact on their community and the environment and potentially reduce some costs for the community.

“Council looks forward to seeing community projects which will improve our local environment, and we hope that some of the funds allow community groups to be more self-sufficient when it comes to things like power, water and waste.”

Applications are now open and will close on Monday 28 April.

For more information, or to apply, click here.