Tourism and accommodation boost for Riverland and Murraylands
Wednesday 14 October 2026 RegionsMedia release
The Albanese and Malinauskas Governments are delivering more than $4.6 million to support tourism and accommodation along South Australia’s River Murray.
Under a joint agreement with the Malinauskas Government, the Albanese Government is investing $12.7 million to support regional jobs and industries in South Australia’s River Murray communities, as part of Round 1 of the Sustainable Communities Program.
The Albanese Government will contribute $1.75 million to a new and unique tourism offering at Murray Bridge – Bridge Watersport Park.
This exciting new project will deliver the state’s first-ever cable wakeboard park. Featuring a permanent aqua park and retail and café facilities, Bridge Watersport Park will unlock new jobs and help to establish Murray Bridge as a vibrant and sustainable satellite city, and an essential South Australian tourist destination.
In the Riverland, $1.95 million will be provided to support Australia’s first community-owned hotel – Hotel Renmark – fully realise their planned Hotel Renmark Renewal and Regional Capacity Project, which will deliver 20 new high-quality riverfront rooms and other improvements.
A further $775,000 will support the development of Riverland Clearwater, an interactive ‘mini-river’ system designed to combine immersive aquaculture, education and premium wine tourism. The Pike River Constant Caire project will provide unforgettable experiences to visitors such as hands-on yabbying, a cliff-top sky lounge with panoramic river views, and a large-scale native aquarium.
The heritage-listed Nor West Bend Station, near Morgan, will receive more than $100,000 to support the upgrade of access roads to facilitate entry for motorbikes, vintage cars and caravans, as well as works to complete the riverfront area of the property with landscaping.
Additional funding of more than $100,000 will support feasibility studies for proposals to establish new high-end tourism accommodation at Waikerie and a new low-impact tourism and camp accommodation venture at Paringa – Riverside Paringa Eco Tourist Park.
Sustainable Communities Program - Round 1:
Tourism and accommodation
| Investment-ready projects | Recipient | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Renmark Renewal & Regional Capacity Project | Renmak Hotel Inc. | $1.95M |
| Bridge Watersport Park | Bridge Watersport Park Pty Ltd | $1.75M |
| Riverland Clearwater | Pike River Constant Caire Pty Ltd | 775,000 |
| Nor West Bend Access Road upgrade | Nor West Bend Station Pty Ltd | 100,000 |
| Feasibility projects | Recipient | Funding |
| Waikerie Luxury Tourism Development Feasibility Project | Waikerie Hotel Motel Ltd | $50,000 |
| Riverside Paringa Eco Tourist Park | The Trustee for 174 Causeway Road Unit Trust | $52,000 |
The South Australian Sustainable Communities Program is a Commonwealth-funded program supporting community-led and industry-led projects aimed at minimising the potential socio-economic impacts of water recovery under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
Round 1 has also delivered more than $3 million towards local health and retirement living projects in the region, $1.5 million to support housing growth and $3.5 million for projects that will benefit River Murray primary producers and growers. All projects from this round have now been announced.
Each project has been assessed and approved for funding by the Malinauskas Government through the state’s Department of Primary Industries and Regions.