Sustainable Communities Program

The Sustainable Communities Program is a $20 million grant program to help mitigate the social and economic impacts of the Australian Government’s water recovery for the environment.

Grants will fund projects that drive economic diversification, innovation and growth, enhance liveability, and bolster community resilience in South Australia’s most vulnerable River Murray communities.

Investment will be targeted and outcome-focused to meet the unique needs of South Australia’s most affected River Murray Communities.

Program status

Round 1 of South Australia’s Sustainable Communities Program closed on Tuesday 31 March 2026. Up to $14 million was available in round 1.

Assessment is underway and applicants will be notified of the outcome by email in June 2026.

Round 2 of South Australia’s Sustainable Communities Program will open in the last quarter of 2026. Any funds not allocated in round 1 will be added to the $6 million allocated for round 2.

If you would like to be notified when round 2 opens, email PIRSA.SCP@sa.gov.au.

Program design informed by consultation

The South Australian Sustainable Communities Program was co-designed across government and informed by place-based consultation, existing stakeholder engagement, and regional and local economic development strategies and plans. The program aligns with the community adjustment assistance principles outlined in the Australian Government’s Restoring Our Rivers Framework.

To gain insight into the local context without duplicating effort or unnecessarily burdening communities under pressure, PIRSA also leveraged existing consultation and engagement undertaken by other government agencies, local government and regional economic development bodies through a variety of strategic programs and reports.

Read the Sustainable Communities Program consultation summary ( PDF 256.5 KB ).

Background

South Australian Sustainable Communities Program is led by PIRSA and funded by the Department of Climate, Energy, Environment and Water through the Australian Government's Sustainable Communities Program. The program provides $300 million over 4 years to provide adjustment assistance to Murray–Darling Basin communities impacted by the recovery of 450 gigalitres of water for the environment.

The Sustainable Communities Program is provided alongside water recovery activities.

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