The first projects to receive funding through South Australia’s newly created Community Wastewater Innovation Fund have been revealed.
$225,000 has been allocated to initiatives that will evaluate Community Wastewater Management System retrofitting options, build climate resilience through data awareness, assess the impacts of septic tank desludging frequency and more.
Funding recipients are:
- City of Onkaparinga
- The Barossa Council
- Mount Barker District Council
- District Council of Loxton Waikerie
- University of South Australia
- Water treatment company, Arris.
LGA South Australia President, Mayor Dean Johnson said the first round of funding allocation was an important milestone, with each Community Wastewater Management System project helping to build stronger communities.
“There were 11 applications submitted through this inaugural round, seeking around $535,000 in funding to support community wastewater initiatives right across the state,” President Johnson said.
“Projects had to demonstrate how they would improve South Australia’s local government wastewater sector by building strategic capacity, increasing or creating networking opportunities, inject innovation or transform existing practices.
“We’re confident the selected projects do this and will make a positive difference to progress community wastewater outcomes in local communities.”
Funding recipients will provide LGA with a final report and evaluation following the completion of their project, demonstrating its impact, effectiveness, benefits to the local government sector and ability to deliver ongoing outcomes beyond the life of the project.
SA Local Government Minister, Joe Szakacs, welcomed the funding announcement.
“This is an important step for this innovative program that we hope will identify models of best practice and increase efficiency,” Minister Szakacs said.
“The Malinauskas Government is proud to be working with the LGA to deliver wastewater management outcomes for South Australian councils.”
The Barossa Council received funding for a project which will use smart technology for the maintenance of four recycled water lagoons (pictured) in the region and provide water for farming, recreation and open spaces, and road maintenance.
Barossa Mayor, Bim Lange said the project includes the installation of flow meters and level meters to maintain the quality and volume of recycled water to industry standards.
“This is a great outcome and will create efficiencies across our recycled water network through the use of smart wi-fi, bluetooth and wireless devices, powered by solar,” Mayor Lange said.
“The units are a complete system designed to a high level of security and safety, which means they can be installed on-site in public areas.”
The Innovation Fund was launched earlier this year with support from the Local Government Community Wastewater Management System Program, which LGA South Australia facilitates on behalf of the State Government.
The next round of funding will open in early 2025.
See the funding allocation for each project: www.lga.sa.gov.au/cwif-
For more information, visit the LGA website: www.lga.sa.gov.au/wastewater-
