Alexandrina Council has distributed $118,000 in community grants, supporting 44 local artists, clubs, organisations, events, and businesses focused on preserving heritage, enhancing the environment, and fostering community wellbeing.

The funds, allocated through the Council’s 2024-2025 Grants Program, were divided across four competitive grant rounds. The successful recipients were chosen from 65 applications and approved at October’s general council meeting.

These grants will fund projects that range from biodiversity conservation in Strathalbyn and the Nurragi Conservation Reserve to supporting the Great Southern Swimming Carnival and converting an 1892 wine cellar into a tourist attraction.

“These grants empower our community to create a more inclusive, responsive, and vibrant Alexandrina,” says Mayor Keith Parkes. He emphasised that the grants align with the council’s Heritage, Environmental, and Community Wellbeing Action Plans, contributing to the region’s vision of a more liveable, green, and connected community.

The funded projects include:

• Community Environment Grants: Initiatives by groups like the Kumarangk Hindmarsh Island Landcare Group, Friends of Nurragi Association, and Freemans Knob Coastcare.
• Community Events Grants: Funding for events like the Yesterdays Power Rally, Goolwa’s New Year’s Eve fireworks, and the Southern Surf Festival.
• Community Wellbeing Grants: Support for projects like Strathalbyn Kindergarten’s Nga Project and Goolwa Community Centre’s PA system for hearing-impaired workshop attendees.
• Heritage Grants: Preservation work including limewashing Glenbarr’s stables and roofing repairs for Mindacowie.

Applications for the council’s Small Grants Program, offering up to $1,000 for local projects, opened 28 October. In early 2025, the Business Initiative Grants and a new Community Choice Grants program will launch, enabling community groups to pitch their projects directly to their peers.

For more information on the grants and upcoming programs, visit alexandrina.sa.gov.au/grants.