Funding boost for Riverland communities

•           Local communities hit by water recovery to receive funding for projects to create jobs

•           Helping diversify Basin economies

•           Providing up to $20 million over 4 years to 2021-22 to boost communities most impacted by water recovery under the Basin Plan

Member for Barker Tony Pasin has announced funding for the Riverland communities through the Murray–Darling Basin Economic Development Program.

Projects in areas most affected by water buy backs

• Lake Bonney Nature and Cultural Tourism Project will receive $500,000 for upgrading camping facilities and employment of Aboriginal rangers for enhanced and increased tourism opportunities.
• Barmera Golf Club Clubhouse Facility Upgrade project will receive $205,756 for the installation of a new kitchen and toilet at the Barmera golf club, which will be a community group resource, with potential for increased tourism and commercial hiring of the hall.
• Berri Hotel will receive $500,000for the addition of 21 accommodation rooms to the community-owned Berri Hotel with potential for increased employment opportunities. Local community resilience benefits through access to the new facilities in the grounds.
• Moorook Ecotourism Trail – $236,880 for the construction of a 20km walking trail around Moorook and surrounds to enhance tourism and local resilience.
• Loxton Wharf Upgrade Project will receive $350,000 to upgrade and extend houseboat parking for increased potential for houseboat tourism.
• Loxton Tourist Park upgrade project will receive $500,024 for the installation of cabins in the council-owned Loxton Caravan Park to boost higher end tourism with potential for enhanced tourism benefits.
• Riverland Smart Agricultural Project designed to build an agricultural entrepreneurial ecosystem will receive $500,000 for installation of an internet of things across three communities with potential for greater economic returns for farms by using modern water control and measuring devices dependent on the internet; improving community access to the internet; and potentially enabling new businesses based on the internet.
• The Murray River Agritourism and Food Cluster project will receive $250,000 to work with individual farmers and the community to establish an agritourism and food cluster to diversify food production to create regional foods and increase marketing and sales of food from the region.

Mr Pasin said the funding would help create sustainable long-term jobs in communities where water recovery has hit local economies.

“Water recovery has hurt communities,” Mr Pasin said.

“Investing in these projects is by no means a silver bullet. It something we’re doing to assist.

“It will help diversify the local economy, giving a boost to communities most impacted by water recovery under the Basin Plan,” Mr Pasin said.

Media Contact: Charlotte Edmunds 8531 2466