Four councils have been selected to receive funding as part of the first round of the Local Government Association of South Australia’s (LGASA) newly created Community Wastewater Innovation Fund.
$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
LGASA President, Mayor Dean Johnson, said that the first round of funding allocation was an important milestone, with each Community Wastewater Management System project helping to build stronger communities.
“There were eleven applications submitted through this inaugural round, seeking around $535,000 in funding to support community wastewater initiatives right across the state,” Mayor 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 LGASA 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.
South Australia 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 State Government is proud to be working with the LGASA 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 in the region and provide water for farming, recreation and open spaces, and road maintenance.
Barossa Council Mayor, Bim Lange, said that 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 LGASA facilitates on behalf of the State Government.
The next round of funding will open in early 2025.
