Local councils can now apply for State Government grants worth $20.4m to build and preserve open space and community infrastructure.

The State Government’s 2020-21 ‘Open Spaces and Places for People Grants’ will give councils and local communities the opportunity to plan, purchase and enhance public open spaces in both metropolitan and regional South Australia.

Projects are joint funded with local government, through the Planning and Development Fund, with ‘shovel ready’ applications to be prioritised. “These grants help local councils and community organisations build what matters and enhance public facilities,” Attorney-General Vickie Chapman said.

“The successful projects will create local jobs and give people new places to meet, play and exercise.” Grants are available to councils and organisations representing ‘out of council’ areas for projects that:

• Deliver quality public open spaces, particularly in areas of growth and renewal
• Provide a diverse range of high quality public open spaces
• Improve the function of public places, making them more sustainable, accessible, safer and healthier
• Promote urban greening and climate change resilience
• Create an interconnected network of spaces that join with destinations, public transport and growth areas.

Councils must match the State Government grant funding, 50:50. The first round of grants, awarded in March 2020, saw 37 community projects successfully secure funding across 27 different council areas.

Applications close on February 19, 2021. Visit the PlanSA website for more information.