Green light for community projects in Adelaide

The Albanese Government is making Adelaide and its surrounds even better places to live, rolling out an urban community infrastructure program to elevate South Australian suburbs.

The program, known as Thriving Suburbs, funds community infrastructure projects – such as sporting and cultural hubs, libraries and parks – that connect communities and promote social cohesion.

In South Australia, nine successful projects will share in $34 million, with projects ranging from new community and recreation facilities to the rejuvenation of a heritage theatre in the east, as well as a village-like precinct in the heart of Adelaide.

With no competitive, urban community infrastructure program under the former Government, we know Councils and local organisations have struggled to maintain and upgrade their essential local assets.

That’s why the Albanese Labor Government established Thriving Suburbs – to build better cities and more liveable suburbs, and to help fund the backlog of community infrastructure projects putting a strain on local governments. 

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King, and Federal Member for Kingston Amanda Rishworth, were at the Noarlunga Aquatic Centre site today to announce the funding.

The Noarlunga Aquatic Centre is one of the projects that will come to life under the program, receiving $5.4 million to revitalise the existing facility, providing safe, enjoyable, and inclusive recreational opportunities for locals.

Thriving Suburbs is an open and competitive program, with funding awarded on a merit basis, supported by a two-stage assessment process.

This is yet another demonstration of the Albanese Government’s commitment to delivering a suburban funding program focused on integrity, transparency, accountability and collaboration.

For more information, including a full list of successful projects in the state, visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/cities/thriving-suburbs-program.

Quote attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

“Councils and local organisations have struggled to maintain and upgrade essential local assets after being deprived of a competitive urban community infrastructure program under the former Government.

“We established Thriving Suburbs to fix this problem – to support local organisations with the funding they need to build better cities and more liveable suburbs.

“Whether sports clubs, urban precincts or community hubs, community facilities are the backbone of connected societies – and they’re becoming increasingly important.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Kingston Amanda Rishworth:

“Funding for these much-needed projects across South Australia will deliver infrastructure that increases community cohesion, liveability and accessibility.

“I’m so pleased for my local community that through this funding the Noarlunga Aquatic Centre has been saved and it is a fantastic example of the difference this funding can make.

“Our investment will improve the facility’s accessibility and ensure it meets the needs of the growing community – unlocking social, health and economic benefits for years to come.

“The Thriving Suburbs Program is making local priority projects a reality and I look forward to seeing the significant benefits this funding will provide for South Australian communities.”