Much of Rural Solutions SA’s work sustains the vitality and future of regional, rural and remote communities

At the heart of this is the promotion of innovation and the adoption of change. Rural Solutions SA supports communities by taking action to produce localised solutions to local problems that are fit for purpose, long term and sustainable, and where the process is an expression of the community.

Community development is a social process where ownership is vital and community participation is critical. Rural Solutions SA works to maximise social benefits and minimise social cost, its teams work closely at community, regional council, industry groups, and individual producer levels.

How can communities best meet their challenges – from changed economies and decreasing populations to climate change and increasing soil salinity?

By helping communities focus on their natural and human resources, financial and enterprise planning, Rural Solutions SA facilitates the creation of strategies and programs designed to assist change and make a difference.

Rural Solutions SA Community Development Team focuses on the community and social aspects of regional development, and helps coordinate service delivery. Activities include:

• Coordinating approaches to Social / Economic / Environmental issues
• Assisting with the development of models within communities to enable the development of local leadership and management skills such as the Outback SA Community Alliance and Outback SA Government
• Providing expertise across Rural Solutions SA in the area of social policy and community engagement and ensuring its consideration in other programs
• Providing workshops for specific skills development, e.g. workshops on writing funding proposals and community governance
• Coordinating liaison between community and agencies
• Implementing and coordinating projects e.g. Outback Connect, Lower Eyre Peninsula Bushfire Recovery Program.
• Specialised services to regional indigenous communities include help with setting up commercial native foods production and supply – as part of overall plans to secure better health and social

Central North East Farm Assistance Program

In response to successive years of drought, the Federal and South Australian government joint initiative program helped many farming and grazing businesses diversify into new enterprises and streamline existing enterprises.

Rural Solutions SA actioned the program which saw farmers develop their business management skills and provided long term viability for themselves and their communities.

As a result of this, Rural Solutions SA was named as a finalist in the People category of the Civic Trust of South Australia Awards.

Contact: Albert Singh

Recovery Support for Eyre Penninsula Bushfires

Rebuilding productive, sustainable farming systems in the wake of the devastating January 2005 bushfire is a key long-term task for South Australia.

The Rural Solutions SA team were directly involved in animal recovery, programmes to re-establish farms, and fast-tracking financial support for those needing emergency supplies.

A seamless approach for the community was developed, so it does not have to spend considerable amounts of time through having to deal with many government agencies. This coordination has proved invaluable.

Contact: Helen Lamont

Outback Connect

Rural Solutions SA on behalf of the Department of Further Education, Employment Science and Technology is coordinating this innovative project which aims to provide basic Information Technology (IT) training and IT technical support for people living in very remote areas.

Outback Connect is a collaborative project with several state, federal and community partners. Further aims of the project are to generate a demand for on-line service provision, create a network of young people skilled in IT support, and demonstrate an income-producing model of IT support.

As Rural Solutions SA can access vast existing networks of individuals, community and industry groups. As coordinators, Rural Solutions SA has been able to implement the project quickly, with immediate benefits to customers and program participants.

Contact: Ann Johnston

Related Links

• Community & Indigenous
• Community & Indigenous Services Brochure (1.3Mb)