Madison Eastmond, Murray Pioneer

A Riverland ecology site has received more than $400,000 worth of state funding to complete the first stage of a five-point masterplan to secure a sustainable future.

Supporting a $657,280 project, Calperum Station recently received $442,596 from the Thriving Regions Fund to update aging critical infrastructure on the Riverland flood plain, improving facilities for rangers and staff, and participants of state-wide education programs that visit the site.

Providing a learning environment facilitated by ecologists and a dedicated ranger team just outside of Renmark, Calperum Station is comprised of prominently open Mallee bushland and Murray River flood plains, and hosts opportunities for educational and training programs, and nature-based recreational activities.

“Aging infrastructure is one of our biggest barriers to growth at Calperum Station,” Calperum Station general manager education and business development Julie Robertson said.

“Our education programs ‘Ecology in Action’ are programs where a (Calperum Station) educator works with students out in the field that ticks off a whole bunch on a school curriculum — these have been incredibly well received, and are becoming really popular.

“However, though we have put in the work and built our education programs to the point where they’re really thriving, hosting bigger groups of participants puts too much strain on the current infrastructure, with the electricity and water supply often failing.

“We get such fantastic feedback on every other aspect of a group’s stay, so we really just want to upgrade these facilities, provide the best possible experience, and keep sharing everything great we do at Calperum with as many people as we can.”

Part of a five-stage master-plan to upgrade the site, the state funding will address a first stage concerning the site’s critical infrastructure, including:

• Showers and toilets.
• Solar energy and water supply to the dormitories and training areas.
• Insulation and roof repairs to the training shed.
• Kitchen upgrades.
• Internet connectivity to the complex.

“Essentially, these upgrades will launch us into growing our programs, or more programs, and make us financially self-sustainable to carry out and fund the rest of the master plan for Calperum,” Ms Robertson said.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said she was “very pleased to be able to offer funding to nine community projects from across South Australia’s regions and see their vision become reality”.

“These projects help support a strong local economy by attracting and retaining people, businesses and service providers in our regions, which helps maintain and grow strong, vibrant regional communities,” Ms Scriven said.

“The Enabling Infrastructure Program has been extremely successful in supporting infrastructure projects that improve the quality of life in our regions, and the State Government is pleased to continue to support South Australia’s regional communities.”

With the project set to begin in the next three months, and set to be finished by the end of 2026 — with all works undertaken by local contractors — Ms Robertson said the funding has allowed Calperum to “give back to the economy in big ways”.

“It’s very exciting — projects supported by this funding are to help regional communities thrive and we really want that to happen,” Ms Robertson said.

“This funding will be contributing directly back to the local community through using local business, as well as creating long-term investment by bringing more people to the Riverland.

“I think this is particularly important in a region like ours because we are so reliant on horticulture and viticulture, with many of our industries tied to the river.”

Ms Robertson said she and the team at Calperum “could not be more grateful” to receive the financial support throughout the community.

“As a not-for-profit, we don’t have much in terms of cash reserves, so (to make up the $214,684 difference) we have received support from our rotary district, as well as the Australian Landscape Trust (ALT),” Ms Robertson said.

“The Calperum Advisory Board, ALT Board, volunteers, and local members (Chaffey MP) Tim Whetstone and (Barker MP) Tony Pasin, have also been a great support.

“Walter Brookes Architecture also drafted our masterplan document without charging us a cent, which made all the difference.

“This project would probably not have even got off the ground onto a grant application without the support from the community.

Ms Robertson also wanted to thank the State Government for “seeing the potential of Calperum”.

“We are so proud and excited to be given this opportunity with this funding — it’s game-changing for us.

This article appeared in Murray Pioneer, 2 July 2025.