The Cooler, Greener, Wilder Grants Program for local governments provides support to Adelaide’s metropolitan councils to undertake projects that deliver greening outcomes, incorporate water sensitive urban design or biodiversity sensitive urban design principles.

Applications for Round 3 are now open.

Browse our FAQs below to learn more.

What is the Cooler, Greener, Wilder Grants Program?

Green Adelaide's Cooler, Greener, Wilder Grants Program supports local governments in the Green Adelaide region to undertake projects that deliver greening and cooling outcomes and include practical implementation of water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) and biodiversity-sensitive urban design (BSUD) principles, in highly modified urban settings with high community usage. Projects will improve liveability, biodiversity and climate resilience and can be at a site, street or precinct scale.

What types of projects are eligible for funding?

Projects that deliver greening and cooling outcomes and include practical implementation of water-sensitive urban design and biodiversity-sensitive urban design principles are eligible for funding. In a first for Cooler, Greener, Wilder grants, projects that meet 2 out of the 3 criteria will be considered however those that meet all 3 will be given higher weighting. Please refer to the Assessment Criteria for more information regarding eligible and ineligible activities.

We’ve heard there are changes to this years Grant round, what are they?

The funding amount has increased from $200,000 to $500,000 (with a total of up to $1.5 million available). Recipients will now be permitted to complete their projects in up to 4 years.

Green Adelaide is also willing to provisionally approve applications, subject to Councils confirming their funding commitment. This affords Council Officers time to prepare and confirm their internal funding prior to June 2025.

Who can apply for a grant?

Councils within the Green Adelaide region are eligible to apply.

My project is outside of Green Adelaide but benefits the Green Adelaide community, can I apply?

No, projects must be delivered within the Green Adelaide region.

When can I apply for a grant?

Applications are now open and close on midnight 1 December 2024.

Can I have an extension to the grant application deadline?

No, extensions will not be considered.

How do I apply for a grant?

Applications are through Smarty Grants at: https://greenadelaide-sa.smartygrants.com.au (update link when live)

Can I get assistance with SmartyGrants?

Yes, please contact DEW.GreenAdelaide@sa.gov.au to request assistance with the SmartyGrants system.

Will there be an information, session?

Yes, there will be an online webinar hosted by Water Projects Officer Martin Fidge on Thursday 7 November at 11am via Microsoft teams. To register, please click on this link HERE

Can I apply for more than one grant?

Yes, applicants may submit multiple applications but should consider their ability to match requested funding for all projects.

How much funding can I ask for?

Applications of up to $500,000 are encouraged. Councils may submit multiple applications but should consider their ability to match requested funding for all projects.

Can a council apply for grant funding of greater than 50% total project cost?

No. Applications will only be considered that apply for up to 50% of the total project cost, contributing to cooler, greener, wilder outcomes. This includes monetary or in-kind contributions.

Can I still apply for this grant program if my project received funding from another source?

Yes. Partnerships or leveraging of funds from other grant programs on a co-contribution basis is encouraged. However, funds would need to be guaranteed to enable a successful grant application and Green Adelaide will not duplicate funding for the same activity.

What are the key Objectives of the Cooler, Greener, Wilder, Grants program?

Increase urban green cover, as well as tree canopy to progress against the target in the 30 Year Plan for Greater Adelaide, and reduce the urban heat island effect across metropolitan Adelaide.

Specific outcomes may include increased green cover, tree canopy and/or other forms of greenery in urban streets and reserves; mitigation of urban heat islands; and increased species diversity.

Integrate Water-Sensitive Urban Design for localised water management, fit-for-purpose water provision or at-source infiltration to support urban greening and cooling.

Specific outcomes may include at-source stormwater infiltration to support greening and cooling, stormwater runoff quality improvement and/or volume reduction; water reuse/recycling (stormwater, wastewater).

Create diverse and appropriate habitat for native wildlife in urban settings through the implementation of Biodiversity-Sensitive Urban Design principles.

Specific outcomes may include maintenance and creation of targeted biodiverse habitat; facilitation of species dispersal; minimisation of threats and human generated disturbance; facilitation of natural ecological processes; improved potential for positive human-nature interactions.

Enhance public amenity and natural character to provide community benefit in areas of high pedestrian usage, through creation of Quality Public Green Spaces (QGPS).

Further outcomes may include community health and wellbeing; connection with nature; stronger communities; access for all; neighbourhood character; resilient communities. Please also include reference to any community events that are part of your project.

Embed Kaurna cultural knowledge, practices and guidance for projects and activities are happening on Kaurna Yarta (Kaurna Country).

Support projects that lead industry best practice through innovation.

What are we looking for?

For greening reports and planting designs demonstrating ,

Priority based on green cover or % canopy cover as appropriate for the vegetation association,
Priority based on urban heat mapping.
Value for money for increase in greening and canopy cover.

For WSUD (information to include but not limited to)

design reports and drawings including treated catchment area (ha);
area of WSUD treatment devices
area of greening grass, shrubs, and tree canopy passively watered
; MUSIC modelling to demonstrate pollution reduction targets are met for nitrogen, phosphorous, sediment and gross pollutants; .
Value for money of project WSUD outcomes

For BSUD (information to include but not limited to)

reports and planting designs.
target fauna species and how it will be supported by habitat biodiversity improvements.
mapping showing links to other habitat areas.
Improvement in species diversity, demonstrating the use of appropriate local indigenous or Australian native more climate resilient species.
any rare or endangered flora or fauna species supported by the project,
Value for money of project BSUD outcomes.

Can the matched funds be in-kind?

Yes, in-kind contributions from partners will be accepted.

What can be included as in-kind contributions?

In-kind contributions could include staff time as well as time contributed by other organisations or volunteers (such as community groups and non-government organisations for planting or maintenance).

Can our council partner with another council?

Yes. Your application should clearly outline the nature of the partnership and the respective functions each group will undertake as part of the proposed project.

One of the councils should be clearly identified as the lead council for correspondence, reporting and overall responsibility for the project and the application should be submitted in the name of the lead council.

When will successful projects be announced?

Application outcomes are anticipated to be announced in February 2025.

When do contracted works and financial acquittals need to be completed by?

Projects need to be completed within 4 years (nominally 30 April 2029) of completing the grant agreement and should align with the timeframe indicated in your application.

The final report and financial acquittal is due one month after the completion date.

All project variations such as timing and project outcomes must be formally approved by Green Adelaide in writing.

Will my project be funded if it is to be completed over multiple years?

Projects need to be completed within four years (nominally 30 April 2029) of completing the grant agreement and should align with the timeframe indicated in your application.

This extended timeframe will allow for establishment and maintenance of vegetation during the grant period.

All project variations such as timing and project outcomes must be formally approved by Green Adelaide in writing.

What supporting information should I include in my application?

Please include evidence on which the project is based and which support each of the outcomes claimed. Please refer to the Application Guidelines for more information on the types of supporting documentation to include.

Is there further guidance available on water-sensitive urban design and biodiversity-sensitive urban design?

Information and guidance on WSUD concept can be found at: https://cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/environment/docs/water-sensitive-urban-design-policy-gen.pdf

Further background and guidance can be found at Water Sensitive SA which can be accessed at https://www.watersensitivesa.com/

Information and guidance on BSUD concept can be found at: https://ggarrardresearch.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/bsud-final_reduced-size2.pdf

Further background and guidance can be found in Professor Sarah Bekessy’s presentation in the webinar ‘Nature-based Opportunities for Resilient Cities’ run by the Threatened Species Recovery Hub which can be accessed at: https://youtu.be/iZLlrUOEnIU

Is there a specific or preferred vegetation species list for plantings?

No, however projects that incorporate a suitable diversity of local native species will be favoured. We recommend that you speak to your council’s biodiversity officers or relevant experts for advice on species selection and habitat for wildlife and cross-reference with arborists regarding purpose, such as shade and root depth. Please provide any supporting information for your species choices, in particular in relation to biodiversity-sensitive urban design.

You are encouraged to also use tools such as:

Nature Maps to search for native plant species in your area NatureMaps (https://data.environment.sa.gov.au/NatureMaps/pages/default.aspx). Non-endemic native species may be justifiable based on amenity, height and size considerations in some settings.
Plants of Green Adelaide to select endemic species for greater biodiversity outcomes (http://www.syzygium.xyz/saplants/index_GA.html). Note that this site also provides information on regionally rare species whose inclusion in projects may facilitate elevated conservation outcomes.

When biodiversity isn’t the main driver, you may also consider the use of these tools to assist with species selection, however they are less likely to address BSUD objectives within the grant round.

Botanic Gardens of South Australia’s tool Plant Selector+ (http://plantselector.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au/home.aspx)
i-Tree Species Selector (https://species.itreetools.org/selector/)

Can you provide some more information on the type of projects we should be seeking funding for?

Further guidance on Water-sensitive Urban Design

Information and guidance on WSUD concept can be found at: https://cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/environment/docs/water-sensitive-urban-design-policy-gen.pdf

Further background and guidance can be found at Water Sensitive SA which can be accessed at https://www.watersensitivesa.com/

For more biodiverse plantings in raingardens see Raingarden-Plant-Fact-Sheet-v5_FINAL-Dec16.pdf (watersensitivesa.com) and for a built example: Water Sensitive SADover Square raingarden, South Brighton - Water Sensitive SA

Further guidance on Biodiversity-Sensitive Urban Design

A background Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design evidence base including Adelaide based case studies:

Blueprint_for_a_Nature-Positive_Adelaide_RMIT.pdf (environment.sa.gov.au)

A brief outline and intro to BSUD:

Biodiversity sensitive urban design: The future of cities (nespthreatenedspecies.edu.au)

For further information, link to the RMIT ICON Science BSUD pages:

Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design - ICON Science (icon-science.org)