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Councils to share in new funding to tackle ongoing algal bloom impacts

20 August 2025
Earlier today Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Peter Malinauskas announced a new round of funding to help deal with the devastating and ongoing impacts of the state's harmful algal bloom outbreak, which continues to devastate coastal environments, marine life, industry, businesses and communities.

The immediate measures include:

  • $4 million in direct funding to local government for grants to assist local communities who are dealing with challenges related to the algal bloom
  • $2.25 million in targeted scientific research support
  • $2 million to enhance the monitoring and data collection of marine heatwaves, through the CSIRO's water quality system, AquaWatch
  • $250,000 for algal bloom related research informed by the South Australian Algal Science Panel through the National Environmental Science Program.

LGA is seeking further details on how councils can access the $4 million in funding.

A new stream of funding was also announced for significant ecological events with a program for longer-term support for slow on-set events, such as algal bloom.

A partnership with Agilex Biolabs will also develop methodology to allow the testing for brevetoxins in oysters and other shellfish in South Australia.

Today's announcement is in addition to the $28 million algal bloom support package jointly funded by the state and federal governments, which includes the previously announced $1 million for councils for beach clean-up funding.

Find out more

For a full list of grants and support available, visit Algal bloom - Government of South Australia.