Recent information received from Hon Clare Scriven MLC, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development regarding the South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub:

The SA Drought Hub is led by the University of Adelaide and is one of eight across Australia. The SA Drought Hub works in close collaboration with the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) and a range of partners to strengthen the drought resilience and preparedness of farms and regional communities in South Australia.

The SA Drought Hub headquarters is located at Roseworthy, with five regional nodes in Minnipa, Port Augusta, Orroroo, Loxton and Struan. There are no changes to the locations of the SA Drought Hub nodes.

PIRSA was contracted by the SA Drought Hub to employ 3.5 full time equivalent (FTE) “Node Coordinator” positions. Following reviews of their stakeholder engagement arrangements, the SA Drought Hub decided to not extend these positions past 30 June 2025. As a result, the contracts for the Node Coordinators ended on 30 June 2025. The SA Drought Hub is now funding 1.6 FTE roles in PIRSA to assist with the interface between PIRSA and the SA Drought Hub.

The State Government understands the value in having regionally based people working directly with producers and regional communities in drought management and resilience. To maintain the level of regional support provided by the Node Coordinator roles, PIRSA is in the process of employing a regional Drought Support Team.

The Drought Support Team will comprise three FTE roles funded through the State Government’s $73 million Drought Support Package, and the two SA Drought Hub positions.

This will represent an increase from 3.5 FTE to 4.6 FTE staff dedicated to providing drought support to farmers in region. All positions will be regionally based.

The Drought Support Team will provide the flexibility for farmers to be supported in drought, through drought recovery and in preparation for drought. For more information about drought assistance visit: pir.sa.gov.au/drought-support.

For more information about the SA Drought Hub, visit: https://sadroughthub.com.au.