The grants have been designed to support travel to and from remote parks and DEW encourages transport practices, such as carpooling, to reduce environmental impact.

To further support the substantial work undertaken by volunteer groups across South Australia's national park reserves and other important conservation-based initiatives, the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water has approved the Friends of Parks and Nature - Fuel Subsidy Grant Program.

For travel over 300 km in private vehicles, the Friends of Parks and Nature - Fuel Subsidy Grant Program offers grant funding of up to $2,000 per group. A total of up to $30,000 in funding will be available in 2025 for Department for Environment and Water (DEW) endorsed trips. Groups may apply for one grant from this round.

This subsidy is for on park volunteer activities (including travel to/from) according to the following guidelines:

• total distance of activity must be greater than 300km;
• a subsidy rate of 35c per km is applicable, with maximum caps of $300 per vehicle per year;
• groups can apply for up to $2000 in fuel subsidies per year, either through a single grant application or by distribution across multiple or different grant programs throughout the year. Calculation of total km's travelled will commence from the volunteer's normal home residence (if in South Australia) to the site by the shortest route. For interstate volunteers, calculation of the total distance travelled will commence from the Adelaide GPO to the site;
• where applications exceed $30,000, individual grant amounts may be reduced to ensure an even distribution of funds among the most applicant groups.

To be considered for funding, groups;

• must be undertaking approved activities under the DEW Volunteer Safety Procedure (VSP)
• must be incorporated, or otherwise Sponsored by an incorporated organisation such as local government, a Landscape Board, a Local Action Planning group, Friends of Parks and Nature Inc., etc. This sponsor relationship must be supported in writing and attached to the application.
• must not have outstanding grant acquittals longer than six months past their grant agreement deadline, unless prior approval has been obtained.

• Phone: 0439 870 378
• Email: DEWVolunteers@sa.gov.au