Media Release
For producers working in primary industries, it’s been a hard, dry time. Businesses in the Barossa, Gawler, Light and Adelaide Plains have faced challenges distinct to the region and are concerned about the forecast of another hot, dry summer.
“Across South Australia, we have seen catastrophic weather conditions affecting regional businesses and the communities they support – particularly the harshness of the recent drought,” said Andrea Michaels, Minister for Small and Family Business. “That’s why we’re offering our support through the Small Business Fundamentals Drought Support funding. “Particularly in regions like the Adelaide Plains and the Barossa, we have seen the devastating economic impacts because of the drought,” Minister Michaels continued. “These have nearly crippled some of our producers, and the businesses who rely on them.”
Developed as part of an initiative of the Government of South Australia’s Office for Small and Family Business and funded through the State Government’s $73 million Drought Support Package, Regional Development Australia Barossa Gawler Light Adelaide Plains (RDA BGLAP) are launching the Business Fundamentals Program to help businesses in the region adjust their operational practices, strategic planning or marketing. Designed to help businesses better navigate uncertain spending and weather patterns, the program is borne from the recognition that the drought hit hard, especially for primary producers, and for businesses reliant on them through supply chains and local spending.
“This program builds on RDA’s established Business-to-Business (B2B) program,” said Mr Rolf Binder, Chair of RDA BGLAP. “By offering targeted and intensive advice to businesses impacted by recent drought conditions in Barossa, Gawler, Light, and Adelaide Plains, we are able to support them to bounce back from the recent drought, and hopefully gird themselves for any other weather challenges that might buffet them in coming years.”
As a former primary producer, Mr Binder, a retired vigneron, understands all too well the challenges that producers in the broader region have faced in recent years. He also knows that sometimes you’re not seeing solutions that could help enormously.
“In my experience, it’s exhausting feeling like you’re doing the ‘right things’ to have your business flourishing and not seeing the return on your hard work. I know I’ve benefited from helpful, timely and specific advice in the past to help me know what, when and how to take the next steps. The Business Fundamentals program is designed to offer just that – and to help our producers and our region to continue to survive and survive well – in any and every weather,” Mr Binder said.
The program will be delivered through two complementary streams. Stream 1 (Business Fundamentals) is a highly intensive, power-packed program which journeys with businesses; Stream 2 (Business Bounceback) is a lighter touch, one-off initial consultation with an expert. The Fundamentals stream is designed to offer hands-on support and accountability enabling businesses to maximise operational performance and plan strategically; Bounceback is for businesses that would benefit from a little ‘spring-clean’ to tidy up business practices for a new season of productivity.
The intakes for the program are planned quarterly from November 2025, October 2026 (subject to adjustment) and will take place throughout the region. For more on the program, visit barossa.org.au/business-fundamentals-program/
October 2025 Download Media Release