Outback Communities Authority

25/06/2026

Meet the newest member of the OCA team…. our new garbage truck! 🚚🎉

The new truck features updated collection equipment that will help us provide a safer, more efficient and more reliable kerbside waste collection service for Leigh Creek, Copley and Beltana.

And - we need your help! What should we name our new truck? Share your suggestions in the comments and we'll choose our favourite.

As we introduce the new truck, we'd also like to remind residents of a few important waste collection requirements:

• Only authorised red-lidded bins displaying a current OCA sticker will be emptied.
• Please leave at least one metre between bins and other obstacles such as vehicles, fences and poles to allow the truck's grabber arms to operate safely.
• Place bins out the night before collection day and ensure the lid can close completely.

The new truck has wider grabber arms than our previous vehicle, so correct bin placement is more important than ever to help prevent missed collections and spillages.

Thank you for helping us keep our communities clean and tidy. We look forward to seeing your truck name suggestions!

25/06/2026

We are excited to announce a new funding opportunity available through a partnership with PIRSA and the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.

In the Outback SA region, residents, businesses and organisations in communities without access to potable or reticulated water supply, can apply for funding to improve water capture and storage.

Applications open 1 July 2026 and the program will remain open until 31 August 2026, or until all available funding has been allocated, whichever occurs first.

Visit our website to learn more about the program and read the funding guidelines:

https://www.outbacksa.sa.gov.au/sponsorship-and-grants/water-infrastructure

22/06/2026

The Na Djinang circus Outback SA tour continues with shows in Coober Pedy and Andamooka coming up this week, more details on our website.

21/06/2026

Would you like to work for the census team in your area?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics are actively recruiting local people in outback towns like Andamooka, Marla, Yunta, Pimba and Leigh Creek, to help residents fill out their census forms in August.

There are Field Officer roles still available, as well as roles in Remote Area Management. Visit http://census.abs.gov.au/jobs to learn more.

18/06/2026

The Na Djinang circus tour of Outback SA is underway, we had a chance to check out their performance in Copley this week, here are a few photos from the show.

It is an incredibly energetic show - and they still have a few performances left so make sure you check it out! Details of upcoming performances are below:

>> Oodnadatta: Oodnadatta Aboriginal School, Saturday 20 June, 6pm (NOTE: weather and roads permitting. Currently, the roads in and out of Oodnadatta are closed because of the rain, but if the roads open in the next two days, the show will go on!)

>> Coober Pedy: Umoona Stadium , Tuesday 23 June, 6pm

>> Andamooka: Andamooka Community Hall, Friday 26 June, 6pm

More details on our website: https://www.outbacksa.sa.gov.au/event-detail?recordId=MC2I7GRCEUFZCXDJ65FT7L263PEY

Na Djinang Circus Arty Andamooka

09/06/2026

Have you seen this dog in the Montecollina Bore area?

He is a chocolate merle border collie named Tone, and he is deaf. He was last seen at Montecollina Bore rest area on the Strzelecki Track. He has a collar on.

If you see this dog please contact the OCA office and we will coordinate with the owner. Contact us at [email protected] or (08) 7133 3500.

05/06/2026

If you or your community are interested in involvement in the A Brush With Art festival, registrations are due soon, check it out!

🎨 **Registrations are now open for Flinders Ranges – A Brush with Art 2026!**

Artists, galleries, venues, towns, workshops, creative businesses and community groups are invited to be part of one of South Australia’s most loved regional arts events.

In 2026, ABWA will run from **Saturday 5 September to Sunday 11 October**, bringing together art, landscapes, towns, tourism experiences and country hospitality across the Flinders and Southern Flinders Ranges.

This year, we’re taking a staged approach to building ABWA 2026. You may notice a new look and feel for the ABWA website this year.

**Phase 1 is now open — Registrations.** This is where we gather the details we need from artists, galleries, venues, workshops, towns and businesses so we can begin shaping the 2026 program and preparing content for Phase 2 on the new-look ABWA website.

**Phase 2 will focus on creating a more searchable, user-friendly visitor experience** — one that makes it easier for people to explore towns, exhibitions, artists, workshops, businesses and regional experiences across the trail.

📍 **Important:** To be included in the **printed ABWA 2026 Trail Map**, we need your **Registration and Event Details submitted by 14 June 2026**.

Registrations received after 14 June are still very welcome and will continue to be promoted through the **ABWA website and social media channels**, but may not be included in the printed Trail Map.

Whether you are an artist, gallery, workshop presenter, business, town representative or venue wanting to be part of the trail, now is the time to register and help us shape ABWA 2026.

👉 Registrations are now open via the [ABWA website.](https://abrushwithart.com.au/2026-event-registration/)

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with artists, galleries, businesses or community groups who may be interested.

01/06/2026

We are excited to announce the launch of the Flinders Ranges Heritage Trail - a new heritage tourism initiative that celebrates the remarkable natural and human histories of the Northern Flinders Ranges.

The trail is divided into four routes that progressively take you deeper into the Flinders Ranges and into the deep-time histories of the area.

With walks and guided tours along the way, and visits to National Parks, significant Adnyamathanha sites and some fascinating colonial ruins, the Flinders Ranges Heritage Trail has something for everyone.

The Heritage Trail is available as a brochure in Visitor Centres in the region, and also as a print-at-home version on our website:

https://www.outbacksa.sa.gov.au/resources/flinders-ranges-heritage-trail

South Australian Tourism Commission Flinders Ranges and Outback Heritage South Australia

01/06/2026

We are pleased to announce that the successful applications for Small Projects funding have been published on our website.

Under Round 2 of the 2025-26 funding program, this funding is going to communities for a wide range of important infrastructure upgrades and improvements. Congratulations to the successful applicants!

Check the news story on our website for more:

https://www.outbacksa.sa.gov.au/news-and-publications/news-details?recordId=MCTIEXLBO3KJFQ5IOG3ITCF2TWKU

01/06/2026

People interested in the Northern Water desalination and pipeline scheme can attend consultations outlined in the message below.

We acknowledge that Northern Water is being delivered on the traditional lands of the Barngarla and Kokatha peoples and recognise their continuing connection to land and waters. We pay our respects to the diversity of cultures, significance of contributions and to Elders past, present and emerging.