Encore activation program

Encore summer 24-25 206.jpg

Encore presents a series of activations throughout the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast region to get people out and about enjoying our spectacular coastal scenery and historic townships.

The aim is to attract people to our region by bringing mainstreets and tourism precincts to life, creating vibrant and dynamic experiences that celebrate our city’s diverse offerings and culture, whilst stimulating economic benefits.

What are the benefits of activations?

Activations spark local innovation, boost visitation and spending, support multiple industries, and foster community pride, celebrating the unique identity of each place while driving year-round economic growth.

Activation calendar

Check out the calendar of Encore Summer Activations here.

Opportunities to get involved

There are a range of ways for businesses, creatives, and associations to get involved in the ENCORE Activation Program, from seasonal EOIs to targeted grant opportunities and year-round proposals.

Summer Expressions of Interest

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) open annually for the summer season, inviting commercial businesses and incorporated associations to propose new and innovative activation ideas. From vibrant coastal pop-ups to adventure experiences, we welcome concepts that bring people together and highlight the diverse offerings of our region.

  • EOI typically open in June/July each year
  • Available sites will be outlined and can include waterfront, parks, town centres and more
  • Current Status: Applications for Summer 2025/26 are now closed.

Precinct Activation Grant - NOW OPEN

The Precinct Activation Grant supports collaborations between local businesses, associations, and creatives for activations planned between 1 April and 30 September 2026 on private land. Grants of $1,500 to $10,000 are available to fund:

  • Night-time economy or seasonal activations
  • Activations that revitalise mainstreets, precincts, and underutilised spaces
  • New concepts or expanded offerings through business collaboration.

For more information on grant funding visit here.

Other opportunities

Do you have an idea outside of our scheduled grant and EOI rounds? You can submit proposals to the ENCORE Activation Program year-round. All proposals will be assessed based on:

  • Site and activity suitability
  • Alignment with ENCORE objectives and criteria.

Suitable proposals will proceed to a tailored engagement process conducted by council.

Submit an application

Support from council

We’re committed to helping make activations successful and sustainable. Through ENCORE, council offers a range of support services and resources, including:

  • Fee waivers for relevant permits/licences (over a three-year support period)
  • Funding for private land activations
  • Detailed activation site information e.g. site size, access, utilities, amenities, etc
  • Operational support (subject to availability and assessment)
  • Inclusion in council marketing campaigns
  • Guidance on approvals, lead times and stakeholder communication
  • Competitive activation fees, tailored to the season and type of activation.

Further information

Eulonda Bolger
Economic Growth and Activation Officer
eulonda.bolger@onkaparinga.sa.gov.au
08 8384 0643

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