Want $50 back on your next coastal meal? Here’s how to claim it

When was the last time a government paid you to enjoy a meal?

South Australians now have that chance, with $50 cashback vouchers available at coastal restaurants hit by a toxic algal bloom.

The initiative aims to support local businesses while giving residents a reason to visit affected beaches and enjoy a meal by the sea.

The scale of the algal bloom

The algal bloom was first spotted in mid-March 2025 near Waitpinga and Parsons beaches on the Fleurieu Peninsula, quickly spreading to cover about a quarter of South Australia’s coastline.

Marine scientists describe the event as the largest environmental disaster in living memory for the state, affecting roughly 400 species of fish, invertebrates and other marine life.

Premier Peter Malinauskas announced a $15 million dining voucher program alongside federal Environment Minister Murray Watt, calling it 'unique' and 'a big investment' to boost coastal communities ahead of summer.

The program allocates 60,000 vouchers each month from November through a public ballot, offering $50 cashback for every $100 spent at eligible eateries in affected areas, exclusively for South Australians.

The bloom’s underlying cause is a marine heatwave that began in September 2024, which raised water temperatures by about 2.5°C and created ideal conditions for the harmful Karenia mikimotoi algae.

The role of climate change

Climate change has amplified the problem, with autumn 2025 air temperatures soaring up to 10 degrees above average, combined with calm seas and nutrient-rich runoff feeding the algae.

Karenia mikimotoi is toxic to marine life, killing fish and invertebrates through gill tissue damage and suffocation from algae-filled gills.

The visual impact is stark—beaches along the Port River, West Lakes, Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Yorke Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula and the Coorong are now discoloured or foamy, deterring visitors and harming local businesses.

The human toll extends beyond marine life.

Port Lincoln Mayor Diana Mislov described fishermen who haven’t seen squid in usual spots since April, forcing them to travel 600 kilometres to the west coast, dramatically increasing fuel costs and cutting income.

Tourism parks, recreational fishing suppliers and coastal hospitality businesses are suffering revenue losses as visitors avoid affected areas, with summer holidays looming.

Government support measures

In July 2025, the state’s Emergency Management Committee approved a $28 million harmful algal bloom support package, with dining vouchers forming one component.

The government is also waiving fees for affected licence holders from April to June 2025, conducting daily inspections at 23 beaches, and providing real-time updates via Surf Life Saving’s BeachSafe app, alongside record beach patrols.

Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt affirmed federal backing, stating the government will continue working closely with South Australia for the duration of the crisis.

The bloom’s movement is unpredictable, influenced by weather and currents, but monitoring systems allow residents and visitors to make informed decisions.

Long-term environmental concerns

Scientists had long predicted that climate change would increase harmful oceanic algal blooms, and South Australia is now witnessing these predictions in real time.

Similar events are occurring across Australia, from southern fish kills to coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo, showing how quickly environmental changes can affect local communities and economies.

The bloom raises long-term concerns about toxic compounds accumulating in seaweed and seagrass, potentially disrupting marine ecosystems for years.

The dining voucher program offers South Australians a chance to support coastal businesses while enjoying subsidised meals, with a monthly ballot giving multiple opportunities to participate.

Bacchus Bar owner Jodi Dimond at Henley Beach described the vouchers as a 'great idea' and expects they will draw people from across the city to coastal areas in need of visitor dollars.

The initiative symbolises more than economic support—it reflects solidarity with communities facing the unpredictable impacts of climate change along Australia’s coastline.

If the idea of getting cashback while enjoying meals caught your attention, there’s another way to make your spending work for you.

Shopping doesn’t have to be just about buying what you need—it can also put money back in your pocket.

We’ve rounded up a guide that shows how to maximise cashback opportunities in everyday purchases, similar to how dining vouchers help stretch your budget.

Read more: Seniors are getting paid to shop! Here's the ultimate guide to cashback shopping

Have you considered using the dining vouchers to support struggling coastal businesses, or witnessed the algal bloom’s impact firsthand?