Back-to-basics regional landscape management

MEDIA RELEASE

South Australia’s natural resources management now has a back-to-basics approach giving local communities a far greater voice, with the new Landscape SA legislation commencing today.

The Landscape South Australia Act 2019 today replaces the Natural Resources Management Act 2004, as the exciting new framework to manage the state’s soil, water, pest plants and animals, and biodiversity.

Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said eight regional landscape boards will support local communities to be directly responsible for managing their region’s natural resources.

They will also work alongside another new entity, Green Adelaide, which will be an innovative and expert-based organisation charged with transforming Adelaide into a world-leading, sustainable, green and climate resilient city.

“We made a commitment to deliver a more effective, decentralised, back-to-basics system that gives communities a greater voice in natural resources management – and that’s exactly what we’ve created,” said Minister Speirs.

“The sustainable management of our precious landscapes is the responsibility of everyone, which is why local partnerships and supporting local priorities and solutions is a key part of the Landscape SA initiative.

“After two years of working with the community, we have fulfilled our election promise to put community at the centre of sustainably managing our state’s landscapes, including greater accountability for how levies are spent and being at arm’s length from government.

“We’ve also helped to address the cost of living pressures for households and businesses, by capping overall increases to landscape levies at the regional level by CPI.

“Landscapes SA is about building partnerships, rolling up your sleeves and working together to support our landscapes to thrive – leading to healthy and resilient communities, prosperous businesses and flourishing ecosystems.”

One of the first exciting initiatives to be delivered by the landscape boards and Green Adelaide will be a new $2 million Grassroots Grants program.

From mid-July, local community groups, not-for-profit organisations and volunteers will be able to apply for funding from their regional landscape board to help them sustainably manage their local landscapes.

Funding could be used to either kick start a new project or build upon an existing one. Activities might include weed treatment, pest or disease management, fencing, erosion management, revegetation and community education activities.

For more information on the grassroots grants and a full list of landscape board members, visit www.landscape.sa.gov.au