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MacLoran Farm

Draft Pastoral Lands Bill now out for public consultation

Livestock SA has welcomed the release of the draft Pastoral Lands Bill by the State Government, which is now open for a six-week public consultation.

The review of the Pastoral Land Management and Conservation Act 1989 began last year after the State Government committed to modernising the framework.

The feedback provided during the public consultation period will inform the final Pastoral Lands Bill to be approved by Parliament.

Livestock SA President Joe Keynes said the release of the draft Bill has been long-awaited.

“The draft Bill proposes a contemporary and flexible legislative framework which will support the continued economic growth of the state’s pastoral industry,” he said.

“It allows for greater flexibility, opening more opportunities for alternative land-use, and enables pastoral businesses to diversify income and better manage risk.

“The Bill will also ensure the sustainable management of the rangelands for future generations.”

South Australia’s pastoral rangelands covers more than 40 per cent of the state and includes 323 individual pastoral leases.

Pastoralism remains the primary focus and use of the rangelands under the proposed legislation, which aims to support the economic growth and development of the pastoral industry.

“The pastoral rangelands is a critical economic contributor to the state’s red meat and wool sector and is vitally important to regional employment and tourism,” Mr Keynes said.

“The legislation continues to acknowledge the importance of the region to Aboriginal culture and communities.”

The key changes to the proposed Pastoral Lands Bill include:

  • Extending lease lengths from 42 years up to 100 years to allow for long-term investment decisions
  • More frequent assessments required every 10 years, using the latest technology
  • Assessing the capacity of land for its ability to support the natural ecology and biodiversity of the land without intervention
  • Public access routes to be more clearly geographically defined

Webinars and regional meetings will be held during the consultation period to further explain the draft Bill and the key proposed changes.

Those seeking to provide feedback on the draft legislation are invited to comment through:

  • YourSAy website: yoursay.sa.gov.au/pastoral-act-review
  • Post: Pastoral Act Review Team, Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA, GPO Box 1671, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001.
  • Email: PIRSA.PastoralActReview@sa.gov.au

Information regarding the meeting dates will be made available on the Livestock SA website.

For more information regarding the development of the new Pastoral lands Act visit www.pir.sa.gov.au/pastoral-act-review.

Published: 7 September 2020