Over two thirds of the Outback of South Australia is administered by the SA Pastoral Board, under the SA Pastoral Land Management & Conservation Act of 1989.  In September 2020, the SA Govt produced a draft Pastoral Bill 2020 to replace the 1989 Act. 

We support the review of the outdated Pastoral Land Management and Conservation Act 1989 & encourage the implementation of modern land management & conservation practices through the development of a new Pastoral Bill including but not limited to:

Reviewing stocking limits on pastoral leases & determining if this is the best practice for land conservation

Having a board composed of the most appropriate people to ensure the sustainable economic growth of the Pastoral Regions ie. skills based appointments.

Increasing the number of pastoralists on the board from two to four, and for the Chair to be a pastoralist (automatic majority of the seven-member Board)

Increasing the lease tenure from 42 to 100 years to ensure that Pastoralists can take full advantage of carbon farming agreements.

Ensuring that the monitoring and inspection of the Pastoral lands is based on current science and is carried out in a fair, transparent and timely manner.

Funding the work of the Pastoral Unit properly so that the Pastoral Lands can be managed appropriately.

We call upon the SA Government to:

Work with the pastoral community, industry groups and recognised conservation organisations to develop a Pastoral Bill that is fit for purpose.