Landscape South Australia Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading (resumed on motion).

Mr ELLIS (Narungga) (15:46): It is a pleasure to resume my remarks about the Landscape South Australia Bill and the practical environmental outcomes that this government hopes to achieve, practical outcomes—more doing and less talking about doing.

Just by way of a recap, perhaps to get myself back into the swing of things, this new act will constitute eight new regional landscape boards plus Green Adelaide, the metropolitan body. Each board will be elected with three members from the local community being democratically elected and four members appointed by the minister.

The board will be decentralised, putting the decision-making authority in the hands of the local community, the land and water levies will be capped by CPI, and boards will be responsible for setting and managing their own annual budgets and expenditure. The act importantly will take away the requirements for extensive bureaucratic business plan development and focus on outcomes for our natural resources.

It is clear that the natural resources management system, established by the state Labor government in 2004, has lost the confidence of the South Australian public, particularly our regional communities. A gradual centralisation of staffing, resources and decision-making has eroded the public confidence in the way NRM works. Goodwill, which is essential when cooperation between multiple parties is required, has drained away. While that has happened, NRM levies have risen dramatically as well.

While it is noted that eight NRM regions that were created back in 2004 started with the best intentions, it appears they have become entangled with red tape and centralised bureaucracy, alienating the on-ground local Landcare groups, who can see what soil protections and pest controls are needed but were so far removed from the hierarchy management that their voice was mute and their skill sets ignored.

The Landscape South Australia Bill takes away the requirements for extensive bureaucratic business plan development and focus on outcomes for our natural environment. The bill also recognises the need for emphasis on partnerships with local service providers, local councils and Aboriginal organisations. It also addresses what the people and communities we serve are telling us: that improvements must be implemented regarding the NRM structure, how we fund programs, how land and water levies should be calculated and where the levy money should be spent.

I particularly welcome the $2 million grassroots grants program attached to this bill that supports community groups to undertake local projects, which will do much to improve and build relationships with all the people and organisations who care for soils, flora and fauna as well as natural resources. Each region will have a grassroots grants program available to volunteers and not-for-profit organisations that play a significant role in managing natural resources by contributing time and energy carrying out on-ground works. It is an annual fund, which is in addition to existing NRM grants programs, and will be administered at a board level for volunteer, community and not-for-profit groups to access.

Regional administrations reflect the underlying reform principle of the need for decentralisation and will provide an important mechanism for boards to build relationships with local volunteer community groups. Regarding the new statewide landscape priorities fund that will enable investment in large-scale integrated landscape restoration projects, I stress that it will be a separate statutory fund, with a requirement for proper accounts that will be subject to an annual audit by the Auditor-General. Investment from the fund will be guided by high-level principles set out in the State Landscape Strategy. A percentage of Green Adelaide's land and water levies is also to be dedicated to the fund at a percentage to be determined by the minister. Finally, projects will be delivered through partnerships between the boards and others, including locally based organisations, groups and individuals.

Another key benefit of the new act that I wish to highlight as a regional MP is the potential for improvements in the primary production sector. The Landscape SA Bill reduces costs to businesses and householders with the CPI cap on land and water levies. It legislates the principle that boards will work collaboratively with primary producers and local communities to deliver real outcomes. An example is the clause which provides for the minister, boards and other decision-makers to be required to be informed by local knowledge and expertise, together with the best available science, in planning and making other decisions.

The bill also specifically requires regional landscape boards to consider the local situation, conditions and other factors before requiring landholders to prepare and implement an action plan to address land degradation issues on their property. It also provides greater ability to take swift action against neighbouring landholders who are failing to control pest plants and animals on their properties. These are all important components.

In closing, I believe that people are more accepting of paying for things if they know where the money is going, that it is being spent in their region and that outcomes will actually be delivered. I also believe that constituents appreciate the emphasis that the Marshall Liberal government is placing on relieving cost-of-living pressures for households, and the capping of the annual land and water levy rises at a rate to be set by an independent body is another welcome example of this government's commitment to that promise.

This natural resources reform offers a good whole-of-landscape approach, combining the efforts of many individuals and organisations for more substantial, visible and long-lasting results. It offers a very welcome focus on a back-to-the-basics system to address natural resources management. I commend the bill to the house and congratulate the minister on a sterling effort.