CENTRAL HILLS NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT GROUP

In reply to the Hon. J.A. DARLEY (22 November 2011) (First Session).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers): The Minister for Sustainability, Environment has been advised:

1. Three-year property management plans are developed by Natural Resource Management (NRM) Board staff in collaboration with landholders. Landholders are not charged any fees or charges for this service.

2. Property management plans are provided to a range of different landholders across the region including hobby farms and viable farming units (including both food and animal production).

3. In most cases, landowners approach the NRM Board for property management plans to be developed. Occasionally, NRM Board staff may approach landowners and offer assistance in the development of property management plans for landowners who represent a particular priority from a land management, water quality, or habitat protection perspective.

4. The 16 kilometres of watercourse fencing was not contiguous, but achieved collectively over many different landholdings.

Watercourses may be fenced off for a variety of reasons including;

the establishment of land class fencing practises and improved paddock design;

the protection of riparian vegetation from livestock;

the protection of revegetation activities from livestock;

to allow recovery of watercourse bed and bank stability after erosion; and

the improvement of water quality through managing stock access to watercourses.

The cost of this fencing to the NRM Board was approximately $70,000. Landowners provided in-kind cash and labour contributions to the value of approximately $120,000, making the total combined fencing investment approximately $190,000.

5. Face-to-face advice and community engagement are important areas of the NRM Board's business. Field staff invest considerable time providing advice on pest animal and plant control, remnant vegetation protection, watercourse management, and sustainable agriculture practices. This is a service that is provided to landholders free of charge.

Advice provided by the NRM Board leads to many landholders improving their land management practices, establishing property management plans, undertaking action to control declared pest species, protect remnant vegetation, protect watercourses, or implement more sustainable farming practices.

The on-ground outputs quoted in the Adelaide Hills Courier on 5 October 2011 are all a direct result of face-to-face advice provided to landholders, coupled with support and assistance they receive through the NRM Board's incentive program.

6. No, these services are provided as part of the NRM Board's commitment to supporting landholders in the region to better manage the regions natural resources, as outlined in the objects of the Natural Resources Management Act 2004.

7. Property management plans outline agreed work and investment plans between the NRM Board and private landholders for three year periods.

The on-ground outputs reported in the Adelaide Hills Courier on 5 October 2011 were achieved in the 2010-11 financial year.