Landscapes Priorities Fund

374 The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) ().28 August 2024). Can the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water advise:

1. As referenced in the recent budget papers (Budget Paper 4, Volume 2) why did the regional landscape boards require 'working capital' in 2023-24 (pg. 158) and why do the boards not require working capital in 2024-25?

2. As referenced in the recent budget papers (Budget Paper 4, Volume 2) can the minister explain the reason for the reduction in cashflows from the Landscapes Priority Fund? Noting the 2023-24 estimate results in $6,994,000 of expenditure. However, in 2024-25, the cash outflows will fall to $5.28 million.

3. Which Landscape Act priorities will be cut or will not commence in 2024-25 as a result of the reduction in cash outflows from the Landscapes Priorities Fund?

4. As referenced in the budget papers in 2024-25, $9,272,000 will be transferred from the Landscapes Administration Fund to the state government. What is the purpose of this funding? Will it be used for natural resources management?

5. How much was distributed in projects into the regions through the Landscape Priorities Fund for 2023-24. What were those projects? How much is forecast for 2024-25?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector): The Minister for Climate, Environment and Water has advised:

1. The working capital mechanism available to landscape boards allows for access of appropriation, if required, from the Landscape Administration Fund in advance of receiving levy funding in September to ensure that fixed costs can be met. If accessed, the appropriation is then repaid in the same financial year into the Department of Treasury and Finance consolidated account once levies are received.

No working capital was required in 2023-24, as noted on page 158 of Budget Paper 4, Volume 2. Provision has been made in the Landscape Administration Fund for working capital to be available in 2024-25 if required.

2. The 2023-24 budget estimates includes funds approved to be carried over from previous financial years.

3. No Landscape Act priorities will be cut in 2024-25. The variation between 2023-24 estimates and 2024-25 budget relates to timing of payments associated with approved grants.

4. This budget reflects repayment of the working capital mechanism by boards, if they have drawn down any of the working capital available as referenced in question 1.

5. The 2023-24 Landscape Priorities Fund Grants Program allocated $4,900,000 to the following 13 landscape board projects:

Alinytjara Wilurara Landscape Board

Healthy Country Community Leadership: Stage 1 Yalata based feral predator control

Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board

Controlling feral herbivores: deer and goat control on Eyre Peninsula

Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board

Building Landscape Resilience with High-Performing Dams

Limestone Coast Landscape Board

Landscape SA Soil Extension Project 2

Kangaroo Island Landscape Board

Connecting Kangaroo Island kids and landscapes through an integrated environmental education program

Healthy Country Planning for Kangaroo Island—A Collaborative Approach

Priority actions to mitigate impacts of weeds on biodiversity on Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island Feral Pig Eradication: Critical Final Control Actions

Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board

Bringing Back a Lost Icon: Re-introducing Murray crayfish into the River Murray

Northern and Yorke Landscape Board

Now or Never—controlling feral deer and goats

South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board

Sustainable Land Management project

Statewide Rangelands Goat Management Strategy Project

Kangaroo Partnership Project—improving landscape and community resilience in South Australia

The approved budget for the Landscape Priorities Fund in 2024-25 is $5.281 million.