SA Drought Hub

In reply to the Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) ().15 May 2025).

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): I am advised:

The South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (SA Drought Hub), which is led by the University of Adelaide, provided staffing through both direct employment and contracting arrangements. The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) was contracted by the SA Drought Hub to provide the node coordinator roles.

The node coordinator roles were originally contracted until 30 June 2024 but were extended for 12 months. After external and internal review processes, the SA Drought Hub decided to not further extend the node coordinator roles past the contract end date of 30 June 2025.

Instead, the SA Drought Hub is funding two new regionally based PIRSA positions to support the interface between PIRSA and the SA Drought Hub activities.

To ensure support throughout the drought cycle, PIRSA is also employing an additional three regionally based staff members to provide a more holistic approach to drought management through a dedicated 'drought support team'.