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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-11-29 Daily Xml
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Pastoralists Stewardship Program

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:07): My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. Will the minister inform the chamber about how the government is supporting South Australia's regions through the Pastoralists Stewardship Program?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (15:08): At a recent meeting of the country cabinet in Whyalla, Coober Pedy and Roxby Downs, ministers had a fantastic opportunity to speak and engage with local residents in areas that are very important to those people. Having cabinet meetings in the regions forms an important part of the government's focus on fostering an open and collaborative approach to public policy and fighting for the interests of all South Australians.

We know that the best decisions are made when the community which is affected by it has a real say in the outcome. This is especially true in terms of our regions, where decisions by government can have a very big and real impact on towns and communities. Take, for example, our significant investment in renewable energy, which has seen $7.1 billion worth of investment in South Australia, of which 40 per cent, I am advised, occurs in our regions.

The highlight of my time in Coober Pedy, Whyalla and Roxby Downs—in fact I went to Coober Pedy, not Roxby Downs this time—was being able to announce that the South Australian outback will soon accommodate two new conservation areas on pastoral properties. This initiative is thanks to a novel stewardship incentive program trialled in the region in 2014. The initial expression of interest for that trial saw significant interest from pastoral leaseholders running beef and sheep enterprises across the SA arid lands region.

Areas were then assessed according to their biodiversity conservation values and the uniqueness of their land type, before being shortlisted. Infrastructure water requirements, grazing history and ongoing management needs were also taken into consideration.

This Australia-first trial selected pastoralists in the Wirraminna and Billa Kalina stations and gave them an opportunity to conserve and preserve important habitat areas on their properties in return for a stewardship payment. The Billa Kalina Station near Roxby Downs covers a unique shrub land that is not conserved in any parks or reserves across Australia, I am advised, and the Wirraminna Station's stewardship area will conserve an area of quite rare land types, consisting of low sandhills covered with intact western myall, quandong and mulga trees.

The trial demonstrated what we already know: those living in South Australia's rural and regional areas are some of our most dedicated conservationists. Many farmers, irrigators and local residents devote considerable time and resources to conservation projects in and around their communities and, with a little bit of government support, these efforts can be significantly expanded.

I am advised that the areas total 194 square kilometres, and provide long-term protection for significant plants, animals and their habitat. It will provide further conservation refuges to protect high conservation value landscapes, and support adaptation in the face of a changing outback climate and environment. There are also significant economic opportunities for those involved.

Pastoralists will be able to diversify their income sources, with a steady stream of income enabling them to focus on conservation. This could, in turn, provide some new opportunities for local residents, including younger South Australians, to develop their passion for conservation work right around the state whilst also gaining meaningful employment. A quote from one of the pastoralists involved, Mr Colin Greenfield, the lessee of the Billa Kalina Station, really encapsulates the worth of this program. He said:

We have always believed good pastoral management is about looking after the land to benefit stock production and the country; however, this program was the first to provide a reasonable financial incentive for us to take an extra step in dedicating this unique land type as an actual area for conservation.

Importantly for the pastoralists, we have made sure that the agreements are fixed to the property's lease for the remaining term of their current lease. This gives leaseholders the certainty they need to invest in their conservation projects without having to worry about ongoing resourcing.

Whether it is investment in our renewable energy sector, opening up regional dams—where suitable—for recreational fishing, or backing the conservation stewardship program, I can say that this government has always been there to support our regions. With our economy in transition from the traditional bases of manufacturing and mining, it is more important than ever that we back new and innovative ideas in regional South Australia.

We look forward to running a second, extended round of the program in the near future. It is fantastic to see such a great program that not only backs our pastoralists but gives us great environmental outcomes as well. I want to put on the record my thanks to Natural Resources SA Arid Lands and the Native Vegetation Council for their great work in making this program happen, in conjunction with our great pastoralists in South Australia.

Whilst I am on my feet, and as requested of me by the Hon. Tammy Franks, I seek leave to table the letter written to the Hon. Barnaby Joyce dated 9 November 2016.

Leave granted.

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