New options for private land conservation

Date Posted: 16 June 2011

Public comment is being sought on proposals to give private landholders greater opportunity to help protect the State’s environment and biodiversity.

A Discussion Paper has been released that proposes more options for establishing protected areas, including national parks on private land, to protect critical biodiversity values.

Greg Leaman, Executive Director, Policy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, says there has been increasing recognition of the value of the State Government working with the owners of private protected areas.

"Protected areas are at the centre of our efforts to conserve South Australia’s unique flora, fauna and ecosystems, with protected areas covering almost 26% of the State, across both public and private land," Mr Leaman said.

"Some of the State’s most valuable natural landscapes are on private land, and many landholders are already making a significant contribution to restoring and conserving such landscapes by establishing and maintaining a Heritage Agreement or Sanctuary.

"Protected areas on private land provide critical support to South Australia’s public reserves system, and both underpin efforts to ensure our natural environment remains healthy and sustainable for future generations.

"But we need to expand the opportunities for private land conservation by ensuring we have the best policy and mechanisms in place to enable landholders to contribute to protecting the environment," he said.

The Discussion Paper raises a number of options – such as national or conservation parks on private land – that will give landholders greater choices if they want to establish a protected area on their land.

"This is all about supporting landholders to manage their own land as a protected area if they wish to, and to ensure the best mechanisms are in place for them to do so," Mr Leaman said.

"It is not about the government taking over private land and turning it into a park.

"The Discussion Paper has been developed through consultation with industry peak bodies and now we would like to hear the views of the public about this idea.

"Once comments have been received we will develop the necessary policy and legislation so that the right conservation management options are available for landholders," he said.

It will be available for comment for four weeks, with submissions closing on Friday, 15 July at 5pm.

For more information please contact Jason Irving, Manager, Public Land Planning Branch on 8124 4707 or jason.irving@sa.gov.au