New Pastoral Board members appointed
Experienced pastoralists and leading ecologists are among four new appointees to South Australia’s Pastoral Board.
The Pastoral Board ensures that rangelands are managed sustainably, and its members have extensive knowledge in environmental, administrative and economic issues faced.
The Board consists of six members who each have a deputy; collectively, the Board is responsible to the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water for the administration of the Pastoral Land Management and Conservation Act 1989 in collaboration with the Department for Environment and Water’s Pastoral Unit.
New appointees include Sharon Oldfield (member), Dr Lauren Young (member), Zeta Bull (deputy member) and Michael Clinch (deputy member).
Lisa Edwards, a former full member, is now a deputy member. Roger Wickes PSM has been reappointed as the Presiding Officer.
The Board oversees the use and management of pastoral land for diverse purposes including pastoralism, conservation and tourism with members drawing on their expertise to provide advice on matters like management of public access.
A focus for the new Board will be developing its next Strategic Plan (2026-28) in consultation with stakeholders.
South Australia has 321 pastoral leases covering more than 40 per cent of the state.
Mr Wickes welcomed the new Board members.
"Sharon, from Cowarie Station, has a wealth of experience as a pastoralist and in land care, and Lauren is currently heading up Arid Recovery at Roxby Downs and is skilled in conservation," Mr Wickes said.
"Over the past three years, the Pastoral Board of South Australia has made excellent gains in collaboration with the staff of the Department for Environment and Water’s Pastoral Unit.
"Our work has put the 14-year lease assessment process back on track and new guidelines for pastoralists are making it easier for them to understand and negotiate the regulatory framework they operate in.
"We have met with pastoralists, both in the pastoral country and in Adelaide, to better understand the issues that are concerning them.
"We look forward to continuing the good working relationships with Livestock SA, the Arid Lands Landscape Board, conservation organisations, the Dog Fence Board, and relevant government agencies."
The Board meets six times per year and publishes a newsletter following each meeting, providing stakeholders with an overview of the session as well as articles, information, and events.
Sign up for the newsletter environment.sa.gov.au/about-us/boards-and-committees/pastoral-board.
