Landscape SA will collaborate more than old NRM board did, plan suggests
The new agency has drafted its first strategic plan for the Murraylands and Riverland.
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Collaboration is the key to looking after the Murraylands’ environment, new agency Landscape SA says.
Supporting land owners and community members is a big part of its first strategic plan, a draft of which was published for consultation last week.
It is the first detailed look at Landscape SA Murraylands and Riverland’s priorities since the agency was created last July to replace the old SA Murray-Darling Basin NRM board.
The new agency has the same responsibilities – looking after land and water – but with a focus previously described as “back-to-basics”.
In practice, that will mean:
- Encouraging collaboration against weeds and pests
- Protecting native species and encouraging revegetation
- Partnering with land owners to prevent over-grazing by native animals and livestock
- Looking after watercourses and teaching people about how water is managed
- Managing the risks posed by climate change, extreme weather and bushfires
The agency will also focus on community education over the next five years, running workshops and encouraging people to get involved with local conservation or agricultural groups.
Board chair Dianne Davidson – an agricultural scientist from Langhorne Creek – said conversations with locals had steered Landscape SA towards “on-ground action through partnerships”.
She encouraged everyone to have their say on the draft plan that had resulted.
“The consultation on the Murraylands and Riverland landscape plan provides a great opportunity for our community to help shape the region’s future,” she said.
“We are keen to work in partnership with our regional communities to deliver a healthy and resilient landscape.
“This landscape plan will help us do this.”
- Read the plan: www.landscape.sa.gov.au.
- Have your say: Fill in a survey at www.surveymonkey.com or email mrlandscapes@sa.gov.au before 5pm on April 12.
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