New plan set direction for Eyre Peninsula’s landscapes

The Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board’s updated Regional Landscape Plan has been approved for implementation, guiding its direction for sustainable management across the region.

The Eyre Peninsula Regional Landscape Plan, 2026-2031 – to come into effect on 1 July – sets the Board’s strategic direction for the next five years, with five priorities at the centre of the plan focusing on water, primary production, land and coastal biodiversity, pest plants and animals, and collaboration and partnerships.

Acting General Manager Seb Drewer says the plan provides a framework to manage Eyre Peninsula’s natural resources, balancing environmental protection, community values and economic productivity in a changing climate – in line with requirements of the Landscape South Australia Act 2019.

“This plan places us in a strong position to respond to current challenges and future pressures, while continuing to work in partnership with the community to care for Eyre Peninsula’s landscapes,” Mr Drewer says.

“At the same time, we have the Eyre Peninsula Water Allocation Plan also being implemented on 1 July which plays an important role in sustainable management of water resources.

“Both plans have been informed by extensive consultation with community, industry, Aboriginal organisations and stakeholders, ensuring they reflect local knowledge, values and priorities – and we thank everyone who had their say during this process last year.

“An emerging theme in our Regional Landscape Plan consultation was the importance of healthy coasts, leading to a strengthened focus on land and coastal biodiversity, alongside a clear expectation that climate adaptation and emissions reduction should be embedded across all areas of work.”

The updated Regional Landscape Plan outlines five priorities for the next five years:

• Water: focusing on sustainable, climate responsive management of watercourses, wetlands and groundwater to improve condition and support productive uses
• Primary production: focusing on protecting and maintaining soil health and land condition to enable productive, adaptive and sustainable primary production
• Land and coastal biodiversity: focusing on protecting and enhancing land and coastal ecosystems to recover threatened species and build ecosystem resilience
• Pest plants and animals: focusing on reducing the impacts of pest plants and animals on biodiversity and primary production, and preventing new invasive species from establishing
• Collaboration and partnerships: focusing on working with the community, stakeholders and partners, to deliver programs and empower communities to sustainably manage natural resources.

“These priorities recognise the interconnected nature of Eyre Peninsula’s landscapes, from coasts and wetlands to farming land and bushland - and their importance to biodiversity, culture, communities and the regional economy,” Mr Drewer says. 

“By working together with landholders, water users and the community, we can ensure a healthy, productive and resilient Eyre Peninsula into the future.”

Recruitment to join the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board as a Board member, from early 2027, is also getting underway in July.