Landscape and water levies
Why do we have levies?
We all benefit from clean air, good quality water, healthy soils and vibrant natural and productive landscapes. These natural resources sustain our quality of life and maintaining them takes ongoing investment. The landscape levy is one way we all contribute to keeping our region strong, productive, and sustainable – now and for future generations.
What are the levies?
There are 2 types of levies that support landscape management in our region:
- The landscape levy – based on rateable property capital value, collected via council rates.
- The water levy – based on water licence and water allocation.
What are the levies used for?
The levies fund projects and services that protect and improve the region’s landscapes. This includes working with primary producers to achieve sustainable production and supporting efforts to protect and restore the environment.
Your levies support:
- Sustainable farming practices and landholder advice
- Management of pest plants and animals
- Managing water resources for the benefits of multiple users in a changing climate
- Conservation of native biodiversity and habitats
- Grassroots grants and volunteer support
- Building people’s knowledge and skills to manage our landscapes
- Planning and evaluation for long-term landscape health and resilience.
Want to know more? See the list of projects in our Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board Business Plan 2025-26
Why is there a difference in landscape levy rates between regions?
Each region has different landscapes, challenges and community needs, that’s why every landscape board – made up of local people – sets its own levy rates based on what works best for their area.
The Landscape South Australia Act 2019provides different options for raising the levies.
In the Murraylands and Riverland region, we’ve chosen:
- A capital value-based landscape levy
- A water levy based on allocation
Why doesn’t a flat rate apply across the Murraylands and Riverland region?
Charging everyone the same amount would mean landholders with large properties pay the same as those with a small urban block. We believe a capital-value based levy is a fairer and more balanced approach. Those who live in townships also contribute to the levy which goes towards the management of the landscapes that sustain their quality of life.
Why is the levy collected by councils?
Utilising council rates notices is the most efficient and cost-effective way of collecting the levy. This enables more money to be invested into important priorities across the region and back into our communities. Councils are reimbursed for the cost of collecting the landscape levy on behalf of the landscape boards.
How are the levies helping me?
Even if there isn’t a project happening on your doorstep, the levies are working across the region to support:
- Local volunteers and community groups
- School education programs
- Weed and pest control
- Sustainable agriculture
- Environmental restoration
- Water resource planning to share water fairly
- Grassroots Grants
The levies are invested in local communities to take on the responsibility for looking after their environment and protecting natural resources. You are likely to know someone who’s benefiting from the levy investment, even if there is no direct investment on your property.
Levies also help fund jobs – many of our staff live and work in the region and we engage local contractors and suppliers when possible. This means your investment supports local people, services, and businesses.
Who decides how the money is spent?
The Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board is made up of local community members, including landholders, with a range of business backgrounds and expertise.
Board members:
- Pay the levies themselves
- Set priorities for the region
- Decide where the funding should go
- Engage with the community to guide decisions
More information
Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board
Unit 5-6, Level 1 Sturt Centre, 2 Sturt Reserve Road, Murray Bridge SA 5253
08 8532 9100