Meet our board members
The Murraylands and Riverland landscape board is made up of 9 community members, appointed by the Minister for Environment and Water to provide strategic leadership for the region's landscape management priorities.
The landscape board plays an important role in guiding investment in the region, drawing on landscape and water levies, as well as state and federal funding.
Working at a strategic level, our board members help shape and deliver practical, on-ground programs to manage our region’s water, land, soil, pests and biodiversity. They do this in partnership with local communities, farming groups, environmental organisations, local government, and others who share a commitment to a healthy landscape.
Frances Simes, chair
Frances Simes is a lifelong Riverland resident and is driven by a desire to ensure her community and surrounding landscape can prosper into the future.
She has spent much of her professional life in water policy, licensing and governance, including positions with South Australian Murray Irrigators Inc, the Qualco-Sunlands Groundwater Control Trust and the Department of Environment.
Frances joined the landscape board in 2022 and was appointed chair early 2025.
Frances has served on the South Australian Murray Darling Basin Natural Resource Management Board, the State Natural Resources Management Volunteer Committee, Riverland West Landcare and the Waikerie Ramco Recreation Grounds committee.
She also represented her community when she served as a councillor for the District Council of Loxton Waikerie for 10 years.
Frances’ career highlights include working for the Qualco-Sunlands Groundwater Control Trust and being part of the team to have the Ground Water Qualco-Sunlands Control Act written, as well as being a water licensing team leader managing 11 prescribed water allocation plans across the state (including through the Millenium Drought).
She brings these years of experiences to her Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board position, and hopes that through continued strong strategic planning, good governance, and open advocacy, the adaptable board will have a lasting positive impact on the community and landscape.
Outside of her work with the landscape board, Frances is on the Waikerie Hospital Auxiliary Committee, and a Section 41 Committee to the District Council of Loxton Waikerie, and enjoys spending time in her community, and with her friends and family.
Andrew Biele
Andrew Biele is a self-described jack of all trades with a diverse background spanning motor mechanics, shearing, dryland farming, orange picking, horticulture management, and winemaking.
Currently the Farm and Operations Manager at Bulla Burra – a collaborative farming venture based in Loxton – Andrew brings a wealth of practical experience and formal training, holding an Advanced Diploma of Rural Business Management and a Diploma of Viticultural Management and Oenology.
A born and bred Mallee boy, Andrew understands not only the Mallee issues, but the Mallee person, and takes his responsibility to represent his community seriously.
He was an inaugural member of the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board and previously served on a subcommittee of the Natural Resources Management Board.
Andrew is motivated to take a solutions-focussed approach to improving his region and has enjoyed the learning curve and privilege of representing his community and seeing tangible changes take place.
Outside of work, Andrew is a director on the board of Mallee Sustainable Farming and is passionate about the wellbeing of his community.
He is an active participant and supporter of the Fat Farmers rural health initiative, connecting individuals and communities through exercise and social gatherings.
Andrew enjoys spending time by the river, fishing and camping, and is also a keen pistol shooter, who has been recruited as a national judge for Shooting Australia.
Sam (Samantha) Blight
Sam Blight joined the landscape board early 2025, bringing with her a passion and commitment for sustainability and her community.
Sam has worked as Sustainability Officer for the Coorong District Council for the past 14 years and worked alongside the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board in varying capacities prior to becoming a board member.
She has lived and worked across the district – including the Coorong, Tintinara, Meningie and Berri – where she’s established strong connections with community and local landholders.
A career highlight was Sam’s involvement in post-Millennium Drought work, including the Coorong, Lower Lakes, and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Restoration Project, as well as the Federally funded Biodiversity Program, which focused on sustainable agriculture work, land restoration activities, and pest plant and animal control.
Joining the landscape board was a natural progression for Sam, who aims to be a strong advocate for the community and region and provides an opportunity to continue her work in sustainability at a strategic level.
Sam brings with her a background in biological science and passion for the environment, and is driven to continue advocating for the environment, landscape and the people who depend on it.
Sam feels a deep connection to the Coorong and Lower Lakes region and has been president of the Friends of the Coorong National Park group for about 10 years.
Sam is a keen surfer and, when she’s not working, takes every opportunity to catch a wave on the south coast.
Greg Cock
Greg Cock brings a long commitment to balancing environmental sustainability and productive agricultural systems, with people and communities at the centre of his work.
Since joining the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board in 2021, Greg has shared his decades of expertise in agricultural science, soil and water management, and environmental projects, programs, policy and legislation.
With a strong foundation in agricultural and soil science, Greg has held diverse roles across sustainable development, natural resource management, and community engagement.
He worked for Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) during the early 2000s, where he played a pivotal role in the ‘Decade of Landcare’ and a key role in shaping the Natural Resources Management Act – the precursor to today’s Landscape Act.
Greg also contributed significantly to the State Government’s response to the Millennium Drought, an experience he found both rewarding and challenging.
I recent times has worked for Livestock SA and Primary Producers SA bridging the gap between industry and the environment.
Greg is passionate about achieving real outcomes on the ground by connecting productive land use with long-term environmental stewardship.
Greg lives in Mount Barker but has strong ties to the Riverland and Murraylands through his professional work in the region and his formative years on a farm in the Parrakie/Geranium district.
He values the opportunity the landscape board provides to stay connected to the region and communities, and to help guide on-ground initiatives that make a tangible difference.
Beyond his landscape board duties, Greg is a part-owner of Paiwalla Wetland near Mypolonga. He is actively involved in the not-for-profit organisation that manages the site, taking a hands-on approach to conservation through seed propagation, revegetation, and habitat restoration.
Karen Eckermann
Karen Eckermann joined the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board in 2025.
As a resident of Murray Bridge, Karen has a good appreciation of the unique challenges faced by regional and rural residents, small business, farming and industry who live and operate in the Murraylands environment. Karen is a strong advocate for action on climate change, prioritising the health of waterways and native vegetation, and for the preservation of local wildlife.
Karen is a local councillor for the Rural City of Murray Bridge Council (a position retained for more than 10 years) and holds a range of board and committee roles in local government, aged care, community action, women in leadership and animal welfare. Skilled in strategic planning and the promotion of good governance, Karen has led council investigations into appropriate cat management policies for urban and country environs. She has also been involved in the little corella working party which trialled several mitigation measures to safeguard local government assets, and the Mallee Fowl Monarto Community Alliance who educate the community about malleefowl and undertake protection of the local endangered population. Karen has been a vocal proponent of the Rural City of Murray Bridge Council’s accelerated planting programs and introduced council’s free native tree annual giveaway program to improve tree canopy in residential areas, reduce heat and promote wellbeing.
Karen studied social work at Monash University and has a strong commitment to social justice and working with individuals and communities. Karen’s experience from living and working in locations across Australia gives her a broad perspective which she brings to the landscape board.
Brian Lund
Brian’s background is in agriculture and natural resource management most notably through the provision of technical support to farmers in soils, native vegetation management and landscape health, along with extension, rural livelihoods, policy advocacy, community development and managerial direction.
After working with communities and agencies across Australia and Southeast Asia over the last 40 years, Brian and his wife Ann returned to Meningie where they were again drawn by the opportunity to be part of the rural community.
Brian’s hope is that this diversity of experience will contribute to the landscape board’s continued success in positive impact on land management challenges.
Kylie Moritz
Kylie Moritz joined the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board in 2025, bringing with her a deep commitment to protecting or restoring the environment and its ecological functioning landscapes while ensuring that local communities are supported to thrive.
Kylie has worked in environmental management for more than 28 years in government, private, and not-for-profit sectors. She currently works as conservation coordinator at The Nature Conservancy (TNC), where she led South Australia’s first registered blue carbon restoration project. Kylie collaborates with landholders, First Nations representatives, researchers, and government to deliver nature-based solutions.
Since 2025, Kylie has also managed a marine conservation project in Papua New Guinea, partnering with Indigenous communities to establish large-scale marine protected areas supported by sustainable finance and livelihood opportunities.
Previously Kylie worked in the Murraylands region for a decade, fulfilling several roles over this time that focused on threatened species recovery, ecological fire practices, community engagement, building strong relationships with landholders and local groups, as well as managing the district team to deliver pest plant and animal management and landholder support.
During Kylie’s career, some of the highlights include leading South Australia’s pioneering blue carbon project within the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary; delivering recovery actions for multiple nationally threatened flora species; and working with Traditional Owner groups across the state.
Becoming a landscape board member is a natural progression for Kylie, and she hopes to assist the landscape board to strengthen partnerships, drive innovation in environmental finance, and support adaptive strategies that help communities and ecosystems respond to climate variability.
Growing up on the river, Kylie feels a deep connection to the Murraylands and Riverland landscapes and is passionate about ensuring they remain healthy and productive for future generations. Outside of work, she enjoys time with family and dogs, yoga, and multi day hikes (unless there’s torrential rain) to connect with nature.
Tammy O'Malley
Tammy O’Malley joined the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board in August 2023 with a passion for supporting sustainable primary production, biodiversity and resilient communities.
She hopes to contribute her skills in community engagement, resilience planning, and strategic development to help strengthen the Murraylands and Riverland region.
Tammy has worked across local government, tourism, community development, and agriculture for more than 20 years.
Highlights include leading Coorong Council’s Community Sustainability and Resilience Program and developing leadership programs for her region.
Through her involvement in the Landscape Board, Tammy is particularly proud of the Board’s focus on climate resilience and biodiversity, and how community-led solutions are being supported through projects like the Grassroots Grants program.
Tammy lives at Jabuk, in South Australia’s southern Mallee, and is a farm business owner – a role that gives her a deep firsthand understanding of the challenges and opportunities in agriculture.
Tammy volunteers with the Jabuk Hall Committee and champions drought support initiatives.
She is also part of subcommittees for the Landscape Board, including chairing the Engagement Strategy group and working with the Box Flat Wild Dog Coordinating Committee.
Outside of work, Tammy enjoys being on the farm, spending time outdoors, and connecting with her local community.
She has a passion for regional resilience and loves exploring the beautiful Murraylands and Riverland landscapes.
Jason Size
Jason Size has a background in horticulture and biosecurity and is keen to make a lasting contribution to the region to enable future generations to thrive.
An inaugural member of the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, Jason saw an opportunity to continue his role in the environmental space, having previously held the position of chair for Loxton District Landcare.
Jason works for the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), managing the Queensland and Mediterranean fruit fly response programs across the state.
His role supports the state to eradicate fruit fly and build the community’s resilience to pest incursions.
Part of the role also involves industry consultation and grower meetings, giving Jason a strong connection to the community.
With a professional background in horticulture, and a love for the Murray River and surrounds, Jason is keen to see positive environmental outcomes in his own backyard.
He enjoys representing his community on a broad range of environmental and irrigation matters and is particularly proud to see the impact of Landscape Board initiatives, like its Grassroots Grants program.
Jason is a Nuffield Scholar and has an Advanced Diploma of Horticulture and a Master of Business Administration.
He has previously owned and managed 110 acres of mixed fruit, and now manages his own small hobby farm, developing his knowledge and researching adding value with the produce that’s grown.
When not working or tending to his farm, Jason enjoys the tranquility of spending time by the river with his family.
To contact the landscape board, please email mr.landscapeboard@sa.gov.au
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