Northern and Yorke Peninsula natural resources management enters new era
Media release about the apppointment of Caroline Schaefer as the Presiding Member
15 February 2020
Northern and Yorke Peninsula natural resources management will enter a new era with the appointment of Caroline Schaefer as the Presiding Member to lead the new Northern and Yorke Landscape Board.
The Northern and Yorke Landscape Board is one of nine new regional landscape boards, which will, from July, administer the new Landscape South Australia Act 2019, including a new metropolitan landscape board, Green Adelaide.
The Landscape SA reforms deliver on another election commitment for the Marshall Liberal Government, paving the way for a back-to-basics approach to how we manage our natural resources.
Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said the new boards will play a crucial role across our regions by partnering with community groups, local government and industry to ensure our state’s regional landscapes and farming industries are thriving, resilient and sustainable.
“We went to the election with a commitment to deliver better natural resources management and that’s what we are getting on with doing,” said Minister Speirs.
“The recent devastating bushfires and ongoing drought conditions have highlighted just how important the management of our landscapes is to support our state’s economy and resilience of our regional communities.
“The new boards are designed to deliver a stronger, back-to-basics system with an emphasis on effective water management, pest plant and animal control and soil and land management.
“The appointments of new Presiding Members come following the successful passing of the Landscape South Australia Act 2019 and the creation of new landscape regions, paving the way for the Marshall Liberal Government to reform natural resources management and give local communities a greater say in how levies are spent.
“These respected community leaders have been appointed based on their connection with regional communities, industry knowledge and experience in the management of our state’s landscapes.”
Community members interested in becoming a Northern and Yorke Landscape Board member are encouraged to register their interest, with applications open until 6 March 2020 at www.landscape.sa.gov.au.
Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis encouraged those with a passion for natural resources management in the Northern and Yorke Peninsula region to apply.
“I congratulate Ms Schaefer on her appointment as Presiding Member,” said Mr Ellis.
“The new Northern and Yorke Landscape Board will have a back-to-basics approach when it comes to our natural environment and will ensure that the local community has a far greater say in its management.
“This is a new era for natural resources management in the region and we need strategic thinkers with significant industry knowledge and experience to join the new board.”
Northern and Yorke Landscape Board Presiding Member Caroline Schaefer said she was looking forward to working with like-minded people towards a more efficient structure aimed at delivering on-ground works.
“I am hoping to establish early contact with farming systems groups, landholders and local government, so that we can begin these new reforms in the most cooperative manner possible,” said Ms Schaefer.
“I am particularly hoping people with an interest in effective on-ground, community-based delivery will put themselves forward for selection for the board.”
Initially all board members will be appointed by the Minister, but from 2022 three out of seven members will be elected by the community (except for the specialist board Green Adelaide and the Alinytjara Wiluṟara board, which is already represented by select regional leaders).
Amongst the changes for the Northern and Yorke region will be the inclusion of parts of the northern Mount Lofty Ranges, the Barossa and parts of northern Adelaide Plains, while Port Augusta, Hawker and Quorn will move into the South Australian Arid Lands region.
To ensure a smooth transition for regional communities, NRM services will continue to be delivered under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 until the new Act 2019 is fully operational on 1 July 2020. To access existing NRM services, visit www.nrm.sa.gov.au/northernandyorke
For more information visit www.landscape.sa.gov.au
