New landscape board appointments reflect diverse Northern and Yorke region
The Northern and Yorke Landscape Board welcomes three new Board members after a robust and competitive nomination process.
Holly Cowan, Leonie Kerley and Leo Redden were appointed by the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water Susan Close, and join current members Geoff White (Chair), Peter Angus, Erika Lawley and Sue Scarman.
The state’s nine landscape boards play a key role working with their communities and stakeholders to provide strategic leadership and deliver regional priorities with a focus on land, water, pest plants and animals and biodiversity.
Ms Close said the landscape boards were vital in helping manage and protect the state’s productive and natural landscapes.
“Taking care of our water resources, boosting biodiversity and improving soil management supports the environment and our state’s prosperity,” she said.
“I welcome new members and re-appointed members who are passionate about making a difference in their respective regions. I would also like to thank outgoing members for their valuable contributions.”
A total of 27 member positions have been filled for landscape boards covering Eyre Peninsula, Hills and Fleurieu, Kangaroo Island, Limestone Coast, Murraylands and Riverland, Northern and Yorke, and SA Arid Lands.
The appointment of 13 women and 14 men achieves greater gender balance and better reflects the diversity of the communities they serve.
Five of SA’s nine landscape boards will now have gender balance or female majority membership, which includes the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board with four females and three males.
Northern and Yorke Landscape Board General Manager Tony Fox said he looks forward to working with the new Board, which commences 31 January 2025.
“I’d like to pay tribute to the outgoing board members for the valuable and skilled service they’ve provided our organisation and the Northern and Yorke region,” he said. “I’m confident that the newly-formed Board will continue their good work in guiding the sustainable management of our landscapes.”
Incoming Board members
Holly Cowan is a community development specialist with more than 12 years of experience in the Local Government sector. She holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies and Social Sciences, along with certifications in training and education, leadership and resilience, and emergency management. An active member of the Lochiel community, Holly is dedicated to fostering engagement, sustainability, and resilience through her professional and volunteer work.
Leonie Kerley is a 24-year Elected Member of Barunga West Council and into her seventh year as mayor. Formerly from a farming background she is now retired and lives on an acre of which half is planted to native species. Leonie has been active in greening projects around Port Broughton, growing many of the native plants for these projects. She is passionate about raising public awareness of the importance of the natural environment.
With 40 years’ experience working in regional South Australia, Leo Redden has developed a strong network within agribusiness and primary production. He has a genuine interest in sustainable agriculture, remnant vegetation protection and biodiversity protection through the control of feral species.