Landscape Levy
What is funded by my levy payment?
Your Landscape Levy is used to fund programs and community activities in the SA Arid Lands region and to obtain funding from government and industry to increase community outcomes.
Take a look at the activities funded by your Landscape Levy payment in 2023/24
Who collects the Landscape Levy?
Local councils collect the regional (land-based) Landscape Levy annually from their ratepayers and forward the collected funds to the board. The levy is shown separately on council rates notices. The board will collect the levy directly from landholders who live outside council areas.
How are Landscape rates determined?
The board identifies the key Landscape priorities within the region in partnership with its stakeholders, and through its Business Plan review, it recommends the amount of funding to be raised through the levy.
In out-of-council areas the land-based levy is based on area of rateable land with 2024/25 levy amounts set for:
- $76.41 per rateable property <10 ha
- $267.43 per rateable property 10ha - <100 ha
- $534.86 per rateable property 100ha - <100,000 ha
- $916.89 per rateable property 100,000 ha or greater.
Residents in council areas are also charged according to land use. Residential properties are aligned with residents of outside council areas who own less than 10 hectares.
These arrangements mean those with more land pay more than those with less land – so a pastoral lessee pays more than a township property owner.
Do you own land outside a council area?
All landholders in outside council areas in the SA Arid Lands will receive:
- an invoice
- a brochure with the Board’s funded activities for 2023/24
Payments can be made
- via credit card over the phone by calling (08) 8429 9666
- via cheque posted to PO BOX 297, Port Augusta SA 5700
- in person via credit card or cheque at the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board office at 1 Jervois Street, Port Augusta (opposite Gladstone Square)
Why have I received a levy account for the first time this year?
Following an extensive review of property data, many landholders will receive a Landscape Levy account for the first time and others will have additional titles added.
The review took place in response to several levy queries over the past few years and the introduction of new data systems. This included a process to ensure property transfers or updated title references are captured at the time of property sales. This will ensure all title holders in the Out of Council area boundaries within SA Arid Lands (SAAL) receive a landscape levy notice.
The ownership data has been sourced from Land Services SA and many new titleholders are the owners of new land titles in Leigh Creek that were recently sold by the State Government.
While it is recognised that a levy should have been charged, the board will not be backdating landscape levy charges.
Until recently, the board was not notified of changes to property ownership and while updating the data has been difficult, it will now be updated regularly as property ownership changes. It will be reviewed annually to ensure all titles and parcels of land in the SAAL Out of Council areas are included.
If you receive an account this year for the first time, and believe your data may be incorrect, please let us know by emailing
the board at saallandscapeaccounts@sa.gov.au with your customer number and your concerns.
Are you a primary producer with more than two pieces of non-adjoining rateable land in the region?
You may be eligible to apply to have your ‘farm’ classified as a ‘Single Farm Enterprise’. This means that your single farm enterprise would attract only one levy against all of your land.
Further information on your eligibility for a 'Single Farm Enterprise' classification can be sought from Kristie Vater on (08) 8429 9651 or via email saallandscapeaccounts@sa.gov.au
What if I own adjoining pieces of land in a council area?
Contiguous land refers to parcels of land which touch one another or are separated only by a road, railway or thoroughfare or an open space dedicated for public purposes. To be classed as contiguous property, all parcels of land share the same owner or occupier, are used for the same purpose and are all contained within the same area. Please contact the board to determine your eligibility at saal.landscapeaccounts@sa.gov.au