Pastoral Act changes scrapped, Pastoral Unit bounces back to Environment Department again, extra $1m for land condition assessment

The new Labor government has scrapped the Libs’ draft pastoral bill and handed powers for almost half the entire state back to the environment minister.

Proposed reforms of the Pastoral Act, which governs almost half of the state, have been scuppered by the new state government.

A draft bill would have removed stock limits, put an end to on-ground assessments of land quality and conditions, and extended lease terms from 42 to 100 years.

Existing 1989 legislation fails to recognise conservation as a legitimate use of pastoral land.

The former government and Livestock SA also suggested the current act hinders the growth of new activities such as carbon farming, although that has been disputed.

Livestock SA president Joe Keynes described the scrapping of the draft bill as a lost opportunity.

But Mr Keynes welcomed an extra $1m in government funding for “overdue condition assessments of grazing land”.

“It‘s about having the people … the legs on the ground, employees that can go out and do the assessments,” he said.

On-ground assessment of land condition is required every 14 years under the act.

A report is then prepared for the pastoral board, which considers stocking levels and other conditions on leases.

A more modern approach might use remote sensing and other new technology, along with some “ground-truthing”, for greater efficiency, Mr Keynes said.

He said he looked forward to working with the Labor government “to ensure that our pastoral industries remain profitable and sustainable”.

Stock limits on leased crown land will be preserved under the new Labor government.

Conservation Council SA chief executive Craig Wilkins said some further clarity around the status of conservation properties would be “really good”.

“We have these fantastic wilderness reserves, which are on pastoral land and governed under a pastoral lease,” he said.

“And there is potential for the pastoral board to require conditions on those leases that are inconsistent with conservation management … to run livestock.”

The pastoral unit is switching from the Primary Industries portfolio to the Environment Department under the control of Minister Dr Susan Close.

“The rangelands are precious and fragile and cover near half the state. We must do more to ensure they are managed sustainably,” she said.

“The lands are capable of primary production as long as they are well managed, and I will work with conservation groups and pastoralists to ensure this can happen for the long-term. The new funding will help clear the backlog of assessments and ensure timely future checks.”

She said Labor would confirm that carbon offsets could be used on pastoral properties.