Members of the public are being encouraged to have their say on proposed reforms to Natural Resources Management which would return environmental decision-making back into the regions.
The state government has released its plan, which includes repealing the current NRM Act and replacing it with Landscapes SA Act , capping NRM levies to about CPI and establishing a new $2 million grassroots fund.
It delivers on their pre-election promise to fix the NRM system which Environment and Water Minister David Speirs says their consultation had shown was “broken”.
“Over time NRM has become too centralised, overly complex and has not been delivering for the people of this state,” he said.
He says the proposed reform is a ‘back to basics approach” giving greater decision making to local communities and focussing on soil quality, pest control and water management.
“We want to empower local communities, ensuring they are part of the solution to the way in which our natural resources are managed.
“While the government has a strong vision for these reforms, it’s critical that South Australians across the state have their say on the future of natural resources management.
Discussion papers and a schedule of events being held across the state is available on the YourSAy website:
Community forums will be held from early August to late September with the closing date for submissions Monday October 15.
The government then hopes to use the feedback to shape its legislation and introduce it to Parliament early next year.
