THE wait for the revised Pastoral Land Management and Conservation Act 1989 is about end for SA's pastoralists, with a draft expected to be delivered for consultation in the coming weeks.
After a 10 month consultation, pastoralists' forbearance will be rewarded, according to Livestock SA president Joe Keynes.
"We need to remember it was an old piece of legislation that needed a reasonable review and consultation period," he said.
"While it has taken sometime to get to this point, I think we have to be hopeful that the outcome will support pastoralists' needs."
Primary Industries Minister Tim Whetstone said it was the government's priority to "get it right".
"It is a big piece of legislation and I want to make sure we get it right," he said.
"We want to maximise the opportunities for pastoralism and this legislation is there for the benefit of being a pastoralist, rather than being a hinder."
But despite most pastoralists maintaining high hopes for what the revised Act will deliver, there are still concerns it could "fall short".
Dulkaninna station's David Bell said if the draft did not position pastoralists as the "number one priority", there would be backlash about the wait for its delivery.
"A lot of opinions were needed but hopefully because of the lengthy time it has taken, it means that Minister Tim Whetstone has listened to pastoralists," he said.
"A lot of our money is used to improve pastoral areas - the businesses in these areas belong to pastoralists so we need to make sure that is protected.
"If the changes to the Act support pastoralists', then the wait will not matter, but if it falls short and does not offer a great deal of change, there will be big questions."
Mr Bell said misconceptions in the community about land ownership also needed to be addressed and clarified in the revised Act.
"There's a big perception that pastoral land is public land and that is not the case," he said.
"It is owned by the Crown and leased to pastoralists - we need to be the first port of call when it comes to its intended uses and that absolutely need to remains in the Act.
"But we remain hopeful it will include what is needed."
After more than 260 submissions were received during the first consultation, Opposition primary industries spokesperson Eddie Hughes hoped that the revised Bill was "worthy" of the input that had been provided by interested parties.
"If at the end of the day, after all of the consultation, if the Act does not come close to reflecting at least some of the concerns of pastoralists, they will be very frustrated," he said.
"It is such as vast part of SA, a lot of pastoralists, businesses and organisations needed to be consulted to help determine potential land uses, so the sooner it is released the better.
"But there is still no draft bill and legislatively, when it comes to primary industries, just two have been put through by government."
RELATED READING: Pastoral Act revamp drags on
- Start the day with all the big news in agriculture. Sign up here to receive our daily Stock Journal newsletter.
