Carbon farming and conservation projects will be officially allowed on SA pastoral leases after a change to the Pastoral Act passed state parliament yesterday afternoon.
Described as minor amendments, the changes resolve inconsistencies in the Act that caused legal uncertainty over the Pastoral Board's ability to approve non-pastoral uses.
The changes will not impact current lease agreements and are designed to give pastoralists the option of another income stream.
Environment Minister Susan Close said the changes were simply reaffirming what had taken place for more than 30 years by allowing pastoralists, Aboriginal people and communities to manage land in a variety of ways.
"The government committed to confirm that carbon offsets can be used on pastoral properties and that conservation and primary production are legally supported," she said.
"Through the passing of this Bill, the Pastoral Board will have full certainty to continue exercising its power to approve non-pastoral activities on pastoral leases."
Dulkaninna Station pastoralist and Livestock SA Northern Region chair David Bell said the changes were a positive move.
"It allows people that want to go down those paths (carbon farming and conservation projects) to do it, which is good in my view," he said.
Mr Bell said there growing interest among pastoralists in potentially using carbon and conservation projects as an alternative income stream.
"If the numbers stack up on it, people are definitely interested," he said.
"It's not everyone's cup of tea but there's definitely a lot of people looking into it. It's something pastoralists can make money on whether it's rain, hail or shine."
The changes will not impact the make up of the Pastoral Board, with four of six members still required to have experience in pastoral land management and primary production.
The Bill also provides a pathway for a definition of carbon farming activities to be formed through regulation.
The creation of such a definition, and any future changes, would require consultation of key stakeholders by the state government.
Pastoralists wishing to return carbon farming or conservation areas back to pastoralism could do so by applying to the Pastoral Board, as happens with any other change to land use.
