Hydrogen Renewable Energy Act Submission

From the introduction of the HRE Bill to the development of the Act and associated Regulations, the Board has remained engaged and provided feedback at each opportunity. It has advocated for a high-level of engagement by the Department of Energy and Mines (DEM) with the SA Arid Lands (SAAL) community.

A high-level response to the consultation on proposed release areas was also recently submitted by the Board. In essence, the obligation to ensure community remain engaged and heard in the processes was reiterated, along with the potential risks of significant development in the region associated with social and community cohesion, impacts to environment, existing industry and cultural values. The Board remains well briefed by DEM and will have an ongoing role to play in support of sustainable activity, environmental protection and water management. The Board recognises the learning process for all stakeholders as the projects and associated processes commence and how this supports sustainability, renewable sources of power while protecting the values of the region, unique to SAAL.

Santos -Cooper Basin Update and presentation

A presentation by Santos provided an in-depth explanation of the now activated Carbon Capture and Storage project at Moomba to support the zero emissions economy for SA by 2050. A technical presentation explaining the technology, the science and the long-term benefits of this new initiative was well received by the Board with the opportunity to ask questions and understand the process and environmental objectives. Since the recent commencement of the project recently the States’ emissions have decreased by seven per cent. Information is freely available on the DEM and Santos websites, with research, data, the Statement of Environmental Objectives and monitoring information all available.

Out of Council Levy Collection

The annual levy collection process has commenced for the 2024/25 financial year with additional invoices issued to property owners who had not been levied before this year. The Board reviewed information associated with new land parcels that had not previously been identified and incorporated in the key land data that determines property ownership and category in outback areas. As such, a comprehensive communication strategy, including information about the process and the reason approximately 350 land owners will now be levied for the first time. The levy will not be retrospectively invoiced and systems have been implemented to update the data is reviewed annually, including property sales and title changes. The Board endorsed the process and the communication plan to support the transition for the new levy payers and provide educational material on the value of their investment through the work of the SAAL Board.

Landscape Group Chairs Update

Annually the district Landscape Group Chairs (or proxies) meet in Port Augusta and undertake cross district planning, before meeting with the Board for an information exchange and update of the priorities and issues of the 7 landscape districts that make up the SAAL region. This meeting presented a valuable opportunity for the group chairs to share the priorities of the recently reviewed District Action Plans alongside the priorities outlined in the 5-year Strategic Landscape Plan that informs the Board’s work and investment. Timely discussions on identifying whole of region issues as they were compared across the districts will form the basis for informing the review of the five-year strategic plan set to commence in 2025. The networking, Board update of strategic priorities groups are addressing along with a joint dinner while all were in Port Augusta reinforced the value of the district group model in SAAL and the development of leadership and wider engagement opportunities that support the Board’s work. Each Landscape Group meets at least four times a year, has a membership of seven people and develops a plan that supports the two-way flow of information from community, and priorities for action and investment at the district level.

Upcoming SAAL Board events

12 November 2024 – Native Plant Propagation Workshop @ Hawker

12 November 2024 – Marla-Oodnadatta Landscape Group Meeting

15 November 2024 – Improving Traceability in the Rangelands @ Bindarrah Station

22 November 2024 – North East Pastoral Landscape Group Meeting @ Yunta Telecentre

22 November 2024 – Carbon in the Pastoral Zone Workshop @ Quorn

25 November 2024 – Plant Propagation Workshop @ Iron Knob

29 November 2024 – Carbon in the Pastoral Zone Workshop @ Cradock

3 December 2024 – Kingoonya Landscape Group Meeting @ Woomera

5 December 2024 – North Flinders Landscape Group Meeting @ Leigh Creek

6 December 2024 – Port Augusta-Quorn Landscape Group Meeting @ Quorn

Please click here for details of events

Want to know more?