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SA Arid Lands Landscape Board Communique
The SA Arid Lands Landscape Board held its annual regional meeting in the Port Augusta- Quorn district on 23-25 June. Based in Quorn, it provided an opportunity to meet and connect with the Pastoral Board and other partners who make the time to engage with the boards and the community we collectively serve.
Regional Landscape Plan 2026-2031 launched and 2026-27 Business Plan endorsed
The board endorsed the latest Business Plan for 2026/27 to complement the new Minister endorsed 5-year Regional Landscape Plan. The board appreciated the input by community and stakeholders to the revised regional plan, which was informally launched at a community dinner in Quorn on Wednesday 24 June, with community and stakeholders present. The plan and annual business plan reflect key priorities that are very similar to the previous plan, but which reflect new investment and some modernisation.
Shared issues and shared solution finding
The SAAL and Pastoral boards convened a half day meeting to discuss shared issues, ideas and concerns. The discussions covered goat management and feral pig issues throughout the region, with the heightened disease spread risks alongside persistent flooding and rain in areas where pigs are known to frequent and reproduce.
Discussions continued about the work with other state departments and industry partners toward working through the complexity of cultural heritage considerations in the pastoral region.
Protection of the Kowari was also a key theme discussed by both boards, to identify options for better monitoring, protection and management of threats to the endangered species, known to have habitat in some sensitive sites in SA’s pastoral zone.
Field Visit to Carriewerloo
Outgoing SAAL Board member Scott Michael hosted a tour for both boards on his Gawler Ranges property, to look at a population of Desert lime trees and to inspect a reverse drain and telemetry and tanks system in use.
Community Connect
The community dinner at the Quorn Bowls Club was well attended, with Livestock SA, the Invasive Species Council and the Dog Fence Board providing updates on their priorities across the region. Networking among the many attendees assisted in amplifying the objectives of the boards and connecting people to discuss key local issues face to face.
The board thanks all who came out for a meal and a chat, to hear more about the work of the boards and partners and take the time to meet face to face.
The hospitality and welcome of the Quorn community was wonderful, as were the accommodation, food and good cheer.
Apply now to become a SAAL Landscape Board member
Are you an experienced or emerging leader ready to empower your community to care for South Australia’s landscapes? We’d like to hear from you.
Nominations are now open for community members to apply to join the South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board.
We’re seeking nominees with land management knowledge from a range of backgrounds. It is important that landscape boards reflect the diversity of the communities they serve, so women, First Nations people and young adults are encouraged to apply.
For out more and apply: https://landscape.sa.gov.au/board-nominations.
Applications close 16 August 2026.
What's on in the SA Arid Lands region
24 July 2026 - Port Augusta-Quorn and Gawler Ranges Landscape Groups shared meeting
24 July 2026 - Applied Self Herding Workshop, Todmorden
3-6 August 2026 - Indigenous Ranger Gathering, Arkaroola
26-27 August 2026 - SAAL Board Meeting
23 October 2026 - Economics of Trees and Shrubs, Hawker
25 October - 1 November - Central Australia Pastoral Bus Tour
