Welcome to the November ENEWS! Read on to find out about what the Native Vegetation Council and Branch have been up to lately.
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Over $12.8 million in approved Nature Restoration grants!
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Over the past 12 months, the Native Vegetation Council has run two Nature Restoration grant rounds. These grants support long-term projects (5–10 years) that will improve the condition of native vegetation and provide a Significant Environmental Benefit to offset the loss of approved vegetation clearance.
So far, 20 grants have been awarded, helping landowners to restore 25,728 hectares. Many projects target habitat for rare and threatened species. For example, Second Nature Conservancy are working across three private properties in the Rockleigh area to restore grassy woodlands and improve habitat for Nationally Vulnerable Diamond Firetail.
Round three closes 8th November. Successful applicants will be announced soon.
For more information please check our website
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Over 232,702 hectares protected through Heritage Agreement Incentive Grants!
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To encourage landowners to protect and enhance native vegetation, the Native Vegetation Council has been offering Incentive Grants to enter into a new Heritage Agreement or expand an existing one to cover a larger area.
The grants help to set up the site for long term success and cover activities like fencing, weed control and infill plantings. Over the past two years, 28 grants have shared $1.8 million in funding. One recent recipient is the Northern Areas Council, awarded for part of the Tarcowie Parklands - a site actively restored for over 20 years by the Council and the Tarcowie Landcare Group. Thanks to their efforts, the site is now home to a number of important native plants and animals. It’s fantastic to see this area formally protected and supported with funding to continue restoration over the next 4 years.
For more information please check our website
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Land protected under a Heritage Agreement Incentive Grant |
NVC Mid North renewable energy site visit
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On 5th August, Native Vegetation Council members, joined by staff from the branch and the Department for Energy and Mining braved the wind and cold to visit the proposed Goyder North and Twin Creek wind farm sites. The group met with project applicants to discuss the application of the mitigation hierarchy and gain insight into the project footprints and potential biodiversity impacts. Highlights included being shown the Endangered Lomandra Grasslands and seeing Wedge-tailed Eagles in full flight and their nesting sites, highlighting the ecological significance of the area.
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Wind farm site - can you spot the Wedge-tail Eagle? |
During early September, members of the Native Vegetation Branch travelled to the South Australian Arid Lands (SAAL) Region to deliver the long-awaited Rangelands Assessment Method (RAM) Training. This training was run alongside Amenti Environmental Director and Principal Ecologist Tobias Scheid. Rob Brandle, Senior Conservation Ecologist and Park Operations and Partnerships officer for NPPL and DEW also joined the training to share his extensive knowledge of the SA Arid Region and the Rangelands methodology.
Image: Carriewerloo pastoral station
This training allowed 30 consultants to become upskilled in Rangeland Assessment Methods.
Event attendees learned about:
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Why the Rangeland methods differs from other methods.
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Preliminary RAM procedures
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Rangeland data sheets
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Site stratification
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Vegetation condition factors and more.
The group undertook various Rangeland Methodology Assessments at Carriewerloo Pastoral Station as the practical component to this training course.
Accredited consultants are persons endorsed by the Native Vegetation Council (NVC) to prepare data reports for applications to clear native vegetation and draft Management Plans for SEBs. They act as an interface between the applicant and the NVC. Their work is important because they help communicate the objectives and principles of the Act.
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Branch Staff, Tobias Scheid (Amenti) and RAM training attendees on day 1, outside Carriewerloo shearers quarters. |
Native Vegetation Branch 'out and about'
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The Native Vegetation Branch have been travelling the State, sharing information on the importance of native vegetation and how we can manage and protect it.
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AgKI Conference
In early August, the Native Vegetation Branch’s a/Director Gayle Grieger and a/Manager Alison Wright travelled to Kangaroo Island for the AgKI Conference, where a range of industry updates and personal journeys in the agriculture sector were presented. The branch had a trade table and took the opportunity to talk to local KI landholders about native vegetation protection opportunities. Gayle also participated on a panel at the conference where she discussed the Native Vegetation Fund Grant Programs available to landholders.
Image: a/Director Gayle Grieger at Native Vegetation trade table at AgKI Conference
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LGA Conference
Shortly after the AgKI Conference, Native Vegetation Branch members Syb Thorpe, Tanya Cabella and Marni Griffiths attended the LGA Roads and Works Conference at Tailem Bend. The branch had an educational trade table and made the most of their time at the conference by spreading the word about roadside management plans and regulations around roadside clearance to local councils in attendance.
Image: (Left - Right) Assessment Officer Syb Thorpe, Policy and Education Officer Marni Griffiths and Senior Compliance Officer Tanya Cabella at the LGA road and works conference in Tailem Bend.
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Carbon Ready Ag Conference
Tanya Schneyder and Fiona Fuhlbohm from the Heritage Team, and Assessment and Compliance Officers Paola Delgado and Jess Trainor attended the Carbon Ready Ag Conference in Port Pirie to circulate information about Native Vegetation Grants. This kickstarted the teams travels around the Mid North and Yorke region, bringing locals even more information about Native Vegetation Grants. See our website for more information about our grant programs.
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Heritage Agreement Officer Fiona Fuhlbohm (back left), assessment Officer Paola Delgado (back right), Heritage Agreement Program Coordinator Tanya Schneyder (bottom left), Compliance Officer Jess Trainor (bottom right) at the Carbon Ready Ag Conference at Port Pirie. |
NVC Incentives roadshow
Nature Restoration Grant Round 3 launched for landowners in the Northern and Yorke, Hills and Fleurieu, Eyre Peninsula and South Australian Arid Lands on 18 August 2025. The round will remain open until the 8th November 2025.
For this round the team hosted a series of drop-in sessions in the Northern and Yorke region to boost engagement. There was a total of 14 drop-in sessions held across the Mid North and Yorke Peninsula. Thanks to all the council chambers, townhall and libraries that allowed us to host in their space.
The teams’ efforts are paying off, with a significantly higher number of people (45) attending the drop-in sessions compared to Round 1 (10). The roadshow may be over but, if you are intending to apply still, round 3 is open until the 8th November!
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Yorke Peninsula Field Days
In early October, Heritage Agreements Grants Officer Lisa Hodshon and Finance Officer Cerise Curnow attended the Yorke Peninsula Field Days. At the trade table they discussed all thing’s native vegetation, heritage agreements and clearance applications with attendees.
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Trade table at Yorke Peninsula Field Days |
Living Around Our Parks Expo
On 12th October, Heritage Agreements Program Coordinator Tanya Schnyder was invited by Catherine Hutchesson MP to the ‘Living Around Our Parks Expo’ at Belair National Park. Tanya informed expo attendees about Native Vegetation Incentives Grants and Heritage Agreements. The event also featured talks local environment groups like Friends of Parks and Nature. There was a number of stalls to visit (ours included) and activities including a guided walk around the park.
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Tanya Schneyder at the NVB's stall at the ‘Living around our Parks Expo' |
New native vegetation website!
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New images, landing page, quick links and spotlights are just some of the features you will see when visiting the new and improved website.
A comprehensive review was conducted to create content and restructure the Native Vegetation web pages with the goal of enhancing the user experience and focus on target audiences to ensure relevant information, support and guidance is provided.
Some of the key features and improved content includes; What is Native Vegetation, Protecting Native Vegetation, Resources and Support regarding legislation and Native Vegetation Council, Accredited Consultants and what is the Clearing Native Vegetation process.
Allowing the Branch to continually improve the website content, feel free to provide any feedback by contacting us at nvc@sa.gov.au
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Image: Spotlights on our new home page |
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Image: Quicklinks example on our new clearing page |
Want to read more? Check out this story about how an Adelaide Hills family has protected their patch of bushland in perpetuity under a Heritage Agreement.
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