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Consultation closed but work is still underway
Thank you for checking in on the progress of the SA Arid Lands NRM Board’s Business Plan 2016/17 - 2018/19.
Consultation closed at 5pm on Monday 8 February. The Board will be considering all feedback at its meeting in Port Augusta 9-10 February 2016 and making any necessary amendments.
A Consultation Report is available at www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/aridlands.
The report summarises the efforts made to consult on the draft Business Plan, provide a summary of feedback received, and the Board’s response.
The Business Plan (along with any amendments) and the Consultation Report was forwarded to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation for consideration and adoption by June 2016.
Community consultation is an important aspect of the process and we thank all those who provided their feedback.
Want to know more?
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The South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management (NRM) Board is inviting feedback on its draft 2016/17 – 2018/19 Business Plan
What is being decided?
The draft Business Plan (PDF, 3.2MB) sets out the SA Arid Lands NRM Board’s priorities for achieving natural resources management outcomes over the three years from 2016/17 – 2018/19. In amending the Business Plan, the Board has taken the difficult decision to propose raising NRM levies to meet a range of increased costs to meet State Water Planning and Management and other increasing costs handed down in the 2015/16 State Budget.
For more information on what's being decided, click here.
How can your input influence the decision?
The community is at the centre of natural resources management in the SA Arid Lands region. There are major changes proposed in the draft Business Plan, including to the land and water NRM levies and it's important that community is able to provide their views in the online discussion, by completing the survey, or sending in a written submission (155KB).
Written submissions can be sent to:
saaridlands@sa.gov.au
or
Presiding Member
South Australian Arid Lands NRM Board
PO BOX 78
Port Augusta SA 5700
A set of Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 170KB) containing further background information on the amended plan can be downloaded here, as well as a separate set of Frequently Asked Questions about the statewide changes to Water Program Management Costs (PDF, 95KB).
The Board's activities are showcased through its major publications On Track, Across The Outback and Connected to Country. If you would like to access these publications click here or if you would like to subscribe click here.
Comments close at 5:00 pm, 8 February 2016.
How will my input be used?
All feedback will be considered by the SA Arid Lands NRM Board in finalising the draft Business Plan at its next meeting on 9-10 February 2016.
A Consultation Report will also be prepared summarising the efforts made to consult on the draft Business Plan and providing a summary of feedback received and the Board’s response.
The Business Plan with any amendments and the Consultation Report will be forwarded to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation for consideration and adoption by June 2016.
The Consultation Report will be available at wwww.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/aridlands by mid-February.
Want to know more?
Website: www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/aridlands
Email: saaridlands@sa.gov.au
Phone: 08 8648 5300
Background
In amending the Business Plan, the Board has taken the difficult decision to propose raising NRM levies to meet a range of increased costs to meet State Water Planning and Management and other increasing costs handed down in the 2015/16 State Budget.
To ensure the Board can continue to achieve its obligations, the Board is proposing to:
- change the way the regional (land-based) levy is calculated in out-of-council areas, moving from a fixed charge per rateable property to a tiered rate based on the area of rateable land in 2016/17, with increases by CPI only in 2017/18 and 2018/19
- continue to apply the fixed charge to ratepayers inside council areas but to increase the levy to $60 with increases by CPI only in 2017/18 and 2018/19
- raise the existing NRM water levy for all water licence holders (except stock and domestic use and bore-fed wetlands) in the Far North Prescribed Wells Area by 20 per cent in 2016/17 with increases by CPI only in 2017/18 and 2018/19.
- set the new NRM water levy on co-produced water at 3.56 cents per kilolitre, with future review of the co-produced levy rate in 2017/18 and 2018/19
The Board’s proposal to move the out-of-council levy to one based on area of rateable land is considered more equitable and a better reflection of the way in which our community uses and benefits from the sustainable use of natural resources.
The NRM levies are vital to ensure the continued delivery of NRM projects and programs in the region and the fulfillment of the Board’s obligations under the NRM Act 2004 and as the chief steward of the region’s plants, animals, water, and soils.
It is important to note that the Board has also made some difficult decisions to reduce program delivery effort, and has scaled back its level of investment in some areas. The Board would need to cut back on its core business in the areas of science, communications, community engagement and support for NRM Groups if the Board do not raise additional levy revenue.
Download the draft Business Plan (PDF, 3.4MB)
