South Australia’s Land-based Protected and Conserved Area Strategy

Help shape how our protected and conserved areas are expanded and enhanced into the future. Have your say on the draft strategy!

What's being decided?

We are developing a Land-based Protected and Conserved Area Strategy. This strategy will drive the expansion and enhancement of South Australia’s protected and conserved areas, so that biodiversity can thrive, and that places of special value are protected.

Your feedback will help ensure a range of ideas and interests are considered in shaping how our protected and conserved areas are expanded and enhanced into the future.

Background

In 2012, the Conserving Nature 2012-2020 strategy was adopted by the South Australian Government to guide the establishment of protected areas in South Australia.

Following the expiration of that strategy, the department has been working closely with the Parks and Wilderness Council and other key stakeholders on the development of South Australia’s Land-based Protected and Conserved Area Strategy. This updated strategy will ensure that new additions to the state’s reserve system are carefully targeted to enhance biodiversity and improve the long-term sustainability of our environment.

Get involved

To find out more about the strategy:

• Read the Draft Strategy and Draft Strategy on a page
• Read the Background on the Strategy and Supporting Technical Report
• take a look at our FAQs

Have your say by:

• Taking our survey
• Emailing a submission to: DEWProtectedAreaManagement@sa.gov.au (please include 'Protected and Conserved Area Strategy' in the email subject heading)
• Posting your written submission to:
  Land-based Protected and Conserved Area Strategy
  National Parks and Protected Area Program Unit
  Department for Environment and Water
  GPO Box 1047, Adelaide SA 5001

Submissions close at 11:59pm 31 August 2025.

Please note: your feedback may be made publicly available, in part or in entirety, unless you indicate on your submission that you wish for it to remain confidential. If published, submissions would not include personal names or contact details but would include group/organisation name (if applicable). Any responses that are made on a confidential basis may still be subject to access under Freedom of Information laws.

What are the next steps?

Your feedback will be collated and used in the development of the final strategy. A report detailing the findings of the consultation will be made available on this website.

The final strategy will be submitted to the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water for consideration. Once approved, the final strategy will be available here and on the Department for Environment and Water website.