Download Natural Assets - Infrastructure SA

Natural Assets
Progress to Date
The protection and management of the state’s natural assets since 2005 has taken place under a
framework established in the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 (NRM Act). As a consequence, the
State Natural Resources Management Plan was released in February 2006 with ongoing regional programs
proceeding under this plan. Regional NRM Boards have now been established to develop regional NRM
plans and work in partnership with local councils, Aboriginal communities, community groups and
landowners to deliver extension services and environmental projects in accordance with such plans.
On track are the key biodiversity targets in South Australia’s Strategic Plan to have five well established
biodiversity corridors and 19 marine parks aimed at maximising ecological outcomes. As a consequence,
biodiversity recovery and protection work is occurring across the state with a range of recovery and
revegetation projects and the Million Trees Program is progressing well. Additionally, key acquisitions and
dedications of land to protect biodiversity continue.
Since 2005 NRM planning and projects have been required to adapt to a period of below average rainfall
with the prospect of this continuing, along with extreme weather events, if climate change advances as
predicted.
The rehabilitation of infrastructure and restructuring of irrigated areas has been completed for the Lower
Murray irrigated areas to assist in improving river water quality and provide a sustainable dairy industry. As
part of the 10-year Murray Futures Program, a series of projects is being progressed to improve
management of River Murray wetlands and floodplains from the South Australian border to Wellington and
around the Lower Lakes and Coorong.
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Natural Assets
In particular, a long-term plan has been developed with input from industry, scientists and the community to
provide a clear direction for the future management of the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth region
as a healthy, productive and resilient wetland of international importance. Achieving this will directly support
the economic, cultural and social wellbeing of the regional communities. The plan will work towards keeping
adequate freshwater in the system with the implementation of adaptive and complementary management
actions to protect this valuable Ramsar site. The plan outlines the priority actions for funding in the next five
years as a starting point to address longer term management challenges.
In 2009-10 the state government delivered a 170 GL Lower Lakes Environmental Reserve and a further
170GL reserve for the same purpose has now been secured for 2010-11. This will ensure that additional
fresh water enters the lakes to help prevent further environmental damage from acidification and salinity.
Continued progress is occurring in the construction and operation of drains to control flooding and dryland
salinity in the Upper South East of the state, with the focus now shifting to achieving greater environmental
outcomes and to more strategic management of the water flows.
The ongoing sand management program for the metropolitan coast is being enhanced through an intention
to augment it with a sand pumping pipeline in accordance with the Adelaide Living Beaches Strategy 20052025.
Infrastructure works have occurred at both Belair National Park and Innes National Park and upgrades have
occurred on the South Coast Trail at Cape Jervis and the Gawler Ranges National Park roads.
A range of high quality accommodation projects have occurred throughout the state to facilitate access to
our natural tourism assets. In particular, Tourism Development Fund grants have assisted with new
accommodation facilities in the Clare Valley, Eyre Peninsula, Adelaide Hills, Flinders Ranges, Barossa
Valley, Kangaroo Island and Murraylands.
Current Major Projects
Projects
Sand pumping pipeline for metropolitan coast protection purposes
Redevelop and upgrade visitor facilities and road and trail
infrastructure at priority state parks and reserves
Invest in coordinated short, medium and long-term projects to build
resilience and address the health of River Murray
wetlands/floodplains, Lower Lakes, Murray Mouth and Coorong
(Murray Futures)
Complete the Upper South East Dryland Salinity and Flood
Management Program
Adaptive management system for the River Murray wetlands and
floodplains (Murray Futures)
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Expected Completion
2012
Ongoing
2019
Mid 2011
2019
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Natural Assets
Future Directions
South Australia is making significant progress in conserving and restoring its natural assets, regardless of
ownership. The state’s vision for ongoing management and stewardship of its natural assets includes the
following elements:
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Adelaide and regional areas will be resilient to the effects of climate change and will have a lower
carbon footprint
industries, housing and infrastructure will be sited and designed to withstand the potential
impacts of climate change and be built using ecologically sustainable development principles
public lands across the state will showcase nature conservation, recognise traditional ownership
and attract widespread visitor interest
regional Natural Resource Management Boards, together with the private sector, all levels of
government and local communities, including indigenous communities, will be developing and
delivering management programs and investment strategies that improve the condition and
resilience of natural assets
strategies and programs will be underpinned by improved data on the state of natural assets and
potential impacts of climate change
sustainability principles and consideration and avoidance of any potential long-term adverse
effects on the state’s natural assets will be integrated into daily decision-making, including
infrastructure planning.
To achieve this it will be necessary to collate appropriate data and develop and implement long-term plans
for the conservation of key environmental assets. The state’s natural assets will continue to be managed by
public, indigenous and private landholders and success must be underpinned by strong partnerships
between the community, traditional owners, private sector and all spheres of government.
The State Government is developing the five biodiversity corridors linking public and private lands. It will
continue to implement regional Natural Resource Management strategies and develop management plans
for our marine and terrestrial parks to guide conservation and sustainable use of natural assets across the
state.
Achievement of biodiversity outcomes will be supported by a clearly defined duty of care for land holders,
appropriate models of tenure and stewardship and incentives and appropriate market-based instruments.
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Infrastructure will continue to be developed to protect and showcase parks, reserves and our natural assets
and support sustainable tourism. Tourism activity will be encouraged through the establishment of
environmentally sensitive iconic sites for promoting the conservation of natural and cultural heritage.
Targeted investment in tourism accommodation in regional areas will be promoted to facilitate access to
strategic tourism assets.
Strategic Priorities
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Adapting to Climate Change
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Achieve South Australia’s greenhouse emission and climate change targets, as set out in the
Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007, through implementation of
actions identified in Tackling Climate Change: South Australia’s Greenhouse Strategy and the
directions for urban and regional form set out in the planning strategy (including the 30-Year Plan
for Greater Adelaide).
Develop a climate change adaptation framework for South Australia that will inform NRM plans.
Sustainable Coastal and Marine Environments
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Put in place management plans for the 19 marine parks.
Improve our base data and monitoring for marine and coastal systems ahead of potential impacts
from climate change.
Implement the Adelaide Living Beaches Strategy 2005-2025 and the Living Coast Strategy for
South Australia.
Sustaining our Freshwater Systems
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Develop a comprehensive water research, data management, modelling and decision support
capability.
Improve our monitoring of freshwater systems ahead of climate change impacts.
Undertake works to protect the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth sites, so that they retain
their significance as internationally important wetlands, and to protect the health of the River
Murray system.
Implement a program of works to address salinity, flooding and achieve positive environmental
outcomes in the Upper South East of the state.
Land and Habitat Management
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Undertake revegetation programs at a landscape scale for biodiversity outcomes around the state,
involving both public and private lands, so as to increase resilience of our threatened natural
systems to climate change.
Ensure the sustainable management of the Mount Lofty Ranges.
Research and implement strategic and integrated landscape-based fire management programs for
bushfire prone areas that protect communities and infrastructure and maximise the resilience of
natural systems to altered fire regimes caused by climate change.
Develop innovative and environmentally friendly infrastructure solutions and visitor experiences in
parks, reserves and at iconic tourism destinations.
Encourage sustainable development by removing unnecessary impediments to developments that
exhibit ‘exemplar’ attributes.
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