Pastoral Land Management and Conservation Act 1989.

This Actestablishes the legal framework for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of pastoral land in South Australia. The Act’s primary objectives are to ensure prudent use and management of pastoral land so that its renewable resources are maintained and its productivity sustained. It provides for effective monitoring, prevention of land degradation, rehabilitation of damaged land, and recognizes the rights of Aboriginal persons to follow traditional pursuits on pastoral land. The Act also allows for the concurrent use of pastoral land for renewable energy infrastructure, conservation, and other appropriate purposes such as carbon farming, subject to approval by the Pastoral Board. The Act prohibits the freeholding of pastoral land, ensuring that Crown land used for pastoral purposes remains under leasehold tenure.
The Act sets out the roles and duties of the Minister and the Pastoral Board, including the administration of leases, assessment of land condition, and enforcement of land management standards. It details the process for granting, varying, and extending pastoral leases, including conditions related to land management, rent determination, and compensation for resumption or expiry of leases. The Act provides mechanisms for public and Aboriginal access to pastoral land, establishes procedures for dispute resolution and review by the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, and includes provisions for the protection of land, policing powers, and penalties for misuse.