Opportunities for Grower

Groups

Tim Herrmann

Manager, Sustainable Soils

Department of Environment, Water

and Natural Resources

DEWNR – approx. 1700 staff, ~50% regional roles

Environment Water Natural Resources

Parks Coast & marine

Fire management Biodiversity

Conservation Climate change

Botanic gardens

State Flora Built heritage

Water security Surface

Groundwater Allocations

River Murray

Regional NR Native vegetation

Pastoral Board Soil management

Agric landscapes

Advice to Government

Regulation & administration of Acts

Science, Research, Monitoring

Implementation & delivery

Strategy & planning

DEWNR’s role

•  Facilitator – of community involvement in taking responsibility for

the environment

•  Steward – of state’s natural resources to enable sustainable

development

•  Custodian – of public lands

•  Authority – on the environment and natural resources

Natural Resources regions

Relevant priorities

•  Conservation – habitat protection and restoration

•  Pests – management of proclaimed plants & animals

•  Soils – soil protection and management of acidification

•  Water – security, allocation, efficient use

•  Parks – being a good neighbour

Opportunities

•  DEWNR actively seeks out partners

•  We value contribution from farmer groups in delivering NRM

outcomes

•  We look forward to greater engagement with farmer groups

•  Groups provide direct point of contact to large number of

farmers (including consultants & researchers)

–  Works better if group has dedicated contact person (paid or not)

•  Recognise that production and management of resource base

is intricately linked

•  Structure and programs differ between NR regions (6 agric

regions + state-wide)

Opportunities

•  We look forward to greater engagement with farmer groups

•  We prefer projects driven by farmers

•  Big opportunity to be involved in conservation projects

•  Be pro-active - know who to talk to

•  Connect with Regional Landcare Facilitators

•  Identify correct partnerships to work with &/or gain funding

•  Take initiative to identify issues, drive projects & activities

Opportunities

•  Diversity in grower group expands opportunity for funding

•  Projects need to deliver on NRM & priority outcomes

•  Involve relevant NR staff in operational meetings

•  Actively participate in identification of regional NR issues & how

to address them

•  Contribute to development of regional investment priorities

•  Show that you are delivering NRM outcomes

•  Don’t be put off by differences in terminology & language

Thank You

•  Total - 15.6 million ha

•  Private ownership - 13.3 million ha

•  Ag production - 10.6 million ha

•  Native vegetation - 3.4 million ha

Agricultural areas of SA

Ø  National parks - 1.2 million ha

Ø  Private land - 2.2 million ha

v  Heritage - 0.5 million ha

v  Other - 1.7 million ha