Plantation Management – Regulation and Planning
South Australia
Legislation
South Australian legislation in practice
Similar to WA, local councils in South Australia require a development application to be submitted for approval prior to allowing plantation developments to take place. Development applications are assessed against the relevant local area development plan, the key “on-the-ground” development control document in SA.
Development plans must be consistent with the Planning Strategy for South Australia, the State Government document guiding land use and development for the state, and can be amended by local councils through the development plan amendment process (which involves mandatory community consultation).
Establishment of plantations usually requires consent as a changed landuse. This approval process may be an impediment in some areas, and there is potential for streamlining through adoption of standard guidelines.
One of the most significant issues in relation to plantation development in South Australia is the availability of water. Plantation developments in the south east of SA are currently referred to the Minister for Environment and Conservation for approval (plantation forestry is listed as a "water affecting activity" – currently the only dryland crop listed as such). The SA Government is a signatory to the Council of Australian Governments (CoAG) National Water Initiative, however is also developing specific water use policies for the State.
Another significant issue is the protection of remnant native forests. Where these are present in plantation areas, plantation managers are required to ensure adequate protection as a part of operations. The Native Vegetation Act, 1991 prohibits broadscale clearing, and requires permits for the removal of native vegetation to the level of individual trees. Applications for clearing are evaluated by the Native Vegetation Council, and may require establishment of new native vegetation as part of development consent.
The Forest Property (Carbon Rights) Amendment Act 2006 amended the Forest Property Act 2000 to provide for the separation of ownership of land, forest vegetation and carbon rights, and includes rights to harvest. The Act allows certainty for investors in forests for a range of purposes.
With regard to the practice of forest management in SA, the documents ‘Guidelines for Establishing and Managing Commercial Forest Plantations in SA’ (1998) and ‘Environmental Management Guidelines for Plantation Forestry in South Australia’ (1997) have been developed in consultation with industry, local government, and a range of planning and land management authorities. These provide minimum best practice standards for the operation of the industry in SA.
Download ‘Environmental Management Guidelines for Plantation Forestry in South Australia’ (1997) (PDF)
