Michelle Daw, Yorke Peninsula Country Times
Barunga West Council says its ratepayers are not getting value for money from the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board levy.
In a letter to Environment, Climate and Water Minister and Deputy Premier Susan Close, council CEO Maree Wauchope said there was pronounced concern among councillors and their communities about how landscape board funds are distributed.
“For the fiscal year 2023-24, the levy contribution from BWC landowners amounts to $252,447, which covers 2812 rateable properties,” she said.
“However, no Landscape SA staff members are stationed within the Barunga West local government area.
“Moreover, the council receives infrequent visits from officers and there is minimal engagement regarding the board’s activities or support for the Barunga West region.
“The area also sees limited investment or funding allocation to landowners and/or the council when contrasted with the total levy contribution.”
BWC has also called for a review of the state’s approach to managing landscapes and natural resources, including community engagement, transparency, and an equitable allocation of the levy and its resources.
Ms Wauchope said there is a prevailing belief residents are underwriting prominent projects by NYLB in other local government areas, such as the use of cultural burning and the reintroduction of bettongs, while neglecting more routine but critical issues such as weed and pest control.
“For instance, in the board’s 2021-22 Annual Report, only $500,000 out of the $8 million in total revenue was disbursed as financial assistance to landowners across the entire Northern and Yorke region,” she said.
Ms Wauchope said the lack of detail in annual business plans and reports means BWC has little insight into the board’s operations and plans and there was a lack of effort to involve the community in the development of plans.
Alford farmer Bruce Philbey has four farming properties in the area and pays $1000 a year to council in NYLB levies.
He said he is particularly concerned about the lack of work to control boxthorn and horehound on roadsides and other public land in the area.
Mr Philbey said there is also a lack of engagement by NYLB officers with the local community.
“They are not actually going out and circulating in the community and saying that they want to help people with their weed issues,” he said.
“Landholders in Barunga West (Council area) would like to see value for the money they are paying.”
Minister lists BWC projects
Barunga West Council has benefited directly from Northern and Yorke Landscape Board program funding, according to Minister for the Environment, Climate and Water Susan Close.
In 2022-23, the NYLB supported the installation of a nest platform at Port Broughton for endangered eastern ospreys, held coastal garden workshops in Tickera and Port Broughton, funded three Grassroots Grants projects and managed silverleaf nightshade, wild artichoke, innocent weed, buffel grass, khaki weed, boxthorn, wheel cactus, calomba daisy, bathurst burr and African lovegrass.
It has also been responsible for the control of boxthorn by contractors near Tickera and the Willamulka corridor.
“Controlling weeds is one of the board’s legislative responsibilities,” Ms Close said.
“The NYLB encourages landholders to take action against declared weeds on roadsides, but there is no requirement to do so and the board engages contractors for this work.
“It also allocates funding for its staff to deliver roadside weed control in each council area.
“Additionally, Department for Infrastructure and Transport provides funding for the board to deliver weed control on major highways, while the Australian Rail Track Corporation funds weed control along rail corridors.”
Ms Close said the board is also involved in services and programs which deliver region-wide value.
“It provides input into stormwater management plans, water allocation planning, water affecting activities and native vegetation issues,” she said.
“The board is involved in pest animal control programs, including a 10-year deer eradication project, feral goat and wild dog control, and an annual fox bait distribution program.”
NYLB also manages weather and water monitoring stations and contributed $470,000 in 2023-24 towards water planning and water management.
“In 2022-23, the regional landscape and water levies contributed $6.2 million in funding, while funding of $4m from the federal government and stakeholders allowed the delivery of extra projects such as threatened species recovery and watercourse management,” Ms Close said.
“The board is currently developing a Yorke Peninsula Visitor Access Strategy which aims to better manage visitor impact along the coastline.
“The board also takes into consideration ongoing input from councils and the community to continually shape its business plan.
“For example, last year councils requested an increase to the amount of roadside weed control, which will double in the 2023-24 financial year.
“In addition, it has allocated $20,000 to each of its landscape officers to address priority weed management in their district in collaboration with councils, community and landholders.”
Ratepayers may have their say on NYLB programs via a survey to be promoted in council rates notices. For more information, visit www.landscape.sa.gov.au/ny/.
This article appeared in the Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 18 July 2023.
