Adiverse range of candidates including primary producers, conservationists and more women will play a key role in managing environmental issues in regional South Australia after being appointed to the state’s landscape boards.


A total of 27 member positions have been filled for landscape boards covering Eyre Peninsula, Hills and Fleurieu, Kangaroo Island, Limestone Coast, Murraylands and Riverland, Northern and Yorke and SA Arid Lands.


Tracey Strugnell, Tom Linnell, Mark Bachmann and new member Dr Jonathan Sobels were appointed to the Limestone Coast Landscape Board.


Minister for Climate, Environment and Water Susan Close said the appointment of 13 women and 14 men achieves greater gender balance and better reflects the diversity of the communities they serve.


“Five of SA’s nine landscape boards will now have gender balance or female majority membership,” she said.


“Current projects include reintroducing bettongs to Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, restoring vital habitat for threatened woodland birds in the Mount Lofty Ranges, managing feral deer numbers in the South East and assisting land managers to optimise soil health for productivity and environmental outcomes.”


A robust and competitive nomination process was undertaken before Minister Close appointed the board members based on their skills, knowledge and experience.


“South Australia’s landscape boards are vital in helping manage and protect our productive and natural landscapes,” Minister Close said.


“Taking care of our water resources, boosting biodiversity and improving soil management supports the environment and our state’s prosperity.


“I welcome new members and re-appointed members who are passionate about making a difference in their respective regions.


“I would also like to thank outgoing members for their valuable contributions.”