Limestone Coast Landscape Board Business Plan
2026-27
This Business Plan delivers on the
Limestone Coast Landscape Board Regional Landscape Plan 2026-31
The Limestone Coast Landscape Board Chair is Dr. Penny Schulz
The Limestone Coast Landscape Board’s annual Business Plan outlines the budget and activities for the year ahead. Our Business Plan confirms our commitment of work to deliver for the Limestone Coast landscape region in 2026-27.
Acknowledgement of Country
The Limestone Coast Landscape Board acknowledges Aboriginal people as the First People and Nations of the ancestral lands and waters of the Limestone Coast. We acknowledge elders past, present and future and we respect the deep feelings of attachment and relationships of Aboriginal People to Country including the language groups: Meintangk, Potaruwutij, Bunganditj, Tatiara/Ngarkat, Tanganekald (Southern Clans) and Ngarrindjeri, and we commit to walking together to look after our landscape.
Limestone Coast Landscape Board Members
The Governing Body is made up of regional representatives who make decisions about investment in landscape management, derived from landscape and water levies, in conjunction with the Limestone Coast Regional Landscape Plan.
Dr Penny Schulz - Chair
Robbie Davis
Mark Bachmann
Tom Linnell
Peter Bissell
Tracey Strugnell
Jonathan Sobels
Staff
The Limestone Coast Landscape Board delivers on its objectives through the employment of a General Manager and a team of public sector employees. The Limestone Coast Landscape Board, through the General Manager, employs 47.9 full-time equivalent staff working to deliver the programs and projects with employee costs of approximately $5.8 M. A number of these positions are funded through external funding sources.
Staff work across the Limestone Coast, with locations throughout the region.
A number of corporate services are provided to the Limestone Coast Landscape Board through Service Level Agreements with the Department for Environment and Water and the Department of Treasury and Finance, Shared Services SA.
Walking Together Statement
The Limestone Coast Landscape Board is committed to walking with First Nations to manage our landscape. We demonstrate this commitment through adoption of the Lartara-Wirkeri Cultural Governance framework developed with the South East Aboriginal Focus Group. This framework has been incorporated into our Regional Landscape and Annual Business Plans to support opportunities for engagement and procuring services from First Nations groups.
Through consultation the Limestone Coast Landscape Board has incorporated Lartara-Wirkeri Cultural Governance, developed with the South East Aboriginal Focus Group. It is a statement of our commitment to First Nations people and organisations. We will walk together to manage our landscape. The Limestone Coast Landscape Board respects, honours and acknowledges the origins of Lartara-Wirkeri Cultural Governance and its importance to the South East Aboriginal Focus Group and First Nations people across Australia.
The Limestone Coast Landscape Board seeks shared learning, shared outcomes, transparency and evaluation of our effectiveness in walking together with First Nations people and organisations.
We will celebrate when First Nations voices are a part of making decisions in the management of their landscape and employment in caring for Country actions are embedded across our work.
Sources of funding
The Limestone Coast Landscape Board receives funding through the collection of levies (landscape and water levies) as well as through agreements with the South Australian and Australian Governments or other funding partners.
The Limestone Coast Landscape Board will seek funding opportunities during the 2026-27 year to supplement the programs and projects outlined in this plan.
|
Funding source |
2026-27 income ($) |
|---|---|
|
Regional landscape levy |
5,801,101 |
|
Water levy |
4,844,841 |
|
South Australian Government Funding |
812,250 |
|
Australian Government Funding |
1,501,011 |
|
Pest Control Service |
190,000 |
|
Other sources of income |
361,735 |
|
Total revenue |
13, 510, 939 |
Prioritising our investment
|
Priority investment |
Landscape and water levies ($) |
External funding ($) |
Total ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Educating and partnering to sustainably manage our landscapes |
1,036,145 |
- |
1,036,145 |
|
Protecting and balancing our region's water resources |
4,477,193 |
127,047 |
4,604,240 |
|
Growing sustainable primary production |
521,951 |
1,154,751 |
1,676,702 |
|
Working collaboratively to manage pest plants and animals |
3,678,499 |
91,312 |
3,769,811 |
|
Conserving and enhancing our region's biodiversity |
1,182,671 |
2,559,732 |
3,742,403 |
|
Grassroots Grants |
301,218 |
301,218 |
|
|
Total |
11,197,677 |
3,932,842 |
15,130,519 |
Expenditure of external funding is higher than revenue as some external funding to be expended in 2026-27 has been recognised in previous business plans.
Our work
Protecting and balancing our region's water resources
Managing water for all purposes, towards a balance that is understood and recognised.
|
Key activities |
Investment ($) |
|---|---|
|
Water allocation planning science support |
150,000 |
|
Lower Limestone Coast Water Allocation Plan consultation |
25,000 |
|
Lower Limestone Coast Water Allocation Plan socio-economic studies |
64,910 |
|
Lower Limestone Coast Water Allocation Plan groundwater dependent ecosystem monitoring program operation and maintenance |
50,000 |
|
Tatiara Water Allocation Plan consultation |
10,000 |
|
Tintinara-Coonalpyn Water Allocation Plan review |
5,000 |
|
Morambro Creek Water Allocation Plan review |
5,000 |
|
Padthaway Water Allocation Plan implementation |
5,000 |
|
Groundwater dependent ecosystem studies |
105,000 |
|
Landscape Priorities Fund Lower Limestone Coast Karst Rising Springs Project |
127,047 |
|
State Water Planning and Management Charge |
2,894,595 |
|
Program delivery |
1,162,688 |
|
Total |
4,604,240 |
Growing sustainable primary production
Supporting sustainable and integrated land management for environmental stewardship across the region.
|
Key activities |
Investment ($) |
|---|---|
|
Limestone Coast Climate-smart Landscapes Program |
232,017 |
|
National Soil Monitoring Program SA Field Activities |
443,838 |
|
Australian Government Regional Delivery Partner for Environmental Protection, Sustainable Agriculture, and Natural Resource Management Services |
249,931 |
|
Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator |
180,950 |
|
Improving sandy soils |
48,015 |
|
Program delivery |
521,951 |
|
Total |
1,676,702 |
Working collaboratively to manage pest plants and animals
Creating relationships to collectively manage pest plants and animals to support environmental, primary production and community outcomes.
|
Key activities |
Investment ($) |
|---|---|
|
Feral deer eradication aerial shooting program |
135,000 |
|
Feral deer eradication ground shooting program |
35,000 |
|
Enhancing threatened species protection |
30,000 |
|
Future proofing Rabbit Biocontrol |
11,630 |
|
Landscape Priorities Fund Drought Support Funding |
91,312 |
|
Pest Control Service |
181,000 |
|
Pest control asset replacement |
57,000 |
|
Roadside pest control |
123,500 |
|
African Lovegrass Project |
45,000 |
|
Program delivery |
3,060,369 |
|
Total |
3,769,811 |
Conserving and enhancing our region's biodiversity
Maintaining biodiversity through partnering for increased environmental stewardship.
|
Key activities |
Investment ($) |
|---|---|
|
Threatened Species Habitat Restoration Works |
76,000 |
|
Paddock Trees Project |
142,000 |
|
Sustainable Landscape Grants |
100,000 |
|
Saving our springs: Karst springs and alkaline fens restoration |
1,415,750 |
|
Cockies Create Communities |
285,415 |
|
Manoeuvre swiftly to protect the southern bent-wing bat |
442,598 |
|
Regional Bird Refugia On-Ground Works |
98,606 |
|
Native Vegetation Heritage Agreement Outreach Program |
67,432 |
|
Australian Government Regional Delivery Partner for Environmental Protection, Sustainable Agriculture, and Natural Resource Management Services |
249,931 |
|
Program delivery |
864,671 |
|
Total |
3,742,403 |
Educating and partnering to sustainably manage
our landscapes
Working together in the management of and towards a connectedness with our landscape.
|
Key activities |
Investment ($) |
|---|---|
|
Young Environmental Leaders Program |
11,115 |
|
Youth Environment Programs |
8,735 |
|
Walking the Seasons Program (school + community) |
18,800 |
|
Resource Development/Teacher PD events/Career immersions |
5,500 |
|
Education in our Landscape |
3,350 |
|
South East Aboriginal Focus Group facilitation and engagement activities |
35,000 |
|
Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation meeting facilitation and engagement activities |
35,000 |
|
Other First Nations Groups facilitation and engagement activities |
6,000 |
|
Support provided to First Nations (Aboriginal managed lands, Heritage sites and training activities) |
20,000 |
|
Cultural awareness workshops |
6,000 |
|
Support for mentoring of First Nations cultural knowledge holders |
30,000 |
|
Program delivery |
856,645 |
|
Total |
1,036,145 |
Landscape levy rates and collection from Local Government
The landscape levy will be raised and collected on our behalf by Local Government. Councils pay quarterly contributions to the Limestone Coast Landscape Board. Under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019 arrangements apply for Councils to be reimbursed for unpaid levies.
In this Business Plan, the Limestone Coast Landscape Board has retained the basis of the landscape levy as a fixed charge of an amount that depends on the purpose for which rateable land is used. A landscape levy based on land use purpose is viewed to align with a ‘beneficiary pays’ principle (e.g. primary production landholders pay a higher rate for the landscape levy as they use natural resources to generate an income and they are more likely to receive benefit from Limestone Coast Landscape Board programs). The Limestone Coast Landscape Board is continuing to use the purpose of use categories of commercial, industrial, primary production, and residential/vacant land/other uses.
Landscape levy rates have been increased by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 2.4% (September 2025 quarter, Adelaide)
Estimated council contributions to landscape levy income and collection costs for 2026-27.
|
Coorong District Council |
|||
|
Number of rateable properties |
Indicative council area contribution ($) |
Indicative council area share of levy (%) |
Council area collection fee ($) |
|
795 |
197,999 |
3 |
3,444 |
|
Tatiara District Council |
|||
|
Number of rateable properties |
Indicative council area contribution ($) |
Indicative council area share of levy (%) |
Council area collection fee ($) |
|
3,480 |
641,971 |
11 |
4,303 |
|
Kingston District Council |
|||
|
Number of rateable properties |
Indicative council area contribution ($) |
Indicative council area share of levy (%) |
Council area collection fee ($) |
|
2,136 |
304,414 |
5 |
3,873 |
|
Naracoorte Lucindale Council |
|||
|
Number of rateable properties |
Indicative council area contribution ($) |
Indicative council area share of levy (%) |
Council area collection fee ($) |
|
4,317 |
781,491 |
13 |
4,571 |
|
District Council of Robe |
|||
|
Number of rateable properties |
Indicative council area contribution ($) |
Indicative council area share of levy (%) |
Council area collection fee ($) |
|
2,356 |
311,850 |
5 |
3,943 |
|
Wattle Range Council |
|||
|
Number of rateable properties |
Indicative council area contribution ($) |
Indicative council area share of levy (%) |
Council area collection fee ($) |
|
7,283 |
1,253,032 |
22 |
5,520 |
|
City of Mount Gambier |
|||
|
Number of rateable properties |
Indicative council area contribution ($) |
Indicative council area share of levy (%) |
Council area collection fee ($) |
|
14,911 |
1,544,358 |
27 |
7,691 |
|
Southern Limestone Coast Council |
|||
|
Number of rateable properties |
Indicative council area contribution ($) |
Indicative council area share of levy (%) |
Council area collection fee ($) |
|
4,534 |
765,986 |
13 |
4,604 |
Levy rate per land use purpose
|
Purpose of use category |
Percentage of levy income raised (%) |
Total no. of properties per land use (February 2026) |
Landscape levy rate per rateable property 2026-27 ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Residential, vacant and other |
53 |
31,825 |
97.45 |
|
Commercial |
5 |
2,152 |
146.175 |
|
Industrial |
2 |
599 |
233.88 |
|
Primary production |
40 |
5,236 |
423.78 |
|
Total |
100 |
39,812 |
Water Levy
Water levies will be collected by the Department for Environment and Water on behalf of the Minister and paid to the relevant landscape board.
Water levy rates have been increased by Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 2.4% (September 2025 quarter, Adelaide).
|
Water levy rates |
|
|
A levy as a fixed charge per water licence or forest water licence |
253.42 |
|
A levy per kilolitre of water allocated as endorsed on the water licence, or authorised under section 105 of the Landscape South Australia Act 2019 |
|
|
Lower Limestone Coast, Padthaway, Tintinara Coonalpyn and Tatiara Prescribed Wells Areas |
|
|
Water allocation on a water licence is an allocation other than those specified below or where the water allocation is authorised under section 105 of the Act. |
0.316 cents per kilolitre |
|
Water allocated for the supply of water by means of reticulated systems by the South Australian Water Corporation established pursuant to the South Australian Water Corporation Act 1994 or where a water allocation on a water licence is specified as a public water supply. |
2.002 cents per kilolitre |
|
Water allocation on a water licence specified as an industrial, aquaculture, industrial-dairy, intensive animal keeping, environmental, pulp and paper mill operations or recreational allocation. |
0.418 cents per kilolitre |
|
Water allocation on a water licence that is specified as a specialised production requirement allocation (excluding specialised production requirement-frost allocations in the Lower Limestone Coast). |
0.316 cents per kilolitre |
|
Water allocation from the confined aquifer on a water licence that is specified as a delivery supplement allocation. |
0.316 cents per kilolitre |
|
Water allocation from the unconfined aquifer on a water licence that is specified as a delivery supplement allocation. |
0.032 cents per kilolitre |
|
Lower Limestone Coast Prescribed Wells Area only |
|
|
Water allocated where the water allocation is attached to a forest water licence. |
0.316 cents per kilolitre |
|
Water allocation on a water licence that is specified as a specialised production requirement frost allocation. |
0.105 cents per kilolitre |
|
Morambro Creek and Nyroca Channel Prescribed Water Resources only |
|
|
A levy as endorsed on the water licence of: |
0.38 cents per kilolitre of entitlement |
Get involved in a Limestone Coast Landscape Board project
Follow our projects, join our conversations and events and help shape our Limestone Coast landscape.
Photo credits
Walking Together art - Marie Clark
_____
All other photos are the property of the Limestone Coast Landscape Board
Produced by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board June 2026
Disclaimer
The Limestone Coast Landscape Board and the Government of South Australia, their employees and their servants do not warrant or make any representation regarding the use or results of use of the information contained herein as to its correctness, accuracy, currency or otherwise. The Limestone Coast Landscape Board and the Government of South Australia, their employees and their servants expressly disclaim all liability or responsibility to any person using the information or advice contained herein. With the exception of any material or devices protected by Aboriginal rights or a trademark, and sublet to review by the Government of South Australia at all times, the content of this document is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Licence.
For further information contact us
Phone: 08 8429 7550
Email: lclandscapeboardengage@sa.gov.au
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