South Australia’s Pastoral Land Management Bill has passed Parliament, paving the way for wind and solar developments to coexist with traditional pastoral activities.
SA Environment Minister Ian Hunter said the legislation would be a major boost for economic development in regional areas.
“This legislation makes it easier to establish wind farms on crown land that’s subject to a pastoral lease, or to establish solar energy projects on pastoral land,” Mr Hunter said.
“It will now be possible for a wind farm developer to apply for a licence to build and operate a wind farm on crown land subject to pastoral lease, and for that wind farm to co-exist with a pastoral leaseholder’s activities.
“Importantly, the legislation also supports multiple land use on crown land and ensures that a pastoral lessee’s views are taken into account through the licence application process, and that 95 per cent of the wind farm licence payment will be passed through to pastoral lessees and native title holders.”
