We encourage SA Government to make the “CAR” principles, which make the protected area system comprehensive, representative, and adequate, the foundation of the Strategy.
South Australia is developing a new strategy to guide how land is protected and conserved across the state. Our submission responds to the draft Land‑based Protected and Conserved Area Strategy and focuses on how it can better deliver strong, long‑term conservation outcomes.
Protected and conserved areas are critical for biodiversity. They also support community wellbeing and help meet national commitments, including the goal to protect 30% of Australia’s land by 2030.
Getting this strategy right now matters because it will shape which ecosystems are protected and how funding is directed.
ALCA welcomes the South Australian Government’s initiative to develop this much-needed strategy, and we particularly applaud the commitment to specific actions with timing.
To strengthen the strategy’s effectiveness and clarity, our submission highlights the need for clearer priorities and stronger alignment with national standards. South Australia is well placed to expand its protected area network but needs the right policy settings and investment tools to do so.
Our recommednations focus on:
- Making nationally agreed principles central to the strategy to guide where and how new protected areas are created.
- Prioritising areas with significant biodiversity, rather than relying on fixed percentage cut‑offs.
- Clearly contributing to the national 30‑by‑30 target.
- Improving support for conserved areas on private land, with clear legal and long‑term protection.
- Establishing funding mechanisms to help leverage state, federal, and philanthropic investment.
