The Landscape South Australia Act 2019 (SA) commenced on 1 July 2020, repealing the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 (SA).

The Act should be read in conjunction with the Landscape South Australia (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2019 (SA) and the Landscape South Australia (General) Regulations 2020 (SA).

The Act establishes an integrated scheme to manage South Australia’s soil, water, pest plants and animals, and biodiversity across the state.

In particular, this Act provides for the protection and management of catchments and the sustainable use of water resources, seeking to enhance and restore already degraded water resources.

The Act repealed the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 (SA), which previously dealt with a large proportion of water issues. The Act assigns the Minister responsibility to promote sustainable and integrated management of the State's landscapes, and to make provision for the protection of the State's natural resources, coasts and seas.

The Act also provides for the establishment of the regional landscape boards (including a Green Adelaide Board) who assist the Minister in the administration of the Act, monitor and evaluate policies of their regional landscape plan. The responsible Minister is also required to prepare and maintain a plan, the State Landscape Strategy, which sets out the principles, policies and high level strategic directions for achieving the objects of the Act throughout the State [see s 40). Water allocation plans are prepared for each landscape management region by the regional landscape boards [see ss 52-57 of the Act].