The Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association (EPLGA) is calling on all political parties contesting the 2026 South Australian election to commit to fair and practical reforms to native vegetation rules that it says are holding back regional communities.
As part of its 2026 State Election Priorities, the EPLGA is seeking exemptions for Eyre Peninsula townships that are consistent with arrangements already available in metropolitan areas.
EPLGA President and Kimba District Mayor, Dean Johnson (pictured) said councils strongly support environmental protection but current settings are creating unnecessary barriers to essential local projects in highly modified urban environments.
“Our councils absolutely support protecting biodiversity – that’s not in question,” President Johnson said.
“But the current system applies rules designed for remnant native habitat to townships that have already been developed for generations. It simply doesn’t reflect the realities of regional communities.”
Across the Eyre Peninsula, councils are encountering significant delays, added costs and regulatory complexity when undertaking projects such as housing development, road safety upgrades, stormwater management works and community infrastructure improvements, he said.
President Johnson said metropolitan councils in Adelaide already benefit from practical exemptions that recognise urban environments are fundamentally different from undeveloped landscapes, and regional towns deserve the same treatment.
“Right now, there is one set of rules for the city and another for the regions.”
“Aligning exemptions would reduce red tape, lower project costs and help councils respond faster to local priorities without compromising environmental outcomes,” he said.
