Farmers in South Australia are expressing serious concerns over proposed reforms to the Mining Act that they believe threaten their rights and livelihoods. Todd Woodard, chairman of the Limestone Coast Sustainable Futures Association (LCSFA), criticized the state government’s recent legislative changes, warning that the mental health toll on the farming community is becoming increasingly unmanageable. He stated, “Our community is carrying the stress, uncertainty, and frustrations of a system that refuses to hear them.”
The Statutes Amendment (Energy and Mining Reforms) Bill 2025, which was introduced in Parliament last month, seeks to overhaul the Mining Act 1971. Woodard claims these reforms are designed to expedite mining expansion at the expense of agricultural land and the environment. He emphasized that the government has ignored calls for enhanced land-use protections, independent oversight, and transparent rehabilitation processes.
“The government has handed even more power to the minister and the mining sector — at the expense of farming families and the environment,” Woodard said. He pointed out that the reforms would make it easier for mining companies to access productive farmland while complicating the ability of farmers to protect their interests.
Concerns Over Expanded Powers and Long-term Tenures
Under the proposed legislation, exploration licenses could be extended beyond the current 18-year limit through rolling five-year extensions, with further renewals left to the minister’s discretion. Critics argue this could effectively lock up agricultural land for decades. The Bill also increases ministerial powers, extends mining tenure, and does not enhance rehabilitation requirements or introduce new land-use safeguards.
The LCSFA submitted a review calling for stronger conflict-resolution procedures, independent oversight of exploration approvals, binding rehabilitation standards, and clear consultation processes with affected landowners. Woodard noted that none of these recommendations were incorporated into the final Bill.
“It’s clear that consultation was a box-ticking exercise — rushed through with just five days for the public to respond,” he said, highlighting that best practices typically require a minimum of 30 days for public input. He concluded that the legislation appears to prioritize mining investment over balancing economic and environmental interests in affected regions.
Support for Opposition MPs and Future Advocacy
Woodard commended independent MPs Fraser Ellis, Nick McBride, and Geoff Brock for opposing the Bill in Parliament. He indicated that the LCSFA plans to increase its advocacy efforts leading up to the 2026 state election to secure genuine oversight and protections for the agricultural sector.
“Farmers deserve the right to manage their land without being overridden by distant decisions made in Adelaide. Once these rights are eroded, they’re lost forever,” Woodard asserted. He urged the government to reconsider the reforms and engage in true consultation with the farming community to prevent undermining the foundation of South Australia’s agricultural economy.
In response, a spokesperson for the Department for Energy and Mining defended the consultation process, asserting that it included a broader range of reforms earlier this year. The department noted that it received 43 submissions from various stakeholders during the consultation period from April 30 to May 28, 2025.
“The proposed amendments do not modify or reduce landowner rights, or existing processes under the Act that relate to the granting of mining tenure or the regulation of exploration activity,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the Bill aims to improve environmental rehabilitation outcomes through an expanded Mining Rehabilitation Fund.
The Statutes Amendment (Energy and Mining Reforms) Bill 2025 is set to return to the House of Assembly for a final vote at a later date. As the debate continues, the future of South Australia’s agricultural landscape hangs in the balance, with farmers urging for a voice in decisions that directly impact their lives and livelihoods.
