The SLCC has Ministerial direction to oversee:
- The development of understanding of soil biology, soil organic matter and farming systems and practices to support the sustainability and profitability of WA’s agricultural and pastoral lands.
- The government’s delivery of Dryland Salinity – Future Directions Government Response (The Response 2020).
- The monitoring and assessment methods being developed for the Framework for Sustainable Pastoral Management to improve management and long-term land condition of the pastoral resource.
The department provides executive and administrative support to the SLCC.
The Soil and Land Conservation Act 1945 (SLC Act) is the principal legislation in WA relating to the conservation of soil and land resources, and this Act enables the establishment of the SLCC.
Learn more about the SLC ActThe SLCC's functions
- provide advice to the Minister on policy matters and the condition of soil and land resources
- coordinate, review, monitor and advise on the implementation of soil and land conservation programs funded by the WA and Australian Governments
- coordinate the establishment of, and activities within, Land Conservation District Committees (LCDCs)
- promote awareness of land degradation and conservation
- assist the Commissioner of Soil and Land Conservation to comply with functions under the Act.
SLCC members
Council members are appointed to ensure that the Council has a broad range of skills, expertise and knowledge, and a diversity of opinions and contacts.
Soil and land conservation is essential to prosperity and modern-day farming practices. Members of the Soil and Land Conservation Council have a strong interest in agriculture, pastoralism and land management, and have a commitment to building and regenerating our lands.
The Commissioner of Soil and Land Conservation has an ex officio role on Council.
- Chair: Dr Hayley Norman as for a term expiring on 30 June 2025
- Deputy Chair: Dr Richard George as for a term expiring on 30 June 2027
- Members:
- Mr Robert Nixon (term expiring on 30 June 2027)
- Mr Rhys Turton (term expiring on 30 June 2027)
- Ms Wendy Bradshaw (term expiring on 30 June 2027)
- Mr Dwayne Mallard (term expiring on 30 June 2027)
- Mrs Emma Foulkes-Taylor (term expiring on 30 June 2025)
- Dr Noel Schoknecht (term expiring on 30 June 2025)
- Dr Renee Young (term expiring on 30 June 2025).
Membership of the Council is prescribed in s.9A of the Soil and Land Conservation Act 1945 (SLC Act).
The Minister can appoint up to 9 members who must have, between them, expertise and experience in the following:
- soil science, particularly soil ecology
- agricultural production and farming systems
- managing pastoral lands
- soil conservation
- local government, planning, land use planning
- environmental conservation
- land management.
The members can serve a term up to 3 years, after which they are eligible for reappointment.
The SLCC holds 4 face-to-face meetings each year and aims to have one regional meeting a year. The Council may hold other meetings and consultations, and undertake reviews and investigations, to improve its advice to the Minister for Agriculture and Food and the Commissioner of Soil and Land Conservation.
The Council operates under a code of conduct.
The SLCC publishes reports on matters for which it has prepared advice to the Minister for Agriculture and Food and the Commissioner of Soil and Land Conservation.
The Commissioner of Soil and Land Conservation’s annual report includes the Council’s operational updates.
Council reports and publications
The WA Soil Health Strategy sets the strategic direction that will guide policy, research, investment, and on-ground actions that support the management, protection, improve the partnerships and improvement of soil functions and associated ecosystem services until 2031. The Strategy reflects the high value that industry, communities, and government place on soil health and aims to:
- support landholders and service providers (researchers, consultants, natural resource management groups, grower groups and associations, government officers) to understand the guiding principles of soil health and to plan and resource their key activities appropriately
- support soil health management practices that provide environmental, economic, and social benefits to WA
- develop community-wide understanding of the overall policy direction and management of the state’s agricultural, horticultural, and pastoral soils
- identify the responsibilities of landholders and government in addressing emerging soil health issues and challenges to prioritise future investment in soil health.
The strategy is being delivered through the department, in association with key government, industry and community partners.
SLCC undertakes public consultations to help the Council understand the views and draw upon the expertise of stakeholders and interested parties.
Contact us
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Soil and Land Conservation Council