Thriving rural and regional communities

It’s incumbent on all levels of government to provide support and incentives to enhance prosperity for remote, rural and regional areas of our state. One of the biggest risks to agricultural communities is severe weather and in South Australia we have seen in 2024-25 one of the worst droughts the state has experienced. 

The Greens will enact a dedicated Green Fuel Transition Fund of $200 million over 4 years to support the agricultural sector in reducing emissions from diesel-powered vehicles and equipment to electrify the fleet. 

This fund would provide grants and low-interest loans to farmers and agribusinesses, enabling them to invest in renewable energy solutions and reduce their carbon footprint by switching from diesel to electric vehicles. 

Electric tractors are about to be rolled out in Australia¹ and the South Australian Government should be providing buy backs for diesel-powered tractors as part of the scheme.

^{1. https://www.afgri.com.au/news/post/deere-first-electric-tractor-2026-launch}

A rapid transition to a low-carbon economy is required to limit and mitigate the impacts of human-induced climate change. Rural and regional South Australia is well positioned to meet an increasing demand for renewable energy, for environmentally sustainable products and services, and for carbon sequestration while improving tourism to the far reaches of our state. 

The Greens will encourage visitors to the regions by doubling the number of existing EV charging stations. We will invest $40 million in optimising and expanding the network of electric car charging stations in the regions: this will allow for up to 450 charging stations across the state, delivered by the RAA in collaboration with government.

The Greens will support rural communities to enrich their culture through the establishment of regional galleries, recognition of First Nations’ heritage, and protection of historic buildings and sites.

Further, the Greens propose to expand the Aboriginal Ranger Program, doubling the number of Indigenous rangers to care for country throughout SA parks and reserves. We will create 15 new ranger positions across South Australia rolled out over four years with training and implementation developed in collaboration with the government, First Nations communities and advocacy sector participants. 

South Australia has an abundance of unique local farms and food producers. It’s important to ensure that these growers and producers are protected as environmental risks such as flooding and drought threaten food security by risking crops and disrupting supply chains. 

One of the ways we can protect our food security is by cultivating our local, large scale urban food production capacity. We can invest in supporting the South Australian agricultural industry by providing funding for local food producers and ongoing support for locally owned small and medium sized farms and incentivise farmers to sell directly to South Australian businesses and markets. 

To do this, we will create a $6 million Food Security Fund.  Over 4 years, this will provide $3 million in grants and no-interest loans to support local South Australian region commercial farmers and food producers. A specialised funding pool should be allocated for small scale farms that operate in urban and peri-urban areas. 

Further, $3 million will be provided to community gardens, orchards, school food education initiatives, food markets, food swaps and sharing economies, programs to support low-income households to establish gardens and food growing or swapping initiatives. 

Fifty-five percent of Australia’s land is used for agricultural production, with an estimated two thirds of that land with native vegetation on it2. There are opportunities for South Australian farmers to participate in carbon sequestration by maintaining existing native vegetation and landscapes or planting native gardens, trees and shrubs on their farms, and these producers will be able to access incentives through the Food Security Fund.

^{2. https://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/products/insights/snapshot-of-australian-agriculture}

Regenerative Agriculture projects are already being delivered at sites across South Australia³ including the Fleurieu and Eyre Peninsulas.

These focus on protecting and enhancing our precious topsoil. By minimising uncovered soil through planning and keeping living roots in the ground while also creating biodiversity through mixed crop planting and ensuring that native vegetation barriers are maintained, it can mean better crop yields and better protection against drought and flooding. 

The Greens will provide an income guarantee for two years to any business that is transitioning a farm to using regenerative agriculture. For those already using this practice, we will provide subsidies and incentives to cover costs. We will commit $8 million over 4 years to this. This will be monitored through an independent accreditation scheme that reports directly to the Department of Primary Industries and Agriculture. 

Further, current South Australian legislation related to native vegetation is voluminous and unwieldy. The state government recognises this and has put out a community consultation request for feedback on simplifying legislation. Native vegetation should be logged under a register which will assist with land management using technology and reporting.

^{3. https://www.landscape.sa.gov.au/hf/landscapes-hills-and-fleurieu-stewardship-program/care-for-soils/connect-with-regenerative-agriculture-groups/regenerative-agriculture-2#:~:text=Regenerative%20Agriculture%20is%20all%20about,and%20the%20human%20%2D%20social%20function}