Community still up for the fight

THE Limestone Coast Sustainable Futures Association (LCSFA) has marked its one-year anniversary with a powerful show of community strength at its Annual General Meeting, reaffirming its leadership in the fight to protect prime agricultural land and groundwater from rare earth mining in the region.

Reappointed for a second term, association chair Todd Woodard credited the work of a growing alliance of local residents, councils, industry bodies and landholders supporting its #SaveOurSoils campaign.

Launched following a community meeting at the Joanna Hall in July last year, the LCSFA has evolved into one of South Australia’s most coordinated and vocal grassroots advocacy groups.

“We came together as neighbours, farmers, business owners and residents concerned about the impacts of invasive mining on our land, our water and our future,” Mr Woodard said.

“One year on, we are a credible, professional voice with the attention of councils, state government and the wider public united in our campaign to engage, educate and advocate for the long-term protection of our resources from the growing threat of rare earth mining activities.”

Since its formation, LCSFA has successfully secured formal support from key Limestone Coast councils, including Naracoorte Lucindale, Tatiara, and Wattle Range. These councils have adopted the association’s policy call and written to the Minister for Mining urging immediate reform and greater protection for local landholders.

Community momentum is also visible across the region with more than 300 roadside #SOS – Save Our Soils signs installed from Padthaway to Port MacDonnell, more than 1500 followers across digital platforms and hundreds joining community meetings to support the cause.

The campaign has also been highly visible in the media with front page headlines across state and national mast heads and consistent coverage on TV and radio channels.

LCSFA is campaigning the State Government for two urgent measures:

– A fully independent vulnerability assessment of the impacts of rare earth strip mining on the Limestone Coast’s agricultural systems and groundwater resources; and

– A pause on all mining licences and approvals until the research is complete and public.

“We’re not anti-renewables or anti-development,” Mr Woodard said. “We are for science-based, transparent regulation and for protecting the resources that sustain our region. We want the government to focus on strategy to value-add to our existing world-class commodities which provide economic prosperity for our state.”

In the past year, LCSFA has hosted and briefed a wide range of senior government MPs and key decision makers, including consistent engagement with the Department for Energy and Mining (DEM), raising concerns about the lack of transparency and community control in industry engagement processes.

Mr Woodard applauded the efforts of its hardworking committee which had volunteered thousands of hours, successfully delivering more accountability to the local mining license review process.

“We’ve seen first-hand the flaws in how community engagement is conducted, including the tightly managed and closed-door format of the Koppamurra Landholder Reference Group,” Mr Woodard said.

“Because of our pressure, AR3 has been forced to restructure its approach and introduce an independently chaired community consultative committee which will ensure accountability and transparency in the planning process.”

LCSFA is part of a growing cross-border movement of rural advocacy groups, such as Victoria’s Wimmera Mallee Environmental and Agricultural Protection Association (WMEAP) calling for better mining regulation and protection of prime agricultural land from the growing pressure of renewable and rare earth mining investment.

Key group members, Andrew Weidemann and Ross Johns, shared stories of their campaign journey as AGM guest speakers, noting the need to unite and push for national reform to address gaps in landholder rights, consent laws and environmental oversight.

“We know we’re not alone,” Mr Woodard said. “Across Victoria, communities are standing up for the future of food and fibre security, water resources and regional integrity and we recognise the value of working together on a long-term national strategy.”

Looking ahead, LCSFA is preparing for a major year of political engagement, aiming to ensure that the March 2026 South Australian state election places land use, regional planning and resource regulation front and centre.

“Candidates will be asked where they stand. Our communities deserve clear answers and strong leadership to protect our world class agricultural assets and finite water resources. We know our association can play an important role in defining the future of the Limestone Coast in the year ahead,” said Mr Woodard.

The July 15 AGM, followed by supper and guest speakers, was attended by approximately 90 concerned landholders and townsfolk as well as key guests, South Australian MPs Fraser Ellis and Nick McBride.