| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | South Australia |
| Headquarters | 11Waymouth Street,Adelaide |
| Employees | 830[1] |
| Annual budget | $250.1 million[2] |
| Minister responsible |
|
| Department executive |
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| Website | Department of Primary Industries and Regions |
Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA), also known asPrimary Industries and Regions South Australia, and theDepartment of Primary Industries and Regions SA, is an agency of theSouth Australian Government whose focus is the economic development of the state ofSouth Australia. Its key areas of work includeprimary sector industries (in South Australia, mainlyfarming), andbiosecurity.
The purpose of the agency is to "grow primary industries and drive regional development".[3] Its key areas of work include primary sectorindustries (in SA, mainlyagriculture,viticulture and farming oflivestock),[4] marineaquaculture, andbiosecurity.[5]Agribusiness, covering "food and beverage,field crops, meat and livestock,wine,seafood,horticulture andforestry sectors" are seen as mainstays and growth areas of the South Australian economy.[6]
Along with theSouth Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), PIRSA has been located at theWaite Research Precinct, alongside theUniversity of Adelaide's Waite campus since about 1994.[7]
The Fisheries and Aquaculture division manages the state'sfish stocks, along with industry and the community, by developing and implementing policy and regulations to ensuresustainable development of the aquaculture industry.[8] It employs fisheries officers to monitor compliance with fishing regulations.[9]
PIRSA runs agrants program for farm industry business owners and operators.[10]
SARDI is the state government's principal research institute, and forms part of PIRSA.[11]
In 1992, the South Australian Department of Agriculture, the Department of Fisheries, and the Department of Woods and Forests merged to formPrimary Industries South Australia (PISA).[12] In 1996–1997, the name of Mines and Energy South Australia was changed toMines and Energy Resources South Australia (MERSA).[13]
In 1997, PISA and MERSA merged to formPrimary Industries and Resources SA,[14] formally theDepartment of Primary Industries and Resources SA (PIRSA).[15] In 2011–12 the name was changed toPrimary Industries and Regions SA.[14]
In 2019, the Pastoral Board of South Australia, which governspastoral leases in South Australia, moved to PIRSA from the Department for Environment and Water.[16][17]
In 2019, PIRSA and SARDI also entered a partnership with theUniversity of Adelaide in which scientists in diverse disciplines were to be able to access PIRSA's research farms and share their academic knowledge to the agricultural sector. The collaboration was anticipated to help develop SA's expertise indryland agriculture by encouragingmulti-disciplinary research and helping to bring about new export opportunities.[7]
In 2020, PIRSA started a review of biosecurity legislation in South Australia, which had been covered by several pieces of legislation; the aim was to achieve a single Act for the state[18][19][20] that would ensure South Australia's biosecurity systems remain effective. As of March 2024[update], the Bill was expected to progress through the parliamentary process by the end of the year.[21]
In 2007, as part of its community program, PIRSA administered a travel survey in Adelaide that identified the need for secureparking for bicycles in the city. A parking station for 21 bikes was built in a basement at theGrenfell Centre, which proved very popular. It also established abicycle user group.[22]
PIRSA fisheries officers police fishers' compliance with fisheries regulations to ensure fish stocks are safeguarded for future generations. An example in December 2014 was when fisheries officers caught two men fishing atWallaroo forsnapper during the annual closure period. The men fled and were detained 20 kilometres (12 miles) away. The fishers were fined and ordered to pay costs totallingA$2,184.[9]
To help with landholders' recovery from theDecember 2019 bushfires, PIRSA prepared, with other agencies, animpact assessment of the damage done to many types of agricultural enterprises. Advice on caring for stock, coordination of various types of assistance, and technical support were given to people who had suffered losses from the fires, many of whom were located aroundCudlee Creek and onKangaroo Island.[23]