The Commissioner carries out the Act’s administrative services for land drainage, clearing, land degradation assessment, compliance, covenanting and Land Conservation District Committees.
The information below is from the published Soil and Land Conservation Act 1945.
Functions of Commissioner
The general functions of the Commissioner shall include
(a) prevention and mitigation of land degradation
(b) promotion of soil conservation
(c) encouragement of landholders and the public generally to utilise land in such a manner as will tend towards the prevention and mitigation of land degradation and the promotion of soil conservation
(d) education of landholders and the public generally in the objects and practice of soil conservation.
Duties of Commissioner
The duties of the Commissioner shall include —
(a) carrying out of surveys and investigations to ascertain the nature and extent of land degradation throughout the State
(b) investigation and design of preventive and remedial measures in respect of land degradation
(c) carrying out of experiments and demonstrations in soil conservation and reclamation
(d) recording and publishing of the results of such surveys, investigations, designs, experiments and demonstrations
(e) dissemination of information with regard to land degradation and soil conservation and reclamation
(f) instruction and supervision of landholders in matters pertaining to soil conservation and reclamation
(g) advising and assistance of landholders whose land has been affected by land degradation
(h) coordination, having regard to the purposes of this Act, of the policies and activities of Government departments and public authorities in relation to any of the foregoing matters, and in regard to the alienation, occupation and utilisation of Crown lands or other lands vested in public authorities
(ha) collection of rates and service charges imposed under section 25A
(i) carrying out of works authorised by this Act.
Special powers of Commissioner
With the approval of the Minister, the Commissioner may —
(a) by agreement with the appropriate authorities, bodies or owners conduct experiments and demonstrations pertaining to soil conservation and reclamation on any lands
(b) employ such workmen and other persons as may be required from time to time for the conduct of such experiments and demonstrations
(c) supervise the use and application by any authority, body or person of grants of money made to such authority, body or person for the carrying out of specific projects in furtherance of the objects of this Act.