{"id":"coorong-environmental-trust-act-2021","name":"Coorong Environmental Trust Act 2021","slug":"coorong-environmental-trust-act-2021","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"sa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":31834,"registerId":"sa-coorong-environmental-trust-act-2021-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Coorong Environmental Trust Act 2021","content":"South Australia\nCoorong Environmental Trust Act 2021\nAn Act to establish the Coorong Environmental Trust, to provide for the administration of the Trust, and for other purposes.\n\nContents\nPart 1—Preliminary\n1\tShort title\n2\tCommencement\n3\tInterpretation\nPart 2—Coorong Environmental Trust\nDivision 1—Establishment of Trust\n4\tEstablishment of Trust\nDivision 2—Membership of Trust\n5\tMembers\n6\tRights and liabilities of membership\n7\tCalling of meetings\n8\tProcedures at meetings\n9\tVoting at meetings\n10\tTrust rules\nPart 3—Management of Trust\n11\tBoard of management\n12\tDirectors term of office and remuneration\n13\tRemoval from office\n14\tStaff of Trust\n15\tDisclosure of interest\n16\tDirector's duties of honesty, care and diligence\n17\tValidity of acts and immunity of members\n18\tPresiding member and deputy presiding member\n19\tProceedings\n20\tDelegation\nPart 4—Functions and powers of Trust\n21\tFunctions\nPart 5—Miscellaneous\n22\tAdvisory committees\n23\tAccounts and audit\n24\tAnnual report\n25\tPower of delegation\n26\tRegulations\nLegislative history\n\nThe Parliament of South Australia enacts as follows:\nPart 1—Preliminary\n1—Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Coorong Environmental Trust Act 2021.\n2—Commencement\nThis Act will come into operation 3 months after the day on which it is assented to by the Governor.\n3—Interpretation\nIn this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—\nboard means the board of directors established as the governing body of the Trust under Part 3;\nCoorong means—\n\t(a)\tthe Coorong and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert Wetland, as designated by the Commonwealth under Article 2 of the Ramsar Convention for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance;\n\t(b)\tany other land, waterway or area designated by the Minister by notice in the Gazette;\ndirector means a person appointed as a member of the board under Part 3;\nNgarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation means the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation that is a registered native title body corporate within the meaning of the Native Title Act 1993 of the Commonwealth and includes its successors and assigns;\nwaterway means a river, creek or other natural watercourse (whether modified or not) in which water is contained or flows whether permanently or from time to time and includes—\n\t(a)\ta dam or reservoir that collects water flowing in a watercourse; and\n\t(b)\ta lake through which water flows; and\n\t(c)\ta channel (but not a channel declared by regulation to be excluded from the ambit of this definition) into which the water of a watercourse has been diverted; and\n\t(d)\tpart of a watercourse; and\n\t(e)\tan estuary through which water flows;\nTrust means the Coorong Environmental Trust established under Part 2.\nPart 2—Coorong Environmental Trust\nDivision 1—Establishment of Trust\n4—Establishment of Trust\n\t(1)\tThe Coorong Environmental Trust is established.\n\t(2)\tThe Trust—\n\t(a)\tis a body corporate; and\n\t(b)\thas perpetual succession and a common seal; and\n\t(c)\tis capable of suing and being sued in its corporate name.\nDivision 2—Membership of Trust\n5—Members\n\t(1)\tThere will be a Trust constituted of members representing organisations with a professional, financial, physical or legal commitment to the ecological wellbeing of the Coorong.\n\t(2)\tThe initial members of the Trust will be appointed by the Minister.\n\t(3)\tThereafter, persons representing organisations with a professional, financial, physical or legal commitment to the ecological wellbeing of the Coorong may be admitted as members of the Trust by resolution of the Trust or as provided by the rules of the Trust.\n\t(4)\tBefore a person representing an organisation may be appointed by the Minister under subsection (2) or admitted as a member under subsection (3), the person must sign a statement on behalf of the organisation declaring its commitment to the ecological wellbeing of the Coorong.\n\t(5)\tA person ceases to be a member of the Trust in any of the following circumstances or as otherwise provided by this Act:\n\t(a)\tif the Trust resolves that the membership should be discontinued—\n\t(i)\ton the ground that the member has ceased on a permanent basis to—\n\t(A)\trepresent an organisation with a professional, financial, physical or legal commitment to the ecological wellbeing of the Coorong that gives rise to their entitlement to membership; or\n\t(B)\tprovide assistance toward the functions, upkeep and administration of the Trust in accordance with the rules of the Trust; or\n\t(ii)\ton any other reasonable ground determined by the Trust;\n\t(b)\tif the member resigns;\n\t(c)\ton death;\n\t(d)\tif the organisation that the member represents is dissolved.\n\t(6)\tThe presiding member of the board will be the presiding member of the Trust and the deputy presiding member of the board (if any) will be the deputy presiding member of the Trust.\n\t(7)\tThe deputy presiding member of the Trust may act as the presiding member in the absence of the presiding member or during a vacancy in the office of presiding member.\n\t(8)\tIf there is no deputy presiding member, a person selected by the board may act as the presiding member in the absence of the presiding member or during a vacancy in the office of presiding member.\n6—Rights and liabilities of membership\n\t(1)\tMembership of the Trust does not confer on a member, except as may be provided by this Act, any right, title or interest in any real or personal property of the Trust.\n\t(2)\tExcept as provided by this Act, a member of the Trust is not liable to contribute towards the payment of the debts and liabilities of the Trust or the costs, charges and expenses of a winding up of the Trust.\n7—Calling of meetings\n\t(1)\tA meeting of the Trust may be called at any time by the presiding member, by the board of the Trust, or by at least 10% of the voting members of the Trust.\n\t(2)\tThe presiding member must call a meeting of the Trust (the annual general meeting) at least once in each year.\n\t(3)\tAt least 7 days written notice specifying the time and place of each meeting must be given to every member of the Trust (subject to any other requirements under another provision of this Act).\n8—Procedures at meetings\n\t(1)\tThe presiding member will preside at meetings of the Trust or, in the presiding member's absence, a member chosen by the members present will preside.\n\t(2)\tA quorum for a meeting of the Trust is—\n\t(a)\tone‑third of the voting members of the Trust or 10 voting members, whichever is the smaller number; or\n\t(b)\tsuch other number as the Trust may from time to time determine.\n\t(3)\tWhen determining whether a quorum is present at a meeting, both voting members who are present at the meeting and those who are represented at the meeting for the purposes of voting will be counted.\n\t(4)\tSubject to this Act, a resolution will be carried if the value of the votes supporting it exceeds the value of the votes against it but if the values are equal the resolution will be carried if it is supported by the person presiding at the meeting.\n\t(5)\t21 days notice must be given of a resolution that varies or revokes a decision made by resolution of the Trust within the preceding 12 months.\n\t(6)\tSubject to this Act, the Trust may determine its own procedures.\n\t(7)\tThe Trust must keep minutes of its proceedings.\n9—Voting at meetings\n\t(1)\tSubject to this section, a member of the Trust is entitled to vote at meetings of the Trust.\n\t(2)\tA member may nominate another person to attend and vote at meetings on the member's behalf.\n\t(3)\tA nomination referred to in subsection (2) must be made by written notice to the Trust and may be revoked by the member, or all of the members, by subsequent written notice to the Trust.\n\t(4)\tIf a person who is not a member of the Trust has been nominated by a member or members to attend and vote at a meeting of the Trust, that person must be regarded as a member of the Trust for the purposes of proceedings at the meeting.\n10—Trust rules\n\t(1)\tThe Trust must prepare, adopt and maintain a set of rules relating to the membership, management and operations of the Trust.\n\t(2)\tThe Trust must ensure that a copy of the Trust rules (as in force from time to time) is published on a website determined by the Trust.\nPart 3—Management of Trust\n11—Board of management\n\t(1)\tA board of management of the Trust will carry out the day to day operations of the Trust and manage its general affairs. \n\t(2)\tThe board will consist of 7 persons (who will be called directors) of whom—\n\t(a)\t5 will be members of the Trust holding office in accordance with this Act; and\n\t(b)\t2 will be persons appointed by the Minister for a term and on conditions determined by the Minister.\n\t(3)\tThe Trust may initially appoint 5 members of the Trust as directors, who will hold office until directors are elected under section 12.\n\t(4)\tAppointments and elections of directors to the board must be conducted so as to ensure that—\n\t(a)\t1 director is a representative of the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation; and\n\t(b)\t1 director is an employee in an administrative unit of the Public Service that is responsible, under a Minister, for assisting in the administration of this Act; and\n\t(c)\t5 directors among them have knowledge of, and experience in, the fields of finance or business management, biological science, fisheries, community education, hydrology or geomorphology, and engineering.\n\t(5)\tThe Trust board may appoint—\n\t(a)\ta suitable person who is a representative of the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation to be the deputy of the director referred to in subsection (4)(a); and\n\t(b)\ta suitable person who is an employee in an administrative unit of the Public Service that is responsible, under a Minister, for assisting in the administration of this Act to be the deputy of the director referred to in subsection (4)(b),\nand the deputy may perform or exercise the functions and powers of the relevant director in their absence.\n\t(6)\tOn the office of a director becoming vacant, a person may be appointed in accordance with this Act to the vacant office.\n12—Directors term of office and remuneration\n\t(1)\tSubject to this section, a director (other than a director appointed by the Minister) will be elected at the annual general meeting of the Trust.\n\t(2)\tA member of the Trust is not eligible for election as a director if the member—\n\t(a)\tis an undischarged bankrupt or is taking the benefit of a law for the relief of insolvent debtors; or\n\t(b)\tis an employee of the Trust; or\n\t(c)\tis a member who is not entitled to vote at a meeting of the Trust; or\n\t(d)\tis a member who is not entitled to be a director of the board under the rules of the Trust or on account of a resolution of the Trust.\n\t(3)\tSubject to this section, a director will hold office for a term of 2 years (with each period between the annual general meetings of the Trust to be taken to be 1 year) and, at the expiration of a term of office, will be eligible for re‑election.\n\t(4)\tThe office of a director becomes vacant if the person holding the office—\n\t(a)\tdies; or\n\t(b)\tcompletes a term of office and is not re‑elected; or\n\t(c)\tresigns by written notice to the board; or\n\t(d)\tceases to be eligible for election as a director of the board under subsection (2); or\n\t(e)\tis convicted of an indictable offence; or\n\t(f)\tis found guilty of an offence against section 15; or\n\t(g)\tis removed from office under section 13.\n\t(5)\tIf a casual vacancy occurs in the office of a director, the remaining directors may appoint a person to the vacant office for the balance of the former director's term of office.\n\t(6)\tA director is entitled to remuneration, allowances and expenses determined or approved by the Trust.\n13—Removal from office\n\t(1)\tThe Trust may, by resolution, remove a director (other than a director appointed by the Minister) from office in accordance with the rules of the Trust—\n\t(a)\tfor breach of, or non‑compliance with, a condition of appointment; or\n\t(b)\tfor misconduct; or\n\t(c)\tfor failure or incapacity to carry out official duties satisfactorily.\n\t(2)\tThe Minister may remove a director appointed by the Minister from office—\n\t(a)\tfor breach of, or non‑compliance with, a condition of appointment; or\n\t(b)\tfor misconduct; or\n\t(c)\tfor failure or incapacity to carry out official duties satisfactorily.\n14—Staff of Trust\nThe Trust may engage staff for the purposes of this Act on terms and conditions considered appropriate by the Trust.\n15—Disclosure of interest\n\t(1)\tA director who has a direct or indirect personal or pecuniary interest in a matter under consideration by the board—\n\t(a)\tmust, as soon as they become aware of the interest, disclose the nature and extent of the interest to the board; and\n\t(b)\tmust not take part in any deliberations or decision of the board on the matter and must be absent from the room when any such deliberations are taking place or decision is being made.\nMaximum penalty: $10 000.\n\t(2)\tIf a director discloses an interest in a contract or proposed contract and complies with the other requirements of this section—\n\t(a)\tthe contract is not liable to be avoided by the board; and\n\t(b)\tthe director is not liable to account for profits derived from the contract.\n\t(3)\tIf a director fails to make a disclosure of interest or fails to comply with the other requirements of this section in respect of a proposed contract, the contract is liable to be avoided by the board.\n\t(4)\tA contract may not be avoided under subsection (3) if a person has acquired an interest in property the subject of the contract in good faith for valuable consideration and without notice of the contravention.\n\t(5)\tIf, in the Trust's opinion, the holding of a particular interest is not consistent with the proper discharge of the duties of a member of the board, the Trust may direct the member either to divest themself of the interest or to resign from the board (and non‑compliance with the direction constitutes a ground for removal of the member from the board).\n\t(6)\tA disclosure under this section must be recorded in the minutes of the board.\n\t(7)\tThis section does not apply to an interest that a director shares in common with all or a substantial proportion of the members of the Trust.\n16—Director's duties of honesty, care and diligence\n\t(1)\tA director must at all times act honestly in the performance of official functions.\nMaximum penalty: $10 000.\n\t(2)\tA director must at all times act with reasonable care and diligence in the performance of official functions.\nMaximum penalty: $10 000.\n\t(3)\tA director or former director must not make improper use of information acquired because of their official position to gain, directly or indirectly, a personal advantage for themself or another, or to cause detriment to the Trust.\nMaximum penalty: $10 000.\n\t(4)\tA director must not make improper use of their official position to gain, directly or indirectly, a personal advantage for themself or another, or to cause detriment to the Trust.\nMaximum penalty: $10 000.\n\t(5)\tThis section is in addition to, and does not derogate from, other laws.\n17—Validity of acts and immunity of members\n\t(1)\tAn act or proceeding of the board is not invalid by reason only of a vacancy in its membership or a defect in the appointment of a director.\n\t(2)\tA director incurs no civil liability for an honest act or omission in the performance or exercise, or purported performance or exercise, of the director's or the board's functions, duties or powers under this or any other Act.\n\t(3)\tThe immunity conferred by subsection (2) does not extend to culpable negligence.\n\t(4)\tA civil liability that would, but for this section, attach to a member attaches instead to the Trust.\n18—Presiding member and deputy presiding member\n\t(1)\tThe directors must, at the first meeting of the board held after an annual general meeting of the Trust, select 1 of their number to be the presiding member of the board (and therefore of the Trust).\n\t(2)\tThe directors may also select 1 of their number to be the deputy presiding member of the board (and therefore of the Trust).\n\t(3)\tSubject to subsections (4) and (5), a person selected under subsection (1) or (2) will hold office until the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Trust held after the member's selection (and is eligible for reappointment if they continue or are re‑elected as a member of the board).\n\t(4)\tA person selected under this section may be removed from office by resolution of the board.\n\t(5)\tThe office of a person selected under this section becomes vacant before an annual general meeting of the Trust if the person holding the office—\n\t(a)\tdies; or\n\t(b)\tresigns by written notice to the board; or\n\t(c)\tceases to be a member of the board or of the Trust; or\n\t(d)\tis removed from office under subsection (4).\n\t(6)\tIf a casual vacancy occurs in the office of the presiding member or deputy presiding member, the members (or remaining members) of the board may appoint another of their number to the vacant office (and to hold office until the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Trust).\n19—Proceedings\n\t(1)\tA quorum of the board consists of 5 directors.\n\t(2)\tA decision carried by a majority of the votes cast by directors at a meeting is a decision of the board.\n\t(3)\tEach director present at a meeting of the board has 1 vote on any question arising for a decision and, if the votes are equal, the member presiding at the meeting may exercise a casting vote.\n\t(4)\tA telephone or video conference between directors constituted in accordance with procedures determined by the board will, for the purposes of this section, be taken to be a meeting of the board at which the participating members are present.\n\t(5)\tA resolution of the board—\n\t(a)\tof which prior notice was given to all directors in accordance with procedures determined by the board; and\n\t(b)\tin which a majority of the directors expressed their concurrence in writing,\nwill be taken to be a decision of the board made at a meeting of the board.\n\t(6)\tThe board must have accurate minutes kept of its proceedings.\n\t(7)\tSubject to this Act, the board may determine its own procedures.\n20—Delegation\n\t(1)\tThe board of management may delegate a function or power of the board—\n\t(a)\tto a director; or\n\t(b)\tto another person (including the person for the time being holding or occupying a particular position) or body.\n\t(2)\tA delegation under this section—\n\t(a)\tmust be made by instrument in writing; and\n\t(b)\tmay be absolute or conditional; and\n\t(c)\tdoes not derogate from the ability of the board to act in any matter; and\n\t(d)\tis revocable at will.\n\t(3)\tA function or power delegated under this section may, if the instrument of delegation so provides, be further delegated.\nPart 4—Functions and powers of Trust\n21—Functions\nThe functions of the Trust are as follows:\n\t(a)\tto create and maintain a repository for all environmental data and research outcomes relating to the Coorong;\n\t(b)\tto prepare an annual 'State of Our Estuary' report, along with presenting an opportunity for community, policy writers, and researchers to discuss outcomes;\n\t(c)\tto prepare, adopt and maintain a set of rules relating to the membership, management and operations of the Trust;\n\t(d)\tto provide independent, impartial scientific advice on the state of the Coorong to all stakeholders;\n\t(e)\tto provide guidance for future environmental research within the Coorong;\n\t(f)\tto clearly monitor and document environmental flow outcomes;\n\t(g)\tto coordinate and if necessary implement a comprehensive water quality monitoring program;\n\t(h)\tto independently assess proposed solutions to ecological challenges faced by the Coorong;\n\t(i)\tto raise money so that it can carry out its functions with financial independence;\n\t(j)\tto perform any function assigned to the Trust by regulation.\nPart 5—Miscellaneous\n22—Advisory committees\n\t(1)\tThe Trust must establish—\n\t(a)\tthe Fundraising committee; and\n\t(b)\tthe Wetland Science committee.\n\t(2)\tThe members of the Fundraising committee and the Wetland Science committee are to be appointed by the Trust.\n\t(3)\tThe Trust may establish other committees to provide advice on any matter affecting the administration of this Act as the Trust thinks fit.\n\t(4)\tThe procedures to be observed in relation to the conduct of the business of an advisory committee will be—\n\t(a)\tas determined by the Trust; or\n\t(b)\tinsofar as the procedure is not determined under paragraph (a), as determined by the relevant committee.\n23—Accounts and audit\n\t(1)\tThe Trust must keep proper accounting records in relation to its financial affairs, and must have annual statements of account prepared in respect of each financial year.\n\t(2)\tThe Auditor‑General must, in respect of each financial year, audit the accounts of the Trust.\n24—Annual report\n\t(1)\tThe Trust must, on or before 30 September in every year, forward to the Minister a report on the Trust's operations for the preceding financial year.\n\t(2)\tThe report must contain any information required by the regulations.\n\t(3)\tThe Minister must, within 6 sitting days after receiving a report under this section, cause copies of the report to be laid before both Houses of Parliament.\n25—Power of delegation\n\t(1)\tSubject to subsection (2), the Trust may delegate a function or power of the Trust under this Act—\n\t(a)\tto the board of management of the Trust; or\n\t(b)\tto a particular person or other body.\n\t(2)\tA delegation under this section—\n\t(a)\tmust be made by instrument in writing; and\n\t(b)\tmay be absolute or conditional; and\n\t(c)\tdoes not derogate from the ability of the trust to act in any matter; and\n\t(d)\tis revocable at will.\n\t(3)\tA function or power delegated under this section may, if the instrument of delegation so provides, be further delegated.\n26—Regulations\n\t(1)\tThe Governor may make such regulations as are contemplated by, or necessary or expedient for the purposes of, this Act.\n\t(2)\tThe regulations may—\n\t(a)\tbe of general or limited application; and\n\t(b)\tmake different provision according to the persons, things or circumstances to which they are expressed to apply; and\n\t(c)\tprovide that any matter or thing is to be determined, dispensed with, regulated or prohibited according to the discretion of the Trust.\nLegislative history\nNotes\n\t•\tFor further information relating to the Act and subordinate legislation made under the Act see the Index of South Australian Statutes or www.legislation.sa.gov.au.\nPrincipal Act\nYear\nNo\nTitle\nAssent\nCommencement\n2021\n58\nCoorong Environmental Trust Act 2021 \n9.12.2021\n9.3.2022: s 2\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: establishing a corporate body to manage environmental monitoring and advocacy for the Coorong wetland system. The scope has not expanded beyond this core environmental governance function."},"complexity_factors":["Moderate length (26 sections) with standard corporate governance structure","7 defined terms in interpretation section (section 3), including nested definition of 'waterway' with 5 sub-paragraphs and conditional exclusion for channels","Dual governance structure (Trust membership + board of management) with overlapping but distinct roles","Multiple appointment mechanisms: Ministerial appointments, Trust elections, board co-options for casual vacancies, deputy appointments","Conditional logic in quorum calculations (one-third of voting members OR 10, whichever is smaller)","Cross-references between Parts (e.g., section 5(6) linking presiding member roles to board positions defined in Part 3)","Exception to disclosure requirements (section 15(7)) for interests held in common with substantial proportion of members","Nested delegation provisions allowing sub-delegation (sections 20 and 25)","Specific skill requirements for board composition (section 11(4)(c)) creating mandatory expertise mix"],"plain_english_summary":"This South Australian law creates a new independent body called the **Coorong Environmental Trust** to protect and monitor one of Australia's most important wetland systems.\n\n**What the Trust does:**\n- Acts as a central hub for all environmental data and research about the Coorong (a Ramsar-listed wetland of international importance that includes Lakes Alexandrina and Albert)\n- Publishes an annual 'State of Our Estuary' report for the community, policymakers and researchers\n- Provides independent scientific advice on the Coorong's health\n- Monitors water quality and environmental flows\n- Assesses proposed solutions to ecological problems\n- Raises its own money to stay financially independent\n\n**Who runs it:**\n- A **board of 7 directors** manages day-to-day operations:\n  - 5 elected by Trust members (who represent organisations committed to the Coorong)\n  - 2 appointed by the Minister\n  - Must include: one representative from the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation (the Traditional Owners), one public servant, and collectively expertise in finance, science, fisheries, education, hydrology and engineering\n- **Members** of the Trust come from organisations with a professional, financial, physical or legal stake in the Coorong's ecological health\n\n**Key safeguards:**\n- Directors must disclose conflicts of interest and can't vote on matters where they have a personal stake\n- Directors face criminal penalties (up to $10,000) for dishonesty, negligence, or misusing their position\n- The Auditor-General audits the Trust's accounts annually\n- The Trust must report to Parliament each year\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThe Coorong has faced severe environmental stress, including drought and water allocation disputes. This Trust creates an independent, scientifically rigorous voice to advocate for the wetland's health—separate from government departments and political cycles—while ensuring Traditional Owner representation and community involvement."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act, as presented, is the principal 2021 statute establishing the Coorong Environmental Trust and contains no subsequent amendments in the supplied legislative history. The statutory scope is the original scheme: creation of a corporate Trust with specified functions, membership and governance, Ministerial appointments and regulatory powers (see legislative history and ss 4, 11, 21, 26). No textual changes from an earlier version are indicated in the source material provided."},"complexity_factors":["Membership admission and termination rules that require organisational commitment declarations and Trust resolutions (s5).","Board composition and mixed appointment method: 5 member‑elected directors and 2 Ministerial appointees, with specified representational requirements including Ngarrindjeri and a public service employee (s11(2)–(4)).","Director eligibility, fixed two‑year terms, casual vacancy rules, removal powers and Ministerial removal for appointees (s12, s13).","Conflict of interest disclosure duties, criminal/penalty exposure and contract‑avoidance consequences (s15).","Statutory duties of honesty, care and diligence with monetary penalties and prohibitions on misuse of information or position (s16).","Delegation architecture allowing the board and the Trust to delegate functions in writing, revocably and with capacity for sub‑delegation (s20, s25).","Broad functional remit covering data repository, reporting, research guidance, monitoring, independent assessment and fundraising (s21) which creates wide policy and operational discretion.","Financial accountability and oversight: mandatory accounting records, annual statements and Auditor‑General audit (s23), plus annual reporting to the Minister and Parliament (s24).","Internal procedural rules, quorum and voting arrangements across both Trust and board levels with specific numeric thresholds (s7–9, s19).","Regulations power granting the Governor and Trust discretion to determine application and procedural matters (s26)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Act creates the Coorong Environmental Trust, a corporate body to collect and store environmental data, publish an annual \"State of Our Estuary\" report, give independent scientific advice, coordinate monitoring and assess solutions for the Coorong. It sets rules for organisational membership, a seven‑person board (including Ngarrindjeri and government appointees), director duties and disclosure, fundraising, and audit requirements. Who pays and who decides: the Trust may raise funds (s21(i)), remunerate directors (s12(6)), is audited by the Auditor‑General (s23) and is subject to Ministerial appointments and regulations (s11(2)(b), s26)."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope cannot be assessed as the legislative text was not available. The page returned a website error, preventing any analysis of whether the Act's final scope differed from its original intent."},"complexity_factors":["No legislative text was retrievable — the source URL returned a 404 Page Not Found error","Complexity cannot be meaningfully assessed without access to the actual provisions of the Act","Score of 1 reflects absence of content to analyse, not simplicity of the underlying law"],"plain_english_summary":"## ⚠️ Content Unavailable\n\nThe actual text of the **Coorong Environmental Trust Act 2021** (South Australian legislation) could not be retrieved. The link provided returned a **\"Page Not Found\"** error from the South Australian legislation website, likely due to a website restructure that occurred around **24 March 2026**.\n\n### What we can infer from the title:\nBased solely on the name of the Act:\n- It likely establishes a **trust** (a legal body that holds and manages funds or assets for a specific purpose) focused on the **environmental protection and restoration of the Coorong** — a significant coastal lagoon and wetland system in South Australia, listed under the international Ramsar Convention for its ecological importance.\n- It would probably set out how the trust is governed, how it receives and spends money, and what environmental goals it must pursue.\n\n### Who might be affected:\n- Environmental managers, conservation organisations, and landholders in the Coorong region\n- State and local government bodies involved in natural resource management\n- Potentially the Ngarrindjeri people, the Traditional Owners of the Coorong\n\n**⚠️ No reliable legal analysis can be provided without access to the actual legislation.** To view the Act, visit [www.legislation.sa.gov.au](https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au) and search directly for the Coorong Environmental Trust Act 2021."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/coorong-environmental-trust-act-2021","history":"/api/acts/coorong-environmental-trust-act-2021/history","analysis":"/api/acts/coorong-environmental-trust-act-2021/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/coorong-environmental-trust-act-2021/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/coorong-environmental-trust-act-2021/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/coorong-environmental-trust-act-2021/documents"}}