The strategy will focus on increasing tree canopy cover, reducing hard surfaces, meeting the urban green cover target of the 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide and prioritising areas that are the most vulnerable to heat.
This will help deliver the government’s commitment to increase greening in our neighbourhoods, improve urban biodiversity and address the loss of mature trees.
We will collaborate and partner with all sectors who deliver, champion or influence urban greening outcomes, including other state government agencies, local government, industry peak bodies, research institutions, non-government organisations and Kaurna Miyurna (people).
We are developing the Urban Greening Strategy in 3 stages to ensure we capture the different views of all our partners and stakeholders.
We have undertaken a literature review, practitioner survey and early stakeholder engagement to better understand who is working on urban greening in metro Adelaide, what they are doing, the critical gaps and what kind of strategy would work best.
We are also building on recent consultation on this important topic, including the development of Green Adelaide's Regional Landscape Plan (PDF | 3.34 MB).
For further details, download the Stage 1: Scoping and Early Engagement Summary Report (PDF | 2.73 MB).
We have undertaken cross-sector collaboration with a range of practitioners to help develop the strategy and determine how best to work together to implement it. A Discussion Paper (PDF | 5.01MB) has been prepared to support engagement activities.
The following engagement activities have occurred:
Greening Adelaide Leaders Event (May 2022)
To foster urban greening leadership, identify new partnership opportunities and drive commitment to collaborate. Discover what we heard (PDF | 3.17MB) at this event and the Practitioner Summit.
Cross-sector Practitioner Summit (May 2022)
To share progress, identify priorities for action and build momentum for shared action. Discover what we heard (PDF | 3.17MB) at this event and the Leaders Event.
Sector Discussions (May 2022 to June 2023)
To identify areas of consensus, difference and where individual sectors and organisations could play the lead and their priorities for action. For example, discover what we heard from the development industry (PDF | 1.77MB).
Scenario Planning Workshop (October 2022)
To co-create scenarios, generate shared vision and develop action pathways to achieve the vision.
Technical working groups and background evidence bases (June 2022 to May 2023)
We have set up three cross-sector technical working groups via an expression of interest process. These groups include subject matter experts who will provide advice on the development of the Urban Greening Strategy, and supporting evidence bases, on the following topics:
We are working through some remaining investigation and engagement activities as part of preparing a draft strategy for public consultation.
A draft Urban Greening Strategy is expected to be ready later in 2023 for consultation with the wider metropolitan Adelaide community.
The success of the Urban Greening Strategy relies upon coordinated cross-sector resourcing and collaboration.
There are many practitioners with a role in delivering, championing and influencing urban greening outcomes in metro Adelaide.
These practitioners work in a range of professions from arborists to engineers and designers to sustainability officers and planners, policy makers, and people looking after our local parks, plus more.
They also work across a range of different sectors such as state government, local government, industry bodies, research institutions and non-government organisations.
We are delivering targeted engagement activities with practitioners from across these different sectors.
A Community Focus Group will be held during public consultation for the interested public to share their thoughts on key elements of the Urban Greening Strategy. Wider public consultation is expected in late 2023.
Subscribe to the monthly Green Adelaide newsletter to stay in-the-loop on Adelaide’s first Urban Greening Strategy.
Green streets and other public spaces provide much more than a pleasant place to live. They also provide habitat for native animals, enhance biodiversity and improve people’s mental and physical health, as well as supporting an economically valuable ecosystem.
Urban green cover is declining in many neighbourhoods across metropolitan Adelaide. So, it is vital that tree cover and quality green spaces are increased to help maintain our city’s liveability and to enable our city to better adapt to a changing climate.
The development of Adelaide's first Urban Greening Strategy will be key to making this happen.
As well as preparing this strategy, we are working on a range of initiatives with partners to green our streets, open spaces and backyards, including:
1. What is urban greening?
Urban greening is the conservation, restoration or creation of green infrastructure, including trees and vegetation in and around urban areas that benefit people, nature and our economy, and the soils and water to support it.
Urban greening types include:
2. What is an Urban Greening Strategy?
It’s a plan to identify the challenges and opportunities for enhancing Adelaide’s tree canopy and green spaces, and to detail a way forward to implement urban greening efforts.
It will focus on actions which address gaps that would benefit from multiple partners working together.
3. Why does Adelaide need an Urban Greening Strategy?
There are lots of individual commitments from all sectors to improve urban greening. However, there is no cohesive, overarching plan for metropolitan Adelaide.
We recognise the unique resources, knowledge and capabilities of different sectors. By partnering and creating a practical plan with shared action, Adelaide's first Urban Greening Strategy will bring these resources together to deliver a much greater impact than could be achieved individually.
Adelaide has around 3,000 species of native and exotic trees around the city and suburbs. Here’s 10 of the most common ones that you’ll likely spot.
Want to spruce up your yard with colour and diversity? Discover 5 plants that will love life in an Adelaide garden.
Keen to add a touch of alternative green to your home? Here are 6 easy-to-follow steps to build a green wall.
SA's streets will be greener, cooler and more liveable thanks to almost $2 million of funding to support local tree planting projects. Find out more.
Green Adelaide Presiding Member Chris Daniels looks as what did and didn’t happen about 150 years ago, and what we can learn.
Adelaide is a beautiful green city, but action is still needed to look after its greenery. Why? Read on.
If you’re building a new home you know that there are lots of decisions. We’ve got your covered on the sustainable front. Here’s 5 ways to make your home greener.
