Building a cooler, greener transport future
Lead: Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT)
Partner/s: Various, across multiple projects
About: DIT has strengthened its commitment to greener, cooler and more climate resilient streets and public spaces by implementing its Green Infrastructure Commitment through updates to its Master Specifications. This work delivers Action 2.1, ensuring that green infrastructure requirements are embedded directly into project planning and design across metropolitan Adelaide and regional towns.
Under the updated specifications, projects must:
- achieve more than 30% urban canopy cover
- incorporate more than 50% tree canopy cover over footpaths and bikeways, and provide shade at public transport nodes
- retain existing trees where possible
- achieve 50% local native plant species
- incorporate water‑sensitive urban design (WSUD)
Larger projects are also required to deliver greening on adjacent land within designated Additional Greening Zones, contributing to network‑wide canopy targets.
DIT has also updated its Sustainability Manual, providing practical guidance to help staff and contractors make greener choices at every stage of project delivery.
Strategy alignment: Priority 2, Action 2.1.
Status:
- COMPLETED – Master Specifications and Sustainability Manual updated to embed the Green Infrastructure Commitment into project planning and design.
- UNDERWAY – Implementation across metropolitan and regional projects.
- TO START – Ongoing refinement of tools, guidance and monitoring frameworks to support consistent delivery of green infrastructure outcomes.
Find out more: Read the Department for Infrastructure and Transport updated Green Infrastructure Commitment, Master Specifications and Sustainability Manual.