Natural Resources Committee: Urban Green Spaces

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (16:08): I move:

That the seventh report of the committee, entitled Inquiry into Urban Green Spaces, be noted.

On 5 March 2020, and pursuant to section 16(1)(c) of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Natural Resources Committee resolved:

1. To inquire into urban green spaces, and in particular the benefits, opportunities, challenges associated with urban strategic planning, biodiversity, water management, primary production, climate change impact projections;

2. To investigate as to what extent of resources are allocated to urban green spaces in comparison to similar projects being undertaken interstate and internationally, in relation to coastal management, water resources and wetlands, green streets and flourishing parklands, biodiversity sensitive and water sensitive urban design, controlling pest plants and animals, nature education and fauna, flora and ecosystem health in the urban environment; and

3. Any other matter.

The committee received 40 written submissions and conducted six public hearings between September 2020 and March 2021. During these hearings the committee heard from witnesses from the South Australian government Department for Environment and Water, the South Australian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, Resilient East, Urban Development Institute of Australia (South Australian branch), AdaptWest, Dr Sheryn Pitman and members of the Green Adelaide board.

The committee's inquiry into urban green spaces occurred within the context of significant reform in landscape management and planning, presenting opportunities and challenges from the perspectives of stakeholders. The committee received a range of comprehensive and detailed submissions and oral evidence, which together conveyed that urban green spaces are highly valued resources in the community and can be broadly interpreted across different stakeholders.

Throughout its inquiry the committee examined the benefits, opportunities and challenges as expressed by stakeholders relating to urban green spaces. Specifically, the committee heard that urban green spaces support communities and livability, have an important role in mitigating urban heat in Adelaide suburbs, support biodiversity outcomes and are complemented through strategically planned and designed open space.

Green spaces and green infrastructure are of vital importance to the health, wellbeing, resilience and productivity of urban areas. The committee heard that most green spaces in Adelaide are located on private land, such as front and back yards and gardens. The importance of green space on private land was a clear concern from written and oral evidence, particularly given the observed loss of green space on private land.

Throughout the inquiry the committee heard that one of the main factors contributing to the loss of green space on private land is patterns of development, including individual ad hoc subdivisions within existing suburbs. The committee heard of the complexities in balancing urban infill requirements, providing housing, housing affordability and mitigating the risks of increased urban heat for communities.

Overall, submissions and oral evidence to the committee's inquiry suggested that the issue of supporting urban green spaces for improved livability involves many sectors and disciplines and many stakeholders. The committee considered how some of the opportunities and challenges associated with urban green spaces could be supported through actions undertaken by the state government.

As such, the committee has proposed 11 recommendations for the consideration of the state government that can support greater coordination and collaboration across sectors, enabling a more integrated approach to supporting urban green spaces within the context of planning and development.

I thank all those who gave their time to assist the committee with this inquiry. I commend the members of the committee—the Hon. David Basham MP, Dr Susan Close MP, the Hon. John Darley MLC, Mr Nick McBride MP, Mr Adrian Pederick MP, the Hon. Josh Teague MP and the Hon. Russell Wortley MLC—for their contributions to this report. I also thank the committee staff, Mr Shannon Riggs and Ms Kate Bryson, for their assistance throughout.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.