A courageous bid has been launched for Adelaide to become Australia’s first National Park City, as South Australians show overwhelming support for urgent action on climate change.
In doing so, Adelaide will boost its global recognition, funding, migration and action against climate change.
Green Adelaide is overseeing the campaign to have Greater Adelaide awarded National Park City status.
Environment institute Advisory Board Member and Green Adelaide chair, Professor Chris Daniels said being named a National Park City – a title which would be shared only with London – would be important recognition for the state. It would:
- Show global recognition for Greater Adelaide’s natural resources.
- Attract interstate and international migration.
- Enable for more investment and interest in nature-based tourism.
- Attract more funding for environmental projects.
- Add clear branding for the state based on our exceptional natural environment.
- Distinguish the uniqueness of Adelaide’s green space and the proximity of national parks to key urban areas.
Prof. Daniels said it also would mean bringing nature into our CBD, backyards and public spaces, “embracing biodiversity as part of our culture and heritage, to build communities and support a more climate-resilient city”. The vision is for Adelaide to become “cooler, greener and wilder”.
The National Park City Foundation has said it wants to have 25 National Park Cities around the world by 2025.
In Adelaide’s favour are its 23 parks within the city’s boundaries protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, as well as its internationally recognised Adelaide Parklands.
From this point, Green Adelaide aims to lodge its application to become a National Park City by the end of the year.
There are five criteria to be met.
- Be a suitable place (achieved)
- Demonstrate public support.
- Create a vision for a National Park City, determined by the community.
- Receive support from a range of people and sectors, from developers to schools.
- Establish a leadership team to drive the project.
Source: National Park City Foundation
Environment Minister David Speirs said the first National Park City was London and while cities all over the world are vying to become the second, Adelaide is unique.
“Greater London has nearly 50 per cent green cover, making it one of the world’s most vegetated cities,” he said.
“We have a strong history of parks and open spaces with our Botanic Gardens, Cleland Wildlife Park, Belair National Park and the recent creation of Glenthorne National Park in Adelaide’s southern suburbs.”
Backing a Green Adelaide bid for Adelaide to be recognised as only the second National Park City in the world is a key plank of the campaign. More broadly, it will aim to inform and engage the community on the topics of climate change and the environment.
“Climate and the environment is at the forefront of thinking for many South Australians and we hope this campaign will help explain key issues and engage our community on this increasingly significant topic, particularly in the lead up to the UN Climate Change Conference in November,” The Advertiser Editor Matt Deighton said.
The Advertiser is collaborating with the Australian Science Media Centre, the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas, Green Adelaide and the University of Adelaide’s Environment Institute.
“The series draws on the insights and expertise of leading South Australian scientists and environmental experts to bring you the very best information on Adelaide’s environmental future,” Australian Science and Media Cecntre chief executive and Environment Institute board member, Dr Susannah Eliott said.
Adapted from The Advertiser.
