Grants program to boost suburban greenery

Suburban Adelaide councils will be eligible for State Government support to implement practical measures to reduce the effects of climate change thanks to a new grants program.

The Marshall Liberal Government’s $2 million Greener Neighbourhoods Grant Program will be available to South Australia’s 17 metropolitan councils.

The aim of the grants is to boost greenery, cool temperatures, improve air and water quality, provide habitat for wildlife and connect people with nature.

Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said this is the first time a state government has focussed its efforts on metropolitan Adelaide to create a climate-resilient city with increased efforts on greening suburban streets and public spaces.

“After a particularly hot summer, everyone in Adelaide knows what it’s like to experience heatwaves, with increased health impacts on our community, and increased pressure on our emergency services, our electricity supply and water resources,” said Minister Speirs.

“Evidence shows that increased canopy coverage and increased water sensitive design in our suburbs will go a long way to reduce the heat impacts in our community. Shade trees can cool areas by two to three degrees in the day and four to five degrees at night.”

The first round of grants will have up to $1 million available and will be open to metropolitan councils to help keep the state’s suburban streets green and cool.

Minister Speirs said the best cities are those which contain thriving natural environments.

“Adelaide’s tree coverage is amongst the lowest of Australia’s capital cities at 27 per cent,” said Minister Speirs.

“These grants will help metropolitan councils to increase greenery and make Adelaide a more liveable city.”

The first round of grants is open from now until August 2.

Successful grant applicants will need to match funds dollar for dollar. The grants program is funded from the 2018-19 State Budget and is another example of the Marshall Liberal Government delivering on its election commitments.

For further information on the Greener Neighbourhoods Grant Program, including guidelines, visit: https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/green-adelaide

The Greener Neighbourhood Grants Program will be a pillar of the Marshall Liberal Government’s development of a Green Adelaide Board, as part of the Landscapes SA natural resources management reform currently before Parliament, to drive the much-needed greening agenda across our suburbs.

In addition to cooling Adelaide’s streets, other key priorities for Green Adelaide will be driving an integrated approach to urban water and coastal management, enhancing the biodiversity across suburbs and connecting the community to nature.

“It’s important that we start integrating how we manage our urban environment in a connected way, from the hills to the sea,” said Minister Speirs.

“While the Green Adelaide agenda will be ambitious it will deliver practical outcomes that will shape a climate resilient city for future generations.”

It is proposed that the Green Adelaide Board will comprise up to ten highly skilled and influential experts and will be responsible for delivering a five-year plan in consultation with the community.

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