THE CITY’S green belt is still awaiting World Heritage listing – almost four years after a major City Council study called for its inclusion.
Parklands’ stakeholders are renewing calls for the Federal Government to nominate the 7.6sq km green belt for inclusion on the list – the highest protection a site can receive.
Adelaide Parklands Preservation Association President Kelly Henderson said this was a strong opportunity for new premier Jay Weatherill “to listen to the many people and various organisations who were involved in a joint nomination to push for the parklands to be (State) Heritage listed”.
This is the latest chapter in a campaign by the association, spanning several decades, for the parklands to be recognised (see factfile).
Adelaide Park Lands Authority member Gunta Groves called for the parklands to be added to both lists.
“It is very difficult to get through to the State Government how important the parklands are,” Ms Groves said.
“The State Government being the State Government does not want to be hindered by State Heritage listing.”
Acting Lord Mayor David Plumridge said the council wanted the parklands included on the heritage lists but the responsibility largely rested with the State Government.
The Federal Government must nominate potential World Heritage sites before they can be assessed by the World Heritage Committee.
In an emailed response, Environment and Conservation Minister Paul Caica said the SA Heritage Council was considering five nominations for large sections of the parklands.
He said there were no plans to nominate the green belt for World Heritage listing.
Heritage Council chair Judith Carr said it had told the government it wanted the parklands included on the State Heritage list.
She said the council also wanted to see the green belt World Heritage-listed.
The only SA site with such listing is the Naracoorte Caves in the state’s south-east.
Other wonders on the list include the Great Barrier Reef, the Taj Mahal and sections of the Amazon Rainforest.
TIMELINE
1986: The first application for State Heritage listing of the parklands is lodged
August 1996: The Adelaide Parklands Preservation Association calls for the State Government to support its push for the parklands to be World Heritage listed
September 1996: The City Council declines to support plans
August 1998: Lord Mayor Dr Jane Lomax-Smith throws her support behind the proposal
December 2001: Opposition Leader Mike Rann says a State Labor government would investigate a World Heritage listing for the parklands
January 2008: A three-year study commissioned by the City Council and headed by Adelaide Uni associate professor David Jones finds the parklands should be put on the World Heritage list
November 2008: Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett announces Adelaide’s city layout and treasured parklands will be included on the National Heritage list