Adelaide gets National Park City status

Adelaide has been named the world’s second National Park City by the UK-based National Park City Foundation. London is the only other city conferred with the status.

South Australia’s Minister for Environment and Water, David Speirs, says the honour will bring tourism, environmental and wellbeing benefits.

Adelaide, the second city to be named a National Park City. Image credit - The City of Adelaide.

“Adelaide National Park City status isn’t just another title for our city, it is a trigger to promote and connect people with on-ground action to look after our environment for everyone’s health and wellbeing as well as boost our economy through increased tourism,” Speirs said.

“We know that 95 percent of Adelaide residents only need to travel around 400 metres to connect with an open, green area and the Marshall Liberal Government is investing record amounts in our parks to boost conservation efforts, improve the visitor experience and create jobs.

The minister promised “real on-ground action” towards the Adelaide National Park City movement to create a “cooler, greener and wilder city.

“This includes $5 million to green our CBD streets and places, $5 million to re-wild the River Torrens, and millions of dollars in grants to enable the community and councils to deliver climate resilient projects on-ground.

The River Torrens, the most significant river through the Adelaide plains.

“Plus, the delivery of iconic rewilding projects like bringing platypus back to the Torrens, creating a more butterfly friendly city, and enhancing habitat and awareness about our city’s birds of prey.”

National Park Cities are part of an environmental movement to better connect people and nature. 

Cities applying for the special status must commit to making issues around environment, culture, heritage, education and health a priority. 

Adelaide’s push to become one was supported by the fact it has 30% green space, and diverse wildlife from over 1000 native plant species and 281 native bird species, 60 native fish species and 47 native mammal species, plus more than 58 species of reptiles. 

National Geographic recently named Adelaide the sixth most sustainable city in the world thanks to its green movement.