Conservation Council SA recommends that the Strategy has stronger alignment with Australia's commitments to the Global Biodiversity Framework under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, including the collective commitment by all Australian governments to Australia's '30 by 30' on land commitment (protecting 30% of Australia's lands by 2030).

Additionally, there are opportunities to elevate the CAR principles ('comprehensive, adequate, representative') further in the Strategy, and the description of OECMs (Other area-based Effective Conservation Measures) needs to be tightened to accurately align with Australia's National OECMs Framework.

From 26 September to 12 October we're joining an incredible line-up of nature lovers for this year's Nature Festival!

The current algal bloom is not an isolated or random event. It is a direct manifestation of the climate crisis - driven primarily by the extraction and combustion of fossil fuels - coal oil and gas – and compounded by legacy land and water management issues. Fossil fuels are supercharging climate change, which in turn is intensifying the floods, upwellings and marine heatwaves that fuel blooms of this magnitude.

In this submission to the Senate Inquiry into the SA Algal Bloom, Conservation Council SA outlines the key issues arising from investigations into South Australia's 2025 major algal bloom. 

Conservation Council SA recommends that the high value open grassy Eucalyptus spp. woodland in the south-eastern corner of the Project Area be retained for biodiversity and communal open space, and that north-south active transport links (cycling and pedestrian networks) are incorporated in the development.

Given the increasing public concern over tree loss across metropolitan Adelaide, the creation of a Tree Removal Practice Guideline is an important step in the right direction. There are significant inconsistencies with the current assessment process for tree damaging activities across Council areas. Given the important need for consistency of assessment in this area, two key points should be raised:

1. A practice direction should be developed rather than guideline; and
2. That changes are most likely required to the retention tests – PO 1.1 & 1.2 of the Regulated and Significant Tree Overlay (RSTO) to provide clearer interpretation and consistency during the assessment process.

Further detail is available in the Conservation Council SA submission.

We are excited to share a major milestone in nature conservation—South Australia’s new Biodiversity Act has just passed the Legislative Council. This achievement reflects years of persistent advocacy by the Conservation Council of SA and our allies in the conservation movement. 

Conservation Council SA strongly supports the creation of the Whale Nursery Protections Areas in Fowlers Bay and Sleaford Bay, but also supports the creation of another Whale Nursery Protection Area at the Head of Bight, and an enlargement of the Encounter Bay Whale Nursery Protection Area to the east. 

The Conservation Council SA welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission to Plan SA on the exposure draft of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Vehicle Parking) Amendment Bill 2025.

The Conservation Council SA welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission to the City of Port Adelaide Enfield’s Dog and Cat Management Plan.

Conservation Council SA welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission to the City of Onkaparinga on the proposed motorised vessel exclusion zone for Aldinga and Sellicks Beaches.