MEDIA RELEASE 
9 December 2015

Urban Growth Boundary must be supported

The SA Parliament must protect the urban growth boundary, which would stop the over development of prime agricultural land in the Adelaide hills and foothills, says the state’s peak environment body.

The move has been blocked in the state’s Upper House during current debate on the Planning, Development & Infrastructure Bill 2015. 

"South Australia has precious little agricultural land left with good soil and decent rainfall close to urban areas,” said Conservation SA Chief Executive Craig Wilkins.  

"With over 80% of South Australia arid land, it's smart planning policy to stop housing and bitumen covering over the best agricultural land close to Adelaide we have left.

"For Adelaide to sustainably feed itself in the future, it needs to preserve the best food producing land on its fringes.

"A house is not affordable if it's so far away from jobs and services that a big part of your pay packet goes on fuel,” he said.

The SA Government has prematurely forced debate on the wide-ranging planning reform bill in the Upper House.

“Unfortunately we are now seeing the consequences of Minister Rau's determination to rush the Planning Bill through the Upper House before Christmas. Members of the Upper House appear to be reacting against his push and it is the productive land around Adelaide that will pay the price,” said Mr Wilkins.

“But even at this late stage, Minister Rau can still get things back on track if he is prepared to pause the debate and really work to get support from the SA community and the whole Parliament,” he said. 

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Media Contact: Meg Sobey, Communications, 0411 028 930