Resources

South Australia has set a target to increase urban green cover by 20 per cent by 2045, in an
effort to maintain community liveability, enhance biodiversity and secure the future of our State
in the face of a changing climate and increasing urban density.

South Australia’s Net Zero Strategy will guide the state’s transition to a net zero emissions future. The strategy outlines the government's objectives, policy priorities and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the economy while creating new jobs, developing new industries, supporting wellbeing, and enabling decarbonisation beyond our borders.

The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide describes our plan for how Adelaide should grow to become more liveable, competitive and sustainable. It will guide the long-term growth of the city and its surrounds over the next 30 years.

The Strategy sets out a statewide, long-term strategic direction and initial priorities for infrastructure development in South Australia, to be built upon in future iterations.

The first Strategy was framed around achieving five objectives:

• Sustained economic and jobs growth
• Planned population growth
• Connected and productive regions
• A vibrant, global Adelaide
• Enviable liveability.

The State Planning Policies set out a framework for land use that aims to improve the liveability, sustainability and prosperity of the state.

They provide the state-wide vision for South Australia’s planning and design system.

State Planning Policy 1: Integrated Planning
State Planning Policy 2: Design Quality
State Planning Policy 3: Adaptive Reuse
State Planning Policy 4: Biodiversity
State Planning Policy 5: Climate Change
State Planning Policy 6: Housing Supply and Diversity
State Planning Policy 7: Cultural Heritage
State Planning Policy 8: Primary Industry
State Planning Policy 9: Employment Lands
State Planning Policy 10: Mineral and Energy Resources
State Planning Policy 11: Strategic Transport Infrastructure
State Planning Policy 12: Energy
State Planning Policy 13: Coastal Environment
State Planning Policy 14: Water Security and Quality
State Planning Policy 15: Natural Hazards
State Planning Policy 16: Emissions and Hazardous Activities

The State Public Health Plan 2019-2024 (PDF 1MB), establishes a new and aspirational vision for a healthy, liveable and connected community for all South Australians. This vision is supported by four strategic priorities, under the headings of the public health approaches of promote, protect, prevent and progress.

The Plan provides a framework to work together to take early action to protect health, prevent illness and promote physical and mental health and wellbeing for all South Australians.

South Australia’s Road Safety Action Plan (2023-2025) is a rolling three-year action plan, which is reviewed annually.

It sets out the South Australian Government’s actions to achieve its 10-year targets to reduce lives lost by 50% and serious injuries by 30% in line with the Road Safety Strategy to 2031 and the National Road Safety Action Plan 2023-25.

The action plan has ten central themes:

• Schools and local places
• Public transport, cycling and walking
• Motorcyclists
• Aboriginal road users
• Road user behaviour
• Road safety in the workplace
• Regional and remote areas
• Heavy vehicles
• Vehicles and technology
• Research and data.

A progress report will be published annually.

South Australia’s Road Safety Strategy to 2031 includes:

• principles to underpin road safety decision-making and actions
• strategic priorities that are the focus areas for the strategy – informed by evidence and consultation. These priority areas are identified to collectively contribute to achieving our ten-year target.

The nine road safety strategic focus areas are:

• Road user behaviour: Supporting and enforcing safer road user behaviour
• Vehicles: Increasing the use and purchase of safer vehicles in South Australia
• Roads: Safer design, construction and maintenance of road infrastructure
• Regional and remote areas: Reducing the number of lives lost and serious injuries on regional and remote roads
• Workplaces: Developing a culture of road safety in South Australian workplaces
• Aboriginal road safety: Reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal people in road crashes
• Older road users: Greater focus on road users aged 70+
• Walking, cycling and public transport: Improving safety for people who walk and cycle and increasing public transport patronage
• Young drivers and riders with a focus on those living in regional or remote areas: Reducing the over-representation in road crashes.

This three-year Action Plan has been developed taking into consideration input received following consultation with the community on the Walking Strategy in 2021. It has been developed recognising that:

• this is the first of three Action Plans and we must collectively build momentum in this first iteration to support increased leadership; and
• investment in walking is required throughout the entire 10-year Strategy.

The practical and achievable initiatives described within this Action Plan reflect initiatives already being led at the state level and have been stretched in many instances to better support walking as a priority for the South Australian community.

The South Australian Walking Strategy 2022-2032 focuses on three priority areas, to realise the vision of more people walking, more often, of all ages and abilities:

• plan walkable neighbourhoods, towns and cities
• build connected, safe and pleasant walking environments for all
• create a South Australian walking culture.

Walking is considered the most equitable form of physical activity and human transportation, as it is inexpensive, can be done almost anywhere and can be easily incorporated into most people’s lives.

Scientific evidence shows walking as part of regular physical activity can help improve people’s physical, mental, and social wellbeing. We know that finding time in our busy lives to add more physical activity can be hard. So we are working collaboratively to provide solutions to make it easier to walk places, so everyone can add a short walk into their day.

The strategy is a 10 year blueprint to encourage people in South Australia to walk more. Developed in partnership with the Heart Foundation, the strategy involves cross sector and multi agency collaboration and commitment, with an aim to create long term and effective behaviour change and increase the number of South Australians who walk regularly. The strategy also includes a three year action plan, to strengthen policy, environments and programs that support increased walking for all people in South Australia.

Co-designed through community engagement and expert advice, the strategy provides a practical guide for what needs to be done to get more people walking. Preventive Health SA will oversee progress of the action plan, working closely with key departments and organisations.

Riding a bike is good for physical and mental health, the environment and the economy.

Riding has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. With world-class riding facilities and events such as the Tour Down Under and increased investment in our network, South Australia is well-placed to capitalise on the growth in riding.

Riding is a legitimate transport, sport and recreation option and people who choose to ride deserve to feel safe and be safe, just like those who choose to walk, use public transport or drive a car.

Investment in safer riding environments in South Australia will encourage more interested, but concerned people, to ride and will assist in improving attitudes towards riding.

Our Cycling Plan outlines the vision, objectives, initiatives and actions along with six priority projects to increase participation, improve physical and mental wellbeing and improve community outcomes.

Priority projects address the following key themes:

• Information and Promotion
• Greenways
• Bicycle Boulevards
• Intergrating Cycling into Major Projects
• Major Events and Programs
• Trails and Elite Sport

he Design Guide offers technical design recommendations for walking links, bicycle links, intersections and street greening. It builds on previous successes and achievements and will inform designs for future projects.

The Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2020-2024 (DAIP) details the Department for Infrastructure and Transport’s (the Department) commitment to promoting, protecting and enhancing the rights of people living with disability in South Australia. The Plan includes clear and measurable actions and targets designed through community and Departmental consultation to give effect to the priority areas of the State Disability Inclusion Plan 2019-2023 (the State Plan), as they relate to the purpose and activities of the Department.

The National Walking and Cycling Participation Survey (NWCPS) provides insight into walking and cycling activity across Australia and is a successor to the National Cycling Participation Survey which was conducted biennially from 2011 to 2019.

The Disability Access and Inclusion Plan details the Department for Infrastructure and Transport’s commitment to promoting, protecting and enhancing the rights of people living with disability in South Australia. The Plan includes clear and measurable actions and targets designed through community and Departmental consultation to give effect to the priority areas of the first State Disability Inclusion Plan 2019-2023, as they relate to the purpose and activities of the Department.

PROGRAM FEATURES: 

DATE IMPLEMENTED:

• Bike Education in some form has been supported by DIT since early 2000’s.
• Way2Go Bike Ed commenced in 2009

COST OF PROGRAM: Not available

COST FOR USERS: Free for schools

RESULTS OF EVALUATION: Report

PROGRAM FEATURES: 

DATE IMPLEMENTED: Commenced in 2005 as Safe Routes to School, re-branded to Way2Go in 2009

COST OF PROGRAM: Not available

COST FOR USERS: Free for schools

RESULTS OF EVALUATION: Not available

STREET NAME: Multiple

SUBURB: Multiple

MUNICIPALITY: City of Chalres Sturt, Adelaide

STATE & COUNTRY: South Australia, Australia

SPEED REDUCTION: From 40 km/h to 30 km/h

DATE IMPLEMENTED: 2012

SCHEME INCLUDED: 

• Speed limit signs
• Community consultation

COST: $5,000-$10,000

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Reduction in driver speeds (85th percentile speeds reduced by 4.27km/h, from 48.0km/h to 43.7km/h)
• Trafic volumes and crash numbers reduced (small sample)
• 55% of those who live in a new 40km/h area, do not support the change in speed limit with suburbs closest to the Adelaide CBD being mostly in support, and those suburbs furthest from the CBD being mostly against
• Some residents feel that the speed limits are confusing, ignored, inconvenient, revenue raising, increase road rage and add too much time to their trips, and that they don’t improve amenity, safety for all road users or reduce the chance of crashes
• Most residents who are against the 40km/h areas do not agree that drivers travel too fast, or that they don’t look out for pedestrians or cyclists on their streets
• Most residents who are in support are those who perceive driving behaviour to be an issue on their local street
• Residents are slightly less supportive now, compared to before the 40 areas were installed
• Support is strongest among young families, females, older residents and active transport users
• Opinions are mixed about whether more police enforcement is necessary
• Residents feel that the current number of signs is enough, but some feel they should be placed in clearer locations
• Only 30% feel that speed limits on their own are enough, and many would also like roundabouts, speed humps, chicanes or raised intersections
• Most feel that 40km/h areas are one of the least effective ways to reduce speed
• 3 in 4 residents feel that the 40km/h area has had a positive impact on their safety, but 4 in 5 report a negative impact on their travel
• Suburbs that are largely opposed, report that the negative impact on their travel is higher than the positive impact on their safety

LESSONS LEARNED:

• Confusion is areas where speed limit changes multiple times

RESULTS OF EVALUATION: Not available

The National Walking and Cycling Participation Survey (NWCPS) provides insight into walking and cycling activity across Australia and is a successor to the National Cycling Participation Survey which was conducted biennially from 2011 to 2019.

Bike education

Greenways are dedicated walking and cycling routes following public transport corridors or linear open space, such as along rivers.
Greenways routes typically connect quiet local streets with new off-street paths and arterial road crossings, creating direct cycling routes and better access to public transport stops and stations. Connections to open space, schools and commercial areas are also improved.

Hard copy Cycling and Walking Maps will assist you to make active travel choices in Adelaide’s metropolitan suburbs. You can use the maps to plan safe walking or cycling routes to local shops, parks and services.

Information on bikes and the public transport network.

While cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other road users, they are more vulnerable when travelling on the road. Both cyclists and motorists need to consider each other and share the road safely.

South Australian local government councils can apply for the State Bicycle Fund. Applications are invited to be submitted early in the year for the following financial year's program.

Cycle Instead works as an interactive Journey Planner for your bike trip. It shows you the Bikedirect network across metropolitan Adelaide so you can quickly choose the most direct and comfortable route for your journey using secondary roads, bike lanes, shared paths, greenways and bicycle boulevards.