Department for Environment and Water

If you're spending any time around Rundle Mall for your Christmas shopping, you'll more than likely pass through the spectacular Adelaide Arcade, always as pretty as a picture during the silly season. The arcade has extra reasons to celebrate (and be celebrated) this week. The stunning building was opened to great fanfare 139 years ago today, on December 12, 1885. As the arcade website points out, with its "distinctive domes and ornate details" the new arcade heralded the arrival of an "architectural grandeur" never seen before in Adelaide. The building was considered "extremely progressive" for its use of new materials and techniques and was one of the first buildings in the city to boast electric lights. It took 200 workers just five months to build, along with the adjoining Gay's Arcade. As the arcade website explains, the official opening drew crowds of onlookers, a visit from the Governor and an orchestra played the "Adelaide Arcade Polka" written especially for the occasion. The arcade opened with 50 stores and at one time was even home to a Turkish Baths, the famous underground tea rooms and... if you believe the rumours, the ghost of the resident caretaker following his death in 1887! The arcade has seen triumph and tragedy through the decades, including a major fire in the 1980s, but has been restored to its former glory and remains a shining jewel in he city's crown. It was confirmed as a State Heritage Place in 1985. Learn more about South Australia's unique heritage and how we're working to protect, preserve and promote it https://bit.ly/heritagesa #adelaidearcade #southaustralianheritage #heritagearchitecture

Here's some good news for your Wednesday! Vital foraging habitat for shorebirds on the Lower Lakes has been expanded by about 18 hectares, thanks to major infrastructure works. Teringie Wetlands, on Lake Alexandrina, have been officially reopened after the $4m works, which were jointly funded by the state and federal government’s Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin program. The upgrades included the installation of two flow regulators to enhance water management and connectivity between the wetland basins. Access tracks, which previously acted as barriers to water flow, have also been improved, fostering a healthier habitat for native species like aquatic plants, fish, turtles, frogs, and yabbies. These improvements will boost the site's cultural, ecological, and social value. Discover more about the Teringie Wetlands restoration and its impact on local wildlife and communities: https://lnkd.in/gnZsWSBk Learn more about the Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin program: https://lnkd.in/gAzMFQww #HealthyCoorongHealthyBasin #LowerLakes #LakeAlexandrina #TeringieWetlands #Shorebirds #Habitat #Environment

From Monday, February 3, 2025 overnight camping and large camping vehicles will not be permitted on Wauraltee Beach, including the area known as Second Beach, on Yorke Peninsula. The beach’s popularity has grown exponentially in recent years to the point where holiday periods and long weekends result in hundreds of visitors camping on the beach. Unmanaged camping is having negative effects on the environment and causing significant safety issues, particularly for families with young children. Environmental effects include native vegetation damage and firewood removal, unmanaged toileting and release of grey water, disturbance of shorebird nesting grounds and erosion of the fragile dune system. There is no intention to ban all vehicles on all South Australian beaches but the state government is committed to better managing access to ensure our coastline remains sustainable. Here’s what it means for you: ◾Overnight camping and large camping vehicles – including caravans, campervans, motorhomes and tent trailers – will not be permitted on the beach. ◾Daytime access for vehicles other than large campers will remain for boat launching and recreation. ◾You can still camp in the Yorke Peninsula Council’s Wauraltee Bush Campground, with a valid permit, which covers a large area behind the beach. There are also numerous other camping options across the peninsula, including options in our national parks. Learn more on our website: https://lnkd.in/grDhuhMB #WauralteeBeach #YorkePeninsula

Happy Friday! Had a busy week? Catch up on the week that was with our super quick wrap of the five stories you may have missed! Follow the links below to read all the stories featured in this week's wrap. Visiting national parks is good for your health! https://lnkd.in/gxmS2632 National parks personality test https://lnkd.in/grq-q2pz Chihuly in the Botanic Garden https://lnkd.in/gqiRKQ2h Park of the Month: Snorkelling day https://lnkd.in/gn_hamhQ Christmas gift ideas for nature lovers https://lnkd.in/gxha_udN #NationalParks #SouthAustralia #Adelaide #AdelaideBotanicGarden #Chihuly #ChihulyGlass

Join us as we pave the way for a greener, brighter future! 🌿 Elevate your purpose in 2024! 🌏 Join Our Team and Help South Australians Conserve, Sustain, and Prosper. Be a driving force in shaping a future where your work matters for social, environmental, and economic well-being! 🌿 The following opportunities are currently available: Coordinator, Bounceback Program https://lnkd.in/gF6YPQzc Foundation and Database Coordinator https://lnkd.in/gKPEYzti Project Officer, Board Secretariat and Grants https://lnkd.in/giPEKA_h Team Leader, Conservation and Mining https://lnkd.in/gPu43UTC

Early bird registrations are now open for South Australia’s Industry Climate Change Conference 2025!  Join us to learn about the latest trends and innovations for business and industry that will support South Australia to move towards a strong net zero emissions and climate resilient economy. Hear from leading organisations about the pathway they have planned and what this means for their business. Sessions will cover: ◾Case studies and practical examples of how industry and business are decarbonising ◾How to factor in and manage climate risk   ◾Requirements for carbon accounting and reporting  ◾Insight into future sustainable low emissions industries. Date: Thursday 8 – Friday 9 May 2025.  Venue: Adelaide Convention Centre. Tickets and program information: https://lnkd.in/ggj9AXh6. #ClimateChange #SAIndustryClimateChangeConference #Decarbonisation #SouthAustralia

The results are in. Spending time in Adelaide’s national parks isn’t just good for the soul—it’s great for your health, too! A recent study by the University of Adelaide found that regular park visitors are 4% healthier than those who don’t visit. The better health of regular visitors to our metro parks equated to $140m a year in potential avoided health expenditure on chronic diseases in SA and park visits also helped to boost the state's economy, the study found. With parks like Cleland, Morialta, and Onkaparinga within reach for most Adelaide residents, the benefits are closer than you think. Spending time in nature can improve physical and mental wellbeing, making it the perfect excuse to visit your local park. If you are a regular parks visitor, we'd love to know - what's your favourite park in South Australia? Or if you've been thinking about visiting some of our state's many spectacular parks, which ones are on your wish list? Comment below. Follow the link to read more about the study: https://lnkd.in/gxmS2632 #NationalParks #Adelaide #SouthAustralia #Health #Wellbeing #Walks #Walking #Hiking #Nature

Friday crept up on you a bit too quickly this week? We've got you! Catch up on the week that was with our quick wrap of the five stories you may have missed but definitely need to know about! Follow the links to read more about all the stories featured in this week's wrap! Biodiversity boost for Teringie Wetlands https://lnkd.in/gqMaFPRd Yalgiri bouncing back on the YP https://lnkd.in/gs36CdwW Park of the Month: Adelaide's coastal parks https://lnkd.in/gn_hamhQ The FrogWatch SA Seasonal Census is back! https://lnkd.in/gQb_Hs6c Elder Park Rotunda marks 142 years. https://lnkd.in/gT4HFAur #Adelaide #SouthAustralia #LowerLakes #Coorong #TeringieWetlands #Biodiversity #NationalParks #Shorebirds #DhilbaGuuranda #FrogWatchSA #ElderPark

It's not just what you do, it's why you do it! Whether you’re a skilled professional or growing into your goals, we offer a diverse range of careers that will continue to connect and support us all for future generations. 🌏 If you are ready to invest in yours and the environment's future, follow the links below to view our most recently open career opportunities: Principal Hydrologist / Senior Hydrologist https://lnkd.in/gw25AZ_S Hydrologist https://lnkd.in/gspnfgea Principal Hydrogeologist https://lnkd.in/g-Wubwjr Marine Coordinator https://lnkd.in/g2K55kHg Manager, Probity and Government Business https://lnkd.in/gZ-hTFSj Industry Liaison Officer Kangaroo Management https://lnkd.in/guTD-dMJ Senior Ranger https://lnkd.in/g_KftVJV

Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Today we've decided to focus on a very prickly subject - echidnas! Here are 7 things you might not know about these marvelous monotremes! Learn more about echidnas! https://lnkd.in/gVKyJPne And if you'd like to get up close and personal with an echidna, book your echidna encounter at Cleland Wildlife Park today!  https://lnkd.in/gSu8BtdG #Echidnas #Monotremes #Marsupials #Wildlife #Nature #Environment #Animals #NativeAnimals #Adelaide #SouthAustralia #ClelandWildlifePark