State Government will hand out money for more parks and trees across South Australia
The State Government will hand councils millions of dollars to create extra open space and plant more trees under a statewide grant program.
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Councils will be able to apply for millions of dollars under a grant scheme that aims to create more open space across South Australia.
The State Government on Friday opened applications for the latest round of the Open Space and Places for People program.
It last year had a broader scope, including street upgrades and other public areas, however, the government will now push for the money to be spent on green space such as parks, reserves and trees.
It was hoped to encourage “urban greening” and “climate change resilience”, particularly in areas with new higher-density development.
A total of $13.3 million was awarded last year across more than 30 projects.
Local Government and Planning Minister Stephan Knoll said the scheme would help improve parks across the state and fund the planting of more trees.
“This is a great opportunity to green our city and to keep Adelaide as one of the most liveable cities in the world,” Mr Knoll said.
“Open public and green spaces are so important to the fabric and identity of a local community, whether that’s in metropolitan Adelaide or a regional town.”
It will complement an existing scheme where developers have to pay a tax which is then distributed to councils for park and streetscape upgrades through an open space fund.
But analysis has shown councils where significant urban infill has occurred have missed out on the lion’s share of the money.
Items previously funded under the grant scheme include the Tonsley Greenway cycling path, upgrades to Jetty Rd at Glenelg and main street redevelopments in Victor Harbor, Clare, Kingston and Strathalbyn.
Applications for funding are open until Tuesday, March 31, 2020.