People and places

Population and economic growth have major impacts on the environment, particularly in urban areas. South Australia’s population increased by 4.5% (about 70 000 people) between 2006 and 2011—the largest increase since the early 1970s (ABS 2012). The economy also continued to grow, fuelled by exports of food and minerals. Nearly 40% of South Australia’s exports are agricultural products reliant on healthy soils and adequate water. Growth (in average annual gross state product between 2002–03 and 2011–12) was highest in agriculture, forestry and fishing (more than 8% in comparison with the average of 2.5%), and third highest in mining (6%) (Government of South Australia 2013a). Mineral exports contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, and mineral extraction and processing rely on large amounts of water.

The historical trend of urban sprawl (typically onto productive land) has been arrested to some degree by an increase in infill development and legislation to protect agricultural land in the Barossa and McLaren Vale regions. This trend is expected to increase with the government’s new policy for a more sustainable, compact urban design based on higher density development (Government of South Australia 2010).

The new policy also focuses on efficient transport. Currently, South Australia has low public transport use and high and growing private car use, which contributes to air pollution and noise. It is expected that the government’s investment in public transport infrastructure and compact urban design will reduce the walking distance to schools, work, shops and services. This should see a reduction in private car use and an increase in public transport. The increasing number of people cycling to and from the city is a positive trend which is expected to continue with the assistance of active promotion and improvement of cycling infrastructure, including Bikedirect (Government of South Australia 2013b).

The number of households and residential dwellings increased more rapidly than population growth over the past five years, with the trend expected to continue with an ageing population and smaller household size (ABS 2012). These trends affect planning for waste management and other services.

The volume of waste generated has increased per person (up 50% since 2003–04) and in total (up 62% since 2003–04) (EPHC 2010). This has been offset to some degree by increases in recycling; 75% of South Australian waste is now recycled.

In general, air quality has improved, in spite of an increase in emissions reported under the National Pollutant Inventory and an increase in the number of activities of environmental significance licensed under the Environment Protection Act 1993. There had been a decreasing trend in significant air pollutants including nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, with some exceptions in specific locations (EPA 2013).

In summary

Component	Summary	Assessment grade				Confidence
		Very poor	Poor	Good	Very good	In grade	In trend
Recent Trend Improving Stable Deteriorating Unclear Level of confidence Evidence and consensus too low to make an assessment Limited evidence or limited consensus Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus Grades Very Poor Poor Good Very Good
Population	Between 2006 and 2011 the population of South Australia increased by about 70 000—the largest increase since the early 1970s. Most population growth has occurred on the northern and southern fringes of the Adelaide Statistical Division, with decline in some regional areas. The number of residential dwellings increased more rapidly than population growth. This trend is expected to continue as the population ages and household sizes decrease. There has been an increase of infill residential development and this is expected to accelerate over the long term.
Economy	The growth in world demand for food and minerals supported an upward trend in exports. Nearly 40% of South Australia’s exports are agricultural, and these rely on a healthy environment. Protection of agricultural land has increased, including legislation to better protect the McLaren Vale and Barossa regions from urban sprawl. An increase in mining exports led to increased greenhouse gas emissions and use of water and energy.
Transport	Private car use is high and growing. The number of cyclists travelling to and from the city increased by more than 50% between 2006 and 2011. Public transport use is low but increased from 43.8 million to 48.5 million passenger-kilometres, and is expected to increase more rapidly with investment in public transport and new urban design.
Pollution	Air quality remains good in terms of national standards, with only some exceptions in specific locations. The quality of water in rivers and streams has generally improved as a result of increased rainfall. The quality of treated water released into coastal waters has improved. Knowledge and remediation of site contamination has increased. The number of licences to handle radioactive substances and operate radioactive apparatus has increased. Noise complaints increased by about 20% from 2006 to 2011.
Waste	Total waste generated has increased by 40% to 3250 kg per person. About 75% of this is recycled.

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