Whitley Medal 2006

“Adelaide Nature of a City”

Edited by C.B.Daniels and C.J.Tait.

Published by: BioCity: Centre for Urban Habitats.

Amongst the cities of the world, Adelaide is renowned as a planned city. Its streets and buildings were laid out according to pre-determined models, unlike many others cities than have developed according to need and opportunity.

All urban development results is a loss of natural areas. The consequence of this loss is usually a subsequent loss of native animal and plant species. The important consideration for any city is: Can these losses be sustained or are there measures that can be employed to reduced the loss of native biodiversity? Early in the Adelaide’s history, the town planners decided that the city would not be a citadel of artificial constructions but would contains significant natural areas that would complement the man-made features. Green areas, riparian corridors and bushland refuges were set up and maintained.

But Adelaide has expanded a lot since the days of the early town planners. Can this vision still be retained in Greater Adelaide?

Dr Arthur White presents the award to Catherine Tait

“ Adelaide Nature of a City” is the modern attempt to assess and reconcile the competing forces of commercial and residential growth with the retention of the more natural characteristics of the city. Town planning and services are a main thrust but significantly a great deal of attention has been given to the ecology of the city. An assessment has been made of the flora and fauna of the city and how this has changed over time. Diverse habitats such as mangroves, coastal dunes, swamps and woodland have been examined a considered as standing ecosystems. Smaller suburban habitats comprising riparian corridors, streetscapes, parks and reserves are part of the mosaic of the natural city. How do each of these work to retain the plants and animals, how do they contribute to the essence of Adelaide and life in an expanding city?

No planning can be effective without good research and reliable information. Christopher Daniels and Catherine Tait have complied recent and historical information on the plants, birds, mammals, reptiles, frogs and invertebrates of the city. Dung beetles, caterpillars, moths and snails all get consideration. Habitats that are used and not used are assessed. Successes of the past stimulate further habitat planning; past failures redirect the course of new habitats. Whole chapters are devoted to yabbies, cuttlefish, dolphins, bats, geckoes, sharks and a myriad of plants. The information base is extensive and provides the footprint for confident planning for the future.

But what of future design? Don’t the same impacts still apply? Impacts from land clearing, population pressure, pollution and feral species are still there, but new developments are emerging: sustainable growth is the major drive. In addition, new species are likely to arrive, some native, some exotic. How are these to be dealt with? Changes in land occupancy provides opportunities for improving existing habitat areas; fauna corridors can be created and important habitat areas can be linked. Government and private interests need to work together to achieve the common goal, how is this to be managed? Global warming and climate change, water restrictions and urban pressure have to be managed to create sustainable habitats in the city.

“Adelaide Nature of City” serves as a wonderful blueprint for other cities. Cities do not need to be desolate places. This book was awarded the Whitley Medal for the zoological information that it contains and how it considered and used this information in framing a city’s character. The text is presented in simple and direct form but is supported by ample references. By making the text so direct, and by including text boxes and information panels throughout, the book is very user-friendly. It serves as a great example of the practical application of zoological principles and should become a standard reference text for all town planners.

I congratulate Christopher Daniels and Catherine Tait and all of the authors who contributed to the book.

Dr Arthur White