03 Mar, 2023

Adelaide's World Heritage bid one step closer

The World Heritage bid for the Adelaide Park Lands and city layout, along with the rural settlement landscapes of the Mount Lofty Ranges has received a huge boost with the State Government supporting the development of a Tentative Listing Submission.

The City of Adelaide, in partnership with Adelaide Hills Council (representing Councils across the Mount Lofty Ranges) has been working on a joint bid for World Heritage Status over the past four years. The support received from State Government will allow the Councils to work together with confidence to produce the official document to be submitted to the World Heritage Centre.

The Tentative Listing Submission will outline every aspect of the bid, including the argument proposing its ‘Outstanding Universal Value’.

In August 2022, the councils hosted a workshop where independent World Heritage experts concluded there is a valid basis for pursuing the nomination, confirming there is universal appeal in Adelaide’s settlement pattern, which includes the Park Lands, city layout and rural settlement landscapes.

Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith said this was a modest but significant step for this important project.

“Our Park Lands and city layout set our city apart, it’s what makes Adelaide truly unique,” said the Lord Mayor.

“There’s plenty of work ahead of us, this requires a strong commitment and combined effort from Local Government partners, State and Federal Governments.

“It’s important we have engagement and consent from First Nations people, as well as input from world heritage experts and conservationists.

“I hope we can all work together in partnership to help give our unique city the international recognition it deserves.”

Adelaide Hills Council Mayor Jan-Claire Wisdom said, “the World Heritage bid led by Adelaide Hills Council has been developing for over 10 years and we are delighted to now be in partnership with Adelaide City Council’s bid.

“We hope the designation will recognise the City and Hills as living landscapes, whilst respecting heritage values and most importantly giving a voice to First Nations perspectives of settlement.

“The support of the Minister is warmly welcomed, and we look forward to working with all stakeholders to pursue this listing.”

Minister for Climate, Environment and Water Susan Close said, “the South Australian Government supports the councils bid for World Heritage status for Adelaide and its surrounds.

“I’ve also written to the federal minister to urge the Commonwealth to also support the bid.

“Adelaide was a unique European settlement, and the Government welcomes any effort to preserve this heritage and history and also explore the impacts the colony had on Aboriginal people.”

The Naracoorte Caves National Park is South Australia’s only World Heritage site, with the State Government also working on a nomination for the Flinders Ranges National Park.

The Adelaide Park Lands and City Layout were listed on the National Heritage register in 2008.

Jack Berketa