Horticulture

River Torrens

The Adelaide City Council is committed to protecting and conserving the River Torrens. Some of our initiatives to do this are:

* Reduce organic material going into the river
* We do not spray herbicide within 5 metres of the bank
* We do not fertilise turf adjacent to the river
* We have an ongoing plan to remove woody weed species along the bank to encourage native reed growth
* We have an ongoing plan to remove exotic tree species and replace them with river red gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)

Water Retention Basin (West Terrace)

The Adelaide City Council has constructed a system of water retention basins in the parklands west of West Terrace. The system collects the stormwater from the south-west corner of the city, which passes through a series of Gabions (stone filled pits), then through a trash rack that collects hard rubbish and then finally into a large pond. The Gabions are designed to collect any heavy metals in the stormwater, the trash racks collect the large rubbish and finally the reeds filter and oxygenate the water.

The clean water can then re-enter the stormwater system and eventually into the Torrens river. Apart from the obvious benefits to the Torrens, the pond provides a habitat and water source for many birds and animals in the area.

Greenwaste Recycling Centre

The Adelaide City Council greenwaste-recycling centre is situated at the northern end of War Memorial Drive, North Adelaide. Waste branches, leaves and lawn-clippings are recycled on site to produce a range of mulches and compost. In the past this waste product would have gone into land fill. The centre is open for dumping of greenwaste and purchasing of mulches Monday - Friday 7.30am to 3.00pm and Saturday 10.00am to 3.45pm. Phone 08 82037502 for any enquiries.

» More Information about the Greenwaste Recycling Centre

Native Grasses

There are several sites throughout the parklands that have been designated as significant native grass sites. These areas have been isolated from surrounding areas in order that they can be protected and regenerated. Native grasses are particularly useful plants for native birds that require their seed for food and also provide a habitat for small animals and reptiles.

Chemical Management

The Adelaide City Council Horticulture department is committed to the safe usage and responsible disposal of chemicals used in the parklands. A comprehensive record is kept of chemical quantities, their location and usage. Our policy is to use the least amount of chemicals as possible and those that we do use must be as environmentally safe as possible.

Chemicals not used are stored in specially designed pits and later disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner by a professional chemical disposal company.