State of the environment reporting in South Australia: the last three decades, 1972-2002

Abstract

A critical review is provided of the state of the environment reports prepared in South Australia over the period from 1972 to 2002. This is placed in the context of state of the environment reporting in Australia. While the South Australian reports appear to have covered the broad environmental issues at the time of their preparation, the most recent reports have not been compiled by independent authorities as is the case for the national reports. Consequently there has been a lack of accountability for government. As a result it would appear that several of the issues raised in the first 1972 report are still relevant today.