Spencer Gulf Ecosystem and Development Initiative (SGEDI)

Seagrass

The Environment InstituteÌýisÌýfacilitating change and aims to maintain the integrity of Spencer Gulf.

TheÌýGulf is one of the most important economic development areas in South Australia. The SGEDI InitiativeÌýis delivering a multi-year program to:

  • ClearÌýapproval pathways to reduce time and cost delays, which will greatly assistÌýeconomic development.
  • Provide information, data, tools, capabilities and networks to assist approval pathways.
  • EnsureÌýcommunity support and comments are more evidence based.
  • Support aÌýthriving Gulf region withÌýprogressive developments, community opportunity and the unique ecosystem is protected and enhanced - through effective consideration of cumulative, chronic and long term environmental stresses.

  • Corporate investment partners
    • BHP Billiton
    • Santos
    • Arrium
    • Alinta
    • Nyrstar
    • Centrex

  • Research partners
    • SARDI
    • Flinders University

  • Initiative achievements

    • Identified substantial knowledge gaps with respect to the Gulf

    • EngagingÌýwith a wide range of stakeholders across sectors and the regions to determine important points of focus, interest and tension.

    • Delivering an integrated science program, backed with structured decision-making, so that the environmental evidence can be most easily applied for economic and social outcomes.

  • Using ports and shipping as a case study for integrated marine management

    The research used ports and shipping as a case study to investigate integrated marine management in the gulf. The work has:

    • SynthesisedÌýexisting information on all current activities and impacts in Spencer Gulf

    • ConductedÌýa detailed analysis of current shipping activities and predictedÌýlikely future scenarios for shipping and port development

    • ConductedÌýa risk analysis for introduction and establishment of exotic pests and pathogens under a range of future ports and shipping scenarios

    • ConductedÌýa risk assessment to identify key iconic and threatened species, data deficiencies and needs, and species status for Spencer Gulf focusing particularly around shipping

    • DevelopedÌýtools for predicting interactions of future ports and shipping scenarios with other industries

    • EngagedÌýbroadly and usedÌýthe findings to inform managers, leaders, stakeholders, government and the broader community.

Outputs to date

Spencer Gulf

Current research

Is using ports and shipping as a case study to investigate integrated marine management in the gulf. The work includes:

  • Synthesises existing information on all current activities and impacts in Spencer Gulf
  • Conducts a detailed analysis of current shipping activities and predicts likely future scenarios for shipping and port development
  • Conducts a risk analysis for introduction and establishment of exotic pests and pathogens under a range of future ports and shipping scenarios
  • Conducts a risk assessment to identify key iconic and threatened species, data deficiencies and needs, and species status for Spencer Gulf focusing particularly around shipping
  • Develops tools for predicting interactions of future ports and shipping scenarios with other industries
  • Engages broadly and uses the findings to inform managers, leaders, stakeholders, government and the broader community.

For additional updates, seeÌý

  • 2023
    • – Spencer Gulf was one of the case studies.

  • 2021

    • Cumulative impact assessment:Ìý

  • 2020

    • Cumulative impact assessment:Ìý

  • 2019

    • Socio-ecological status of Spencer Gulf 2019

    • Potential social, economic and ecological indicators for integrated of Spencer Gulf.

  • 2017

    • Visualisation Ìýfor shipping and cumulative impacts

    • Developing knowledge and tools to inform integrated management of Spencer Gulf: Case study on shipping and ports

      • ±Ê²¹±è±ð°ù:Ìý, 38 threats and 55 experts: assessing ecological risk in a multi-use marine region​Ìý

      • ±Ê²¹±è±ð°ù:Ìý assessment of marine-associated fauna in Spencer GulfÌý

    • Capturing expert uncertainty in assessments

    • Implementing marine ecosystem-based management: lessons from Australia

    Seagrass

  • 2016

  • 2015

  • 2014

    • Report for Spencer Gulf Ecosystem and Development Initiative:Ìý

    • InvestigatingÌýshipping and cuttlefish potential impacts

  • 2013
    • Report for Spencer Gulf Ecosystem and Development Initiative:Ìý

Contact: Professor Bronwyn Gillanders
Phone:Ìý(08) 8313 6235
Email:Ìýbronwyn.gillanders@adelaide.edu.au
University of Adelaide
North Terrace
Darling Building, Level 1.27