Department for Environment and Water (South Australia)

History of the environment portfolio

On 23 December 1971, a new department called the Department of Environment and Conservation was created by the amalgamation of the Museum Department and the State Planning Office which was part of the Department of the Premier and of Development.

On 18 December 1975, the Department of Environment and Conservation was renamed as the Department for the Environment following a merger with the Botanic Garden Department.

On 11 May 1981, the Department for the Environment and the Department of Urban and Regional Affairs were merged with the Department of Environment and Planning which was created on 7 August 1980 when it only consisted of the office of its first permanent head.

On 8 October 1992, the Department of Environment and Planning was abolished on 8 October 1992 and its parts were distributed to new entities including the Department of Environment and Land Management which included the entirety of the former Department of Lands which was also abolished on 8 October 1992.

On 1 October 1993, the Department of Environment and Land Management was renamed as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

On 23 October 1997, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources was abolished and replaced in part by the Department for Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs which also included “employees” of other abolished “Administrative Units” such as the Department of State Aboriginal Affairs and the Department of Mines and Energy.

In 1999, the Department for Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs became the Department for Environment and Heritage.

On 1 July 2010, the Department for Environment and Heritage was renamed for the second time as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

On 1 July 2012, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources became the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) after acquiring the roles and responsibilities of the former Department of Water. This created the current (2024) incarnation of the department. it was given its present name on 22 March 2018. Following the Liberal Party's victory in the 2018 state election, the department was renamed as the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) on 2 March 2018.

People

On 19 September 2025, Lucy Hood became Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, taking responsibility for the department, after Susan Close announced her resignation. , the chief executive of the department is Ben Bruce, who took over from John Schutz.

Premier's Climate Change Council

Main article: Premier's Climate Change Council

The Premier's Climate Change Council was established under the Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007, with the inaugural council created in February 2008. The primary role of the Council is to provide independent advice to the Minister for Environment and Water on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change.

Notes

References

1. "Workplace Information Report 2022-2023". South Australian Government.
2. (23 December 1971). "PUBLIC SERVICE ACT, 1967-1971: MUSEUM DEPARTMENT-ABOLITION OF OFFICE". South Australian Government.
3. (18 December 1975). "Public Service Act, 1967-1975...". South Australian Government.
4. (7 August 1980). "PUBLIC SERVICE ACT, 1967-1978: SECTION 25: DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING BROUGHT INTO EXISTENCE: OFFICE OF PERMANENT HEAD CREATED". South Australian Government.
5. (7 May 1981). "PUBLIC SERVICE ACT, 1967-1981: SECTION 25: AMALGAMATION OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF URBAN AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING: CONSEQUENTIAL MATTERS". South Australian Government.
6. (8 October 1992). "GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYMENT ACT 1985 SECTION 21: VARIATION OF THE STRUCTURE OF VARIOUS PARTS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE". South Australian Government.
7. (27 August 1993). "GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYMENT ACT 1985 SECTION 21 (2): ALTERATION OF TITLE OF DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND LAND MANAGEMENT". South Australian Government.
8. (23 October 1997). "PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGEMENT ACT 1995 SECTIONS 7 AND 76: STRUCTURE OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND RELATED MATTERS". South Australian Government.
9. "South Australia. Department of Environment and Natural Resources". National Library of Australia.
10. (1 July 2010). "Public Sector (Administrative Units of Public Service—Variation 1) Proclamation 2010". South Australian Government.
11. (28 June 2012). "Public Sector (Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources) Proclamation 2012". South Australian Government.
12. "Home".
13. "Home".
14. "Home".
15. (22 March 2018). "Public Sector (Administrative Units of Public Service) Proclamation 2018". South Australian Government.
16. "Lucy Hood MP". Government of South Australia.
17. Lim, Josephine. (18 September 2025). "SA Deputy Premier and Treasurer to quit politics ahead of state election". ABC News.
18. (16 February 2024). "Department for Environment and Water".
19. (4 December 2019). "Premier's Climate Change Council".