History
Steven Ogden, the Dean of the St. Peter’s Cathedral, was the initiator of the project. Steven employed the local consultancy practice Energy Architecture to explore environmentally sustainable practices for the Cathedral. The positive response by the Cathedral community inspired Steven to extend the project beyond the Cathedral grounds throughout the North Adelaide area. Steven approached several institutions, companies and individuals with the request of working collaboratively to create a more environmentally sustainable precinct. What Steven Ogden started in 2006 is now an exciting project between more than two dozen businesses and organisations.
In 2007, Connell Wagner and the University of Adelaide became involved and have since provided greatly needed expertise and experience. Experts from Connell Wagner under the leadership of Brett Nilsen and members from the University started exploring the idea of natural water storage opportunities such as a wetland in the Torrens Lake. The resources at the University are extensive and it is intended that students and staff be actively involved in the design and development of several aspects of the Green Cathedral Project, such as urban design and landscaping.
Senior representatives from the State Government of South Australia, the Adelaide City Council, the Capital City Committee and the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resource Management Board have been of great assistance too.
In November 2007, the bi-annual St. Peter’s Cathedral Banquet promoted the project and raised funds to enable the Cathedral to participate in the project. Channel 7 Adelaide actively encourages the Green Cathedral project and to that end has produced a community service announcement to be aired in the near future.