After more than a decade of environmental impact assessment ( EIA ) provisions within South Australian Planning Act, 1982 it is appropriate to examine the role of the environmental impact statement ( EIS ) as a major element of EIA and an important decision making tool for major projects over this period. The thesis first provides a review of EIA from its overseas origins to its development at the Commonwealth level in Australia. This provides the context within which to examine the system of EIA for major developments or projects in South Australia, which are dealt with largely through the EIS process. The thesis examines the type of projects which, according to the discretionary criteria in the Planning Act, have attracted EIS requirements between 1982 - 1993 and uses this to determine generic groupings of projects. It is noted that marinas represent the largest group of projects with EIS requirements, although EISs have been called for power generation related projects, electricity transmission line projects, tourist related projects, industrial projects, mining projects, water management projects, transport projects and a number of other projects. The thesis examines the number of EISs that have been completed, whether or not the projects have been approved or rejected and to what extent any patterns have emerged. The thesis then focuses on all the completed EISs in terms of their content, timing of preparation, public involvement and response, associated legislative requirements, type and role of developer, type and role of EIS consultant, the assessment of the EIS, and the decision making process. The thesis notes the high approval rate for projects with completed EISs suggesting most of the environmental problems have been resolved or are capable of being resolved. It is also noted that a number of projects are abandoned before the EIS is ever completed and that the few rejected EIS proposals are associated with high numbers of public submissions. Although each of the rejected proposals has a complex history of project development, environmental assessment and negotiations, it is noted that the decision to reject the proposals was ultimately a political decision. The thesis comments on the limited role of the South Australian Planning Commission ( SAPC ) in EIS project decision making in South Australia and the increasing use of the Governor as a decision maker. Although the SAPC is the statutory planning authority it is constrained by having to have regard to the principles in the Development Plan which is geared toward development control rather than for the extraordinary major projects which become subject to EIS requirements. The thesis then examines proposed changes to EIA in the context of early attempts to initiate EIA reform in South Australia through to the current Development Bill. These proposals are placed in context with changes to EIA procedures that have taken place at the Commonwealth level, the proposed development of a national agreement on EIA, and also the implications for EIA which are likely to flow from recent Commonwealth initiatives on ecologically sustainable development strategies. In addition the implications of recently developed environment protection agencies and associated legislation are examined at both the State and Commonwealth levels. Collectively these reviews and analyses provide the context of current thinking on EIA as it is likely to affect South Australian EIA processes in the future. Finally the thesis discusses the evolving role of the South Australian EIS in the context of its evolutionary process and the proposed legislative changes in South Australia, together with other related initiatives. This discussion touches on a number of issues such as public administration, the actual practice of the EIA process as opposed to the theory of EIA and what is written into the EIA legislation. In conclusion an overview is given of the current role of the EIS with some predictions for the future of EIA in South Australia. / Thesis (M.Plan.)--Department of Architecture, 1993.

Bibliography: leaves 200-223.

Bibliography: leaves 224-236. The study aimed to determine the distribution of both P. thornei and P. neglectus in South Australia. Also to study the field and laboratory population dynamics of P. thornei in relation to wheat yields, to determine its host range on a variety of cereal and non-leguminous hosts and to identify possible sources of nematode resistant wheat cultivars/varieties. Preliminary experiments studied the involvement of root rotting fungi with the nematode in wheat disease.

Bibliography: leaves 221-240. This thesis deals with the introduction of "Aphidius rosae" as a classical biological control agent into South-Eastern Australia. Appropriate host specificity tests are carried out. Laboratory experiments are also completed to gain a better understanding of the interactions between host and parasitoid in the field. The study aims to monitor the performance of the control agent in the Adelaide environment for the first two years after initial release. It is also planned to invent an experimental field technique to estimate the impact of the control agent on rose aphid populations.

Bibliography: leaves 153-169. This study analyses the effect of date of sowing and density, on yield of faba beans, in the winter-rainfall environment of southern Australia. Field experiments are conducted on twelve accessions of faba beans, that differ greatly in seed size with the main treatment being two sowing dates. The field experiments are carried out on the cultivar Fiord, between 1985-1987. The conclusion highlights the advantages of early sowing and the potential merit of large seeded faba beans.

Bibliography: leaves 159-177.

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Bibliography: leaves 92-95.

Bibliography: leaves 185-200. The herbicides norflurazon, oxadiazon, oxyfluoren, trifluralin and simazine used in South Australian viticulture were assessed for mobility and degradation through a combination of laboratory and field experiments. Sorption, leaching and dissipation rates were measured, as was presence in shallow groundwater. The fate of herbicides from vine to wine was also investigated, tests being conducted on herbicide residue in both white and red grapes and presence in wine. A proposal for good environmental management of herbicide use in vineyards to minimise the effects of herbicides was also developed.

Bibliography: p. 56-63.