Neither the objectives nor any individual targets stand alone – they are all part of a larger inter-related framework. Achieving one target should not come at the expense of another. Smart thinking about how we do things can neutralise effects on other targets, or even turn them into positives. For example, population growth, if carefully managed with a good urban planning system, can lead to increased demand for public transport, more frequent services, and reduced reliance on private vehicles. The increased importance of energy and water issues can drive new green industries such as environmentally sustainable building design and technologies, with their own economic benefits, while reducing our ecological footprint.

The nature of these interactions has been made clearer in this update. For example, a number of key interactions between targets under different objectives have been identified. These include economic growth (under Objective 1) and greenhouse gas emissions reductions (under Objective 3). They are indicative and represent a sample of the broader range of interactions between targets. Mechanisms will be put in place to encourage the collaborative behaviour and innovative thinking required to address some of the most complex issues South Australia faces so that one target is not achieved at the expense of another. Of equal importance, the key interactions also include some synergies between targets across the plan.

Identified key interactions

• economic growth (T1.1) and greenhouse gas emissions reductions (T3.5)
• economic growth (T1.1) and ecological footprint (T3.7)
• economic growth (T1.1) and investment in science, research and innovation (T4.9, T4.10, T4.11)
• jobs (T1.10) and non-school qualifications (T6.19)
• exports (T1.14) and sustainable water supply (T3.9)
• population (T1.22) and greenhouse gas emissions reductions (T3.5)
• overseas migration (T1.24) and multiculturalism (T5.8)
• healthy South Australians (T2.4) and early childhood (birthweight) (T6.3)
• greenhouse gas emissions reductions (T3.5) and investment in science, research and innovation (T4.9, T4.10, T4.11)
• ecological footprint (T3.7) and investment in science, research and innovation (T4.9, T4.10, T4.11)