ESD/Sustainability/LA21
Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) Information Guide for Local Councils
The ESD Information Guide for NSW Local Councils (334KB) has been developed to assist councils in the implementation of ESD. There is no 'recipe book' to implementing ESD, however the Guide is designed to assist councils to understand the concept of ESD through outlining:
- the legislative responsibilities of Councils;
- how to get the process within councils right; and
- developing ESD programs.
The Guide explores how to create and maintain an ESD culture within Council, to ensure that ESD is not only the responsibility of environment officers, but is a responsibility of the whole council. It also provides links to existing sustainability resources.
Individual case studies (651KB) are also provided to highlight the activities of a number of leading councils. The case studies have been developed to provide an insight into specific projects undertaken by councils which could provide a model for other councils.
Each Council in NSW received a complimentary copy of the Guide, which can also be accessed via the web link above.
Councils are also invited to join a sustainability email network. Over 400 council staff and Councillors already belong to an interactive email network and regularly receive and post messages on sustainability issues. If you're not one of them and you would like to be subscribe by sending an email to sustainablenet@yahoogroups.com.
This project has been assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust.
ESD training for council staff and councillors
The Associations have developed training programs for council staff and elected members to increase their confidence in addressing issues of ecologically sustainable development (ESD). The Associations' training program and materials should assist councils to decide on the best way they can address the goal of promoting ESD in their own operations and also among their communities.
An ESD induction and training video / DVD 'Local Government, the Key to Sustainability' was produced and was sent to councils in November 2004. This was followed by workshops in regional locations around NSW in July /August 2005. A flier (798KB) for the workshops can be downloaded. Training materials (Workbook (263KB) and Activity Bank (306KB)) from the workshops are also available for downloading
The consultants have produced a report on the project, this includes a Highlights document (106KB) and the Full report (726KB).
A second run of the DVD 'Local Government, the Key to Sustainability' was completed in January 2006 and another copy was sent to each council.
For further information or for a copy of the DVD, contact Robert Verhey robert.verhey@lgsa.org.au.
NEW Making Sustainability a Reality: Intensive Training Program
This workshop program follows on from a successful round of ESD workshops for councillors and senior managers in 2005. Intensive workshops were purpose built for councils/consortia of councils who responded to and were successful in meeting the criteria in an EOI. The workshops assisted participants to understand ESD/Sustainability and how it might be integrated into council policies and practices.
An information booklet has been produced and is now available for downloading.
Background_Information_for_Participants_Intensive_Sustainbility_Training.doc (2.23MB)
The consultants have produced an evaluation report on this project including an Overall Intensive Workshop Evaluation Report (659KB) and separate individual council/consortia evaluations.
Great Lakes Consortium Evaluation Report (517KB)
Ashfield Council Evaluation Report (522KB)
MACROC Intensive Evaluation Final (755KB)
Shoalhaven/Eurobodalla Evaluation Report (328KB)
Local Agenda 21
Local Agenda 21 is a program aimed at implementing sustainable development at the local level. A local Agenda 21 program comprises systems and process to integrate environmental, economic and social development. Founded on a strong partnership between Local Government and the community, the progress towards local sustainable development will be guided by the preparation of a long term strategic action plan that integrates existing policies and programs and an agreed future direction.
Resources Available
Our Community Our Future, a guide to Local Agenda 21 Environs the Local Government Environment Network, in partnership with the Commonwealth Government have produced a manual: Our Community Our Future, a guide to Local Agenda 21. In this document a framework outlines the key elements of a LA 21 program. What steps need to be taken? Who needs to be involved? What issues need to be considered?
The manual can be downloaded from the Environs web site.
Sustainable Communities Website
The Associations have established the Sustainable Communities Website, a place for councils and schools to connect, using education as a tool for creating a sustainable future.
Developed by the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW, in conjunction with the Sustainable Living Project at the Faculty of the Built Environment (UNSW), it is an initiative in response to the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005 - 2014).
This website is a space to link, learn and share. Councils, young people and their teachers will find resources and information on how to work together on projects that will have a positive impact on the environmental, social, cultural and economic issues that face us all. The website can be accessed at www.sustainablecommunities.lgsa.org.au.
BASIX
The BASIX proposal has been in the planning stages for quite some time. It is an initiative which will require developments to undergo a "scoring" process against various sustainability indicators.
On 18 September 2003 Premier Bob Carr MP announced that the Government would introduce a requirement for developments to meet new energy and water use targets. BASIX will be the "tool" to achieve these targets. The first two parts of BASIX were introduced in the Sydney Metropolitan Area on July 2004. These relate to energy efficiency and water conservation.
BASIX Requirements for the rest of NSW commenced on 1 July 2005, but they were voluntary for multi-unit dwellings for the first three months.
DIPNR have produced some material on the BASIX initiative, which can be viewed at www.basix.nsw.gov.au.
ICLEI
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability is an international association of local governments and national and regional local government organisations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. ICLEI's Australia/New Zealand Office (ICLEI-A/NZ) focuses on practical action within a long-term framework, multi-level political support for councils, capacity building, investment in technical methodologies and commitment to partnerships.
For more information contact ICLEI-A/NZ:
Email: anz@iclei.org
Phone: +61 3 9639 8688
Web: www.iclei.org/anz
