Tuesday, 3 June 2008
New Website Helps Councils Progress Towards Sustainability
A website designed to provide support to NSW councils about sustainability issues was launched yesterday at the Annual Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA) NSW Forum.
The website is part of the new Urban Sustainability Support Alliance (USSA) project and provides a one-stop shop for councils and other stakeholders to find key sustainability resources, register for training opportunities, access information about other councils' sustainability projects and find out the latest information on the project.
The USSA project is a partnership between the Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA) NSW and the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW, the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change, the Sydney Coastal Councils Group, Eurobodalla Shire Council and Manly Council.
President of the Local Government Association, Cr Genia McCaffery says the website will play a vital role in helping councils realise the full potential of their work around sustainability.
"Councils across the state are continuously creating new policies, new procedures and new initiatives to progress sustainability and the website will allow them to share their experiences with other councils," said Cr McCaffery.
President of the Shires Association, Cr Bruce Miller says rural and regional councils in particular will benefit from the project and new website.
"Environmental sustainability, especially in relation to water conservation and management is a key issue for our rural and regional communities," said Cr Miller.
"Having the website as a resource for councils will encourage future action, not only for environmental, but also social and economic sustainability."
President of the LGMA (NSW), Penny Holloway says the LGMA is proud to be part of the USSA project.
"We're delighted to be working in partnership with a range of key bodies from state and local levels," said Ms Holloway.
"The USSA project is a positive step forward for Local Government and I look forward to participating in future projects that support sustainability," added Ms Holloway.
The USSA Project is coordinated by the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW and assisted by the NSW Environmental Trust under its Urban Sustainability Program.
For more information, visit the USSA website at: www.lgsa.org.au/USSA or contact Niki Carey, USSA Project Manager at the LGSA on (02) 9242 4159.
Media Officer, LGSA: Fay Daoud - (02) 9242 4070 or 0437 477 567
Media Comment: Cr Genia McCaffery - 0419 404 867
Cr Bruce Miller - 0428 629 934
Penny Holloway - 0419 012 616
