Local Government in NRM
** What's New? ** |
Upcoming Locust Plague
In response to this risk, the NSW Government has announced a tripling of funding for locust control. More details on plague locusts including maps of known locust sites, details on control programs and funding is available at: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/pests-weeds/insects/general/locusts Landholders are required to report the presence of plague locusts on their land to their local Livestock Health and Pest Authority (formerly Rural Lands Protection Boards). This includes Councils who have responsibilities for the management of locusts on land under their control. Dubbo City Council experienced a plague locust season in 2004 and as a result has prepared a check list to use when taking calls from the public. This may be of interest to other councils and is available here (opens in new window). |
Background
All local governments in NSW, irrespective of their size or location, make a significant contribution to the management and protection of our natural resources.
As the sphere of government closest to the community, local government is responsible for good governance and the care and protection of local communities within a framework of sustainable development.
As managers of public land and land use planners, local government is responsible for policy development and implementation of land use planning as well as regulating a wide range of activities that may impact upon natural resource management (Binning et al. 1999). Local government also has a key role to play in translating the policies of Commonwealth and state governments into on-ground projects.
Local Government has a range of functions, powers and responsibilities at its disposal to influence natural resource management - on both private and public land. These include:
- strategic planning through land use zoning and statutory controls on all freehold land and locally managed public open space
- development control of nearly all activities and works on freehold land and crown land (except national parks and state forests) through development consent powers
- enforcement powers for development consent conditions, waste management and unauthorised land uses (eg. land clearing, drainage, and filling)
- administrative responsibility for state agency coordination through integrated planning, licensing and development concurrence
- stormwater management and control; sewerage and drainage works, and flood control
- pest, plant and animal risk control measures
- influence over land clearance patterns through incentive programs (planning amendments, rate differentials, levies, rural fire management and developer contributions)
- management of local open space to restore remnant vegetation and recreate habitat
- primary advocate for and coordinator of local community groups and interests
Case Studies
To build on all the great work that is being done by councils around NSW, we are starting to collect and showcase examples of policies, proceedures, activities and operations of councils across the broad range of NRM issues. We are not ranking, prioritising or endorsing any of the case studies, just making them available for other councils to look at and learn from. We are hoping that this will eventually develop into a seperate web-based library of information, tools and resources for the benefit of Local Government around NSW. Below are examples of council resources or policies relating to improved Natural Resource Management:
** Case Studies ** |
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| Part 5 Environmental Impact Assessment |
Wyong Shire Council
Port Macquarie Hastings Council
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| Development Control Plans |
Wyong Shire Council
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| LEP Rezoning |
Lake Macquarie City Council
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