|
Our vision for Liverpool is a city which preserves and conserves its environmental diversity. We will seek to make the best use of environmental assets by linking them to form an integrated system, which helps us connect to our surrounds and leaves a sound legacy for future generations.
 Liverpool City Council recognises the importance of sustainability from both a legislative perspective (in the context of the requirements of the Local Government Act 1993 and related legislation) and a practical perspective in terms of environmental imperatives and the need to incorporate sustainability into core business.
To assist in the delivery of the city vision, within the context of delivering a balanced approach to the environment, society and development, Council's Corporate Plan guides us in achieving desired outcomes.
For more information please click on the following highlighted links:
What is sustainability?
Sustainability can be defined as "meeting the needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Brundtland (1987)
There are many terms that are used when talking about sustainability. One of these is ecologically sustainable development (ESD).
ESD is defined in the NSW Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991 as requiring "the effective integration of economic and environmental considerations in decision-making processes."
The major principles of ecologically sustainable development are:
- Conserve biodiversity
- Conserve resources
- Improve quality of life
- Precautionary principle
- Control pollution
- Intergenerational equality.
Back to top
What does sustainability mean in Liverpool?
At a local level ecologically sustainable development and sustainability is about balance and the growth and development of our community in the most environmentally friendly way, so that our natural environment is preserved for the enjoyment of all.
At a council level it means working with all of the stakeholders in our community so that our combined efforts help deliver a sustainable Liverpool. All of Council's programs and most particularly its environmental programs work towards this aim.
Back to top
What Council does in relation to sustainability
Council has embarked on a journey to a sustainable community. This journey is not just about strategies and policies but about practically implementing them to deliver long-term outcomes. The key projects we are currently working on, include:
Back to top
Sustainability Framework
Creating a sustainable community is a challenging and long-term process. To help us, we need to adopt a framework and tools which monitor our progress and achievements. Council is currently exploring a range of frameworks to help integrate sustainability into our core business and our community.
Examples of frameworks being investigated include:
- An Agenda Program
- Development of Indicators
- Triple Bottom Line reporting
- Environmental Management Systems
- Local Environment Plans and policies.
Back to top
Ecological sustainable development - social
Our commitment to the principles of sustainable development requires equal attention to environmental, social and economic issues. Council has a range of objectives to implement to ensure the social well-being of our community. A vital community is one that has access to a range of opportunities, facilities and activities that promote an increase in quality of life including "leisure, work, learning, socialising." Council's Social Plan acknowledges it's responsibility to enhance the quality of life of its community.
Liverpool's society is very diverse and this is reflected in the wide range of actions that Council undertakes to assist the community to explore, celebrate and understand its diversity while meeting the needs of the present and future generations.
Initiatives undertaken include:
- Cultural celebrations, such as NAIDOC Week, Australia Day and the Multicultural Festival
- Events including Youth, Seniors and Children's Weeks
- Festivals such as Bloomin' Council's annual Environment and Garden Expo
- Community consultation processes with outcomes including the Community 2168 project
- Development of a Volunteer Policy recognising volunteers as vital component of a healthy community
- Development of a Disability Action Plan and other policies such as crime prevention.
Back to top
Ecological sustainable development - economic
Liverpool City Council is working with local business and the community to develop the economy around the principles of sustainable development. A major priority is to promote local employment. Currently, around two-thirds of the local workforce leave Liverpool each day to work in other areas of Sydney. Council is seeking to create a new job for every new household established in the area. This equates to the creation of 1,500 new jobs per year with the rapid growth of the population in Liverpool.
A healthy natural environment is not only an inherently important attribute of the City, it is also good for business as it encourages people to live and stay in the area. Enhancing Liverpool's natural assets such as water resources, fauna and flora and air quality are attributes that encourage 'new economy' businesses and skilled residents. For example, reducing traffic congestion not only improves air quality and health, it also encourages people into the area for shopping, setting up a business or other beneficial economic activities.
The transition of the economy towards more environmentally friendly products and services creates challenges and opportunities for rapidly growing cities such as Liverpool. Local firms engaged in the building and construction industry, including architecture and design, land rehabilitation, building materials and products such as lighting, windows and water heaters, are well positioned to improve competitiveness through better use of environmental innovations in this sector.
Further, the environment industry sector is one of the most rapidly growing industries, both in Australia and overseas. This sector invovles activities associated with measurement, prevention or correction of environmental damage to water, air and soil, as well as problems related to noise, waste and ecosystems.
Back to top
State of the Environment Report
State of the Environment (SOE) reporting is used as a tool to record the environmental initiatives undertaken by Liverpool City Council and our community to manage, develop, restore, enhance and conserve the environment.
The SOE is modelled on a Pressure State Response Model, which is based on human activity exerting pressure on the environment and changing its state or condition.
The key questions addressed in the SOE Report through use of this model are:
- What is the state of the local environment?
- What pressures or stresses is human activity exerting on the local environment?
- What changes or trends are evident?
- What is being done to respond?
This report is available to the community as a valuable information source and it contains indicators that show the trends in environmental performance over time. The 2006/07 State of the Environment Report can be downloaded.
Back to top
Sustainability Blitz
Sustainability Blitz is a partnership project ,aiming to raise awareness of key sustainability issues in relation to the backyard. Through a series of postcards, fact sheets and workshops, based on three key themes of the project: Water, Waste and Natives. The project encourages householders to take simple steps towards sustainability.
The Sustainability Blitz workshops deliver practical and theoretical tips on:
- Native species - What plant should I buy? How big will it get? Identify local native plants for your garden and learn about propagation and maintenance
- Attracting wildlife to your backyard - Practical suggestions on making your backyard a wildlife sanctuary
- Compost/worm farming/mulching - Learn how to convert up to half of your household garbage into valuable compost and liquid fertiliser.
- No dig vegetable gardening - A fun and simple method for growing tasty veggies in your own backyard.
- Water wise gardening - Discover how easy it is to conserve and re-use water in your garden.
Sustainability Blitz is a partnership project between Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool and Wollondilly Council's and the Macarthur Centre for Sustainable Living, with assistance from the NSW Government through the 'It's a Living Thing' program.
Focusing on householders and their backyards, Sustainability Blitz aims to provide knowledge, skills and tools needed to implement changes in the backyard to make gardens more sustainable.
A copy of the Sustanability Blitz Fact sheets can be downloaded.
Back to top
Sustaining Liverpool Newsletter
Sustaining Liverpool is a quarterly newsletter produced by Council’s Environment Plan team. The newsletter includes information on environmental projects and grant programs that are being undertaken in the Liverpool Council area including topics such as bush regeneration, waste and sustainability.
Sustaining Liverpool also includes dates for environmental activities including tree planting activities and fun workshops, competitions, useful books to read and who to speak to in Council about different projects or programs.
If you would like to be on the mailing list to receive this newsletter and other information related to environmental activities in the Liverpool area, please call Sonya Szczur on 9821 7728.
If you would like to receive this newsletter by email click on the following link http://www.yowee.net/lccsubscribe/signup.asp
To view PDF files you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. If you are having difficulties viewing these documents visit our website accessibility section. |
