Our Community Our Future: A Guide to Local Agenda 21 Information contained in this report may be copied or reproduced for study, research information or educational purposes, subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of the Commonwealth and the Commonwealth does not accept any responsibility in respect of the information or advice given in relation to or as a consequence of anything contained in this document. ISBN 0642 546 584 © Commonwealth of Australia 1999 Original material prepared by Environs Australia: the Local Government Environment Network Level 2, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000 Phone: (03) 9654 1322 Fax: (03) 9654 1625 E-mail: [email protected] Cotter, B. and Hannan, K. (Environs Australia) (1999), Our Community Our Future: A Guide to Local Agenda 21, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra. Environs Australia writers /editors: Bernie Cotter, Kathryn Hannan, Martin Brennan and Wayne Wescott. Case studies prepared by Stella Whittaker and Martin Brennan. Contributions from: Environment Australia - Andrew Major, Margaret Clarke, Juliana Matthews, Andrew Ross Thanks also to the people who contributed information and provided comments, including: Paul Bateson Ann McGregor Louise Fuller Maggie Hine Dick Osborn Evan Boardman Debra Rae-Smith Clare Walsh Stefanie Pillora Trisha Drioli Bryce Bunny Rod Griffith Dr Garry Smith Rance Salan Evan Thomas Mike Sammons Craig Bagley John Boers Paul Murfitt Richard Jennings Stephen Ray Wayne Van Lieven Bruce Lang John Hurley Sue Draper Pia Herbert (editing) Lalitha Ramachandran Felicity Case Rob Thorman Ross Manthorpe Designed by: BH GRAPHICS Canberra Printed by: Paragon Printers Canberra This document is printed on 100% recycled paper Contents List of Tables 4 Foreword by the Federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage Senator The Hon. Robert Hill 5 Introduction 7 What is Local Agenda 21? 7 About this Guide 7 Background 11 Where did Local Agenda 21 come from? 11 Local Agenda 21 since the Earth Summit 11 What does Sustainable Development mean? 12 What are the links between Local Agenda 21 and the National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development? 12 What are some of the key principles of sustainability? 12 Who is promoting Local Agenda 21? 13 Why should council implement a Local Agenda 21? 13 How does Local Agenda 21 fit with existing policies, programs and activities 14 Who is currently involved? 14 Action Area 1: Preparing the ground for Local Agenda 21 15 Researching various approaches and outcomes 15 Gaining political and management commitment 16 Developing an inventory of council strategies and activities 16 Current management systems 17 Assessing the current state of the area 17 Tailoring the Local Agenda 21 process to your council 19 Local Agenda 21 1 Emphasising that Local Agenda 21 builds on existing council strategies and resources 19 Developing a preliminary budget and roles for staff 21 Reporting to council on establishing a Local Agenda 21 process 21 Action Area 2: Building partnerships and driving the process 23 Recognising the role of partnerships in a Local Agenda 21 23 Building a community profile 24 Making sure partnerships are established 25 Developing an effective information strategy and awareness campaign 27 Driving the process of Local Agenda 21— some common elements 29 Establishing a Steering Committee and Working Groups 29 Action Area 3: Setting the vision and the framework to move towards it 33 Features and benefits of a community vision 33 Different types of vision 33 Using scenarios for the future, based on a ‘business as usual’ approach 34 Developing a shared vision involving community and council 35 A framework for achieving the vision: goals, indicators and targets 36 Determining goals 40 Choosing indicators 40 Setting targets 41 Action Area 4: Creating a local action planning document 45 Planning for local action 45 Identifying actions to achieve the targets 46 Actions to improve management systems 51 On-the-ground actions 53 2 Local Agenda 21 Action Area 5: Implementing, reporting, monitoring and reviewing 59 Implementing the action plan 59 Reporting on progress 59 Monitoring and reviewing 60 Where to next? 61 Case Studies 63 City of Gold Coast — Integrated Environment Plan 65 City of Mandurah — Sustainable City Plan 71 City of Manningham — Environmental Management System and Local Agenda 21 81 City of Marion Local Agenda 21 — Creating a Sustainable Future 89 Marrickville Agenda 21 — Environment Strategy 99 Moreland City Council — Local Agenda 21 109 City of South Sydney — A Strategy for a Sustainable South Sydney 119 Sutherland Council — Developing a Blueprint for a High Quality of life 131 City of Unley — Local Agenda 21 Program 141 Further Reading and Contacts 153 Appendices 165 Appendix 1 Chapter 28 of Agenda 21 165 Appendix 2 A Summary Guide to Agenda 21 167 Appendix 3 Some key principles of sustainability 171 Appendix 4 The goal, core objectives and guiding principles of the National Strategy for ESD 173 Appendix 5 Benefits to council of implementing a Local Agenda 21 175 Appendix 6 How a Local Agenda 21 fits with existing policies, programs and activities 177 Appendix 7 Possible roles of Local Agenda 21 Steering Committee 179 Appendix 8 The City of Adelaide’s Vision 181 Appendix 9 Many uses for indicators 183 Appendix 10 Regional Agenda 21 185 Local Agenda 21 3 LIST OF TABLES TABLE 1: Examples of how to make the Local Agenda 21 fit your council 19 TABLE 2: Building on existing council programs 20 TABLE 3: Resourcing options for Local Agenda 21 21 TABLE 4: Things to include in a community profile 25 TABLE 5: Strengths and weaknesses of different models of community involvement 26 TABLE 6: Two different steering committee/council relationships 29 TABLE 7: Strengths and weaknesses of different forms of Local Agenda 21 visions 34 TABLE 8: Some approaches for determining a vision 36 TABLE 9: Examples of the relationship between goals, indicators, targets and actions 38 TABLE 10: Things to include in a local Action Plan 46 TABLE 11: An example of clearly defined responsibility for actions (Wellington City Council) 50 TABLE 12: Actions to improve council management systems 52 TABLE 13: Some examples of on-the-ground actions that have provided ‘wins’ for councils 53 4 Local Agenda 21 Foreword In 1992, the United Nations released a ground-breaking action plan for sustainable development called Agenda 21. Agenda 21 is a blueprint that sets out actions we can all take to contribute to global sustainability in the 21st century. It recognises that most environmental challenges have their roots in local activities and therefore encourages Local Governments to promote local environmental, economic and social sustainability by translating the principles of sustainable development into strategies that are meaningful to local communities. This process is called Local Agenda 21 (LA21). The importance of LA21 was recognised in June 1997 by APEC Ministers for Sustainable Development when they set an APEC-wide target of doubling the number of Councils with LA21s by 2003. At the time there were approximately 61 councils in Australia with LA21 programs in place. The importance of local ESD has been further recognised by Environment ministers from all Australian jurisdictions (meeting as the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC)) when they agreed to encourage the implementation of LA21 in their own jurisdictions in order to meet the APEC LA21 target in Australia. In July 1999 ANZECC Ministers agreed to encourage LA21 in their jurisdictions through an ANZECC LA21 Achievement Award. The award will promote LA21 by recognising best practice and raising the profile of LA21 amongst Local Government. Since the Pathways to Sustainability Conference in June 1997 and the release of the Newcastle Declaration, we have seen the growth of Local Agenda 21 initiatives and the LA21 movement in Australia. Moving ahead on sustainable development is not an easy task but it is essential to secure Australia’s future. Australia needs leadership on sustainable development and many Australian Local Governments are providing that leadership. What sets LA21 apart from other approaches to local sustainability is its focus on participation and the involvement of the community in sustainable development planning and management. It rests on the development of a web of successful partnerships between government, industry and community groups. We are now starting to see strong synergies in Australia between LA21 and other sustainable development issues like greenhouse gas emission reduction, integrated coastal management, biodiversity conservation and the objectives of the Natural Heritage Trust. I commend this Manual to any Council wishing to undertake its own LA21 or local ecologically sustainable development program. It has grown out of the diversity of approaches that exist in Australia. I hope the Manual will stimulate Australian councils to continue their efforts in leading local sustainable development. The Manual acknowledges the efforts of all local governments in moving Australia onto a more sustainable path. I would like to thank all those who contributed to this Manual, and in particular, the contribution of Environs Australia who were the consulting experts on the Manual. Senator The Hon Robert Hill Federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage Local Agenda 21 5 6 Local Agenda 21 Introduction What is 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 processes 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. Local Agenda 21 provides the basis for debate on and awareness of sustainable development at the community level.