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Ecologically Sustainable Development
Factsheet
Environment Australia, June 2002
Local Agenda 21 (LA21) is a program that provides a framework for implementing sustainable development at the local level. LA21 aims to build upon existing Local Government strategies and resources (such as Corporate plans, vegetation management plans, and transport strategies) to better integrate environmental, economic and social goals.
The LA21 development process is just as important as the final plan or strategy. The process involves open discussion and debate about what is important to the whole community. It requires everyone to work together to reach a shared vision or goal and the development of successful partnerships between government, industry and community groups.
During this flexible and ongoing development process, Local Governments play an important role by:
There is no fixed model for LA21. The program must be relevant to the Local Government and community involved in its development, and should address the specific environmental, economic and social issues that they face. The pace, size and scope of the program should be decided in consultation with the community.
To begin the LA21 process it may be helpful to:
An effective LA21 process should result in:
Some common initiatives instigated by the LA21 process include increased water and energy efficiency, the control of land clearing and better road and traffic management.
In 1997, APEC Ministers for Sustainable Development agreed to double the number of local councils involved in LA21 by 2003. In the same year a national LA21 program was established. The program is administered through Environment Australia.
Environment Australia promotes LA21 by sponsoring an award for achievement in sustainability through the 'National Awards for Local Government' managed by the Department of Transport and Regional Services. For more details about the awards, contact nolg@dotars.gov.au
The National Local Leaders in Sustainability Forum (NLLISF) was established to provide leadership on local sustainability issues. Members of the Forum (including council and community leaders from across Australia) meet and share ideas, monitor sustainability progress and build partnerships. Two forums have been held, one in 2000 and the second in 2001. State and Territory Forums have also been established, with assistance from the network of Environmental Resource Officers.
The development of a local sustainability assessment framework was a key recommendation from the participants at the National Local Leaders in Sustainability Forum in 2000. In 2001, Environment Australia engaged SMEC Australia Pty Ltd to develop a draft framework.
The framework will assist Local Governments to systematically assess their progress towards sustainability. It will also recognise existing relevant activities by Councils and variations in local circumstances and issues.
Environment Australia collaborated with the National Office of Local Government to develop two regional LA21 pilot projects: in Rainbow Coast in Western Australia and Cradle Coast in Tasmania. The objectives of the pilot projects were to test regional approaches to sustainable development and to develop appropriate models for Australian councils to implement LA21 on a regional basis.
The manual Our Community, Our Future: A Guide to Local Agenda 21 provides direction in planning and implementing sustainable development at the local level. Electronic copies are available from http://www.ea.gov.au/esd/la21/manual/index.html
For further information contact the Environmental Resource Officer in your State/Territory:
National: 02 6122 9433
SA: 08 8224 2043
NSW: 02 9242 4000
Tas: 03 6233 5963
NT: 08 8936 2892
Vic: 03 9667 5519
Qld: 07 3334 2239
WA: 08 9213 2042
Or contact the National LA21 Program:
Local Agenda 21
Sustainability Unit
Environment Australia
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone: +61 2 6274 1902
Fax: +61 2 6274 1858
Email: la21@deh.gov.au
Internet: http://www.ea.gov.au/esd/la21/
This factsheet is available as a PDF. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view the PDF file.