Local Agenda 21 Program

Following Councils success and achievements in the Cities for Climate Protection Program, the City of Canada Bay Council has extended its commitment to the local environment and joined the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) and the Local Agenda 21 (LA21) Program.

The City of Canada Bay Council formally adopted a LA21 Program on 21 May 2002 and is currently developing a Local Action Plan.

Local Agenda 21 is a program designed at implementing sustainable development at the local level. It comprises systems and procedures to integrate environmental, economic and social development. Founded on a strong partnership between local government and the community, the progress toward local sustainable development is guided by the preparation of a long-term strategic action plan that integrates existing policies and programs and a future direction.

Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) is a concept that is described by the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment as;

"Using, conserving and enhancing the community's resources so that the ecological processes, on which life depends, are maintained, and the total quality of life, now and in the future can be increased."

There are five milestones involved in the undertaking of a LA21 Program that are part of a long-term strategic plan. These five Milestones include:

Milestone 1

Establish a multi-sector stakeholder group to oversee the LA21 process that will be formally involved in process of the LA21 Program. The Local Agenda 21 Steering Committee was formed in April 2003 and has members from the community, Council and staff.

Milestone 2

Complete a sustainability audit considering social, economic, and environmental conditions in the community. The audit was also completed in April 2003.

Milestone 3

Develop a sustainable community vision for the future. The committee developed the vision statement "Community and Council working together to make the City of Canada Bay an outstanding environmentally, social and economically sustainable city" which was adopted by Council.

Milestone 4

Implement a LA21 action plan, identifying clear goals, priorities, measurable targets, roles and responsibilities, funding sources, and work activities.

Milestone 5

Establish a community-based monitoring and annual evaluation and community progress reporting on performance in achieving the LA21 action plan

The benefits of implementing an effective Local Agenda 21 Program include, although is not limited to, are:

Stronger community and local government relationship
Incorporates economic, social and environmental issues
Enhanced capacity to meet community needs
Improvement toward sustainable development
Match local actions and global issues
Shows Councils commitment to the environment and the community
Enhance air and water quality in the Local Government Area
Reduce noise pollution & waste generation
Increase biodiversity and preserve bushland and native flora & fauna
Build a strong economic and social environment
Assist in achieving Councils 20% reduction goal for greenhouse gas emissions

Local Agenda 21 Steering Committee Initiatives include

Visited other LA21 committees to see how they function
Establishment of a communication network (weblink)
Volunteering at local street fairs providing environmental advice to the community
Development of a LA21 Committee Charter
Regular committee meetings (8 week intervals)
Commenced development of the LA21 Local Action Plan
Release of a regular environmental newsletter promoting the committee, sustainability, and current environmental initiatives (News on a Better Environment)
Continued liaison with supermarkets regarding plastic minimisation
Produced LA21 reusable bags for a community use
Development pf promotional LA21 Committee Flyer
Investigation and research of numerous environmental initiatives proposed for future implementation
Investigation of funding opportunities
Supervision of Clean Up Australia Day sites.