Local govt. praised on climate change and greenhouse leadership
November 26, 2007
A top economic forecast group, National Economics, has singled out local government for praise for its practical environmental moves.
National Economics has been preparing its State of the Regions reports for the Australian Local Government Association for a decade. The reports look at 64 regions. This provides greater insight into what is really going on across Australia and enables policies to be adjusted to meet the real problems of our regions.
"The report for 2007-08 contains cogently argued evidence that local government and regional communities are leading the way when it comes to acting on the climate change crisis and the greenhouse effect," says ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell.
"In particular, broadband will have a stunning effect on the ability of regions to boost exports, as well as doing its bit for climate change by managing energy use through video-conferencing, e-health and providing education, business and entertainment on-line and giving all Australians the choice of not needing to undertake unnecessary travel."
"The report clearly demonstrates that local government is way in front when it comes to encouraging behavioural change on these issues," the President points out.
"Australia's local government bodies are there on the ground; they are ideally placed to respond to the real concerns of local communities on greenhouse and climate change."
In its report National Economics urges State/Territory and the Commonwealth governments to support this community leadership. It points as an example to coastal councils studying possible cyclone and storm surge impacts. As well the councils were reviewing such things as emergency response procedures, building codes and locational planning strategies.
National Economics also uses as a case study - among other examples it gives of local government actions cutting greenhouse emissions - Victoria's Mount Alexander Shire centred on Castlemaine and Maldon.
Mount Alexander Shire has plans in place to cut the shire's greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent on 2000 levels by 2010. The report says the shire has a suite of practical measures in place. As well it was a very active member of the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance.
National Economics says that as a spin-off it has benefited from media attention. This resulted in the marketing of the shire as an increasingly forward-looking place to be. "This developing image of the shire is starting to attract the interest of 'green' businesses so the prospects of establishing a cluster of 'new economy' businesses in the shire are looking positive," the report says.
The Report can be ordered from the ALGA website: www.alga.asn.au
- Contact
- Amanda Lynch, Director, Government Relations – 0419 123 862 / 02 6122 9434
- National Economics: Ian Manning on 0419 262344 or Peter Hylands 0419 343921
