With climate change now firmly on the agenda of all levels of government, the critical questions are how should we prepare for its impacts and what is the most appropriate course of action to move towards a low carbon future? In response to this, 14 New South Wales councils are participating in a project that is feeding key community recommendations on climate change into decision making at both a Local and State level.
The councils have used the innovative approach of deliberative democracy to enable randomly selected, representative groups of ordinary citizens to participate in local forums across New South Wales.
Forum participants have worked together with local experts and facilitators to:
- explore the issue of climate change from multiple points of view
- think critically about options before them
- offer recommendations on their preferred
solutions to climate change.
Coordinated by the Nature Conservation Council (NCC) of New South Wales, the local workshops are part of a statewide program that aims to strengthen planning and decision making on climate change with community input.
Marnie Kikken from the NCC said the project is about active citizenship, providing a unique opportunity for local residents who don’t usually participate in traditional consultations to have their voices heard.
“By assisting Local and State Government to understand and incorporate community opinions, values, priorities and expertise into their decision making, responses to climate change will be more reflective of the community view,” she said. “With climate change issues and impacts varying from region to region, local input is vital in formulating an effective response.”
Twelve local forums have been held in Coffs Harbour, Armidale, Uralla, Guyra, Tumut, Swansea, Erina, Pittwater, Warringah, Blacktown, Holroyd and Penrith.
A variety of recruitment methods and ABS data was used to randomly select 20 participants from each area. These participants matched the local community profile in relation to gender, age and region of birth.
“They facilitated rich discussions on climate change and produced a range of detailed recommendations for Local and State Government,” Marnie Kikken said. “The forums have also inspired participants to continue to be proactive on climate change in their local community.”
Uralla Shire Council’s Environmental Project Officer and organiser of the Uralla forum, Nanette Lamrock, said recommendations at the State level included targeting the replacement of all electric hot water systems, improving rail infrastructure and stopping mining on productive agricultural lands and near natural water sources.
“At a local level, energy was identified as a high priority area, with key recommendations including the development of a visible demonstration Council building that uses photovoltaic cells and energy efficiency measures, and bulk purchasing of renewable energy for homes,” Nanette Lamrock said.
Warringah Council’s Environmental Education Officer and organiser of the Warringah forum, Michelle Johnston, said participants identified the need to increase energy production from renewable resources, such as solar and wind; improve public transport; provide incentives to encourage efficient transport and expand BASIX, New South Wales Building Sustainability Index, as key State responses to climate change.
Community input from all 12 forums will be detailed in a report to the New South Wales Government and forum participants will also have an opportunity to attend the New South Wales Climate Summit in February 2009.
For further information on the project visit www.nccnsw.org.au/nswclimatesummit
