Field work has been completed on a project to help regional organisations link natural resource management and economic development. Greening Australia and the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) are cooperating on a two year study examining the role of regional organisations and how their planning is coordinated.
Using case studies, Project RegionLearningLink is assessing how to improve integration of environmental and economic planning. Ten areas of Australia have been studied including western Sydney, the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia and Cape York in Queensland.
The project is funded by the Department of Transport and Regional Development and supervised by Environment Australia. Greening Australia and ALGA are also working together to hold a regional forum in Canberra on November 23, just before the Local Government General Assembly.
Regional leaders from around Australia will explain how they are dealing with the issues identified in the research project. Ways to improve linkages between government and regional organisations will also be explored. Greening Australia works with Councils, Regional Organisations of Councils and ALGA to develop best practice vegetation management.
“Councils have an important role to play with their communities in sound management of local and regional natural resources,” said Brian Peck, Public Affairs Manager, Greening Australia. “They make many decisions that impact on plant communities. More are seeking ways to better manage the environment.”
Greening Australia encourages Councils to develop Local Greening Plans. This means making vegetation inventories, assessing the value of local vegetation and using the information for its protection and enhancement. Greening Plans help improve landscapes and increase property values, protect soil and water quality, and reduce the costs of flood mitigation and road maintenance.
There has been a strong demand for Greening Australia’s Local Greening Plans: a guide for vegetation and biodiversity management published with State and Territory directories that provide information, contacts and funding programs.
For further information contact Brian Peck, telephone (02) 6281 8585.
