Maroochy Shire Council has launched its first reports focusing on Triple Bottom Line reporting to measure Council’s contribution to future sustainability. Report cards on social and environmental aspects of Council’s business will now accompany the current financial report cards, producing SEE (Social, Environmental and Economic) reports to Council.
Maroochy Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Kelvin Spiller, said that Triple Bottom Line accounting was the process of identifying, assessing and reporting business activities in terms of their impact on society, environment and economic sustainability.
“Our real objectives are to enhance the quality of life of the people of the Shire, building vibrant communities and improving the quality of services; support the sustainable development of the regional economy and improve the Shire’s infrastructure; and protect and enhance the Shire’s natural and built environments while ensuring the financial success and viability of Council,” he said.“These are the criteria or bottom lines by which our performance will ultimately be judged both by ourselves and by others, now and in the future,” he said.
Currently, there are no globally recognised standards or measures with regards to Triple Bottom Line Reporting.
“While there are no current standards or guidelines for Triple Bottom Line Reporting, we wanted to take up the challenge and be the first to establish a process for Local Government,” Kelvin Spiller said. “The first round of SEE reports are only initial versions as Council is investigating other appropriate measures and areas where data can be obtained on a monthly basis. We are working with all branches to identify future indicators and also invite feedback from the community with regard to specific measurable outcomes for Council to report against.”
For further information, contact Kelvin Spiller on (07) 5441 8045.
