A six point strategy was needed to secure a sustainable future for the nation’s cities and towns, President of the Australian Local Government Association, Councillor Mike Montgomery, told the National Summit on the Future of Australia’s Cities and Towns, which was held recently in Canberra. The summit was an initiative of State Local Government and Planning Ministers and Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) hosted by ACT Planning Minister, Simon Corbell.
“Councils are at the heart of our urban communities, providing a diverse range of services and facilities for those who live, work and play in our cities and towns,” Councillor Montgomery said. “Councils are already driving the agenda for a sustainable future, actively working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease water use, promote public health, enhance the urban environment, engage and educate communities in sustainable practices, ease traffic congestion, cut waste, increase recycling and increase the use of public transport.
“Local Government is a major player in the drive towards a more sustainable future for our cities and towns. If we are to enhance the capacity of local government as a driver of change, we need to ensure it is properly resourced to get the job done.
“Achieving sustainable towns and cities will also require a truly national effort that brings the three spheres of government closer together, developing stronger partnerships and shared goals.
ALGA is advocating a six point strategy to:
- enhance the capacity of Local Government to respond to the challenges of sustainability by addressing the low level of funding provided to Local Government by its State and Federal counterparts
- assist Local Government address a major infrastructure funding crisis
- greatly expand the Australian Government’s fledgling partnership with Local Government on environmental issues
- develop a cohesive population policy to ease pressure on major cities, boost regional development and better address the challenges of demographic change and an ageing population
- invest in the integrated local area planning concept to enhance Local Government led regional planning outcomes by linking related physical, environmental, economic, social and cultural issues, rather than treating them separately
- promote sustainable urban transport. Councillor Montgomery also said there was a need to break down misconceptions about the city and bush divide.
“They are not unrelated entities needing completely separate approaches,” he said “Australia should be viewed as a set of distinct regions, whether inner city, outer metropolitan, regional, rural or remote. All are complex entities with strong links to each other and policy development needs to reflect this reality.”
