Sustainable action committee

The Sustainable Action Committee (formerly the Local Agenda 21 Committee) consists of community representatives, Council staff and Councillors. It was established in 1997, after the preliminary work of the Local Agenda 21 Establishment Team. The Committee works with Council and community in order to achieve its strategic intent of creating a living environment towards a sustainable future.

Committee projects:

•  Sustainable Action Committee Charter adopted 2007 (39kb)
•  Community Sustainability Indicators Project (CSIP) - (506kb)
• Cities for Climate Protection
• Green Buildings
• Community Groups Information Kit

Become a  member of the sustainable action committee

In 2005 the Sustainable Action Committee began a collection of books related to sustainability across Hornsby Shire libraries. Check out the list  here (28kb)

LOCAL AGENDA 21

 Agenda 21, adopted at the  1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, reflects a global consensus and political commitment at the highest level on development and environment cooperation. The agenda deals with both the pressing problems of today and the need to prepare for the challenges of the next century.

It recognizes that sustainable development is primarily the responsibility of governments, and this will require national strategies, plans and policies. The efforts of nations need to be linked by international cooperation through such organisations as the United Nations. The broadest public participation, and the active involvement of the non-governmental organisations and other groups should also be encouraged ( Keating 1993).

 Local Action 21, adopted by local authorities at the  2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, acknowledges the need for immediate steps and reflects a shift from agenda to action.

Community members participated in developing a Local Action 21 plan for the Hornsby Shire through the  Community Sustainability Indicators Project (506kb).

Hornsby Shire Council's Local Action 21 plan is integrated within its Management Plan, an holistic document that incorporates environmental, social and economic considerations, as well as community values. In this way Council ensures Local Agenda 21 is incorporated into its day to day operations.

Community members are encouraged to participate in Council's Local Action 21 Hornsby earthwise initiatives. Council realises that only in partnership with the community can a sustainable future for the Shire be achieved.

To participate, phone Council on (02) 9847 6666 or send an  e-mail.

FURTHER INFORMATION

•  Agenda 21 and the UNCED Proceedings, United Nations Commission on Environment and Development (1992)
   
•  Agenda for Change: A plain language version of Agenda 21 and the other Rio Agreements, Keating M (1993)
   
•  Caring for the Earth: A Strategy for Sustainable Living, IUCN, UNEP and WWF, Gland (Switzerland)Munro D and Martin W (1991)
   
•  Enabling Ecoaction handbook, Robinson, L. and Glanznig.
   
•  Inter-governmental Agreement on the Environment - Agreement between the Federal Government and States and Territories. Commonwealth of Australia (1992)
   
•  Johannesburg Summit, United Nations (2002)
   
•  Local Government's Position Papers for the World Summit, ICLEI (2002)
   
•  National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development, Commonwealth of Australia (1992)
   
• The World Commission on Environment and Development (1987), Our Common Future, Oxford University Press, Oxford.