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New Victorian sustainability accord outlines environment principles and actions

The Victorian Local Sustainability Accord was launched on 7 November by Environment Minister, John Thwaites, and its cosignatories including the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) on behalf of its members, Victoria’s 79 local Councils.Signatories to the Accord include the Minister for the Environment, MAV, Victorian Local Governance Association, Environs Australia, Metropolitan Environment Forum and ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability – Aust & NZ).

At the launch, the Minister also announced up to $5 million funding to support Local Government environment priorities and programs, to be made available through the Sustainability Fund. The Accord proposes a series of actions to give effect to principles collectively agreed between the Victorian Government and Local Government.

President of the MAV, Councillor Geoff Lake, congratulated the Bracks Government on the innovative partnership.

“It establishes Local Government as an equal partner in identifying and addressing the many challenges to achieving environmental sustainability, and acknowledged Councils’ ongoing dedication and hard work,” Councillor Lake said. “Importantly, it recognised the direct involvement of Victorian Local Government and the many successful programs already undertaken by the sector.

“Councils have developed innovative policies and practices across the spectrum of environmental challenges including greenhouse gas emissions, water quality and conservation management, waste management and procurement. Many have also prepared overarching local strategies and considered social, economic, environmental and cultural impacts and concerns as part of their everyday business.”

The achievement of Accord priorities will be reported every two years from 2007 and overseen by the Local Environmental Sustainability Ministerial Committee, to be established in early 2006.

Councillor Lake also applauded the commitment of the first Councils to become signatories to the Accord – Hobson’s Bay, Nillumbik, Moyne, Greater Bendigo and Moorabool.

“Local Government plays a crucial role in achieving statewide environmental sustainability and the MAV will progress and promote the principles of the Accord with all Councils,” he said.

Copies of the Victorian Local Sustainability Accord can be downloaded from the Department of Environment and Sustainability Environment website at www.dse.vic.gov.au

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