What role does Council have in promoting sustainability
Tamworth Regional Council is committed to the development and growth of the region through supporting and improving existing communities and businesses.
Council is responsible for the majority of the region’s roads and bridges and administers a number of water and sewerage schemes.
Council also oversees various cultural, recreational, sporting and community services, including their facilities, activities, events and development programs.
Council is also a leading authority in the field of environmental management with responsibilities for natural resource management, waste and recycling services along with stormwater and floodplain management.
Council is responsible for sampling, surveillance and investigation of matters that may affect public health and/or the environment.
The challenge for Council and the community is to manage the development of the region in a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable manner for the benefit of the community and future generations.
What is the Namoi Catchment Sustainability Plan
Tamworth Regional Council, as the lead Council, was successful in applying for funding from the NSW Environmental Trust Urban Sustainability Program on behalf of the Namoi Local Government Group to employ a consultant to prepare a Sustainability Plan for the Group.
The Namoi Catchment Sustainability Plan is a starting point to make changes towards sustainability and to integrate sustainable thinking into planning and decision making. The Plan focuses on the urban areas of the catchment.
What is the aim of the Namoi Catchment Sustainability Plan
The goals included in this Plan are:
- to increase the capacity of the Councils and the community to identify, understand and respond to sustainability issues
- to build on existing, and create new, partnerships with the community, the Namoi CMA and other Councils and stakeholders to achieve a more sustainable future in the region
- to build effective decision making structures, formulate strategies and initiatives, set priorities and targets and monitor the progress of the Plan
- to clearly identify resource requirements for effective change
- to create integrated planning and policy frameworks to support a sustainable future
- what strategies are contained in the Plan to foster sustainability in the region?
- specific strategies will address the key focus area goals, such as:
- to manage and meet the demands of growth and change for the future, ensuring the viability of the community whilst not having a negative impact on the natural and social environment
- to make landuse planning decisions that give consideration to retaining the special landscapes of towns and villages, protect and enhance biodiversity and also provide for current and potential growth
- to provide certainty of water supply at an acceptable quality level
- to ensure social and physical infrastructure meets the needs of the changing population and economic mix and that Council assets are maintained
- to ensure all community groups have access to education and training and other services and are not disadvantaged because of where they live
What is Tamworth Regional Council doing to implement the Plan
A Sustainability Action Plan - Stage 1 has been prepared, which outlines a number of actions required to implement the Plan. One of the main actions relates to the formation of a “sustainability team” and the identification of specific projects focusing on education and capacity building within the organisation. This Action Plan is an important step towards sustainability at the local and regional level.
Where can I find more information
View the Namoi Catchment Sustainability Plan or contact Council’s Environmental Planner on (02) 6767 5507.