Frankston Council Sustainability Policy
12 Aug 09
WOOOHOOOOOOO.......
Remember this date AUGUST 3rd 2009. Frankston Council finally adopted it's Sustainability Policy "FROM NOW ON" Councillors, officers and ALL subcontactors MUST base ALL decisions on this Policy.
This is a welcome conclusion to 5 years of drafts being circulated to various levels of climate scepticism to be nibbled away at. Much like the Emissions Trading Scheme, this is a start, and painful as it has been the wait is over.
In the wake of David Suzuki's visit to Frankston in 2004 and his memorable speech; Sustainaility, Are We Making Progress?", Cr Mark Conroy's rush of blood had the outcome that in August 2004 Councillors resolved to introduce a Sustainability Framework based on the Melbourne Principles for Sustainable Cities.
So, 5 years later, we now have a policy, upon which ALL Council decisions MUST be made, it is up to the community to "police" this policy. Silence is regarded as approval.
1. POLICY STATEMENT:
Frankston City Council is committed to achieving a sustainable way of life for current and future generations through a common understanding of sustainability.
2. REASON FOR POLICY:
Frankston City Council is responding to the community's vision to become a Sustainable City by recognising that our wellbeing and the wellbeing of natural, social and economic systems are connected and depend on each other. To thrive in the future we need to balance the management of our limited resources more effectively and develop an inclusive community that will prosper economically.
The policy aims to embed decision-making processes that establish practices across the organisation to protect and enhance the natural environment, promote economic prosperity and support community diversity and cultures today and into the future. The processes we use to make decisions and how we consult throughout those processes are just as important as the decisions themselves.
3. SCOPE:
This policy informs decision-making and the development of all policy, strategy and actions as well as the delivery of Council's services and operations and the actions of contractors, volunteers, staff and Councillors alike.
4. AUTHORISATION:
This policy is managed by the Chief Executive Officer, Frankston City Council, and is approved by:
.................................... CEO, Frankston City Council
.................................... Mayor, Frankston City Council
5. REVISION DATE:
This policy will be reviewed and presented to Council no later than 30 June 2011 or earlier as deemed necessary by Council and then every 3 years thereafter.
6. PRINCIPLES
The adoption of the following principles will enable better decision making.
Integrate community, environmental and economic considerations in decisionmaking and take into account both a short-term and long-term perspective.
Demonstrate leadership, accountability, transparency and financial responsibility in all decision-making.
Enhance the wellbeing of all people by empowering them with the knowledge, ability and confidence to participate in the community and build resilience.
Recognise that a sustainable way of life is achieved through each of us taking the responsibility to understand and pursue it.
Protect and enhance the natural systems upon which all life depends and take due care to avoid serious or irreversible environmental harm.
Promote and guide local business development and economic prosperity leading to meaningful employment and broader community benefits.
Provide a diverse range of avenues for timely and effective community engagement and decision-making with Council.
Encourage community participation and collaboration between Council and the broader community.
Encourage sustainable use of natural resources including the conservation and recycling of natural resources and moving towards the use of renewable resources
7. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
It is ultimately the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer and the Corporate Management Team to develop a culture and values that enhance decision processes ensuring sustainability is embedded in the work environment.
It is the responsibility of all Councillors, staff, contractors and volunteers to understand the concept and principles of sustainability outlined in this policy and to apply these principles in all planning, decision-making, activities and reporting.
8. POLICY NON-COMPLIANCE:
Non-compliance of this policy will affect the quality of life for current and future generations of the Municipality.
9. RELATED DOCUMENTS:
- Sustainability Framework
- Frankston 2025 - Our vision for our community's future
- Council Plan
- Health & Wellbeing Plan
- Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS)
- Asset Management Policy
- Economic Development Strategy
- Environment Strategy
- Melbourne Principles for Sustainable Cities
- Other related Policies, Strategies and Action Plans as they are developed
10. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY
This policy will be incorporated into key decision making processes of Council and the department planning and reporting process with Managers, Co-ordinators and Team Leaders being responsible for educating their staff on the policy. Council will develop tools to assist staff, contractors, volunteers and Councillors in their sustainable decision-making and competence in the application of sustainability principles.
11. DEFINITIONS:
In its broadest sense, sustainability is defined as: "Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (World Commission on Environment and Development, Our Common Future Report, 1987)
In a localised sense, sustainability is defined as: "The Frankston community will prosper socially and economically, while preserving the ability of our natural environment to support a good quality of life for current and future generations" (Frankston 2025 community consultation).Community: considers the social and cultural consequences of decision making. This includes how people relate, work, live, socialise as a society as well as their beliefs and values.
Economic: relates to broader considerations relating to the wealth of an area, the production or consumption of goods and services of a region, the business community and employment (in the context of this policy this is an external consideration).Financial: relates to decisions that have a budgetary or resourcing impact (in the context of this policy this is more of an internal consideration)
Environment: can be broadly defined as the Earth, its natural features and resources and the eco-systems that sustain life and all life forms. It must be understood that everything on the planet is interconnected and interdependent and the continuance of life on earth is reliant on maintaining healthy biodiversity and eco-system processes including the naturally evolved plants and animals, clean air, fresh water, climate, soil, minerals and energy.