Local government - project details
Projects completed 2007
Sustainability indicators for Gosford
Active transport for parents and children at Council preschools and childcare centres
Household organic waste collection trials
A Sustainability Strategy for Hawkesbury City Council
Projects completed 2006
City of Sydney Environmental Management Plan
Review of Earthworks in Southern Sydney Councils
Research to inform the Street Based Sex Work Strategy
Projects completed 2005
Community consultation for the Woollahra Sustainability Plan
Projects completed 2004
Sustainable Cities 2025 Discussion Paper
Sustainability Design Guidelines for Urban Release Areas
Projects completed 2000
An ESD Self Assessment Package for Local Government
Baulkham Hills Shire Council Sustainability Review
Projects completed 1999
Projects completed 2007
Sustainability indicators for Gosford
Gosford City Council
In mid 2006 ISF was engaged by Gosford City Council to undertake a research-based review and analysis of sustainability indicators for use by Council. The review drew on the base of current literature relating to sustainability indicators, and applied these theoretical frameworks to the specific circumstances of the Gosford LGA. The Institute also reviewed existing Council indicators, in consultation with Council staff. The review assessed how well existing indicators addressed the various dimensions of sustainability - including environmental, social/cultural and economic. The exercise included assessment of a range of different indicators, both qualitative and quantitative. It also considered the relationship between specific sustainability indicators and Council goals, strategies and targets, particularly as expressed in the community-generated and Council-endorsed vision document; Gosford Vision 2025. Drawing from the literature, the project developed a set of clear, guiding principles for sustainability indicators and a practical framework Council. The final report also recommended a comprehensive 'suite' of sustainability indicators for Gosford.
Active transport for parents and children at Council preschools and childcare centres
Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils
This action research project was underaken by the Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC), with funding from the Local Government and Shires Associations' (LGSA) Healthy Local Government Grants Program. ISF contributed a range of research services to this collaborative project, and authored the final report. 'Active transport' is any physical activity undertaken as a means of transport. It usually refers to walking and cycling, although public transport can also be included as the journey usually involves some physical activity (e.g walking to the bus stop). As an alternative to private vehicle use, active transport has significant health, environmental and community benefits. In the context of this project, active transport includes parents walking with their children, pushing them in a stroller, cycling with childseats, or taking public transport together. The project investigated the reasons for the current, highly car-dependent travel behaviour of parents taking their children to and from childcare centres and the barriers to active transport. The three Sydney Councils involved in this project, namely Waverley, Marrickville and Sutherland Shire, used the research to inform the development of interventions to help increase the use of active transport in their communities. As a research contribution to the project, ISF conducted a literature review, developed a survey for parents (and analysed the results), prepared context studies for each of the pilot sites, and developed a comprehensive resource for Councils at the conclusion of the project. Download/view the resource guide (3.1MB pdf)
Household organic waste collection trials
Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils
ISF provided advice and assistance to the Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC) and two Sydney Councils (Kogarah and Woollahra) in relation to trials of household organics (food waste) collection in each LGA. ISF assisted with the development and subsequent focus-testing of the information and education materials to be used with participating households during the trial. We also conducted an evaluation (including resident feedback workshops) at the conclusion of the trial. Written reports were provided to both Councils and to SSROC at the conclusion of the trial, which summarised the findings of the trial, and included recommendations for improvement of the service. The evaluation work undertaken by the Institute assisted in decision-making at both Councils. As a result, Kogarah's trial concluded after 3 months and Council is considering the implications for its permanent waste service, and Woollahra Municipal Council decided to extend the trial for 12 months.
Partridge, E.Y. 2007, Food Waste Trial: results of resident feedback workshop, [prepared for Woollahra Municipal Council], Institute for Sustainable Futures, Sydney. Download/view
A Sustainability Strategy for Hawkesbury City Council
Hakesbury City Council
ISF worked with Hawkesbury Council's Strategic Planning Team to explore sustainability and what it means for Council. Training and interactive workshops were used to develop a set of sustainability principles, objectives and approaches for Council, with case studies of possible actions given to illustrate each approach. The workshops drew on the NSW Local Government Sustainability Health Check as a framework for reviewing strategic planning and corporate culture in relation to sustainability. The project focused on how to embed sustainability principles into Council at a strategic level, and forms the basis of a sustainability plan that Council will develop.
Projects completed 2006
City of Sydney Environmental Management Plan
City of Sydney
In 2006 ISF was commissioned by City of Sydney to provide expert advice on the creation of their Environmental Management Plan (EMP). ISF provided an overarching review of the draft document, and helped the City in prioritising projects based on a range of criteria developed with the client. ISF reviewed structure, logic, approach and content of the draft plan as well as advice on best practice sustainability principles. ISF also provided feedback on the proposed processes for community consultation & engagement and ongoing implementation and review processes for the document. The EMP was adopted by the City of Sydney on 25 June 2007 and establishes the environmental vision, targets and actions for Council and the local government area for energy and emissions, water, waste. and plants and animals. The plan is available from the City of Sydney's web site.
Review of Earthworks in Southern Sydney Councils
Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils
SSROC engaged ISF to undertake a preliminary review of practitioners perspectives on the implementation of the Earthworks program in the Southern Region of Sydney. Earth Works is a training course for members of the community who express an interest in minimising waste. It is a community education activity adapted and developed by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) from a program that ran during the 1980s in Seattle, USA. The course focuses on equipping people with the knowledge and practical skills to minimise waste at home, at work and in their recreational activities. Whilst the EPA (now DECC) remains the central contact for the course in NSW, individual Councils choose whether to run the programme, and how to use and adapt the materials. As a result, the implementation of Earthworks varies markedly across Council boundaries, and over time. The review process involved facilitating a workshop with waste and sustainability education officers from member Councils to reflect on both operational and strategic strengths and weaknesses of their Earthworks programmes. The review synthesised the results of the workshop and identified the main options identified for the future of the programme including a centrally supported sustainability focused Earthworks.
Research to inform the Street Based Sex Work Strategy
City of Sydney
ISF conducted two pieces of research to assist the City of Sydney in the development of its Street Based Sex Work Strategy. We undertook a review of existing reports and data, summarising key issues and analysing the material with regard to:
- Amenity and safety issues for street based sex workers
- Health issues for street based sex workers
- Amenity and safety issues for residents
- Community attitudes to street based sex work
- The regulation and management of street sex work (including legal issues and the role of state agencies)
ISF also assisted the City of Sydney to analyse and write up the results of a survey with street based sex workers and their clients. The report summarisd the findings of the surveys that were undertaken with 19 clients and 14 street based sex workers in East Sydney and Darlinghurst. The findings were discussed, and implications drawn out for the City of Sydney and other agencies that play a role in managing the activities and impacts associated with street based sex work. The Institute's report made a number of recommendations for improving planning and management strategies, as well as for conducting further research in relation to this issue.
Projects completed 2005
Community consultation for the Woollahra Sustainability Plan
Woollahra Municipal Council
The Institute conducted a number of different consultation processes for Woollahra Municipal Council to inform the development of a Sustainability Plan for the Woollahra LGA. Our work identified community views, issues and visions for the future, and also helped to engage Council staff and Councilors in the development of the Plan. Community consultation was conducted via a 'snapshot survey' (distributed at a local festival), a longer survey to explore the issues in more depth, and a series of community workshops - including one tailored to high school students. A broad cross-section of Council staff and Councilors contributed to the process via a separate series of workshops.In both sets of workshops participants shared their issues of importance, their views and concerns, and worked to develop group and individual 'visions' for the future and ideas for sustainability strategies in the short and long-term. The workshops employed the recognised technique of 'backcasting', where an ideal, desired future is imagined and participants then attempt to 'work back' to the present. This process helps identify strategies to achieve the desired future. The workshops also used the techniques of divergence and convergence. Participants were facilitated to generate a very diverse range of ideas, issues and concerns at the beginning of the workshops, and then guided to converge their focus onto key issues. They were then encouraged to prioritise these key issues, to provide the basis for a broad community 'vision'. Issues raised in the workshops covered the three dimensions of a sustainable future: environmental, social and economic.The workshops revealed a high level of community awareness about sustainability and strong support for sustainability as an appropriate goal for Council. While there was less agreement about what the priority issues were, or how to address them, there were some areas of convergence. The identification of these priority issues was particularly useful for Council. The findings of this research project were used by Council to inform the development of the Sustainability Plan and its associated actions and strategies.
Partridge, E.Y., Phadtare, I. & Edgerton, N. 2005, Woollahra Sustainability Plan, [prepared for Woollahra Municipal Council], Institute for Sustainable Futures, Sydney. Download/view PDF,
Projects completed 2004
Sustainable Cities 2025 Discussion Paper
The Institute assisted the Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils with their submission to the Sustainable Cities 2025 Discussion Paper. In 2003 the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Heritage started examining opportunities to improve the liveability of Australia's cities and settlements in 2003 and tabled their report in 2005.
Sustainability Design Guidelines for Urban Release Areas: a masterplan approach for developers. This tool was developed for Penrith City Council in september 2000 to assist property developers at the masterplanning stage by outlining design solutions that promote sustainable land use.
Projects completed 2000
An ESD Self Assessment Package for Local Government [PDF] was developed by the Institute and the Local Councils in the Australian Capital Region group as part of the Commonwealth Local Government Capacity building program in June 2000. This package leads councils through a practical process that evaluates their activities in the context of ESD legislation and establishes ways they can achieve greater sustainability. The package is practical and relevant for all Councils, regardless of their size, structure, available resources or current capacity.
Baulkham Hills Shire Council Sustainability Review - a whole of Council approach to reviewing both the practices and impacts of the Council and to develop indicators for sustainability in June 2000.
Projects completed 1999
Action Research Project - a unique collaboration between ISF, local councils and government agencies September 1999 to develop a whole of council approach to ESD, Local Agenda 21 and State of Environment Reporting.
