Local government's role
All local governments in Australia, irrespective of their size or location, make a significant contribution to the management and protection of Australias natural resources.
As the sphere of government closest to the community, local government is responsible for good governance and the care and protection of local communities within a framework of sustainable development.
As managers of public land and land use planners, local government is responsible for policy development and implementation of land use planning as well as regulating a wide range of activities that may impact upon natural resource management (Binning et al. 1999). Local government also has a key role to play in translating the policies of Commonwealth and state governments into on-ground projects.
Commonwealth and state governments need to recognise that local government has a range of functions, powers and responsibilities at its disposal to influence natural resource management - on both private and public land. These include:
- strategic planning through land use zoning and statutory controls on all freehold land and locally managed public open space
- development control of nearly all activities and works on freehold land and crown land (except national parks and state forests) through development consent powers (e.g. setbacks, density restrictions, clearing controls, erosion and sediment management, waste disposal (including pollution control)
- enforcement powers for development consent conditions, waste management and unauthorised land uses e.g. land clearing, drainage, filling, unauthorised construction and some pollutant (including sediment) discharges
- administrative responsibility for state agency coordination through integrated planning, licensing and development concurrence
- stormwater management and control; sewerage and drainage works and flood control and planning in many jurisdictions
- pest, plant and animal risk control measures
- influence over land clearance patterns through incentive programs (planning amendments, rate differentials, levies, rural fire management and developer contributions)
- management of local open space to restore remnant vegetation and recreate habitat
- tourism development
- primary advocate for and coordinator of local community groups and interests
Local government recognises that Commonwealth and state governments have taken a number of significant initiatives to develop high level policies and programs to manage, protect and enhance the natural environment.
Local government welcomes the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (Link to page 4 heading NAP) and the extension of the Natural Heritage Trust (link to page 5 )as a valuable investment in Australias natural environment and resource base.
