Australian Local Government Attempts to Deliver Beneficial Environmental Outcomes

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a national project investigating Australian local government (LG) attempts to deliver beneficial environmental outcomes. It briefly describes the extensive environmental planning, management and protection roles played by Australian LGs. It notes that these roles are poorly documented within the academic literature, and makes a case for fundamental research to better understand LGs and their work from the inside. It describes this project's use of grounded theory methods in gathering and analysing 34 case studies of Australian LG environmental initiatives. The inside perspectives represented by the papers show that Australian LG environmental work:

• extends beyond its statutory requirements;

• is novel and creative;

• endures by balancing ecological, social and economic values;

• demonstrates different patterns depending on its planning, management or protection focus; and

• usually involves environmental strategists with long-term, passionate commitments to local environmental values.

Notes

[1] Case studies are available from the author, and at <http:\\cres.anu.edu.au\lgcases>.

[2] Queensland—Local Government Act 1993; Northern Territory—Local Government Act 1993; Western Australia—Local Government Act 1995; South Australia—Local Government Act 1999; Victoria—Local Government Act 1989; Tasmania—Local Government Act 1993; New South Wales—Local Government Act 1993.

[3] Queensland—Integrated Planning Act 1997 and Environmental Protection Act 1994; Northern Territory—Northern Territory Planning Act 1999 and Waste Management and Pollution Control Act 1998; South Australia—Development Act 1993 and Environmental Protection Act 1993; Victoria—Planning and Environment Act 1987 and Environment Protection Act 1970; Tasmania—Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 and Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994; New South Wales—Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, as amended by Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Act 1999 and Pollution Control Act 1970.