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Sustainability in decision-making

 
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Melbourne 2030 – Planning for sustainable growth
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The way forward > Sustainability in decision-making

Most of the initiatives in Melbourne 2030 require formal processes for finalisation and implementation. In many cases, this involves changes to planning schemes or other statutory provisions, which have their own specified processes and opportunities for public consultation.

The details of each of these processes will be posted on the Department of Infrastructure web site. As outlined in Policy 9.3, an annual Community Update will summarise and communicate progress.

The Government is committed to Melbourne 2030 as a long-term process with strong community participation in decision-making.

To support the principle of sustainability, criteria have been developed against which the appropriateness of decisions can be assessed. This will promote the goals of transparency and accountability. Each decision should achieve a balanced, positive assessment against these criteria:

  • protect and, where appropriate, conserve the natural resources and the infrastructure resources of the region, and not deplete these for short-term gain
  • lessen the effects of relative social and economic inequalities
  • acknowledge and meet the needs of diverse groups within the community
  • reduce or minimise waste and wastefulness in infrastructure construction, development, management and maintenance
  • reduce and, where possible, eradicate sources of pollution and excessive noise
  • reduce the ecological footprint of the urban areas in the region
  • promote health and community wellbeing across the region, complementing other government initiatives
  • promote community participation in decision-making as a contribution to developing social capital and community building
  • encourage infrastructure that supports innovation and is appropriate for every level of the economy.

'Melbourne Principles' a world first

Victoria has taken a lead role in the develop-ment of sustainable cities around the world with the preparation and presentation of the Melbourne Principles for Sustainable Cities.

Written in Melbourne at a United Nations-sponsored workshop attended by 40 inter-national experts, the guidelines were tabled and discussed in September 2002 at the Earth Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

They explain how a sustainable city might function, and provide a framework for action. Key principles include:

  • the need for a city to define a vision that involves its citizens in sharing of aspirations, responsibility and opportunity
  • an understanding that economic strategies must not impede basic human rights of sustenance, hygiene and shelter
  • respect for nature, and a commitment to its care
  • definition of the ecological 'footprint' of a city and a commitment to reduce this impact – problems should be tackled locally and now, rather than elsewhere and in the future
  • a continual process of benchmarking, monitoring and measuring progress.

With more than half the world's population now living in cities, issues of sustainability will assume increasing prominence.

EPA Victoria helped develop the Melbourne Principles, which have been adopted by Melbourne City Council and are supported by a number of local governments around the world.

 
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