Sustainability is simply about achieving a balance between economic development, environmental considerations and our community aspirations so that this generation, and future generations can meet their needs and prosper.

The history of sustainability in Mandurah could be said to have started in 1996 when Council undertook a community consultation process to develop a charter that it used to prioritise its decision making. This charter expressed the conflicting desires for growth and prosperity, the preservation of the natural environment and the retention of Mandurah's traditionally unpretentious and relaxing feel.

Council realised that it needed to set a strategic direction for growth and Local Agenda 21 provided the framework to address the potentially conflicting issues raised in the Community Charter.

In May 1997, the City of Mandurah's Council agreed to the preparation of a plan that would address sustainability issues in Mandurah. The City developed a State of the Environment Report that collected information on many aspects of the environment and provided a benchmark on the state of the environment.

Workings groups were established consisting of councillors, community members and City staff. These groups discussed issues and made recommendations for promoting sustainable development in the City. The result of these recommendations is the Sustainable City Plan - Footprints into the Future. This document reflected issues raised by the community and provided practical information and actions for Council Officers to address these issues.

This process was a first in Western Australia and since this time the City has progressed towards becoming a sustainable City.

The City is still committed to ensuring that the City and Peel Region grows in a sustainable manner and the current Community Charter and Strategic Plan (2001 to 2004) reflects this vision. This document has been developed by the City in consultation with the community and provides the framework for the planning and development of a more sustainable community. The document has focused on the 4 P's - People, Planet, Prosperity and Planning.

• People aspects - providing opportunities and service for our community
• Planet - protection of our natural resources
• Prosperity - for our residents/our city
• Planning - in all aspects - land use, financial, strategic
• You can view the Community Charter and Strategic Plan (2005 to 2008) document by clicking here.

Further programs that the City and the community are undertaking to become a more sustainable City can be viewed in the publication Sustainability Matters. Just click here to view this publication.

Albert Einstein once said:

"The world we have created through our way of thinking has serious problems which cannot be solved by continuing to think the way we always have."

By changing our way of thinking we can work together to make our community more sustainable.

Related Documents

Sustainability Check List

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