Office of the Mayor Armidale Dumaresq Council Tablelands Assembly

Richard Torbay Member for Northern Speaker, NSW Legislative

MEDIA RELEASE___________
Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Local consortium to lead NESAC sustainability strategy

A consortium of local experts headed by consultant Adam Blakester has been selected to draw up a sustainability plan for the New England Strategic Alliance of Councils, Armidale Dumaresq Mayor Cr Peter Ducat announced today. He said the initiative, funded through a $24,500 grant from the State Government, would address social, economic and environmental issues in the four council areas. It would be launched at a Community Forum during Armidales Sustainable Living Expo (SLEX) on Monday, September 22. This funding means the process can begin on this important project and we want to see the whole of the NESAC community involved in addressing sustainable practices at a local level, the Mayor said. It is the most critical issue facing our communities today. Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay said the former Minister for Environment and Climate Change had allocated the funding following a meeting with SLEX organisers during the visit of State Cabinet to Armidale last year. The current Minister Verity Firth has also given her whole hearted support to this project, he said. It is good to see local expertise will be engaged to lead the process which is so important to all our communities. Mr Blakester said his group The New England Sustainability Strategy Executive (NESSiE ) was excited by the challenge. The consortium includes leading professionals and organisations across a broad range of disciplines. This will position the NESAC Region as a leader in sustainability and attract people, business and investment interested in this pursuit, he said. The leadership, creativity, collaboration and education required to address sustainability are already strong qualities of our vibrant region The first Hydro-Electric scheme in Australia was in the New England, and the University of New England was Australia's first regional University. The sustainability of the region has strong foundations in our world class agri-business, engineered woodlands and land care, a wide range of green businesses and enviable natural environment. These strengths fit well with new global markets in education, ecosystem management and carbon trading. Mr Blakester said eight working groups had been formed to analyse sustainable solutions from a local environmental, social, Indigenous, government, economic, culture and youth perspective and to identify how they match with global

Office of the Mayor Armidale Dumaresq Council Tablelands Assembly

opportunities and challenges.

Richard Torbay Member for Northern Speaker, NSW Legislative

Its about finding local solutions to local problems as part of engaging in wider global strategies, he explained. For further information and to register an interest in attending the Public Forum or contributing to the New England Sustainability Strategy go to www.slex.com.au or contact Adam Blakester on adam@paradigmplay.net or 02 6775 2501. Media Contacts |Cr Peter Ducat 6772 7255/0428 669 866 Richard Torbay 6772 5552/0427 635 029 Adam Blakester | 02 6775 2501 | 0419 808 900