Sustainable Communities

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

– African proverb

Sustainable Communities

Sustainable communities are great! They are places where:

The needs of everyone in the community are met and people feel safe, healthy and ultimately happy. The environment is protected, enhanced and damage to the biosphere is minimised. The local economy is vibrant, local employment opportunities are abundant and our working lives are more rewarding.

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Relevant SDG's (Sustainable Development Goals)

"it’s not coal-fired or reactor based. It’s community power, and community power is baseload power because it’s always there."

– Dave Sweeney (Australian Conservation Foundation)

The key elements of a Sustainable Community are:

Places, spaces and buildings which enhance local distinctiveness and strengthen local community and cultural identity. 

The Community is empowered to participate in decision-making and take a leadership role.

Opportunities for culture, leisure and recreation are readily available to all.

Sustainable Communities have access to facilities, services, goods and other people in ways which make less use of the car and minimise impacts on the environment

Sustainable Communities use energy, water and other natural resources efficiently and with care.

They minimise waste, then re-use or recover it through recycling, composting or energy recovery, and finally sustainably dispose of what is left

Pollution is limited to levels which do not damage natural systems and the diversity and value of nature is protected.

The creation of diverse and vibrant local economies gives access to satisfying and meaningful work with the local ownership of businesses the norm. Businesses run without damage to the planet and ensure profits are reinvested back into local resources.

For more information on the topics above see:

Smart Villages are the Future from Abodoo

Collectively Building a Blueprint for Rural Health and Prosperity from Rural On Purpose 

Neighbour Wood Scheme PDF Download from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine