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Local Government praised for environment work

In recent years, Local Government has played a major role in improving the management of natural resources in South Australia's Mount Lofty Ranges. Chairman of the Board of Management of the Mount Lofty Ranges Catchment Program, Hume Macdonald, said that the interaction between the Program and Local Government has influenced the quality of decision making by planning authorities and led to a greater level of consultation and cooperation on planning issues.

As a result of the formation of two management committees for the Southern and Central/Northern regions, ten Councils in the area have developed a degree of partnership in natural resource management that otherwise might not have occurred.

The committees encourage the sharing of resources and skills across Councils and with other agencies. They have also facilitated the development of projects spanning two or more Councils to a greater level than occurred previously.

As a result, there has been a profound change in attitudes towards natural resource management in the Mount Lofty Ranges over the past four years, particularly in the area of watercourse management.

"Previously, Local Government traditionally focused on its functional responsibilities of providing basic infrastructure and services for rapidly expanding urban and rural living areas," said Hume Macdonald.

"Funding through the Program has enabled Councils to undertake more environmentally sensitive treatment of watercourses in urban areas."

He said that increased knowledge of the interdependence of the natural world and the concerns and responsibility of Local Government for healthy, productive communities has produced wide debate of Local Agenda 21, and most Councils have begun planning for Local Agenda 21 programs to begin during this year.

"With Local Government, State agencies and community groups, such as Soil Conservation Boards, working together we have been able to develop integrated programs for land management education and extension services," Hume Macdonald said.

For further information contact Jill Kerby, Program Leader, telephone (08) 8391 7500.

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