A SWOC Appraisal of Environmental Sustainability for New England Region prosperous

region
- Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Challenges & Vision
can afford to Environmental
Convenor Jackie Bowe
invest Opportunities
Demonstarted community
strong functioning capacity to respond to
Social Capital invest in walkways / cycleways
Landcare network eucalypt die-back
Environmental to rail & intercity buses engineered woodland
Strengths community& farmers Partnerships between retrofitiing houses model of landuse
UNE _ CRC's
attitude, environmental awareness council buildings combining reforestation
NESAC Region National Greenhouse Gas Landcare / Govt. and
/ willingness to do progressive & land mamangers with grazing, carbon
Research Centre cleared lands
& remedial work, undertake sequestrn,timber harvesting
Linkages, networks as carbon sinks
Natural Geographic progressive agric. practices
in regional community opportunities NESAC as a
Infrastructure NESAC - 4 councils co-operating & independent political clout
peer to peer Bioregional approach
Collaborating with UNE eg Malpas Dam
cool climate ADC in top learning programs sustainability industry leader
in a warming no threat from NESAC engaged in 5 in recyclable research institutes approach, solar-wind
reasonable fertility
world rising sea levels climate change materials, new technology generation
ability to feed ourselves
adaption process to reduce GG emissions much threatenned woodlands,
higher rainfall & water storage prevailing land-use tree changers
currently than rest NSW& less healthy waterways, not managing grasslands, wetlands still
grazing is not too destructive
impact predicted natural areas on private Lack of a Green land impacted by
wilderness corridors land & diversity of species, Vision ADC - NESAC well unsustainable practices
long harsh winter on private public land natural grasses emerging issues
air pollution waste People too busy weeds, tree decline
long history clearing -
seasonal climatic undeveloped management issues to participate in with little community
few pristine areas distance to
constraints for methane abatement population centres community action, awareness
extinctions too late
food production mechanisms NESAC's limited Suburban food climate change
even though
capability in driving production requires impacts on biodiversity
in lag extinction period complacency &
funding sustainability responsible practices Peak Oil,
lack of interest disincentive for water
strategy -low population, water etc Peak Phosphorous
island regional understanding conservation given
low rate revenue govt. planning codes
Philosophy Weaknesses in fire regimes large town water
lacking green designs
amongst landholders Environmental
climate change withdrawal State Govt
no incentives to capacity of farmers to look after land Challenges
scepticism field officers /local support in soil / veg
manage forests sustainably agric, environment conservation ageing demographic in farmers
 What will an Environmentally no species decline
NESAC Population
Sustainable NESAC Region look like? clean waterways
strategy integrated
a more attractive
with sustainability
positive feel that region to live in
Primary production
NESAC is sustainable region
that intergrates land-biodiversity strong community links sustainabiloity strategy
and conservation with
NESAC a peer to peer education, to reduce ecological footprint
se production - profitability
leading region mentoring and support to
ation
for sustainable production be sustainable
bon trade in / out outdoor urban spaces Ecotourism Council
vesting technologies, research conducive to
of region without to promote local natural
decline in resource base Aboriginal community human well-being, attractions
local applied
involvement parks, gardens
research partnerships
that encourage
public transport with UNE & building development people to meet
utilizing existing Local govt that is sympathetic improved sustainability
infrastructure more efficiently to heritage & landscape requirements for
walking paths-bike-trains, LEP more local buildings
environmental education
intercity buses control at Local level
programs

solar - wind generation more interest in soil health

heritage and NRM A Vision of Government, Communities &
Council waste treatment Scientists collaborating on building
to return higher quality / volumes knowledge for better managing &
to streams monitoring environmental sustainability..
...with a more diversified primary -
manufacturing industry base

This conversation details the SWOC appraisal & maps the key ideas, For the full Environmental Stakeholder Group Report
themes and design principles for an environmenmtally sustainable New England see Global forum discussion site
but it is only a starting point.........Micheal O'Loughlin Evolveris at http://ness.wikidot.com/