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The following resolution was carried
ITEM 7 - NOTICE OF MOTION - COUNCILLOR K CHRISTIAN - ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT 2002 - REPORT OF MANAGER FINANCE, ADMINISTRATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (JKD) 21/8/02
1 The new incoming Lord Mayor of the City of Wollongong host a civic reception to thank those who have assisted Wollongong City Council on this journey, and to invite them to share the journey which starts for the next 10 years from Johannesburg today.
2 Specifically I propose that members of appropriate Community Liaison Committees be invited and presented with acknowledgment certificates by the new incoming Lord Mayor for their contribution to ESD related initiatives in the Wollongong City Council area, including but not exclusive to the Ecologically Sustainable Development, Access, Bicycle, Wollongong Heritage, Aboriginal, Cultural, Multicultural, Sports, SCAT and Youth Advisory Committees, as well as the Convenors and Secretaries from each of our Neighbourhood Committees and Bushcare Group Convenors.
3 On completion of the Johannesburg Summit, that summary information be provided to Councillors via the Information Folder on the implications and opportunities arising from the Summit's outcomes for Council's various ESD programs, including Local Agenda 21, Cities for Climate Protection, Toronto Agreement, Coastal Policy, Escarpment Protection, Greenhouse Action Plans, Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Rezoning/Development Assessment/Compliance, State of the Environment Reporting, Waste Management/Recycling and Catchment Management.
4 The information referred to in (3) above also form an agenda item to a future meeting of Council's Ecologically Sustainable Development Liaison Committee.
5 Reflecting the spirit of Johannesburg 2002, that Council explore further ESD based partnering and alliance opportunities with Australian Industry Group, South Coast Labor Council and major industries such as BHP Steel, BHP Billiton, Port Kembla Copper, Metal Manufactures, University of Wollongong, Roads & Traffic Authority, Rail Access Corp, Department of Land & Water Conservation, Integral Energy, Telstra, Sydney Water, Environment Protection Authority, National Parks & Wildlife and Planning NSW to advance the principles in areas such as including Local Agenda 21, Cities for Climate Protection, Toronto Agreement, Coastal Policy, Escarpment Protection, Greenhouse Action Plans, Energy Efficiency.
6 The new incoming Lord Mayor formally thank Council staff on behalf of the Councillors for their efforts in progressing the ESD agenda within Wollongong City Council - and that this also be conveyed through Council's News & Views newsletter.
7 Council investigate the lead role shown by Origin Energy which already has converted 17% of its vehicle fleet to LPG, and is committing to extend this further.
8 Wollongong City Council explore technologies such as the Toyota Prius Hybrid car as recently advocated by Premier Bob Carr, for its reduced environmental impact qualities, for inclusion in its motor vehicle fleet (http://www.prius.toyota.com.au/Prius/Information/Articles/0,1572,5-4,00.html).
9 Council consider supporting the Creative Design Competition Project for First Year Engineering students at Wollongong University - with an award encouraging ESD principles - i.e. Award for Most Innovative Sustainable Design.
10 Council consider inviting ideas for sustainability from school students - and that these form an appendix to Council's future Statement of the Environment annual report - with awards for most innovative ideas to be made at Council's annual Rise and Shine Awards
(http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/html/basic_info/basicinfo.html)
WHAT IS JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT 2002?
Johannesburg Summit 2002 - the World Summit on Sustainable Development - will bring together tens of thousands of participants, including heads of State and Government, national delegates and leaders from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), businesses and other major groups to focus the world's attention and direct action toward meeting difficult challenges, including improving people's lives and conserving our natural resources in a world that is growing in population, with ever-increasing demands for food, water, shelter, sanitation, energy, health services and economic security.
WHY NOW?
At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, the international community adopted Agenda 21, an unprecedented global plan of action for sustainable development. But the best strategies are only as good as their implementation. Ten years later, the Johannesburg Summit presents an exciting opportunity for today's leaders to adopt concrete steps and identify quantifiable targets for better implementing Agenda 21.
WHEN & WHERE IS IT?
The Summit will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa from 26 August to 4 September 2002. The Summit will be held in the Sandton Convention Centre, just outside Johannesburg. A non-governmental forum will take place at the nearby Gallagher Estate.
WHO WILL BE GOING?
Broad participation and inclusiveness are key to the success of sustainable development. All sectors of society have a role to play in building a future in which global resources are protected, and prosperity and health are within reach for all of the world's citizens. In addition to governments, there will be active participation by representatives from business and industry, children and youth, farmers, indigenous people, local authorities, non-governmental organizations, scientific and technological communities, women and workers and trade unions. These represent the Major Groups identified in Agenda 21.
WHO IS ORGANISING THE SUMMIT?
The tenth session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (known as CSD10) is acting as the Preparatory Committee for the Summit which is the central organising body
(http://www.un.org/geninfo/bp/enviro.html)
The Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro was unprecedented for a UN conference, in terms of both its size and the scope of its concerns. Twenty years after the first global environment conference, the UN sought to help Governments rethink economic development and find ways to halt the destruction of irreplaceable natural resources and pollution of the planet. Hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life were drawn into the Rio process. They persuaded their leaders to go to Rio and join other nations in making the difficult decisions needed to ensure a healthy planet for generations to come.
The Summit's message - that nothing less than a transformation of our attitudes and behaviour would bring about the necessary changes - was transmitted by almost 10,000 on-site journalists and heard by millions around the world. The message reflected the complexity of the problems facing us: that poverty as well as excessive consumption by affluent populations place damaging stress on the environment. Governments recognized the need to redirect international and national plans and policies to ensure that all economic decisions fully took into account any environmental impact. And the message has produced results, making eco-efficiency a guiding principle for business and governments alike.
Patterns of production - particularly the production of toxic components, such as lead in gasoline, or poisonous waste - are being scrutinized in a systematic manner by the UN and Governments alike;
Alternative sources of energy are being sought to replace the use of fossil fuels which are linked to global climate change;
New reliance on public transportation systems is being emphasized in order to reduce vehicle emissions, congestion in cities and the health problems caused by polluted air and smog;
There is much greater awareness of and concern over the growing scarcity of water.
The two-week Earth Summit was the climax of a process, begun in December 1989, of planning, education and negotiations among all Member States of the United Nations, leading to the adoption of Agenda 21, a wide-ranging blueprint for action to achieve sustainable development worldwide. At its close, Maurice Strong, the Conference Secretary-General, called the Summit a "historic moment for humanity". Although Agenda 21 had been weakened by compromise and negotiation, he said, it was still the most comprehensive and, if implemented, effective programme of action ever sanctioned by the international community. Today, efforts to ensure its proper implementation continue, and they will be reviewed by the UN General Assembly at a special session to be held in June 1997.
The Earth Summit influenced all subsequent UN conferences, which have examined the relationship between human rights, population, social development, women and human settlements - and the need for environmentally sustainable development. The World Conference on Human Rights, held in Vienna in 1993, for example, underscored the right of people to a healthy environment and the right to development, controversial demands that had met with resistance from some Member States until Rio.
13 Aug 2002
Origin Energy today appointed Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd as its preferred national supplier of passenger and light commercial vehicles.
Origin Energy's Managing Director Grant King said Origin's national fleet of 700 vehicles represents a retail replacement value of approximately $25 million over the life of the three year contract.
Mitsubishi has also agreed to recognise the association between Origin Energy's preferred contractors - which has the potential to amount to an additional 400 vehicles.
During the tender process to five automakers, Origin sought responses that took into consideration not only pricing but encompassed elements such as fuel economy, suitability of intended use, operating costs, driver training, residual values and environmental considerations.
As Origin Energy is committed to developing products and services that reduce the environmental impact of energy production and use, our supplier's management of environmental issues is also a consideration on all major tender reviews.
Mitsubishi demonstrated their environmental credentials through their internal processes, and vehicles which have superior fuel economies than comparable vehicles.
By early-2003, Mitsubishi will launch a fully dedicated LPG Magna sedan which will be incorporated into our fleet. Currently, 17% of our fleet is dedicated LPG and Origin will be assessing the economic and environmental benefits of changing the majority of our tool of trade and job facility vehicles to dedicated LPG.
Mitsubishi supported Origin's desire to promote safe and responsible motoring behaviour and this will result in cost sharing tailored, vehicle-specific driver training following the delivery of each new vehicle.
Origin Energy is pleased to contract Mitsubishi's locally manufactured range of Magna, Verada and Lancer sedans and wagons, Express vans and Triton utilities for its national fleet.
Today we placed our first order for 30 vehicles to be delivered in October for our operations in Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia. Later this year, we will place an order for a further 140 vehicles for delivery early next year.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited's President & CEO Tom Phillips said, "Mitsubishi is delighted to be awarded the Origin Energy fleet contract. It is testimony to the competitiveness of the Mitsubishi range, not only in terms of quality and performance but also in regard to operating costs and customer backup."
Authorised Cr Kerrie Christian - August 14 2002
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