Click to edit Master subtitle style Sustainable Communities Initiative Sean Rooney CSR Summit - November 2006

The Challenge…  Many challenges facing Australian communities are complex  No one sector/organisation has responsibility or capability to effect lasting meaningful change  Complexity compels us to think differently about how we respond  Potential solutions lie in integrating the skills, knowledge and resources from multiple actors  The challenge is HOW?

CSIRO Research  Explore how to manage resources sustainably for multiple uses and benefits  Work with communities using a participatory approach and with a view to capacity building  Consider complex interactions and feedbacks across atmospheric, terrestrial and marine, and across biophysical, economic and social components (systems approach)  Deal with uncertainty – adaptive management approaches and explicit treatment of uncertainty and risk  Effectively combine all of these considerations – ‘action learning’

Sustainable Communities Initiative (SCI)  Multi-stakeholder partnership – project based - ‘action learning’ program  In partnership with communities, develop and deliver integrated, knowledge based solutions to community specific sustainability challenges and opportunities  Deliver tangible triple bottom line outcomes in communities  Create new insights, understanding and knowledge that informs better policy, programs and practice

SCI – partners  Private Sector: Westpac, Insurance Australia Group, Harvey Norman, GRM International, Delfin Lend Lease  Civil Sector: World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Philanthropy Australia, Aust.Local Govt.Association, The Natural Edge Project, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability  Public Sector (Aust.Govt): Environment & Heritage; Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry; Industry, Tourism & Resources; Family & Community Services and Indigenous Affairs; Transport and Regional Services.

SCI themes  Partners attracted by value and values - values: tangible expression of partners’ values/objectives - value (creation): for partners, partnerships and communities  People, skills and strategy  Innovate and explore alternatives  Learning journey  Leadership  Action and outcomes

SCI Projects STATEREGIONTHEME VICCentral VictoriaColiban/Campaspe Water Futures VICCastlemainePlanning & Implementing Energy Security VIC‘Lockerbie’‘Greenfield’ Development NSWGuyraTowards 6000 NSWMacleay ValleyParticipatory Planning for Sustainable Development NSWPort StephensPort Stephens 2031 ACTEast Lake‘Brownfield’ Development QLDSurat BasinRegional Futures – managing change Other: Avon Catchment (WA), Whitsundays (QLD), Indigenous – Kimberley (WA), Lachlan and Central West (NSW)

Summary  Sustainability challenges facing us all are complex  Need to innovate and develop new ways to seek solutions to challenges (and opportunities inherent within them)  Sustainable Communities Initiative provides an approach to realise outcomes for communities and create value for partners  Private sector has a crucial role to play!  More information: