Sustainable Cities Report


On 12 September 2005, the Australian House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Heritage tabled its report on the inquiry into Sustainable Cities. The tabling of the report concluded the committee's inquiry. It provided a tangible definition of the concept of sustainability that can serve as a pathway for Australian cities to be vibrant and productive urban regions that are environmentally responsible and socially inclusive at the same time.

Conclusions

The report states that in order for an Australian city to be considered sustainable, it must aim to:
A key recommendation within this report was that the Australian Government establish an independent Australian Sustainability Commission headed by a National Sustainability Commissioner. This was restated in 2007 when the Committee presented its report on the inquiry into a sustainability charter entitled Sustainability for survival: creating a climate for change. The report also recommended the creation of an Australian Sustainability Charter, which would set national targets across a number of areas, including water, transport, building design and planning.