On 18 May 2011, the Australian Government Minister for Infrastructure and Transport released Our Cities, Our Future – A National Urban Policy for a productive, sustainable and liveable future. Our Cities, Our Future sets in place the Australian Government’s objectives and directions for our cities as we prepare for the decades ahead. It recognises the critical roles that State, Territory and Local Governments, the private sector and individuals play in planning, managing and investing in cities. It also highlights that the Australian Government makes decisions that impact upon urban Australia.
On Friday 13 May 2011, the Australian Government Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities released Sustainable Australia – Sustainable Communities, A Sustainable Population Strategy for Australia. The aim of the strategy is to help ensure that future population change is compatible with the economic, environmental and social wellbeing of Australia.
Nominations are now open for the 2011 State and Territory Landcare Awards, giving everyone across Australia the opportunity to honour the people who make a positive difference to their local environment. See Your State and Territory Landcare Award Information for closing dates and nomination processes (note that nominations in some States/Territories close as soon as 27 May).
In our fast-changing urban world, the impacts of social and environmental change on children are often overlooked. Children and their Urban Environment examines these impacts in detail, looking at the key activities, spaces and experiences children have and how these can be managed to ensure that children benefit from change. The book seeks to embrace childhood as a time of freedom, social engagement and environmental adventure and to encourage creation of environments that better meet the needs of children. The authors argue that in doing so, we will build more sustainable neighbourhoods, cities and societies for the future.
COSMOS Magazine reports in the article Port Phillip Dry that a scientific study has shown that the enormous expanse of water was nonexistent between 2,800 and 1,000 years ago, confirming an ancient story that was shared amongst the Kulin people.
Floating Land is one of Australia’s leading Green Art events. Re-engaging the community with nature, exploring environmental and cultural matters through art has sparked the imagination of artists, writers, performers, musicians, photographers, academics and scientists. In 2011 Floating Land is celebrating its sixth year as a ten-day program of workshops and events, bringing people from across the Asia-Pacific together with communities on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. The focal venue is Boreen Point at Lake Cootharaba in the UNESCO-listed biosphere of Noosa, with satellite locations at Coolum and Cooroy on the Sunshine Coast.
World Environment Day (WED) is an annual event that is aimed at being the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action. WED activities take place all year round but climax on 5 June every year, involving everyone from everywhere. This year’s theme is “Forests: Nature at your service”.
On World Oceans Day, held on 8 June each year, people around the planet celebrate and honour the body of water which links us all, for what it provides humans and what it represents. This year’s theme is “Youth: the Next Wave for Change” – the future of ocean conservation is in their hands.
Global Wind Day is a worldwide event that occurs annually on 15 June. It is a day for discovering wind, its power and the possibilities it holds to change our world. It is also a day for discovery of the work that has already begun by pioneers around the world. In more than 75 countries around the world, wind farms are in operation, generating energy from a clean and renewable source.
The 15th Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference has the theme “Security from the impact of vertebrate pest animals”. The Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference is a not-for-profit event held every three years to bring together researchers, managers, students and policy makers dealing with pest animals. Anyone working in the area or interested in animal control is encouraged to attend. New tools and methodologies will be discussed as well as the vital community aspects of pest animal control. Animal welfare and community attitudes to human-wildlife conflicts will be explored.