Qld Govt and Ipswich City Council join forces on sustainability

The Queensland Government and Ipswich City Council have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to aid in improving the council’s sustainability strategy.

Queensland Environment Minister Steven Miles said a MoU would facilitate support, guidance, advice and expertise from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection to assist Council to implement, promote and continuously improve its sustainability strategy.

“This will be a very productive collaboration,” Mr. Miles said.

“It furthers our sustainability initiatives and will enable Ipswich City Council to contribute to them and give council access to my department’s sustainability expertise and resources.

“We know Council is keen to develop new industries with a low carbon footprint that service the future low carbon economy and grow the Ipswich community and economy.

Mayor Paul Pisasale said Ipswich was experiencing a period of unprecedented growth.

“Council has developed a sustainability strategy to manage this growth by working together with the community, industry, and other levels of government to protect and enhance Ipswich’s environment and its liveability,” M. Pisasale said.

“The strategy incorporates aspects of urban ecology, the natural environment, community and industry partnerships and community based education and awareness programs.

He explained that the MoU will help enhance the council’s work under the strategy, especially in terms of its leadership in sustainability through collaboration with other levels of government, the community, as well as the private sector.

The MoU focuses on five areas of understanding – biofutures, waste, climate change, sustainable industries and governance.

Mr. Pisasale said council was also seeking ways of incorporating sustainability as a core feature of its organisational governance, in areas such as procurement and infrastructure.