The Role of Government

Part 4-Lesson 1

Introduction In Australia there are three levels of

Government:Federal State Local

It’s only been about 30 years since all levels of Government have created laws and regulations in attempt to manage the environment

Introduction Some environmental issues that require

some government regulation or management include:Sustainable developmentExplorationMiningEnvironmental PlanningAir and water quality managementLand use and rehabilitation

Introduction Sustainable Development is the main

aim of Government. To allow the growth of business, populations, employment, wealth and standards of living without destroying rare resources, species or ecosystems.

Ecologically Sustainable DevelopmentThis can be achieved by implementing the

following principles and programs:

Precautionary PrincipleIntergenerational equityConservation of biological diversityImproved valuation, pricing and incentive

mechanisms

Governments are supposed to ensure that all individuals, organisations and companies who submit plans follow these principals of sustainable development

Ecologically Sustainable DevelopmentPrecautionary Principle

This states that if there is not sufficient scientific evidence or certainty that the environment is at serious or irreversible damage, this cannot be used to excuse not attempting to reverse damage.

Leatch v National Parks and Wildlife Service (30) was the second NSW case to apply the precautionary principle. This was a 'merits' appeal against the granting of a license to Shoalhaven City Council to 'take and kill' endangered fauna from an area where a road was proposed to be constructed. The third party objector claimed that the precautionary principle should be applied to refuse the license because of scientific uncertainty surrounding the effects on endangered fauna following from the road construction, particularly on the giant burrowing frog and the yellow bellied glider.

Ecologically Sustainable DevelopmentIntergenerational equity

The health, diversity and productivity of the environment should be maintained or improved by the present generation for the benefit of future generations.

The reason that intergenerational equity is a key principle of sustainable development is that inequities are a cause of environmental degradation.

Ecologically Sustainable DevelopmentConservation of biological diversity

The conservation of ecosystems and the populations and varieties of species within them should be a fundamental consideration

Improved valuation, pricing and inventive mechanismsEnvironmental factors should be included in

the valuation of assets and services.

Ecologically Sustainable DevelopmentGovernments are supposed to ensure that

all individuals and organisations adhere to these principals and can decide whether or not to allow activities or constructions to go ahead without hard scientific evidence.

Ecologically Sustainable DevelopmentEnvironmental Impact Statements (EIS’s)

need to be conducted by scientists to measure the current state of an environment and predict the likely effects of a proposed activity. This includes impacts on:AirWaterNoiseTraffic

Ecologically Sustainable DevelopmentOnce this has been conducted the relevant

government body then considers whether or not to approve the activity.

What do you think are some of that factors which may affect this?

Ecologically Sustainable DevelopmentSince 1998 every local council in NSW has

been required to prepare comprehensive State of the Environment (SOE) reports which summarise key environmental issues, threats and action plans occurring in the shire.

Central Darling Shire SOE

Ecologically Sustainable DevelopmentThese local SOE Reports are collected by State

Government who then determine its main environmental problems and plans on a State wide basis.

The Federal Government regulates environmental issues of nationwide significance such as salinity, soil erosion and greenhouse emissions.

Despite the level of government involvement, sustainable development remains a goal rather than an achievement. Why do you think this is the case?

Ecologically Sustainable DevelopmentIt’s very difficult

because different people have different viewpoints. For example a developer’s livelihood relies on building new things while conversationalists believe the environment is more important… Who should we listen to?

Ecologically Sustainable DevelopmentMany other groups within communities also

have viewpoints which need to be considered. For example farmers, tourism operators, miners, forestry workers and townships rely on certain activities which may have a negative impact on the environment.

So who makes the decision?

Ecologically Sustainable DevelopmentDecisions are usually made by politicians to

please voters. What do you think the outcome of this may be?

Often the quality of the environment suffers because public voters want progress, industry and employment and are willing to sacrifice the environment to get these.

Ecologically Sustainable DevelopmentThe only way governments will favour the

environment over development is if the voting public attaches importance to environmental issues. A good example of this was the Franklin Dam proposal in Tasmania.

Ecologically Sustainable DevelopmentActivity

Read and discuss ‘The Franklin Dam’ section on pg 74 Prelim Spotlight Text

ReviewIn Australia there are three levels of Government:

Federal State Local

Sustainable Development is the main aim of Government. To allow the growth of business, populations, employment, wealth and standards of living without destroying rare resources, species or ecosystems.

Decisions are usually made by politicians to please voters

The only way governments will favour the environment over development is if the voting public attaches importance to environmental issues.

Homework Read pages 73-74 Prelim Spotlight TextUpdate Electronic VocabComplete DOT Point 4.1 pg 51

The Role of Government

Part 4-Lesson 2

ReviewIn Australia there are three levels of Government:

Federal State Local

Sustainable Development is the main aim of Government. To allow the growth of business, populations, employment, wealth and standards of living without destroying rare resources, species or ecosystems.

Decisions are usually made by politicians to please voters

The only way governments will favour the environment over development is if the voting public attaches importance to environmental issues.

Federal and State Environmental Policies Activity

Complete Activity 2.21 on page 75 Prelim Spotlight Text together

ActivityLook at The Central Darling Shires SOE

Report and discuss

Homework

Complete ‘To Think About’ pg 76 Prelim Spotlight Text