City of Coffs Harbour supports the community to live lightly and care for our natural environment.
The Sustainable Living program delivers a free program of events, workshops, campaigns and nature-based tours. The Coffs Harbour Community Recycling Centre also offers free recycling and disposal of problem household waste.
To find out how you can get involved in sustainability initiatives in our community follow us on Facebook, subscribe to our newsletter and visit the Our Living Coast website.
What is Sustainability?
Sustainability is essentially about enjoying a high quality of life within our fair share of the earth’s resources, or more simply - enough for everyone, for ever.
City of Coffs Harbour's Sustainability Policy defines sustainability as being "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".
This is the definition that is most widely accepted throughout the world and comes from the World Commission on Environment and Development.
Australia uses the term 'ecologically sustainable development' (ESD) which is defined in the 1992 National Strategy for ESD as: Development that improves the total quality of life, both now and in the future, in a way that maintains the ecological processes on which life depends.
We are committed to focusing it's sustainability efforts in the following key areas, based on the 10 principles of One Planet Living:
1. Zero carbon
Ensure buildings and activities are energy efficient and deliver all energy with renewable technologies.
2. Reduce waste
Reduce waste by avoidance, reuse and recycling, maximising diversion of waste from landfill.
3. Sustainable transport
Reduce the need to travel, and encouraging low and zero carbon modes of transport to reduce emissions.
4. Use local and sustainable materials
Use sustainable and healthy products, such as those with low embodied energy, locally sourced, and made from renewable or recycled resources.
5. Local and sustainable food
Support sustainable and humane farming, promoting access to healthy, low impact, local, seasonal and organic diets and reducing food waste.
6. Sustainable water
Use water efficiently in all buildings and operations. Designing to avoid local issues such as flooding, drought and water course pollution.
7. Land use and biodiversity
Protect and restore biodiversity and natural habitats through appropriate land use management and planning.
8. Culture and Community
Respect and revive local identity, wisdom and culture; encouraging the involvement of people in shaping their community and creating a new culture of sustainability.
9. Equity and local economy
Create bioregional economies that support equity and diverse local employment and international fair trade.
10. Health and happiness
Encourage active, sociable and meaningful lives to promote good health and wellbeing.