Welcome to Sustainability Policy & Programs' Website

The ACT Government is committed to creating a sustainable Canberra, which is characterised by equity and fairness; recognition of the interdependence of social, economic and environmental well-being; and recognition that meeting the needs of today must not be at the expense of future generations being able to meet their own needs.

The Government published its sustainability policy for the ACT, People Place Prosperity in 2003. The policy establishes guiding principles, and focuses government action on:

• developing, facilitating and coordinating the implementation of guidelines, policies and procedures related to sustainability;
• providing expert advice to Ministers and ACT Government agencies on matters related to sustainability;
• promoting sustainability across Government, business and the wider community; and
• liaising with business, industry and community organisations on sustainability issues.

This site provides information about the operation, structure and programs of Sustainability Policy & Programs. It also provides access to electronic copies of the ACT Government's Sustainability Policy, "People, Place, Prosperity" the ACT's first sustainability report, "Measuring Our Progress: Canberra's Journey to Sustainability", and the Canberra Plan, which outlines the Government's vision for Canberra.

Links are provided to relevant programs and achievements of other ACT Government agencies, as well as to other organisations within the ACT, Australia and Internationally, which are involved in sustainability.

This website is regularly updated, and in time it will become a comprehensive source of information about sustainability activities in the ACT. We welcome your feedback.

About Sustainability Policy & Programs

Sustainability Policy & Programs is located within the Environment and Recreation Network of the Department. The branch is an amalgamation of functions and responsibilities from the Office of Sustainability (Chief Minister’s Department), Environment ACT and ACT NoWaste (Department of Urban Services). Sustainability Policy and Programs is responsible for policy development and advice, program implementation and in some instances operational delivery, relating to sustainability development, water, energy, climate change, waste management, natural resources, primary industries and animal welfare. This is delivered by four sections.

Energy and Climate Change

This unit is responsible for developing whole of government policies and strategies and advising the Government on energy markets and regulation and on climate change and greenhouse gas issues.

It administers the Utilities Act 2000 and related security of supply and rationing regimes and the Act EnergyWise and Home Energy Advisory Team (HEAT) public programs that offer energy and climate change advice and subsidies.

Water and Built Environment

Water Policy

The unit has a range of water related policy functions, including the legislation and policy of the permanent water conservation measures and the temporary water restrictions scheme. It has a strategic water policy role across the Territory.

The unit is responsible for the ACT's participation in water related intergovernmental commitments including: the Murray-Darling Basin Initiative, the Living Murray Initiative and a the National Water Initiative.

It is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the ACT Government's Water Strategy, Think Water, Act Water (TWAW), and administers the TWAW incentive program and various communication / educational activities.

Built Environment

This unit is responsible for the development of sustainability policies and guidelines across the ACT Government, and providing advice to Government and other agencies on major projects and initiatives. The unit is responsible for delivering some of the Government’s key sustainability policies, including the Government’s commitment to establish sustainability legislation. The unit is responsible for compiling the ACT sustainability report and for progressing the Government’s commitment to initiate the process of having the ACT declared as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

It has responsibility for implementing the Government’s No Waste Strategy and provides strategic policy advice on waste management issues. The unit has responsibility to develop and implement strategic programs that engage business and the community in sustainable waste management practices to maximise the use of resources and the recovery of material, in the ACT and surrounding region.

Natural Environment

Natural Environment develops policy and provides high-level advice relating to management of the Territory’s natural resources and primary industries, including biodiversity conservation, biosecurity, plant and animal health, the rural sector, animal welfare and domestic animals.

The unit supports Government participation in the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council and the Primary Industries Ministerial Council, develops and maintains ACT environmental legislation framework and also administers ACT delivery of the Natural Heritage Trust, the National Landcare Program and National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality. It administers the ACT Environment Grants program and provides secretariat support to the Flora and Fauna Committee, the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee and the Natural Resource Management Advisory Committee. Policy relating to cemetery and crematoria are also a responsibility of this unit.

Natural Environment coordinates agency liaison with the Office of the Commissioner for the Environment and provides a central liaison and coordination point for statutory and advisory dealings with other government agencies on environmental planning matters, particularly the ACT Planning and Land Authority.

ACT NoWaste

ACT NOWaste is responsible for managing the delivery of municipal waste infrastructure and services to the ACT community, including household garbage and recycling collections, landfills and transfer stations, Recycling Drop-off Centres in each town centre and the Hume Resource Recovery Facility. The unit is also involved in two Resource Recovery Estates to assist in developing the resource recovery industry.

The NOWaste Team is responsible for developing and administering complex waste related contracts, development and implementation of asset management strategies and capital works programs for all waste infrastructure.