Australia
CSD13 IPM
Plenary Intervention
4 March 2005
The Chair identified provocative questions for us to consider this meeting, for the lead
up to CSD 13.
The Secretary-General has rightly said that there is no one size fits all solution to
these issues, and we offer the following thoughts focusing on natural resource
management for you to consider alongside those of other delegations. We have also
appreciated the opportunity to learn from our distinguished colleagues and experts and
this meeting. In particular the insights of the G77 have been a spur to our further
thinking.
Question one: the role of women
Without the engagement of women, sustainable development will remain an illusion.
Australian women are recognised as the drivers behind family farms and communities
involved in Landcare. They are acknowledged as leaders of community-based action
and 30% of all farm managers in Australia by women.
Our senior ministers have established advisory committees of farming based women
to provide high-level advice and shape government programmes and policies. Our
handout provides links to further information on these issues.
Question two: resource allocation
In determining resource allocation for sustainable development, the planning and
management of water resources in Australia is based on a clear understanding of the
resource. We look at the needs of the usersand make explicit provision for the
environment and biodiversity as legitimate users of water.
We also have a legislative basis that enshrines the principal of sustainable
development at the national level.
Question three: capacity building
Australia has provided substantial investments to underpin capacity building activities
for individuals and communities to contribute to decisions about the use, allocation,
management, protection and conservation of Australia's natural resources. 4000
Landcare groups now operate throughout Australia.
This has been achieved through:
1. support for catchment management bodies to develop natural resource
management plans and investment strategies;
2. funding for community-based learning and direct support for group
activities like Landcare; and
3. investment in our R&D and resource assessment.
Question four: stakeholder participation
Australia has learned from experience that it is essential to involve stakeholders at all
levels in policy development, programme implementation and on-ground action. This
is achieved through (for example):
1. Public consultation on the development of catchment plans, water sharing
plans, and major initiatives are accompanied by explicit public
consultation and review processes;
2. In the construction of legal and institutional frameworks for access to
water, the legitimate needs of consumers and the environment are
recognised and given statutor y backing; and
3. On indigenous lands (some 13% of our continent), indigenous landholders
rights are respected and acknowledged.
Question five: legal and regulatory instruments to mobilise public and private
resources
In Australia, farmers control 60% of our land and 70% of our diverted water.
Regulatory frameworks recognise their role in both economic and environmental
decision making. The scale of investment by private individuals and businesses is
substantially larger than public investment in any given year.
Question six: building and strengthening of the institutions and financial
incentives
Australia embraced sustainable development because we recognised we needed
explicit policies and programmes to link the economic, environmental, and social
aspects of our natural resources. We are working to:
1. Implement legal and institutional frameworks at all levels for access to,
and use of, resources and the environment;
2. encourage capacity building at all levels;
3. provides strong support for community and catchment based actions;
4. develop and build partnerships with key stakeholders;
5. target outcome based investment; and
6. work with others to share our experience.
Conclusion
We continue to face challenges in pursuing sustainable development. Every nation in
this room does. The challenge in Australia will be different to those of other
countries. The challenge for all of us between now and CSD 13 is to find ways of
developing clear pathways to implement our commitments.
Mr Chairman, we have spent much time in CSD 12 and again here at the IPM telling
each other what is wrong and what has to happen. We have started to explore what
needs to be done how to do it, and who should be doing what. Australia urges fellow
delegates to ensure that CSD 13 maintains tha t emphasis on practical, achievable,
realistic policy options drawing on the wealth of experience that will be gathered here.
In doing so, roles, responsibilities and resources will need to be earmarked for action.
It is essential that the support bodies to CSD 13 on the issues of water, sanitation and
human settlements, maintain their effort. Bodies such as DESA., UN water, and UN
Habitat need to have a well-defined and coordinated contribution to make in the lead
up to CSD 13 and beyond.
Plenary Intervention
4 March 2005
The Chair identified provocative questions for us to consider this meeting, for the lead
up to CSD 13.
The Secretary-General has rightly said that there is no one size fits all solution to
these issues, and we offer the following thoughts focusing on natural resource
management for you to consider alongside those of other delegations. We have also
appreciated the opportunity to learn from our distinguished colleagues and experts and
this meeting. In particular the insights of the G77 have been a spur to our further
thinking.
Question one: the role of women
Without the engagement of women, sustainable development will remain an illusion.
Australian women are recognised as the drivers behind family farms and communities
involved in Landcare. They are acknowledged as leaders of community-based action
and 30% of all farm managers in Australia by women.
Our senior ministers have established advisory committees of farming based women
to provide high-level advice and shape government programmes and policies. Our
handout provides links to further information on these issues.
Question two: resource allocation
In determining resource allocation for sustainable development, the planning and
management of water resources in Australia is based on a clear understanding of the
resource. We look at the needs of the usersand make explicit provision for the
environment and biodiversity as legitimate users of water.
We also have a legislative basis that enshrines the principal of sustainable
development at the national level.
Question three: capacity building
Australia has provided substantial investments to underpin capacity building activities
for individuals and communities to contribute to decisions about the use, allocation,
management, protection and conservation of Australia's natural resources. 4000
Landcare groups now operate throughout Australia.
This has been achieved through:
1. support for catchment management bodies to develop natural resource
management plans and investment strategies;
2. funding for community-based learning and direct support for group
activities like Landcare; and
3. investment in our R&D and resource assessment.
Question four: stakeholder participation
Australia has learned from experience that it is essential to involve stakeholders at all
levels in policy development, programme implementation and on-ground action. This
is achieved through (for example):
1. Public consultation on the development of catchment plans, water sharing
plans, and major initiatives are accompanied by explicit public
consultation and review processes;
2. In the construction of legal and institutional frameworks for access to
water, the legitimate needs of consumers and the environment are
recognised and given statutor y backing; and
3. On indigenous lands (some 13% of our continent), indigenous landholders
rights are respected and acknowledged.
Question five: legal and regulatory instruments to mobilise public and private
resources
In Australia, farmers control 60% of our land and 70% of our diverted water.
Regulatory frameworks recognise their role in both economic and environmental
decision making. The scale of investment by private individuals and businesses is
substantially larger than public investment in any given year.
Question six: building and strengthening of the institutions and financial
incentives
Australia embraced sustainable development because we recognised we needed
explicit policies and programmes to link the economic, environmental, and social
aspects of our natural resources. We are working to:
1. Implement legal and institutional frameworks at all levels for access to,
and use of, resources and the environment;
2. encourage capacity building at all levels;
3. provides strong support for community and catchment based actions;
4. develop and build partnerships with key stakeholders;
5. target outcome based investment; and
6. work with others to share our experience.
Conclusion
We continue to face challenges in pursuing sustainable development. Every nation in
this room does. The challenge in Australia will be different to those of other
countries. The challenge for all of us between now and CSD 13 is to find ways of
developing clear pathways to implement our commitments.
Mr Chairman, we have spent much time in CSD 12 and again here at the IPM telling
each other what is wrong and what has to happen. We have started to explore what
needs to be done how to do it, and who should be doing what. Australia urges fellow
delegates to ensure that CSD 13 maintains tha t emphasis on practical, achievable,
realistic policy options drawing on the wealth of experience that will be gathered here.
In doing so, roles, responsibilities and resources will need to be earmarked for action.
It is essential that the support bodies to CSD 13 on the issues of water, sanitation and
human settlements, maintain their effort. Bodies such as DESA., UN water, and UN
Habitat need to have a well-defined and coordinated contribution to make in the lead
up to CSD 13 and beyond.
Stakeholders