FROM the EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS DESK
John Phillips OAM
April 2010
South Australians Must do It Better!
KESAB environmental solutions recently undertook several important surveys embracing community and local government stakeholders. Findings show we have good points………and bad habits.
Highlighted is the extent of community commitment to environmental sustainability action through KESAB driven programs in South Australia, but similarly the ongoing challenges we all face if we are to make a real difference in the future.
Sustainable Communities (tidy towns)
Almost 50% of the 60 participating groups responded to the survey. Most pleasing was the strong acceptance of “re-branding” of tidy towns to Sustainable Communities.
Respondents stated Sustainable Communities (tidy towns);
- Was a catalyst for increased community awareness and engagement
- Awards recognition was important for groups and individuals
- Showed strong support for revised categories and criteria
- Beautification remained an important ingredient of the program
- Generally agreed with name change
- Increased community pride
Findings showed the average group has been participating in Sustainable Communities (tidy towns) for 17 years; average number of local community participants was 120 (adjusted) and each community group contributed over 800 hours annually to the program.
Congratulations to all KESAB Sustainable Communities, schools, councils, businesses groups. We look forward to working with you in 2010.
Local Government Litter Enforcement Survey
Litter remains a very strong focus for KESAB and the annual Litter Expiation and Enforcement Survey findings in partnership with local government identify the need for much improved litter action in South Australia.
Over 30 councils responded (12 metro and 19 rural) to the survey of litter covering the July 2008 – June 2009 period.
Key findings show;
- A total of 135 On the Spot Expiations were issued (102 metro, 33 rural)
- 3 prosecutions proceeded (1 metro, 2 rural)
- Illegal dumping was the most expiated offence (57 metro, 8 rural)
- Followed by litter thrown from vehicles and cigarette butts (33 metro, 12 rural)
- The average cost of managing litter by councils was $157k metro and $29k rural.
KESAB estimates the overall cost to local government in South Australia to manage litter is over $5million per annum.
KESAB has been calling for Government to review the Local Government Act and general approach towards litter management in South Australia for four years.
Data from Victoria shows over 23 000 On the Spot infringements were issued in 2008 – 2009 compared to just 135 in South Australia.
Similarly Western Australia has stepped up to the plate and introduced new measures to reduce litter through both education and enforcement initiatives.
South Australia is falling behind and it should not be left for KESAB to be the single litter champion. Continued expansion of convenience (take away) food outlets, a huge influx of visitors for the “Mad March” month of events, unacceptable levels of road side litter and lack of appropriate enforcement policy is placing our clean State image at risk.
Litter is a real indicator of social behaviour and ability to manage environmentally sustainable practices at the simplest level.
Put bluntly South Australians can…...and must ….do it better. Improvement should be underpinned by updating regulations to underpin enforcement options and all the good work delivered through KESAB based programs.