NESSiE New England Sustainability Strategy Executive

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Media Release
25.9.08

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Sustainable New England Forum a Success

The Public Forum held on Monday 22 September to develop whole of community New England Sustainability Strategy has been declared a success. More than 110 community leaders and experts worked together at the Public Forum to develop the foundations of the New England Sustainability Strategy says Adam Blakester, convenor of the New England Sustainability Strategy Executive (nicknamed NESSiE) which convened the Forum. The feedback from the Forum has been overwhelmingly positive. The Forum held at NERAM was the first major step in developing the New England Sustainability Strategy and the final event of the successful 2008 Sustainable Living Expo. A diverse range of stakeholders participated in the Forum reflecting the objective to develop a whole of community sustainability strategy. Participants included local and national businesses, farmers, local government councillors, local, state and federal bureaucrats, Indigenous leaders, lawyers, town planners, social and community development workers, youth, artists, community leaders, schools, natural resource managers, media, and sustainability professionals. A report on the outcomes from the Public Forum will be made available for public comment in the next few weeks. This report will form the foundation of the whole of community New England Sustainability Strategy. Media coverage of the Forum is already being made public through the Wiki-Community www.ness.wikidot.com which was created to be the key public space for the New England Sustainability Strategy. This Wiki-Commununity uses state of the art digital video, digital photographs, audio recordings and discussion blogs to provide information about the strategy and also the means for input and comment from the wider community. Developing a whole of community sustainability strategy is a challenging task continues Blakester, however it is a crucial resource and tool for our Region in taking leadership to be sustainable with the kind of economy, culture and environment that builds on our strengths, assets and aspirations. The New England Sustainability Strategy is funded by the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change, Armidale Dumaresq Council and Armidale Family Support Services. NESSiE is a consortium of more than a dozen local and national professionals and experts in sustainability and whole of community strategic planning. To become involved or find out more go to www.ness.wikidot.com or contact Adam Blakester on 02 6775 2501, 0419 808 900 or adam@paradigmplay.net. Media Contact | NESSiE | Adam Blakester | 02 6775 2501 | 0419 808 900