About the Strategy
The Lismore Sustainability Strategy has been created by the community for the greater Lismore regions as part of the innovative NSW Government’s Community Economic Development Project.
This work is being led by the Lismore Community Sustainability Forum.
A remarkable 230 community members and organisational representatives participated in the Lismore Community Planning Forum and contributed to this Strategy. This level of participation clearly reflects the strength of interest in the priority and need to transition towards sustainability.
The transition pathway for sustainability and economic viability in Lismore is characterised by being an inclusive, accessible and diverse place of many peoples, cultures and livelihoods seeking a wealth of spirit, a desire for creativity and for conservation rather than consumption ~ as reflected by the vision articulated at the 2011 Community Sustainability Planning Forum.
Our vision is seeing Lismore and district as a self sufficient sustainable community in which a diversity of local people and organisations are working together to create local employment, produce their own needs including local food, local water, local renewable energy, locally managing their own waste, provide affordable housing, use efficient transport and celebrate local cultural and social activities whilst protecting natural resources, land and the environment.
Lismore is an inclusive, supportive and highly connected community with youth, elders and all people in between respected and involved in developing the community vision, planning future growth and undertaking healthy sustainable activities whilst being aware of, concerned about and involved in tackling global challenges.
This vision can be achieved by creating and attracting the enterprises, residents, visitors and initiatives seeking to work together for health, healing and happiness.
This Strategy provides the pathways to Lismore’s future capacity and capability to afford one of the most remarkable ways of life on offer anywhere in the world.
Energy, housing and transportation have been identified as key to achieving this goal. Rising costs and increasing mobility need to be addressed in ways that enhance affordability, accessibility and inclusion across the full spectrum of social and business needs.
The Strategy details twelve areas of focus, their importance to sustainability, analysis of existing capacity and the priorities required to progress them for the greater Lismore area.
In working with such a large cross section of the Lismore community this Strategy reflects the views and aspirations of the whole, rather than any one person, organisation or stakeholder. This style of highly participatory approach is also what is required for implementation of the Strategy.
Lismore City Council have demonstrated leadership in this regard, already agreeing to consider the incorporation of the priorities and actions as part of their review of the Lismore Community Strategic Plan and the creation of the 2020 Sustainable Economic Development Strategy.
The wider community, organisations, businesses and government agencies are now invited to consider their own role, responsibility and capacity to play a part in Lismore becoming the heart and spirit of a vibrant new sustainable culture and an example for modern living the world over.
Starfish’s Role
Starfish designed, facilitated and coordinated a highly participatory process to create the Lismore Sustainability Strategy. This involved training co-facilitators from Lismore Community Sustainability Forum for the Community Forum which involved more than 200 people.
Get Involved & Find Out More
Lismore Community Sustainability Forum
Download the Strategy here (PDF 2.4Mb)
