The Urban Sustainability Support Alliance (USSA) is an exciting new partnership brought together by the NSW Environmental Trust's Urban Sustainability Program.
When the Environmental Trust was conducting workshops and meetings with prospective applicants for Round 1 funding in late 2006, several proposals had complementary objectives. The Trust asked these applicants to form an alliance and submit an application for a project that would deliver integrated support and build capacity in councils undertaking sustainability projects. The parties agreed and the Urban Sustainability Support Alliance was formed.
The Urban Sustainability Support Alliance comprises the Local Government Shires Association of NSW, the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Local Government Managers Australia, Baton Forum, University of NSW Institute for Environmental Studies, Sydney Coastal Councils Group, Manly Council and Eurobodalla Council.
The Urban Sustainability Support Alliance is funded at $1.5 million for three years to 2010/2011 and is currently developing a comprehensive, many-faceted program to assist councils around New South Wales to maximise the benefits of projects funded under the Urban Sustainability Program. The USSA is assisted by the NSW Environmental Trust and during this initial phase, the USSA steering committee is meeting monthly, chaired by the Local Government Shires Association.
Under the Urban Sustainability Program, USSA will provide managers of NSW sustainability programs with tools and resources that will help them realise the full potential of their projects and ensure that results are widely disseminated.
For more information about the Urban Sustainability Support Alliance contact Niki Carey, Local Government Shires Association of NSW by email niki.carey@lgsa.org.au or, call Kellie Walters, NSW Environmental Trust on 02 8837 6054.
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