Feasibility Study
A twelve-month feasibility study was conducted to assess the financial, commercial, social and environmental benefits that would arise from the establishment of the Centre and Network. Consideration was given to:
- The level of public support
- Functional requirements for buildings, public spaces and supporting services
- The financial costs and practical viability of the proposal
The feasibility study was funded by the Nature and Society Forum and the Commonwealth Departments of Industry, Tourism and Resources, and Health and Aging. The ACT Government set aside a large tract of land on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin to await the outcomes of the feasibility stage. The results will be made public as part of the launch on March 31.
OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED
Educational
- Exploring the way clean air, safe water, fertile soils and biodiversity provide the necessary bases for growing healthy living systems;
- Examining how social values affect the health and future of our ecosystems and human economies;
- Studying the effects of the production and movement of goods and services on air, water, soils and biodiversity;
- Understanding the relationships between nutrition, disease, lifestyles and human habitats;
- Promoting a sense of shared responsibility for the future well being of Australia and its international neighbours;
- Participating through education networks and learning communities in sharing practical steps, ideas, systems; and designs that improve the quality of life for all Australians.
Commercial
- Renewable energy technologies;
- Ecological building and construction;
- Sustainable innovation and design;
- Green products;
- Cleaner production;
- Environmental permit trading;
- Sustainable agriculture;
- Ethical investment; and
- Eco-efficiency and eco-effectiveness.
Participatory
- Raising awareness of complex natural systems whose functioning are now under threat;
- Achieving higher living standards with low energy and low resource consumption;
- Redesigning industries and infrastructure (transport, agriculture and construction) for sustainable living;
- Human survival and the terms and conditions of sustainability;
- Reading the Australian cultural and natural landscapes and assessing the social and environmental impacts; and
- Moving constructively between the infinity of human and natural creativity and the finite reality of natural resources.
Last updated
March 17, 2004
