CLAIR Forum

2006 CLAIR Forum in Townsville

Grassroots Sustainability - International Issues

The annual CLAIR Forum was held in Townsville this year as part of a 3 day conference on Grassroots Sustainability: International Lessons . For the first time, the forum was co-hosted with a local council, Townsville City Council, to commemorate the 2006 Australia-Japan Year of Exchange.

Townsville was the site of the first Japanese Consulate on Australian soil in 1896. With a population of 160,000, Townsville is the agricultural, mining and commercial hub of Northern Queensland , with world-class education and research facilities.

Townsville's proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and surrounding islands, as well as to national parks, rainforests, pastoral hinterland and the outback, creates many economic and tourism opportunities for the city, but also brings with it a special responsibility to protect and manage its environment in a sustainable way.

Keynote speaker Dr David Suzuki gave voice to the need for urgent action and emphasised that our sustainable future is in the hands of grassroots activity by local governments, rather than relying on our national leaders.

Expert international and local speakers detailed some of the practical solutions that we, as individuals and communities, can introduce to help ensure our sustainable future. Councils from Australia and Japan presented case studies of their innovative policies, sharing their experience and providing sustainable solutions for the future.

On the third day, delegates were able to inspect water and industry facilities in and around Townsville, including the world-leading water recycling plant on Magnetic Island , which has been developed with a combination of Australian and Japanese technology and expertise.

Wednesday, 4 October	Thursday, 5 October	Thursday, 6 October
CLAIR Forum Dr David Suzuki Cr Paul Bell, ALGA Mr Mitsuhiro Kayama, CLAIR Mayor Tony Mooney, Townsville Mr Hajime Nishiyama, Consul-General of Japan Gov Yasushi Furukawa, Saga Prof Lal Wadhwa, James Cook University Dr Mitsuru Tanaka, Hosei University Mr Greg Bruce, Townsville City Council	Case Studies: Griffith University Hornsby Shire Council Sun Metals Corp Iwaki City (Fukushima Pref.) Ergon Energy (Solar Cities) Toowoomba City Council Ehime Prefecture Wollongong City Council Townsville City Council (Magnetic Island )	Inspections: •  Water Recycling facilities and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Environment •  Industry and environmental protection facilities •  City water purification and city sewerage plants