PARLIAMENT OF THE FUTURE - Youth Forum

In the lead up to National Water Week High schools from the Hastings were involved in a one–day parliamentary-style forum investigating initiatives and policies to deal with climate change on a local and national level.

The day was a joint project with Port Macquarie Hastings Council WaterWise, Parks Division Department of Environment and Conservation and Climate Change Australia working in partnership with local schools to develop a ‘Parliament of the Future’. Over fifty participants were involved in the event, which was held at Sea Acres Rainforest Centre.

The youth parliament consisted of Ministries and during the course of the day a series of policiy recommendations were developed.

Education Ministry Ministry of Education recommendations:
1.1 The government commissioning a paper on environmental education in schools that investigates student knowledge of climate change and education initiatives on climate change.
1.2 Widespread advertising to promote the benefits of energy saving for households and businesses.
1.3 Development of a mandatory induction course for employers and employees on how their jobs affect the environment. For example, awareness of energy use, resource use and waste management.
1.4 Inclusion of a local environmental project community service component of the curriculum with rewards and certificates to promote student awareness of ecosystems at risk from climate change factors.

Stephan Sieradzan, Kate Wright, Jen Geary, Heather Norton, Jess Clout, Kierra Payne

Water Ministry Ministry of Water Resources recommendations:
2.1 Federal government legislation for consistent and uniform policies for pollution discharges to the environment.
2.2 Establishmentofuniform state and local building regulations for energy and water use with provision for local government rebates for implementing water efficient devices to households and community groups.
2.3 Monitoring and regulation of water usage in community and household swimming pools, in particular re maintenance of older infrastructure.
2.4 Taxation and R&D relief to manufacturing industries as an incentive to produce water efficient systems.
2.5 Pricing for water to reflect true cost of resource.
2.6 Recycling and reusing as much water as possible and changing community perceptions of non-potable water through operation of successful schemes.
2.7 Federal, state and local use of media to influence public perceptions of water issues and change use habits (personal and commercial).
2.8 Monitoring of climate change and its impacts on water availability.

Pat Bride, Shane Neil, Jessica Kinney, Sarah Marsanich, Sam Oakley, Shannon McNally, Rob Scott

Urban Planning Ministry of Housing recommendations:
3.1 New development comply with the following provisions: compulsory solar water heating, planting of trees on block relative to block size, installation of rain water tanks and grey water reuse systems, installation of approved air conditioning and insulation.
3.2 Incentives or subsidies for purchasing top energy rated appliances.
3.3 Regulations to also apply to home / business extensions and renovations.
3.4 Regulations to avoid development in existing and predicted flood prone areas.
3.5 Investigation of alternative options for foreshore landuse, such as parklands and recreational use.
3.6 Incentives for the housing industry to recycle or reuse demolition materials and for the use of sustainable or recycled building materials.

Matt Owen, Cameron Price, Ozman Faruqi, Renee Jones, Colin Aslin, Jessica Holmes, Jeff Evans

Transport Ministry Ministry of transport recommendations:
4.1 Incentives for the use of non-motorised transport such as bicycles, a subsidy for purchases and improved cycleway networks.
4.2 Reduce the reliance on fossil fuels, through subsidies for motor vehicles that use alternative fuels, hybrid engines
4.3 Increase the amount of freight carried by rail.
4.4Increase the use of public transport by improving current services.

Andrew Thorneraft, Josh Glenholmes, Cassie Cameron, Nick Swan, Maddie Rurk, Lisa Burton

Tourism Ministry Ministry of Tourism recommendations:
5.1 Provision of incentives to encourage sustainable tourism development, such as improved building insulation, using of alternative energy such as wind power and accreditation for best -practice tourism operators.
5.2 The hospitality industry in particular mass tourism organisations like hotel chains to improve their energy efficiency.
5.3 Use of energy efficient ski lifts and snow-making machines in alpine areas.
5.4 Development of nature based tours that assist with scientific monitoring of climate change ( factors such as altered migration, species loss/ numbers)
5.5 Marine based operators (diving, fishing, whale watching tours ) use vessels powered by energy efficient engines with reduced emissions.
5.6 Creation of new attractions such as artificial reefs and new alpine layouts.

Zac Bayliss, Scott Merhulia, Peter Couchman, Rebecca KempJamie Mills, Craig Sullivan

Ministry for Agriculture Ministry for Agriculture recommendations:
6.1 Support (through education, loans, grants) farmers in efforts to change current systems to more sustainable practices
6.2 Conduct seminars about fertiliser residue runoff, livestock and crop selection and weed or parasite control.
6.3 Farmers go to seminars to receive license needed to market produce and sell stock.
6.4 Support for research in livestock, crop selection for changed environment (eg, gene technology)
6.5 Introduction of a carbon tax and provision of financial incentives to environmentally friendly farmers.
Anna, Steph, Jeremy Bradley, Frank Crofton, Basil
Ministry for the Environment Ministry for Environment recommendations:
7.1 Establish targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions and targets for renewable energy (Australia should sign Kyoto protocol)
7.2 Monitor emissions of greenhouse gases - use penalties, incentives and shame advertising for organisations
7.3 Promote personal and cultural lifestyle change, towards sustainability and reduction of personal ecological footprint-  Reduce, reuse and recycle.
7.4 Plant wildlife corridors and more trees to act as carbon sinks.

Tom Summers, Emma Harvey, Melissa Garlick, Sally Cummins, Annabelle Shermacher,Melissa Harrow, Phoebe Blythe
Energy Ministry Ministry for Energy recommendations:
8.1 Encourage private and public investment incentives in solar and alternative energy projects
8.2 Encourage new homebuilders to take advantage of new energy technology through provision of incentives for energy efficient homes. Low energy light fittings, solar hot water systems.
8.3 Develop a new scale of energy charges. Higher energy use, higher charges.
8.4 Encourage participation in green power schemes.
Ken Inall, Scott Owen, Lyn Inall, Ben Hoffmeyer, Hannah Southcott, Mitch Kuhn, Sam Dugel
Health Ministry Ministry for Health recommendations:
9.1 Increase research into vector borne diseases and improve immunisation programs for the projected increase in tropical diseases such as malaria.
9.2 Educate public about increased risk of skin cancers, sunstroke, dehydration and anticipated increased in summer temperatures (less activity during hot periods of the day eg siestas).
9.3 Ensure a more equitable spread of medical resources to regional areas and address health issues for most vulnerable (elderly, indigenous).
9.4 Introduce an emergency price cap on essential fresh foods, medical supplies and transport to control prices under extreme conditions.

Alison Kennedy, Corina Unger, Matt Rowlandson, Megan O’Neill, Ken Blacker

Top