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Working
Definitions
"Sustainability is defined as meeting
the needs of current and future generations through
an
integration of environmental
protection, social advancement, and economic
prosperity." WA
Sustainability Strategy
2003
"With the
support of the Communities
of WA,
we
will
-
grow
and share an understanding of the value of water
-
support
the viability of regional communities through
employment
opportunities and the provision of water
-
transfer
of employees talents and knowledge
-
deepening
the respect of indigenous culture
We will sustain
the Natural
Environment
We will
support our current and future Employees,
during
their careers to
-
have a
stimulating and rewarding place to work which
provides opportunities to use their talents and
gain knowledge
-
have a
safe and healthy place to work
-
maintain
a healthy work/home balance
-
make
ethically unbiased decisions
We will
ensure our Customers
and Business Partners have
the ability to
-
have
access to safe drinking water and related services
-
receive
service which respects their diversity of needs
-
contribute
to business value
-
contribute
to the state’s economic development
The Corporation
through
our operating licence will
Sustainable Development is an
ethically based, exciting,
dynamic, integrated system’s approach to maintaining and improving our social, economic
and environmental spheres of influence in the short, medium and long-term.
(Jon Rose 2006)
Ethics
and values underpin all sustainability theory and
practice. Examples of these ethics include concepts
such as intergenerational equity; valuing of nature,
people and diversity; critique of materialism and
consumerism; integrity, honesty and transparency;
and the rights of all people to a reasonable
standard of living, free of disease, poverty and
oppression.
Sustainable Development is a realistic,
innovative approach to saving the world while improving our own lives and the
lives of others. It has the backing of world leaders at the highest levels as
well as grass-roots support. There’s a very positive emotional association to
this approach.
As a relatively new, cutting edge approach,
the implementation and conceptualisation its values and principles are rapidly
growing and changing. It has attracted great minds, energies and resources to
make this concept a reality. This is especially true in Western Australia and
particularly in the Water Corporation.
This approach embraces the interaction
between economic, social and environmental issues and attempts to address them
simultaneously in an integrated way. This often requires strategic thinking to maximise resource and
energy input to get maximum gain. Many systems tools such as systems mapping and
the use of a decisional matrices are employed.
Development is required because there are
great social inequalities which need to be improved, because people naturally
yearn to move forward and because the industrial revolution and population
pressures require urgent remedial measures to improve the long-term
sustainability of our environment. These improvements need to be maintained over
time to bear maximum fruit.
These three areas present our greatest
challenges at global, local and personal levels. Traditionally, they competed
for priority as separate issues. In reality they are all inextricably
interrelated. It makes good sense to incorporate all three into holistic,
inclusive solutions.
‘Think globally, act locally’.
Sustainable development is not about what other people are doing. It’s about
identifying the role we all can play in creating a better, sustainable world.
Our spheres of influence extend to our home life, work life and life as an
active community member.
Sustainability generally refers to having a
longer-term view of development in the context of resource and energy
management. However, to achieve this goal, short and medium-term issues need to
be incorporated. This is especially true of the project base through which much
sustainable development is expressed. Successful projects have a beginning,
middle and if truly sustainable, and ongoing maintenance and development phase
into the distant future.
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