Dr Brian and Nina Earl
Mordialloc 3195
28 February 2011
Sustainable Population Strategy Taskforce
Dept Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population & Communities
PO Box 787, Canberra ACT 2600
Dear Sir/Madam
Submission: A Sustainable Population Strategy for Australia—Issues Paper and
Appendices
We recently discovered by word-of mouth that a population strategy is being developed and we
belatedly requested a copy. Our thanks to the Taskforce for sending us the above document that
we received 18 February; we contribute as best we can before the due date on 1 March.
Firstly, we thank the Federal Government and its Ministers for initiating a national debate on a
sustainable population level for Australia through this Issues Paper and subsequent documents
and, hopefully, a sustainable population policy with real outcomes.
Our Background
As migrants and citizens of Australia, and now conservation volunteers, we have great interest in
such an important strategy on the future population of this magnificent continent with widely
variable natural and built environments.
We emigrated from England to Australia in 1974 with our three children and now have seven
grandchildren. We are forever grateful for the opportunity to live here and raise our family in a
unique natural environment and wonderful multicultural society. But we have directly
contributed to a population increase in Australia and, in our naivety and ignorance, saw more
people as a good thing for Australia and its economy. But time and experience has taught us
otherwise—we question having had three children, and we now realise that population pressure
has had negative impacts on the original inhabitants, on our modern society and, most
importantly, our threatened natural environment. Australia now leads the world in the rate of
species extinction with Victoria the worst of States—even the Kookaburra is now vulnerable—
due to our carelessness and overpopulation for the environmental conditions here.
General Comments
The widely variable climates and environmental landscapes of Australia, this driest of
continents, with disaster prone regions experiencing drought, dust storms, fires, tornados, floods,
cyclones, the odd earthquake, and more, render many areas unsuitable or difficult for living for
most people. And climate change is and will create more uninhabitable areas. It is quite
remarkable that the first Australians successfully adapted to harsh conditions through ingenious
ways and survived for thousands of years, with their numbers kept in check by natural
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conditions. Pagan peoples also trod lightly on the land because their survival depended upon
sustainable use of their environment. Nowadays, most people try to conquer the environment
rather than living sustainably within it. Modern technology has enabled us to live in protected
environments that, unfortunately, have allowed us to multiply to a level that is out of balance
with other species. One could say that, as an overly dominant species, humans are now out of
balance with the ecosystems that we live in. Our sheer numbers and our behaviour with
extravagant lifestyles and overconsumption of energy and resources are endangering our climate
and our natural environment, and we don’t see that; as the saying goes, There are none so blind
as those who do not want to see. We need to reduce our numbers and return to a more modest
lifestyle to reduce our impact on the Australian continent.
Specific Comments
Document. It is very informative but we suggest:
1.
(a) an Index, and (b) a Glossary, both for ease of reference, and (c) a Due Date for
comments to avoid ambiguity on a submission timeline.
2.
When referring to the triple bottom line, please list ‘environmental’ first, rather than
second in this document (economic, environmental and social), so that environmental
issues/impacts are considered first—because a healthy and functioning environment is essential
for economic and social prosperity.
3.
The 14 questions are best condensed into no more than 10 and similarity and overlap of
issues and topics avoided.
Executive Summary (p.36)
1st para. Yes, it is regrettable that discourse in Australia is polarised between increasing our
population for economic reasons and decreasing it for environmental reasons. This is an
information and education issue that the proposed Sustainability Commission could address.
Four sustainable population domains: Economic growth and productivity, Environmental
sustainability, Liveability, and Social inclusion. Please list Environmental sustainability first
because the other domains depend upon a healthy environment. Otherwise, we agree that it is
essential to consider all of these factors together.
For the following 16 issues (not 17, as stated), please also see our comments elsewhere in this
submission:
1. Ageing. Agree with the issues raised with regard to the impacts on individuals and society of
the growth of an older population and their participation and productivity. But also with the
notions of preparation for ageing by individuals and their families, communities, local, State
and Federal governments, and of the place where aged populations are likely to occur or
increase. All these factors need equal consideration to plan for a growth in the older
population. Another issue is dismissive and discriminatory attitudes towards older people in
the general community.
2. Children and Young People. Yes, resources must be shared between the young and older
population. Another issue is the separation of young families in outer suburbs from
grandparents or extended family in distant places.
3. Indigenous Population. Yes, it would be great to see indigenous peoples employed in
mainstream communities, holding government and tertiary positions, assisting with
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environmental rehabilitation or using their knowledge and expertise productively. In our
view, indigenous peoples are just too invisible in our society.
4. Diversity and Multiculturalism. Yes, the ethnic diversity of Australia’s population is a great
strength—genetically and culturally. Yet inequality and marginalisation does exist which,
we suggest, could be helped by better education about ethnicity and if most Australians learnt
a language other than English!
5. International Migration. Agree with the issues raised. But we object to the differential and
inhumane treatment of refugees or asylum seekers arriving by boat compared with kinder
treatment of those who arrive by plane. We would like to see refugees and asylum seekers
processed promptly on-shore, not in lengthy and inhumane detention off-shore.
6. Australia’s Diaspora. Australians move overseas to broaden their experience and
opportunities, and this is likely to continue. Historically, they have gone to Europe or USA,
but more recently to Asia which makes visiting or return easier because of the lesser
distance, and this could be mentioned in this paragraph. Incentives to return may be
possible, particularly if promotion opportunities are reviewed.
7. Social Inclusion. It is good to see a discussion of social inclusion/exclusion, and the need
for governments and agencies to work better together. Please explain how climate change is
an important threat.
8. Fertility and families. Agree with the issues raised.
9. Cities. Agree with the issues raised. Suggest another issue: increased residential population
in CBDs is causing conflict over noise between residents and evening and night venues and
contractors who operate at night or early in the morning.
10. Rethinking Australia’s Settlement System. Agree with the issues raised, especially with
careful investigation of past, present and potential future settlement systems. But indigenous
Australians may need to be involved in dialogue about settlements.
11. Remote Australia and Population. Agree in general with the issues raised. However, whilst
resource extraction does create new settlements, a related issue is when resource extraction
ceases then some of these settlements languish for lack of population and services. Given
that many indigenous Australians live in remote areas, they would need to be involved in
dialogue about any settlement.
12. Infrastructure. This section quite rightly refers to underinvestment and uneven distribution
of infrastructure, particularly in outer metropolitan and remote areas. An obvious example is
the poor state and reach of our rail networks—ageing rail infrastructure needs replacing, rail
services need to extend to outer suburbs, closed rail lines reopened, major cities and towns
connected by rail—investment in our rail systems is badly needed and should be a major
sustainable environment issue in this Strategy. Investment could involve traineeships to skill
our own rail workforce.
13. Towards Environmental Sustainability. Agree with the issues raised, particularly that
consumption and behaviour adds to the environmental impact of population levels, and that
climate change and sustainable water use are major issues. Emissions from air travel are also
an issue to resolve. As this section states, environmental sustainability is an issue for the
Australian government and citizens. People could be encouraged in their efforts towards
environmental sustainability by awards and incentives which, in turn, would encourage
government action.
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14. Housing. We are surprised at the extent of a housing shortage across Australia. The reasons
for the shortfall in housing need investigating. Could it mean that the rate of immigration,
particularly temporary migrants for work or study, is too high for current housing
availability?
15. Food Security. Agree with the issues raised, particularly a move towards more organic
farming; we use organic produce as much as possible for our own health and that of the
environment. Australia has a good reputation for its clean produce, and a GM free Australia
would boost our clean and green produce reputation.
16. Australia’s International Role. Agree with the issues raised. It is good that Australia is
striving to improve relations with our near neighbours instead of ignoring them as we have
done in the past.
Developing and initiating a population strategy. We support the notion of an informed
discussion, not a debate, in engaging all Australians in this strategy, and with presentation of
empirical evidence rather than emotive or biased views or dumbed down issues. The gathering
of evidence may well need an independent National Population Research Facility and/or a
National Population Council, rather than an arm of government, and such evidence would need
to be drawn from local, State and Federal sources. However, it would be disappointing if such
bodies produced reports but no real outcomes.
Q1: What issues do you think a Sustainable Population Strategy for Australia should address?
(a) Climate change and greenhouse emissions from population levels, energy and resource
consumption—an equitable pollution levy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is essential for
all industries including agriculture, commerce and, possibly, for consumers (we would accept
a reasonable levy on our emissions despite our limited income as Senior citizens).
(b) Better protection of the natural environment—the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 only protects bits of the environment; it needs strengthening to
include protection of bioregions, ecosystems, and habitat corridors.
(c) Improving the place of indigenous Australians in our society—resolving their Native Title
rights or right to access or manage tribal lands in partnership with landowners; and how we
can learn from their ways.
(d) The natural population carrying capacity of this land assessed from the environmental
impacts of population levels thus far and into the future—species loss, desertification,
salinity, depletion of groundwater, pollution of air and water, etc.
(e) Stabilising our population now, not in 30 or more years, including ethical ways of lowering
the birth rate through education and encouraging child adoption or fostering. China has a
harsh one child per couple/household policy to reduce their population growth and pressure,
but this has caused social problems with lonely, overregulated and overindulged children;
and favouritism for boys has resulted in girls being disposed of and boys being kidnapped.
This is a poor solution for any country. It is prosperity, opportunities and education that lead
to lower birth rates.
(f) Maintaining non-discriminatory humanitarian immigration; continuing reasonable intake of
refugees and asylum seekers and humane treatment of them. Migrant family programs have
given immigrants support and helped them settle better here, but it has directly increased our
population. Nevertheless, perhaps there is a case to continue intake of close family members
who contribute to the welfare of immigrants.
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(g) Increasing our own skilled workforce and reducing skilled immigration.
(h) Maintaining a non-discriminatory multicultural society—we need multicultural and antiracial policies.
(i) Sensible distribution of our population—reducing or increasing levels in certain locations.
Disaster prone areas should have low populations, with possible relocation of people away
from coasts subject to erosion or storm surges, and away from areas subject to inundation,
cyclones, earthquakes, etc.
(j) Sensible land use—food grown in suitable conditions and where people are; hard hoofed
animals kept where the soil is not damaged and kept out of alpine areas and away from rivers
and wetlands; feral animals and weeds eradicated (more cost-effective than allowing
irreversible damage to the environment); a ban on importation of invasive terrestrial and
aquatic animals and plants.
(k) Adopting a modest lifestyle so that we live within our environmental means—avoiding
resource and groundwater depletion, reducing food miles, smaller homes, etc—reducing,
reusing and recycling.
(l) Resource extraction causes enormous environmental damage and biodiversity loss; it needs
to be minimised and better regulated. Uranium mining is an ethical issue—uranium is a
dangerous substance to cart or store, and safe waste disposal has not yet been resolved, and a
great deal of embedded energy goes into producing nuclear energy. Uranium is best left in
the ground.
(m) Impact of population density on liveability of our cities—planning, traffic, transport, noise,
infrastructure, sense of community, isolation, anonymity.
(n) Better urban design with sustainable neighbourhoods where people can live, work, shop, seek
entertainment, leisure or cultural and learning activities, and have access to community
gardens and green open spaces within walking distance or by public transport.
(o) Stop urban sprawl of our cities and towns into productive land and natural habitat.
Unfettered urban growth is bad town planning from every sustainable viewpoint—it causes
alienation and breakdown of community social structures—and is a failure by successive
governments to contain development and reign in developers who profit and walk away.
Melbourne and Sydney boundaries should be contracted, not further expanded. Land
banking by governments, corporations and individuals should have a time limit, after which
the land is retained as or converted to open space, or developed, as appropriate, otherwise a
heavy tax imposed. Many European towns and cities have set boundaries to prevent
encroachment and maintain liveability, yet continue to flourish in every way.
(p) Ensure energy efficient buildings—public, domestic, commercial, industrial—with passive
heating and cooling, roof gardens, vertical gardens, etc. Limit the size of buildings—no
more McMansions or enormous foyers. Ensure good house design with generous eaves and
verandahs to reduce the need for air-conditioners.
(q) More public transport and less major roads. Living within 500m of a major road or freeway
is a health risk for respiratory and heart problems (USA Health Effects Institute worldwide
four-year study 2010).
(r) Freight handling systems and infrastructure need reviewing—the larger a city the larger the
freight handling systems, ports, and associated infrastructure, which has environmental and
social impacts. Melbourne Port freight handling has outgrown existing systems and
infrastructure, resulting in heavy freight vehicle movements through residential areas, and
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pollution of Port Phillip Bay. Most regrettably, another container port is being established at
Hastings on Westernport Bay that will threaten Ramsar listed habitat containing seagrass
flats, fringing mangroves, wide tidal mudflats and saltmarsh (that is now rare around
Melbourne). And noisy freight trains and vehicles will rumble through residential areas to
Melbourne. Yet a deep and safe natural harbour exists at Portland on the west coast of
Victoria that would be ideal for a second container port if it had a rail connection. And the
Portland community would benefit from the extra trade and employment that a container port
would bring.
(s) Strict water use targets for everyone—householders, commerce, industry, agriculture; and
return environmental flow to maintain ecosystems, healthy rivers, wetlands and coastal
waters.
(t) Light pollution in our towns and cities from street lights, up lights, down lights, spotlights,
and garden lights that disrupt sleep patterns of humans, disturb diurnal and nocturnal wildlife
and, along with insect zappers, kills enormous numbers of insects essential for pollination
and ecosystem services. And loss of visibility and appreciation of the night sky. Solar street
lights are being trialled which would reduce greenhouse gas emissions but they would still
cause light pollution. Night lighting must be minimised and hooded where possible.
(u) Educating people to accept that our individual and collective ‘rights’ come with
responsibilities for our environment, society and economy, and the need to act on those
responsibilities.
(v) Encouraging respectful behaviour towards the property, possessions, and needs of others—
targeting littering, vandalism, minor and major crime.
(w) Encourage retired Senior citizens to become community volunteers to share the burden of an
increased ageing population, although essential community services should continue.
(x) Educating and encouraging people to keep native animals as pets; better control of the pet
industry and stiffer penalties for releasing introduced animals into the wild.
(y) Educating and encouraging the horticultural industry and individuals to promote, appreciate
and adopt indigenous vegetation, unique to Australia, for landscaping and gardens, rather
than commonly used generic exotic plants some of which become invasive. A target of 50%
local native plants for any landscaping would greatly contribute to indigenous vegetation
levels and local wildlife habitats across Australia.
For the following questions, please also refer to comments under Issues above:
Q2: What do you think are the key indicators of an environmentally sustainable community?
(a) High biodiversity levels and healthy ecosystems—terrestrial and aquatic—that excludes
introduced invasive species, whether non-local native or imported species.
(b) Clean air, water, and soil and healthy and happy individuals.
(c) Sustainable population level distributed in environments that can sustain populations.
(d) Good town/country planning that retains arable land and biodiversity levels.
(e) Communities with low renewable energy requirements through good building design and
energy efficient processes; low greenhouse emissions and low fossil fuel use.
(f) Towns and cities with good urban forest cover, surfaces permeable to rainwater, and green
spaces—to relieve the built environment and mitigate heat build up.
(g) Towns and cities with set boundaries, good public transport, reduced private vehicles.
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Q3: How have changes in the population impacted on your local environment?
Mordialloc is a suburb beside Port Phillip Bay and Mordialloc Creek, in the City of Kingston,
about 25km from Melbourne CBD. This area is Bunurong/Boon wurrung aboriginal territory
and was once their cultural land with rich hunting and food sources for them. European
settlement came and took up pastoral leases and squatting rights. Mordialloc began as a seaside
fishing village of six fishermen’s huts beside Mordialloc Creek about 1839 only four years after
Melbourne was founded. Mordialloc became a holiday destination when the railway came in
1881; fell into decline when cars arrived; then lost many heritage buildings as it was consumed
by the spread of Melbourne. Yet it retains a somewhat compromised but still friendly, old
seaside village character.
General loss of amenity and impacts from the population increase are:
(a) Displacement and decimation of the original inhabitants, the Bunurong and other Kulin
tribes.
(b) The vast Carrum Carrum swamp that equalled the biodiversity of Kakadu wetlands was
drained and is now flood-prone suburbs.
(c) Loss of biodiversity, green open spaces, and urban forests.
(d) Exotic vegetation (non-local native and imported plants) replacing local native vegetation, as
new development, landscaping, and park upgrades occurs (by developers, residents, and
Council).
(e) Loss of real and practical maritime character and creek scenes and harbour activities, much
loved by locals, artists and visitors, as fishers’ boats and boat works are being replaced with
trendy yachts, motor boats, jet skis, and boat sculptures in the gentrification process.
(f) Increased noise and pollution of soil, waterways, and air—particulates from solid fuel
heaters, vehicle emissions, and industry cause respiratory problems and are injurious to
general health. Solid fuel heaters should be banned in built-up areas because they are rarely
used correctly to minimise fine particulates. (Firewood harvesting also destroys habitat).
(g) Light pollution and loss of visibility and appreciation of the night sky (see issues to be
addressed above).
(h) An increase in the built environment and sealed surfaces resulting in the ‘heat bank’ effect;
loss of buffers between neighbours and between homes and roads and infrastructure or public
buildings; traffic congestion.
(i) Loss of informal and friendly communities, historic places and buildings, ‘sense of place’
and memories that were held in the fabric of buildings and landscapes now lost to
development.
(j) Loss of essential retail that served the local community—butchers, milk bars, shoe shops,
hardware, etc—to numerous cafes, restaurants, bars, liquor outlets, etc, to attract visitors.
(k) Conversely, there are now more sophisticated facilities, a wider variety of shops if one
travels by car, and lively centres in the municipality of Kingston.
Q4: How might technological or governance improvements mitigate the environmental impacts
of population growth?
(a) Ban coal-fired power stations generally, and domestic solid fuel heaters in built-up areas.
(b) Improve and expand renewable energy industries and the consumption of power from
renewable sources.
(c) Maximum energy efficiency star rating for new buildings (nine-star ratings are now
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possible), including noise control. Require energy efficiency ratings on buildings for sale or
lease.
(d) Improve water use and savings, and avoid desalination plants that are damaging to marine
environments.
Q6: What lessons have we learnt that will help us to better manage the impacts of population
change on the environment?
(a) Not many! Each generation of citizens and decision makers seem not to learn from the
previous generation. We need to see ourselves as caretakers of this land, tread lightly on it,
and pass it on in the same or better condition than we found it, and feel an obligation to pass
our knowledge onto those who follow. Original inhabitants who are still connected with the
land and their lore may have much to teach us in environmental care of this land.
(b) Halt the sprawl of cities and towns into bush or wetland areas and arable land.
(c) Reduce, better still remove, hard-hoofed animals from our vulnerable soils.
(d) Authorities and individuals know about sustainable management of potable and irrigated
water supply and environmental flows, and some efficiency has been achieved through
technology and better practices. More could be done—relocate water-hungry crops to high
rainfall areas; more drip feed and less aerial spraying of crops; landscaping with native
drought tolerant plants, etc.
Q7: What do you see as the defining characteristics of a flourishing and sustainable economy?
(a) An equitable society with opportunities for all and care of the disadvantaged among us.
(b) High employment with a goodly proportion of full-time, with some part-time and temporary
jobs, and training incentives for the unemployed.
(c) Schemes to skill and train our own citizens for employment and community service.
(d) Affordable owned and rental homes; low homelessness, and schemes to house disadvantaged
people.
(e) Vibrant retail and manufacturing industries, entertainment, leisure and tourist industries.
(f) Ability to feed our own population without causing long-term damage to the environment.
Q8: Is your community, business or industry facing skills shortages or other immediate
economic pressures, and how are these best managed?
(a) Shortage of affordable housing and crisis accommodation in City of Kingston and across
Melbourne.
(b) Shortage of traineeship, retraining or apprenticeship opportunities
(c) Shortage of essential retail to service local communities.
(d) Shortage of neighbourhood parks and open spaces in some suburbs.
Q9: In the decades to come, what challenges and opportunities will our economy face, and how
will they interact with changes in our population?
(a) Need to rely less on environmentally-damaging resource income; rely more on clean food
production, eco-tourism, services, sustainable industries, knowledge industries, research and
development, manufacturing.
(b) Trade competition from other countries and whether tariffs are ethical and appropriate.
(c) Maintaining high employment and a skilled workforce.
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Q10: How should we measure the sustainability of our local, regional and national economies?
Unsure—no time to consider and comment.
Q11: What are the things that make your community a good place to live?
(a) The natural environment of the foreshore and creek and Port Phillip Bay with wildlife, bush,
sky and views—a relief from the built environment.
(b) A sense of community.
(c) Rail and bus services with access to the CBD.
(d) A reasonable range of shops for daily needs, although we have lost book, shoe, and hardware
shops.
Q12: How have changes in the population changed the way you live your life? Unsure—no time
to consider and comment.
Q13: What sustainability issues need to be addressed in order for your community to
accommodate a changing Australian population? Unsure—no time to consider and comment.
Q14: What are some useful indicators to help measure the liveability and sustainability of our
communities? Unsure—no time to consider and comment.
5 Policy Directions
Key messages (p.267)
1. Excessive rates of population growth (and immigration in turn) should only be countenanced
if demonstrable improvements in indicators of sustainability can be achieved. Please define
‘excessive’—where, and in what way? Substantial improvements in sustainability indicators
are essential, regardless of population levels, and should not be used to justify higher
population targets.
2. The nation will have a conversation about whether and how population should be stabilised
in the long term. Yes, but let it be based on fact, not prejudice, and what is best for the
natural environment, including greenhouse emissions.
3. Australia will benefit from an independent Sustainability Commission to hold governments to
account, identify policy options for increasing our sustainability and develop the national
debate. Yes, an independent Sustainability Commission would be necessary, but it must lead
to real outcomes.
4. A more sustainable Australia will require increased investment in education, training and
infrastructure. Absolutely; investment in skills of our own citizens and ability to
manufacture for our own needs is vital for a sustainable Australia.
Population growth dependent on improvements in sustainability indicators
First para. Again, please define ‘excessive’. But we make the point that the environmental
conditions in Australia, coupled with climate change impacts, means that this land may not
sustainably support a population beyond 20 million.
Last para—Sustainability Charter. Yes; we support an ongoing Charter that commits a
Government to sustainable policies, strategies and outcomes, whichever Party holds office.
More equitable regional development (p.268)
1st point. In funding local governments to help them deal with heavy population growth,
consideration must first be given to the environmental impacts, then social and economic
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impacts of that growth, and whether some of that local population is best shifted or encouraged
elsewhere.
2nd point. Agree with decentralisation away from capital cities in principle, providing that does
no harm for the receiving local environment. Population should be spread more widely with
regional centres expanded to relieve pressure on cities, but not where there will be loss of arable
land, important natural environments, or difficult environmental conditions.
3rd point. Agree with encouraging industries and infrastructure in regional areas, providing that
does no harm to the receiving local environment and community.
4th point. Agree with considering the whole of a region when encouraging immigration to a
given locality, but please first consider and ensure no harm from environmental, social and
economic impacts.
More Government control over (im)migration programs (p.268-9)
1st para. Yes, Government must have control over immigration levels to create and implement a
sustainable population policy.
2nd para. Yes, the 457 visa program needs evaluating and capping or replacing, to ensure skilled
immigration matches vacancies that cannot be filled here and that numbers are consistent with a
sustainable population level.
3rd para. Evaluation of international services agencies is worthy but trade agreements may need
to be renegotiated. Numbers of temporary residents may need to be reduced to achieve a
sustainable population level, but charging more to those individuals that do come may
discourage them and be counterproductive. Relocating some services off-shore, say education,
may help to adjust our population levels, but the environmental, social and economic impacts for
Australia and the receiving country would need to be assessed.
Stablising Australia’s population (p.269)
Absolutely agree that stabilising our population must be a key part of this Strategy. Unfettered
growth is unsustainable for the environment and society, so we must accept a degree of hardship
to be able to live within our environmental means.
Australia’s limited fertile land and reliable water sources means it cannot carry a high
population. National population should be stabilised at 20 million, and certainly not exceed 25
million. Our numbers have already grown to about 22.25 million (in 2010) but careful
management should scale back population to 20 million. Humanitarian immigration should
continue, and apprentice or traineeships slowly replace skilled immigration, although there may
always be a need to import some skilled people.
Policy instruments for sustainability (p.269)
First para. These are fine words ‘the panel envisages a future where people are living socially
engaged and prosperous lives in a healthy environment – a future we describe as sustainable’
and truly wonderful if it could be achieved.
Agree with the following three essential proposed policy domains:
1st policy. reduction in population growth rate: immigration and policies that encourage a
higher birth rate to be subject to sustainability indicators.
2nd policy. managing current and future population impacts through urban and regional
planning, sustainability infrastructure (public transport, life-long education and training, nonclimate dependent water sources, zero-carbon energy production, biodiversity conservation etc).
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3rd policy. policies and programs targeting reduction in consumption/unsustainable use of
resources by the existing population.
Clearly, a great deal of discussion, investigation, reporting, policy creation, and enabling would
be required over a lengthy timescale. Perhaps there are interim steps that could be taken now.
Four proposals to take the next steps towards such a population policy (p.270):
1. Australia needs rigorous indicators of sustainability. Population growth (and by implication
immigration) should be linked with progress on these indicators. Indicators should include:
biodiversity preservation; substantive reduction in urban encroachment; enhanced water
efficiency, and enhanced housing affordability and availability. Absolutely agree, especially
with biodiversity preservation and reducing urban encroachment. But, please say
biodiversity preservation and habitat expansion. Improving housing affordability and
availability is worthy, but demand should be determined by sustainable population levels.
2. Australia will engage in a national dialogue about what aiming for stable population would
mean and how it should be achieved. Yes, with everyone—a necessary educating process
from which informed decisions can be made.
3. Australia will benefit from a Sustainability Commission that produces sustainability
indicators, reports to the Australian parliament annually on progress, and guides debate
about sustainability and sustainable population levels. Sustainability Indicators should be
used as a basis of policy formation generally, including through the use of Sustainability
Impact Statements to inform government policies and investments. Very good, but debate
must be in the public domain also.
4. The Government should consider reforms to the immigration program that allow it to
exercise more control over immigration levels. Yes, essential to achieve a sustainable
population level and for an effective Sustainable Population Policy.
We have not been able to read the entire Issues Paper and contribute comprehensively;
nevertheless, we hope our comments are useful, and we look forward to hearing more about
progress on a Sustainable Population Strategy for Australia.
Yours faifhfully
Nina and Brian Earl
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