Sustainable Development of Narrabri Region - Report Example

Name Institution Date NАRRАBRI Sustainable development which has become a topic of discussion over the years across the world is the duty of any state government to its citizens. As such, sustainable development has been defined by many scholars as development that adequately meets the needs of the present without compromising the capacity of the upcoming generations to meet their needs (Hopwood & et al, 2005). Such development do not only make the quality of life of citizens better but also it ensures that the resources for the future generations are not depleted hence a hopeful future. In this regards, sustainable development as a part of human beings as argued by (Hopwood & et al, 2005) facilitate people to comprehend ourselves and the world and equally motivate us to handle the problems that challenges us responsibly. It is good to solve challenges but what if the solution just last for a short period of time and the situation worse than before. In this case therefore, this paper intend to explore and scrutinize Narrabri region in terms of the land potential, the solutions to the flooding issues and several other issues laid in the form of questions. Narrabri is a region located in the Northwest of NSW in the Nimoi valley and more precisely in the lower catchment areas of Nimoi River and it covers an area of about 13,065 sq km. while the main town is Narrabri, two other large towns of Boggabri and Wee Waa also exist. There also exist villages which include Bellata, Edgeroi, Baanbaa, Pilliga and finally Gwabegar. It’s a finite area of land where urban areas needs to be developed, grow agricultural products, graze animals extract and harvest natural resources as well as ensuring protection of flora and fauna and associated ecosystem. In the same are industrial and infrastructure land are intended to be secured as well preservation of scenic and cultural sites. A map showing Narrabri Question one Shire has a lot of potential and capability to handle development of the area thus ensuring quality and better lives for the residents. Indeed, these potentials acts as a basis of development projects that the local council intends to make in the future (Narrabri Shire Council, 2006a). First the climatic conditions of the region seems to be seems to be favorable both crop farming and livestock farming. This is justified by the current availability of high value cotton as well as wheat. Also the existence of beef cattle fat lambs and wool signifies the availability of adequate fodder which is absolutely favored by the local climate. Other factor that seems to put farming at an upper hand is the existence of a river which provides water for both consumption and firming through irrigation. As such, the farming of crops and live stock is made possible. The areas is said to be invaded by frequent flooding especially lower catchment areas of Nimoi River (the open flood plains) thus ensuring deposition of silt which makes the soils more fertile an thus more suitable for farming (Narrabri Shire Council, 2006a). Through the mining site it also seems that the area has deposits of minerals thus making it possible for the region to earn more revenues (Narrabri Shire Council, 2006a). (Map 1) A map of shire are showing the Nimoi River An aerial photo showing the mining region Source: Narrabri Shire Council, (2006b). The fact that the landscape is also dominated by heavily vegetated steeps side of Kaputar Range and a national park to the east and PIlliga Forest to the southern part of Shire then it means that the area is not devoid of scenic and cultural sites which through the local and foreign tourists Shire earns a lot of revenue which is used to develop the region more (Narrabri Shire Council, 2006b). Also the natural ecosystems such forests and vegetation helps to improve the region environmental conditions through rain for different aspects of the economy such as agriculture, minerals and industries such as the cotton and wheat industries found in the Narrabri city. While the frequent floods to some points are very destructive, they can be the most resourceful commodity if well managed through development plans which are underway. At the same time, the Shire regions enjoys the incredible knowledge of expert engineer who come from the local region and additionally they enjoy a lot of experience both locally and abroad (Narrabri Shire Council, 2006b). A picture showing the extent of the floods A photo/ picture showing destructions made by the floods Source: Narrabri Shire Council, (2006b). Also the town enjoys the researches and information from the table and diligent Narrabri Shire Council. Currently the Council is preparing a local environmental plan for the entire local government area which will help the management and development of the place more sustainable. Further the potential of the place is more promising through the help of the state government which has three policies that are relevant to the future planning of shire and they include rural land use policy, policy on sustainable agriculture and NSW policy for protection of agricultural land. At the same time, the state government provides monetary support to the development policies and projects (Narrabri Shire Council, 2006b). Question two and three Following suitability potential and the capability of the site the most appropriate future use of the site should be protection of flora and fauna as a way of ensuring ecological sustainability (Figge & Hahn, 2003). As such, ecological sustainability means the acts of ensuring that the environment is treated carefully so as to ensure it is left in a good state for the future generation. Environment is the basis of most of the things that man does on earth be it economic activity, political activity and social activities. Indeed, it is the basis of agriculture since it ensure conducive environmental conditions for farming where in turn agricultural products drives the economy by providing raw materials to the processing industries for instance the cotton and wheat industries are fed by agriculture (Figge & Hahn, 2003). Products from the processing industries are used by the consumers to make life better and of good quality. For instance from the cotton industries we get clothes which keeps humans body worm. Moreover the wheat industry produces wheat product which while consumed gives nourishment to the human both human bodies. At the same time, mining industries also find their basis in the environment and as such sustainable mining should take place to avoid depletion of the environment.Equally human settlement is really based of the environment such that good environmental condition will motivate human settlement in a region. In fact no one would enjoy living in harsh environmental conditions. Integrating economic and environmental goals in policies and activities will ensure actual ecological sustainability by state governments hence quality present living and productive future (Figge & Hahn, 2004). In this regard, the most appropriate future land use for Shire Council should be protection of the fauna and flora and associated ecosystem, preserve scenic and cultural practices, industrial land and infrastructure and several others thus ensuring ecological sustainability of the site (Butler & et al, 2003). At the same time, the council should avoid practices that deplete the environment (Figge & Hahn, 2004). Such practices includes unplanned gazing, extra and excessive harvest of natural resources. This is because such practices only take from the environment but do not give back to the environment at least to replenish it. Indeed the activities that deplete the environment biodiversity and as such the practices only reduce the species by endangering them through development and production (Figge & Hahn, 2004). Question four In order to ensure sustainable development the best land used in the site is agriculture planned and managed agriculture unlike other economic activities ensure that the environment is replenished through decomposition of the plant matter thus replenishing the soil, the plants such as trees and agricultural plants helps maintain the ozone layer through reduction of excess carbon (iv) oxide which takes part in depletion of ozone layer Kang (2007). Ozone layer protects human cells from harmful UV rays which causes cancer. Also the UV rays results ion tremendous harm to any other form of life. Farming also leads to minerals such as coal which can be mined and used as fuel to run the human activities. Similarly, agriculture which utilizes happens to be the basis of the region’s economy Kang (2007). For instance, it is apparent that shire region is known for cotton and wheat farming which forms the raw materials of for the cotton and the wheat industries. At the same time farming of live stock is also very apparent through the cattle and the fat lambs which in turn provide wool. Wool becomes very important in the textile industries as it is breaded with other fabrics to form better resilient products which are worm as it is known that wool is manufacture worm products. Agriculture is also boosted by several factors such as existence of Namoi River which provide both consumption water and also can provide water for irrigating the plants in the region. The fact that the region is located at the lower catchment areas of Namoi River further puts agriculture on an upper hand as it receives silt from the uplands through the river hence making the place very fertile and favorable for farming. Equally the frequent flooding boosts the level of silt thus a more fertile land. Stocks of water can be added through the management of floods such that at least 90% of the flooded water can be stored in dam’s water reservoirs and also through channels. A common flow of this water can be used to produce power for the current generations and the future generation to drive the economy of the place for instance the water can be used in farming and industries. More importantly the water can be used to boost the level of agriculture through irrigation agricultural lands and therefore more yields for local consumption and future use as well as export thus more revenues to the state treasuries and the local government. Similarly agriculture is further favored by the local climatic conditions as well as environmental conditions Ikerd (2008). For instance, the existence of a forest shore that the regions receives more than moderate rainfall annually. The best use of the land should be agriculture which is with no doubt is supported many factor as it is apparent. Conclusion From the above case study it is apparent that ecological sustainability is very important for any development as it ensures biodiversity protection. Indeed through such development such as agriculture, protection of flora and fauna and the surrounding ecosystems and protection of scenic and cultural sites ensure the tremendous improvement of the environment as the activities replenishes the environment instead of depleting. Also developments activities such as well management of agriculture and development of infrastructure as well as giving sustainable solutions to natural disasters facilitates the protection of environment and it replenishment thus keeping it safe for the future generation References Butler C. & et al., (2003). New Visions for Addressing Sustainability. Science Journal. Vol. 302 issue no. 5652 pp. 1919-1920 Figge F. & Hahn T., (2003). Sustainable Value Added—measuring corporate contributions to sustainability beyond eco-efficiency. Ecological Economics. Vol 44, issue 2–3, pp. 165– 185 Figge F. & Hahn T., (2004). Sustainable Value Added—measuring corporate contributions to sustainability beyond eco-efficiency. Ecological Economics. Vol 48, Issue 2, pp. 173– 187 Hopwood B. & et al, (2005). Sustainable development: mapping different approaches. Sustainable Development. Vol 13 (1), pp 38–52 Ikerd J., (2008).Crisis and Opportunity: Sustainability in American Agriculture. U of Nebraska Press Kang M., (2007). Agricultural and environmental sustainability: considerations for the future. Haworth Food & Agricultural Products Press Narrabri Shire Council, (2006a). Narrabri Shire Rural Residential Study: Confidential Draft for Councilor Discussion. Retrieved on 5th October 2013 from Narrabri Shire Council, (2006b). Narrabri Share Rural Dwelling House Minimum Study. Retrieved on 5th October 2013 from Sinclair, I., (2002). Growth Management and Rural Land, Paper presented to UNSW Planning Law and Practice Short Course, Kensington. Read More