Download this report from the Municipal Association of Victoria's website (PDF) or here (PDF).

Introduction

It is a time of uncertainty as communities around the world consider the implications of climate change and peak oil. Debates over responsibility and appropriate responses to climate change may be turbulent, but one thing is certain; we each need to reduce our impact on the earth’s atmosphere and move away from our reliance on polluting and nonrenewable energy sources.

Communities across the globe have started responding to these pressing issues by acknowledging the importance of acting locally to reduce global impact. Local economies, local food production and local energy production are all strengthened in a grass-roots movement called relocalisation. This is a diverse movement, which comes in many forms and under many names, but the essence is always the same: we must re-embrace the local.

Recognising the importance of relocalisation as a rising trend, the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has instigated this research report into the movement. This timely project will assist MAV in ascertaining the value of relocalisation and assessing the plausibility of Victorian local governments taking up such initiatives. Relocalisation is seen as a potential way forward to assist local councils to become more sustainable, adaptive and resilient in the face of global issues.

The aim of this research report is to provide MAV with a comprehensive and holistic assessment of the emerging relocalisation movement. This has been achieved through the analysis of prominent relocalisation examples in both Australian and international contexts.

Case studies of best practice relocalisation initiatives with local government facilitation and involvement have been identified through the research. This research will aid MAV in establishing a clearer picture of how such projects could be implemented by Victoria’s urban municipalities in the future.

This report assesses the drivers and barriers of local government participation, and provides examples of practical, viable, positive initiatives that can be replicated throughout Victoria’s urban councils. Findings from this body of research should be seen as a stimulant to further research, rather than a finite research result.