Local Government Leadership
Local Governments & Communities Driving Change Together
Recognising that the world is made up of local government areas who are the land managers of the world, Blue Mountains Planetary Health demonstrates how local governments can work with their communities to drive the change needed to improve the health of all life. This change can be scaled beyond local communities, driving a bottom-up revolution to restore the health of our planet.
A 25 Year Journey
Blue Mountains Planetary Health was established as a key element of Blue Mountains City Council’s inspirational 25-year planetary health journey with its community.
Guided by a Sustainability Model and Map for Action, this journey has focused on creating a ‘more sustainable Blue Mountains’ and a healthier planet - socially, economically and environmentally.
Blue Mountains Planetary Health is creating a compelling vision for the future by providing alternatives to current paradigms and a way forward that offers hope for current and future generations.
Our Current Focus Areas
Local Government-Led Solutions Media
In 2023 we created hyperlocal media in every neighbourhood across our bioregion from the Lower Mountains to Lithgow, to share local stories by local people. The news sites were solutions-focused and provided local directories, resources and events calendars to grow social connection and disaster readiness in every community.
In 2026 the 300+ stories of positive local action were brought together into a new site - The Blueprint - which reaches a global audience via the Substack platform.
Local Government-Led Learning and Research
Blue Mountains City Council was the first Council in Australia to adopt the Rights of Nature; it has adopted a Statement of Recognition and Commitment with First Nations; and it has joined Mayors for Peace: a global movement calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons and lasting world peace.
Our Centre is committed to the Rights of Nature, to embracing Indigenous wisdom and knowledge, to peace, and to pluralism: which embraces and values diversity, tolerance, equal rights, and inclusivity.
We organise and host regular events and conferences covering topics such as Disaster Risk Reduction, Food Security, Permaculture and Peace.
Online Resources
We’ve put together a collection of resources to help individuals, households and communities take action locally.
Visit our Take Action page to find resources including how-to guides, videos and stories on Disaster Preparedness, Food Security, Water Security and more.
Visit our YouTube channel to see all our videos.