The Greater Blue Mountains was granted World Heritage status by the United Nations in 2000.
The nomination was accepted because of the region’s eucalypt / sclerophyll (hard leaved) ecosystems and its biodioversity, which has global importance. The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area has 160 rare or threatened plants and animals.
In 2020 we marked the 20th anniversary of this important milestone. Get more information
Blue Mountains City is also unique for the following reasons...
Statement of Recognition and Commitment
We honour and respect the ongoing and unbroken connection that Traditional Owners hold with Country.
On 25 May 2021, Blue Mountains City Council adopted Blue Mountains Aboriginal Advisory Council’s ‘Statement of Recognition and Commitment’. The Statement is a vision for Council to walk with Traditional Owners, and the broader Aboriginal community, to build a more positive future based on truth, respect and recognition of Traditional Ownership.
Read the Statement of Recognition and Commitment
Rights of Nature
In 2021 Blue Mountains City Council became the first Council and government entity in Australia to commit to integrating Rights of Nature (RON) principles into its operations and practices.
RON is a rapidly growing international movement that aims to ensure a safe and healthy future for our planet by encouraging humanity to reorient its relationship with nature, from an essentially exploitative one, to one that recognises the importance of all life on earth.
City on the Edge
We have sustainable planning and development
We have embedded sustainability into our strategic planning and endorsed the Local Strategic Planning Statement Blue Mountains 2040: Living Sustainably.
ECO City of the Arts
Leading the way on Planetary Health also requires creativity and innovation…
The Blue Mountains is an ECO City of the Arts.
We have a creative and innovative community who are committed to sustainable practices and doing what they can for the health of the planet.
Valued partnerships
We are helping to restore planetary health, with valued partners.
Since the establishment of the Planetary Health Initiative we’ve partnered with the Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Western Sydney University, the University of Technology’s Institute for Sustainable Futures, the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute, Notre Dame University, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), and Sydney University’s Environment Institute with a shared vision of advancing our understanding and capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of planetary health.
Blue Mountains City Council also has a long-standing partnership with the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute. Council was a founding partner of the independent not-for-profit Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute established to address research needs that support conservation and management of the site.
In collaboration with our partners, we provide resources on this website to Learn about and Participate in Planetary Health Initiatives.