Robyn Bushell and Bruce Simmons
University of Western Sydney
The development of a methodology to understand the relationship between community values and economic development
Increasing population growth, urbanisation and economic development is placing increasing stress levels on a number of community and environmental values. However, the linking of technical aspects of development to community values in a research context is difficult.
A values based diagnostic tool based, on EIA methodology, has been developed to relate triple bottom line values to potential impacts caused by development related activities. By applying this tool across different sections of the community shared perceptions of priorities of benefit or cost to community values can be identified. Management priorities can be made to reduce risk to community values, using this process.
The paper will briefly describe the adaptation of a triple bottom line assessment technique described in sustainability discourse to the impacts of development, in regards to the tourism and agricultural sectors in Australia. Application to water development activities and values is a major component of both sectors.
Bruce Simmons . B.Ap.Sc.(Analytical Chemistry), NSW Institute of Technology 1975, M.Ap.Sc. (by Research – Aquatic Ecology), NSW Institute of Technology 1985.
Mr Simmons is a University of Western Sydney (USW) research scientist. In a career spanning 30 years Mr Simmons has worked as an analytical chemist, designated NSW government researcher, divisional deputy manager, senior consultant, senior academic leader and, currently, UWS and CRC Irrigation Futures research scientist. His expertise includes Water Resources Management, Environmental Education and Environmental Management Systems. Since 2002 Mr Simmons has partnered more than $2m (Australian) in grants and consultancies, and has numerous publications (book chapters, refereed papers, reports and conferences) in these fields. Mr Simmons has collaborated in research with 9 research agencies (including ACIAR, CSIRO), the World Health Organisation, AusAID and 15 state and local government agencies. Mr Simmons has also been on the convening panel of 3 local and 7 international conferences in the field of water resource and environmental management.
Email: b.simmons@uws.edu.au
Dr Robyn Bushell is the Associate Head, School of Social Sciences and a member of the Centre for Cultural Research. Recognised internationally for research into the relationship between tourism, health and the local community and conservation of natural and cultural heritage. She has authored and co-authored several books and publications on tourism, wellbeing and conservation. She is involved in research with UNESCO, UN-World Tourism Organisation, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the World Health Organisation, national and local governments.
Collaborative research with Bruce Simmons & Dr Jenny Scott over the past three years with the Camping & Caravan Industry and with local government has yielded a well accepted methodology for research associated with socially and environmentally responsible business practices, especially in the tourism sector.
Robyn is a the NSW Vice Chancellors representative on the NSW Environmental Education Council, sits on the Board of Booderee National Park and on the Board of the Blue Mountains Regional Advisory Committee and Blue Mountains World Heritage Research Institute.
Email:r.bushell@uws.edu.au