Vision for North Tipperary
- Vision Statement
- Achieving the Vision
- Why Do We Need Sustainable Development?
- Changing Our Perspective
- Sustainability at a Local Level
- Achieving Sustainability
- Guiding Decision-Making
2.7 Sustainable Development guiding decision-making
Along with the above four key objectives of sustainable development set out in Section 2.6, there are several principles or approaches, which can help to achieve positive decision-making in North Tipperary:
2.7.1 Put people first
Sustainable development must enable people to enjoy a better quality of life, now and in the future. Ultimately planning is about people, and we need to remember this when producing planning policy.
2.7.2 Take a long-term perspective
We have to act now to protect the interests of future generations. We cannot afford to have a temporary positive attitude to sustainability, letting our resolve wane when the issue is not on the forefront of our minds or in the media. We must act responsibly to meet the demands of today whilst keeping an eye on how it may affect our future.
2.7.3 Costs vs. benefit
Decisions need to take all potential costs and benefits into account, not only the most obvious ones, which are easily measured in economic terms. We must be careful not to impose disproportional costs elsewhere when pursuing a single objective, and must always take the values of the public into account.
2.7.4 Create an open economic system
We need to create conditions in North Tipperary in which trade can flourish, and competitiveness can act as a stimulus for growth and creativity. A stable, reliable economy is a key requirement for a sustainable society.
2.7.5 Combat poverty and social exclusion
Eliminating poverty is essential for sustainable development. All people should have the right to fulfil their potential, through access to high quality public services, education, and employment opportunities, adequate housing and an attractive and safe environment.
2.7.6 Respect for the environment
Serious damage to the environment is an increasing threat to North Tipperary and the planet in general. We need to respect the limits of our environment and not overuse it to the point of irreparable damage. Limits of use must be set, but defining such limits is difficult but will be undertaken.
2.7.7 Making the polluter pay
A polluter (or ultimately the consumer) shall be made to pay the costs of resource depletion or social cost that may occur as a result of a particular activity or development. Penalties will be used to ensure that the costs incurred will not fall to the responsibility of the taxpayer.
2.7.8 Decision-making
Sustainable development should ultimately form the cornerstone for all decisions. The Development Plan will be the Council's blueprint towards the achievement of sustainable development.
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